Podcasts about mercury theater

Support our Halloween “Overcoming the Darkness” campaign to help people with depression: https://weirddarkness.com/HOPECHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:01:30.028 = Inner Sanctum, “Wailing Wall” (November 06, 1945)00:28:37.696 = Lights Out, “It Happened” (May 11, 1938)00:57:53.236 = Mercury Theater, “The Hitch Hiker” (June 21, 1946) ***WD01:24:06.274 = Murder at Midnight, “Kabalah” (December 30, 1946)01:50:09.311 = Mysterious Traveler, “Death Laughs Last” (September 24, 1944)02:17:12.677 = Mystery In The Air, “Horla” (August 21, 1947) ***WD02:45:56.196 = Quiet Please, “Pathetic Fallacy” (February 02, 1948) ***WD03:14:58.799 = Suspense, “Sorry, Wrong Number” (February 2, 1944)03:44:43.607 = The Unexpected, “Mercy Killing” (April 11, 1948) ***WD03:59:03.157 = The Weird Circle, “A Terrible Night” (January 23, 1944)04:25:30.416 = The Whistler, “Witness at the Fountain” (September 09, 1946)04:54:49.939 = Dark Fantasy, “The Headless Dead” (January 23, 1942) ***WD05:19:16.968 = Escape, “Country of the Blind” (March 20, 1949) ***WD05:48:52.483 = The Hall of Fantasy, “Idol of Kromm Kroc” (May 04, 1953) ***WD06:13:34.310 = Inner Sanctum, “Undead” (December 18, 1945) ***WD06:39:51.483 = Lights Out, “Death Robbery” (July 16, 1947)07:09:40.247 = Mysterious Traveler, “Visiting Corpse” (August 10, 1948) ***WD07:37:50.085 = Mystery In The Air, “Black Cat” (September 18, 1947) ***WD08:05:24.288 = Quiet Please, “Whence Came You” (February 16, 1948) ***WD08:34:50.793 = Suspense, “Donovan's Brain, Part 1” (May 18, 1944) ***WD09:02:40.318 = Suspense, “Donovan's Brain, Part 2” (May 25, 1944) ***WD09:31:17.532 = The Weird Circle, “Tell-Tale Heart” (January 30, 1944)09:58:23.227 = Show Close(ADU) = Air Date Unknown(LQ) = Low Quality***WD = Remastered, edited, or cleaned up by Weird Darkness to make the episode more listenable. Audio may not be pristine, but it will be better than the original file which may have been unusable or more difficult to hear without editing.Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music LibraryABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.= = = = =#ParanormalRadio #ScienceFiction #OldTimeRadio #OTR #OTRHorror #ClassicRadioShows #HorrorRadioShows #VintageRadioDramas #WeirdDarknessCUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/WDRR0548

Support our Halloween “Overcoming the Darkness” campaign to help people with depression: https://weirddarkness.com/HOPECHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:01:30.028 = Dark Fantasy, “Thing From The Sea” (November 28, 1941)00:25:19.122 = Escape, “Ring of Thoth” (August 11, 1947)00:55:11.383 = Hall of Fantasy, “Man Size In Marble” (April 10, 1947)01:22:11.941 = Hermit's Cave, “Notebook on Murder” (1940)01:44:55.690 = Inner Sanctum, “Judas Clock” (April 17, 1945)02:14:08.924 = Mercury Theater, “Dracula” (July 11, 1938)03:09:54.008 = Murder at Midnight, “Murder Is a Lonely Business” (December 16, 1946)03:36:17.118 = Mysterious Traveler “Accusing Corpse” (April 16, 1944)04:04:56.429 = Mystery In The Air, “Lodger” (August 14, 1947)04:33:46.875 = Quiet Please, “Don't Tell Me About Halloween” (October 27, 1947)04:58:14.346 = Suspense, “The Most Dangerous Game” (September 23, 1943)05:28:02.932 = The Unexpected, “The Cripple” (August 29, 1947)05:43:18.005 = The Weird Circle, “Hand” (December 19, 1943)06:07:35.207 = The Whistler, “Death Comes at Midnight” (October 18, 1942)06:36:26.539 = X-Minus One, “Perigi's Wonderful Dolls” (June 05, 1955)07:04:21.750 = The Black Museum, “A Piece of Iron Chain” (July 29, 1952)07:29:09.208 = The Clock, “Lefty and Delilah” (October 09, 1947) ***WD07:52:00.526 = Dimension X, “Green Hills of Earth” (December 24, 1950)08:16:54.432 = Escape, “Casting Runes” (November 19, 1947)08:46:42.618 = Hall of Fantasy, “Wild Huntsman” (April 27, 1953)09:11:03.022 = Hermit's Cave, “House of Purple Shadows” (1940)09:34:35.437 = Show Close(ADU) = Air Date Unknown(LQ) = Low Quality***WD = Remastered, edited, or cleaned up by Weird Darkness to make the episode more listenable. Audio may not be pristine, but it will be better than the original file which may have been unusable or more difficult to hear without editing.Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music LibraryABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.= = = = =#ParanormalRadio #ScienceFiction #OldTimeRadio #OTR #OTRHorror #ClassicRadioShows #HorrorRadioShows #VintageRadioDramas #WeirdDarknessCUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/WDRR0547

