Episode 464 - Stars of "Lifeboat"

Episode 464 - Stars of "Lifeboat"

Author: Mean Streets Podcasts August 26, 2026 Duration: 3:04:53

Alfred Hitchcock put nine people in a Lifeboat in his thrilling wartime drama, and the cramped and crowded conditions are the perfect setting for some suspense. We'll hear four of the film's stars - Henry Hull, Hume Cronyn, William Bendix, and John Hodiak - in radio thrillers: "The Pit and the Pendulum" (originally aired on CBS on November 12, 1943); "Too Many Smiths" (originally aired on CBS on June 13, 1946); "The Gift of Jumbo Brannigan" (originally aired on CBS on March 1, 1951); and "The Mountain" (originally aired on CBS on March 16, 1953). Then, Tallulah Bankhead recreates her lead role in an adaptation of the film from the Screen Directors' Playhouse (originally aired on NBC on November 16, 1950).


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: 50

Stars on Suspense (Old Time Radio)
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 2:06:23
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BONUS - Alfred Hitchcock Presents "Suspense" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:53:07
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Episode 465 - Stars of "Shadow of a Doubt" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06:22
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BONUS - The (Almost) Alfred Hitchcock Show(s) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:41
Before he thrilled television audiences with Alfred Hitchcock Presents, there were attempts to bring the master of suspense to radio in his own anthology series. We'll hear the three audition shows as we continue our sal…
Episode 463 - Stars of "Foreign Correspondent" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:07:19
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Episode 462 - Stars of "Broken Arrow" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:07:06
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Duration: 2:36:59
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Episode 460 - Stars of "I Love Lucy" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:40
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz not only had a massive hit with I Love Lucy, but they also changed TV forever. The then-husband and wife team had millions of Americans in stitches for their original run and continue to enter…
Episode 459 - Stars of "The Sea Wolf" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01:54
Set sail with the stars of The Sea Wolf, the adaptation of Jack London's adventure novel that stars Edward G. Robinson as a tyrannical captain. His co-stars in the movie include Ida Lupino and John Garfield, and we'll he…
Episode 458 - Star of "Yankee Doodle Dandy" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06:57
With the Fourth of July - and America's 250th birthday - only a few days away, our movie of the week is Yankee Doodle Dandy - the Oscar-winning musical biopic of George M. Cohan. James Cagney took home an Academy Award f…