Episode 424 - Final Favorites - 1955 to 1962

Episode 424 - Final Favorites - 1955 to 1962

Author: Mean Streets Podcasts October 23, 2025 Duration: 4:03:39

Our journey through the years of "radio's outstanding theatre of thrills" ends with my favorite installments from the final years of Suspense. Ray Bradbury presents a terrifying tale of a popular new kids' game in "Zero Hour" (originally aired on April 5, 1955), and a pharmacist races to correct a potentially fatal error in "To None a Deadly Drug" (originally aired on CBS on October 25, 1955). A man meticulously plots how to dispose of his wife's body in "Variations on a Theme" (originally aired on CBS on February 7, 1956), and William Conrad delivers a tour de force one-man performance in "The Waxwork" (originally aired on CBS on May 1, 1956). A postal inspector tries to intercept a bomb before it reaches its intended target in "Fragile: Contents Death" (originally aired on CBS on May 22, 1956), and DeForest Kelley is a talent agent who finds an act to die for in "Flesh Peddler" (originally aired on CBS on August 4, 1957). A defiant man stares down an army of ravenous ants in "Leiningen vs. the Ants" (originally aired on CBS on August 25, 1957), and anybody could be a killer on a train in "The Man Who Murders People" (originally aired on CBS on November 13, 1960).


Step back into an era where the crackle of a radio dial promised an evening of expertly crafted tension, brought to life by the most iconic voices ever captured on tape. Stars on Suspense (Old Time Radio) from Mean Streets Podcasts is a weekly double feature dedicated to preserving and celebrating this specific golden age artifact. The focus here is on the thrilling convergence of A-list Hollywood talent with the masterful sound production of the classic "Suspense" radio series. You'll hear legends like Orson Welles, Agnes Moorehead, or Cary Grant not in their familiar cinematic roles, but using only their voices to paint pictures of desperation, mystery, and impending doom. Each episode presents two complete, original broadcasts, allowing the listener to fully immerse in the narrative craftsmanship and atmospheric sound design that held a nation captive. This podcast isn't just about nostalgia; it's an archival showcase of performance art, highlighting how these stars built entire worlds and complex characters through vocal nuance alone. The collection spans the show's long run, offering everything from psychological noir to supernatural tales, all united by that signature spine-tingling "Suspense" mood. For anyone interested in the roots of modern audio drama, the history of performance, or simply a brilliantly told story, this curated journey provides a direct line to a time when imagination was the ultimate special effect. Tune in for a masterclass in tension, starring the very best.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Stars on Suspense (Old Time Radio)
Podcast Episodes
Episode 421 - Favorites from 1950 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:37:06
We enter the 50s as our journey through the years of Suspense continues with my favorite episodes from 1950. First, Dana Andrews is a cop on the trail of a killer in a radio adaptation of Ray Bradbury's "The Crowd" (orig…
Encore - Jack Benny: No Sillies, Just Suspense [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:19
As we head into the long Labor Day weekend, enjoy this encore episode featuring one of radio's greatest comedians trading laughs for thrills as Jack Benny stars on Suspense! First, he finds a bag of money and a pile of t…
Episode 420 - Favorites from 1949 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:36:04
Comedy legends, legendary leading men, and the first lady of Suspense - they're all here in my favorite episodes of 1949! Fibber McGee and Molly take the car ride from hell with an uninvited passenger in "Backseat Driver…
Episode 419 - Favorites from 1948 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:07:03
The tenth year Stars on Suspense kicks off with my favorite installments of "radio's outstanding theatre of thrills" from 1948! First, it's a sixty-minute Sam Spade/Suspense crossover with Howard Duff in "The Kandy Tooth…
Episode 418 - Favorites from 1947 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:35:02
1947 marked the end of an era on Suspense as Roma Wines ("that's R-O-M-A") ended its sponsorship of the program. But before it parted ways with "radio's outstanding theater of thrills," it brought another big line-up of…
BONUS - More Favorites from '46 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:25:11
I had too many favorite 1946 Suspense shows for one episode! In this bonus installment, I'm sharing five more of my most-loved "tales well calculated" from '46. Brian Donlevy stars as Duncan Maclain, the blind detective…
Episode 417 - Favorites from 1946 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:37:18
Not-so perfect alibis, a missing wife, and some supernatural horrors are on deck with my favorite Suspense episodes from 1946. Joseph Cotten commits an impulsive murder and has to reverse engineer an alibi in "Crime With…
Episode 416 - Favorites from 1945 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:01:29
It's a mix of two-handers, adaptations, comedy, mystery, and horror with my favorite Suspense shows from 1945! Joseph Cotten is hunted by J. Carrol Naish in "The Most Dangerous Game" (originally aired on CBS on February…
Episode 415 - Favorites from 1944 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:34:16
Our journey back through the years of Suspense continues with my favorite episodes from 1944. Lucille Ball is a taxi dancer who hopes to avoid a murderous dance partner in "Dime a Dance" (originally aired on CBS on Janua…
Episode 414 - Favorites from 1943 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:07:29
Join me on a trip back to 1943 and my favorite episodes of Suspense from that year. It was the year production of the show moved from New York to Hollywood, which meant it was easier for film stars to make appearances, a…