Episode 452 - Stars of "Citizen Kane"

Episode 452 - Stars of "Citizen Kane"

Author: Mean Streets Podcasts May 22, 2026 Duration: 3:00:25

Hailed by many as the greatest film ever made, Citizen Kane was the debut feature from Orson Welles and featured many of his colleagues from the Mercury Theatre productions of Broadway and radio. We'll hear Mr. Welles and his co-stars in radio thrillers: Ray Collins in "Marry for Murder" (originally aired on CBS on September 9, 1943); Welles in "Lazarus Walks" (AFRS rebroadcast from October 19, 1943); Joseph Cotten in "You'll Never See Me Again" (originally aired on CBS on September 14, 1944); George Coulouris in "The Long Shot" (AFRS rebroadcast from January 31, 1946); Agnes Moorehead in "The Evil of Adelaide Winters" (originally aired on CBS on September 10, 1951); and Everett Sloane in "Alibi" (AFRS rebroadcast from July 7, 1957).


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 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…
Episode 413 - Myron McCormick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:47
Myron McCormick took home a Tony for his performance as gruff but lovable sailor Luther Billis in the original Broadway production of South Pacific, and before his premature passing at the age of 54 he logged several mem…
Episode 412 - Harry Bartell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01:41
One of the busiest (and best) actors of the radio era, Harry Bartell could be heard everywhere - as an announcer chatting with Nigel Bruce on Sherlock Holmes, as cowboys on Gunsmoke, and as suspects on Dragnet. We'll hea…
Episode 411 - Frank Lovejoy (Part 8) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53:21
Radio and big screen star Frank Lovejoy makes his final appearances on Suspense in a pair of shows where he plays characters both scary and sympathetic. First, he's a man with an unhealthy fixation on his Army buddy's wi…