On the eve of Halloween in 1938, Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater on the Air convinced America that Martians had landed and were actively destroying the planet.Auditory Anthology presents the complete, legendary radio drama of H.G. Wells's The War of the Worlds. Listen as this groundbreaking performance unfolds in real-time, delivered with such convincing realism that it sparked mass panic across the United States.Experience the chilling, masterfully-told tale of alien invasion as it was meant to be heard, as a series of escalating news bulletins and terrified live reports that change from a curious scientific anomaly to a horrifying global crisis in under an hour.If you have a story you'd like to contribute to the series, you can visit https://submissions.soundconceptmedia.com/You can support the show by becoming a paid subscriber on Substack: https://auditoryanthology.substack.comBy becoming a paid subscriber you can listen to every episode completely ad-free!Curator: Keith Conrad linktr.ee/keithrconradNarrator: Darren Marlar https://darrenmarlar.com/Other shows hosted by Darren:Weird Darkness: https://weirddarkness.com/Paranormality Magazine: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/paranormalitymagMicro Terrors: Scary Stories for Kids: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/microterrorsRetro Radio – Old Time Radio In The Dark: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/retroradioChurch of the Undead: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/churchoftheundead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mercury Theater 38-10-30 (17) War of the Worlds

One of the most famous radio shows.The Mercury Theater of the Air, originally broadcast October 30, 1938, 87 years ago.  A modernized adaptation of HG Wells War of the Worlds.  The show was styled as a series of live news bulletins describing a Martian invasion of Earth. Though announced as fiction, the realistic format caused panic among some listeners who believed the invasion was real. The broadcast became one of the most famous moments in radio history and a defining example of the medium's power.Next, a rare recording of author HG Wells discussing the broadcast with Orson Welles from October 28, 1940, on KTSA Radio in San Antonio, Texas.  The meeting occurred while both men were in the city for separate lecture engagements—Wells was addressing the United States Brewers Association, and Welles was preparing for a town hall forum.We close out the show with an episode of Theater Five, originally broadcast October 30, 1964, 61 years ago, The Second Chance.  A middle-aged man discovers the secret of growing backwards...getting younger every year!  

Since Curdy is missing, the Benefactor returns to keep the show going for Episode 1 of Season 6: Little Green Eggs and Men. As a tribute to the 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast by Orson Welles and Mercury Theater on the Air that terrorized listeners who thought the invasion was real, Cruddy has rewritten the story into a simpler form which is narrated by struggling actor Clench Carbone whose on stage specialty is impersonating Sly Stallone. What could be more Hallowe'eny than that?

Presenting a replay of The Mercury Theater on The Air production of "The Count of Monte Cristo" aired on Aug 29, 1938. Please support these shows with your donation today, thank you. https://mpir-otr.com/sponsors-donations

3:00:15 – Frank in NYC and New Jersey, plus the Other Side. Topics include: Yoga, void moon, Mercury Theater, a dashboard for reality, slated for demolition, Dr. Cantrip, cans, Italy, Weird Little Highway: Ride (8/7/25), creativity, the storytelling engine, Whychock Revival, flowerpots, Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band – New Threats From the Soul (2025), psychedelic infusions […]

3:00:15 – Frank in NYC and New Jersey, plus the Other Side. Topics include: Yoga, void moon, Mercury Theater, a dashboard for reality, slated for demolition, Dr. Cantrip, cans, Italy, Weird Little Highway: Ride (8/7/25), creativity, the storytelling engine, Whychock Revival, flowerpots, Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band – New Threats From the Soul (2025), psychedelic infusions […]

A bedridden woman overhears a chilling phone call and desperately tries to stop a murder before it's too late. A true classic starring Agnes Moorehead in the premiere episode of Suspense! | #RetroRadio EP0468Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateCHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:01:30.028 = CBS Radio Mystery Theater, “Lovers And Killers” (August 05, 1976) ***WD00:45:33.706 = Sleep No More, “Conqueror's Isle” (November 21, 1956) ***WD01:14:07.974 = BBC Spine Chillers, “The Blue Room” (1984)01:26:36.956 = Stay Tuned For Fear, “The Bogey Man Will Get You” (October 01, 1945)01:41:09.374 = Strange Wills, “Madman's Diary” (August 17, 1946)02:10:54.660 = Strange, “Phantom Wagoneer” (March 21, 1955) ***WD02:24:29.921 = Suspense, “Sorry, Wrong Number” (August 21, 1943)02:51:48.563 = Tales of the Frightened, “Shakespeare's Hometown” (December 17, 1957)02:56:06.679 = Tales of Tomorrow, “The Other Now” (January 22, 1953)03:26:00.988 = The Saint, “Monkey” (December 10, 1950) ***WD03:55:33.909 = Theater 1030, “Two Little Punctures” (1968-1971) ***WD04:22:34.658 = 2000 Plus, “Rocket And Skull” (October 10, 1951) ***WD04:50:42.654 = The Unexpected, “Cargo Unknown” (1948) ***WD05:05:22.311 = Unsolved Mysteries, “The Witch Doctor' (1930s) ***WD05:20:18.561 = Mercury Theater, “Dracula” (July 11, 1938) ***WD06:16:04.005 = Dark Venture, “Eclipse” (August 07, 1945)06:45:50.012 = The Weird Circle, “Mark of Plague” (1944)07:13:26.045 = The Whistler, “Murder In Mind” (February 13, 1944) ***WD07:39:47.861 = Witch's Tale, “Priest of Sekhet” (February 27, 1933) ***WD (LQ)08:05:14.743 = X Minus One, “The Sense of Wonder” (April 24, 1956)08:33:05.838 = ABC Mystery Time, “Sherlock Speckled Band” (May 01, 1951)09:00:56.934 = Strange Adventure, “The Jade God” (1945) ***WD09:04:17.271 = Appointment With Fear, “The Speaking Clock” (April 13, 1944)09:31:40.783 = Beyond The Green Door, “Philip Baine In The Yukon” (1966) ***WD09:35:21.173 = The Black Book, “Vagabond Murder” (March 02, 1952) ***WD09:49:51.036 = Show Close(ADU) = Air Date Unknown(LQ) = Low Quality***WD = Remastered, edited, or cleaned up by Weird Darkness to make the episode more listenable. Audio may not be pristine, but it will be better than the original file which may have been unusable or more difficult to hear without editing.Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music LibraryABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.= = = = =#TrueCrime #Paranormal #ScienceFiction #OldTimeRadio #OTR #OTRHorror #ClassicRadioShows #HorrorRadioShows #VintageRadioDramas #SuspenseRadioClassics #1940sRadioHorror #OldRadioMysteryShows #CreepyOldRadioShows #TrueCrimeRadio #SupernaturalRadioPlays #GoldenAgeRadio #EerieRadioMysteries #MacabreOldTimeRadio #NostalgicThrillers #ClassicCrimePodcast #RetroHorrorPodcast #WeirdDarkness #WeirdDarknessPodcast #RetroRadio #ClassicRadioCUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/WDRR0468

Today’s Story: Jim Hawkins acquires a treasure map and is named cabin boy on The Hispanola where he encounters adventures, pirates, and mutiny Read more ...

Hey everyone, James Scully here, producer and host of Breaking Walls, the docu-podcast on the history of US Network Radio Broadcasting. I wanted to let you know about a new webinar I'm doing this Thursday July 17th, at 7PM on Orson Welles' early career of Orson Welles through the end of 1941. If you can't make it live this Thursday July 17th at 7PM, don't worry, I'll be emailing every person who registers a video of the webinar once it's over. Here's a link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/orson-welles-career-part-1-from-boy-wonder-to-trouble-maker-webinar-tickets-1445315741289?aff=oddtdtcreator Some more information: Throughout the last one-hundred years of American entertainment, few people have gotten as strong a reaction as Orson Welles. A rare quadruple threat: writer, director, actor, producer, Welles found immense success on stage, in films, on television, and in radio. In fact, he took center stage in the United States on more than one occasion… and not always to a positive reaction, but always with pushing the creative envelope in mind. Welles managed to alienate the newspaper industry, the Hollywood studio system, and occasionally even the broadcasting networks, but he rarely had a door closed in his face. Welles was known to work himself to the bone, and party even harder. He had romances with some of the most famous and attractive women in the country, including Virginia Nicholson, Dolores del Rio, and Rita Hayworth. He was hailed as a genius, a charlatan, a magician, an incredible friend, an a***hole, a hard-driver, a steady worker, and a man who drank too much. Welles liked to joke that he began his career on top and spent the rest of his life working his way down. Such a strong-willed, creative person deserves an in-depth look. In Part 1: From Boy Wonder To Trouble Maker (1931-1941) we'll explore Welles' early life, through his explosion of success in the 1930s all the way to the end of 1941, complete with audio clips and highlights including: • Beginnings in Illinois and China — How they helped shape Orson • The Todd Seminary School — His first exposure to theater and Radio • Connections and Early Breaks — How his mentor Roger Hill, Thornton Wilder, Alexander Woollcott, and Katharine Cornell helped Orson get to Broadway • Orson meets John Houseman and Archibald MacLeish, and first appears on the March of Time • 1935-1937 — From the March of Time to the Columbia Workshop, and how Irvin Reis taught Orson how to create for radio • How the US Government shaped the opportunity for Orson to write, direct, and star in Les Misérables on the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1937 • The Shadow Knows! — Agnes Moorehead and Orson Welles' one season on The Shadow • The birth of the Mercury Theater on the Air as First Person singular. How its success led to the most infamous night in radio in October of 1938 • Mainstream success with Campbell's Soups • Orson goes to Hollywood, and signs the greatest autonomous film contract in history at 24 • Citizen Kane — How William Randolph Hearst and RKO shaped the film • Lady Esther Presents — Orson comes back to radio in the autumn of 1941 • Pearl Harbor Day and collaborating with Norman Corwin • How Joseph Cotton introduced Orson to Rita Hayworth Afterward, I'll do a Q&A — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged! Can't attend live? Not to worry! I'll be recording the event and sending the video out to all guests who register so you can watch it later. See you (virtually) there!

Variety and Drama on a FridayFirst a look at the events of the dayThen, The Chase and Sanborn Hour, originally broadcast July 11, 1937, 88 years ago with guest Gladys George.   Charlie McCarthy tells Edgar Bergen about his music lessons. Don Ameche and guest Gladys George appear in, "Personal Appearance." W. C. Fields announces that he's leaving on vacation. The verbal battle with Charlie McCarthy continues. Followed by The Mercury Theater on the Air starring Orson Welles, originally broadcast July 11, 1938, 87 years ago, Bram Stokers Dracula. A chilling radio adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel, featuring Welles as both Count Dracula and Dr. Seward and Martin Gabel as Dr Van Helsing. Finally, The Couple Next Door starring Peg Lynch and Alan Bunce, originally broadcat July 11, 1960, 65 years ago, Taxidermist Problems.Thanks to Adele for supporting our podcast by using the Buy Me a Coffee function at http://classicradio.streamIf you like what we do here, visit our friend Jay at http://radio.macinmind.com for great old time radio shows 24 hours a day

On October 30th, 1938, Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater re-envisioned the 1897 H.G. Wells' classic “War of the Worlds” as a Halloween treat and created a global sensation.  Adapted from Orson Welles' adaptation, Madison embarks upon her own journey through the infamous Martian invasion in her hometown of Los Angeles across landmarks like the Griffith Park Observatory, Hollywood Boulevard and the La Brea Tar Pits. It's Madison vs. Martians… who will survive the invasion? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On October 30th, 1938, Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater re-envisioned the 1897 H.G. Wells' classic “War of the Worlds” as a Halloween treat and created a global sensation.  Adapted from Orson Welles' adaptation, Madison embarks upon her own journey through the infamous Martian invasion in her hometown of Los Angeles across landmarks like the Griffith Park Observatory, Hollywood Boulevard and the La Brea Tar Pits. It's Madison vs. Martians… who will survive the invasion? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Presenting a replay of the Mercury Theater on The Air production of "Dracula" aired on July 11, 1938. Please support these shows with your donation today, thank you. https://mpir-otr.com/sponsors-donations

War of the Worlds 

This episode was originally released on 5/1/2018. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes beginning with this episode on the birth of radio. ___________ In Breaking Walls Episode 79, we present a detailed look at Orson Welles' radio career through the end of 1941. Highlights: • Beginnings in Illinois and China — How they helped shape Orson • The Todd Seminary School — His first exposure to theater and Radio • Connections and Early Breaks — How his mentor Roger Hill, Thornton Wilder, Alexander Woollcott, and Katharine Cornell helped Orson get to Broadway • Orson meets John Houseman and Archibald MacLeish, and first appears on the March of Time • 1935-1937 — From the March of Time to the Columbia Workshop, and how Irvin Reis taught Orson how to create for radio • How the US Government shaped the opportunity for Orson to write, direct, and star in Les Misérables on the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1937
 • The Shadow Knows! — Agnes Moorehead and Orson Welles' one season on The Shadow • The birth of the Mercury Theater on the Air as First Person singular. • How it's success led to the most infamous night in radio in October of 1938 • Mainstream success with Campbell's Soups • Orson goes to Hollywood, and signs the greatest autonomous film contract in history at 24 • Citizen Kane — How William Randolph Hearst and RKO shaped the film • Lady Esther Presents — Orson comes back to radio in the autumn of 1941 • Pearl Harbor Day and collaborating with Norman Corwin • Joseph Cotton introduces Orson to Rita Hayworth The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers The reading material used in today's episode was: • Citizen Welles: A Biography of Orson Welles by Frank Brady • This is Orson Welles by Welles and Peter Bogdanovich • The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio by John Dunning • Discovering Orson Welles by Jonathan Rosenbaum Other materials included: • http://www.wellesnet.com - an incredibly comprehensive website on Orson's career • Orson Welles on the Air, 1938-1946 at https://orsonwelles.indiana.edu • The Radio Preservation Task Force also has a great Facebook group headed by Josh Shepperd Selected Interviews in this episode were: • Orson Welles with Dick Cavett, Johnny Carson, and Huw Wheldon, • Agnes Moorehead and Alan Reed were with radio Hall of Fame Member Chuck Schaden, who interviewed over 200 members of the radio community during his 39 year career. Chuck's interviews can be streamed for free at SpeakingofRadio.com. • William Robson was with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio in January of 1976 and Kenny Delmare was with John Dunning in 1983. Those interviews can be found at the Old Time Radio Researcher's Group at Otrrlibrary.org • William Herz was with Walden Hughes and John and Larry Gassman in 2013 for their program on the Yesterday USA Radio Network, which you can visit at http://www.yesterdayusa.com.

Orsen Wells -- Great Episode

Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. America and all ships at sea, and welcome to Episode 57 of Vintage Sand, our first of 2025. In this episode and the next one we return, for the penultimate time, to the source of some of our most popular episodes: Danny Peary's hard-to-find 1993 classic "Alternative Oscars". In the past, we have used Peary's model to approach every full decade in which the Academy has handed out Oscars except two: the 2010's, and the topic for this two-part episode, Alternate Oscars: The 1940's Edition. It's interesting that the 40's are considered to be the peak of Hollywood's Golden Age, yet many films that were beloved and honored back then have not well withstood the passage of time. The early part of the decade's most important development was the rise of the writer/director in Hollywood. Preston Sturges was the first, with his incredible run of films from 1940-1945, and he was followed quickly by the Billy Wilder/Charles Brackett team and, of course, that clever young fellow from the Mercury Theater. The 40's also marked the arrival of Hitchcock to these shores, and the rise to prominence of new directorial voices like Huston, Preminger, Zinnemann and Nicholas Ray. There were also many high points in the decade for well-established directors like Ford, Capra, Hawks, Lubitsch and Wyler. We have the incredible run of films between 1942 and 1946 made by Val Lewton's brilliant B-movie unit at RKO, and, of course, the birth of film noir, overseen predominantly by expats like Wilder, Lang, Preminger, Ulmer, Lewis and Siodmak. The latter half of the decade, which we will cover in Episode 58 in February, saw two major developments. The end of the war saw the return to strength of many European film industries as well as studio filmmaking in Japan. In France, in the wake of 1945's miraculous "Les Enfants du Paradis", directors as different as Cocteau, Clouzot and Bresson began or restarted their careers. This explosion of creativity was matched in the UK, with the arrival of Lean, Reed, and especially with the flowering of the Powell-Pressburger Archers team. Clearly, though, the most important such event was the rise of what today is called Italian Neo-Realism, as directors like Rossellini, De Sica, and to a lesser extent Visconti, created a brand new way to tell stories on film that is still influencing directors today. The second big change of the late 40's was really two changes in one: the landmark Paramount court case in 1948 that ended the vertical monopoly the studios had long held as owners of theater chains as well, and the mass arrival of television. Between 1948 and 1952, Hollywood lost nearly half of its audience, bringing down the curtain on that so-called “Golden Age” of Hollywood. In terms of the Oscars, the Academy made solid choices for Best Picture--they certainly picked better films than they did in the 1930's! These included enduring works like "The Best Years of Our Lives", "All the King's Men" and especially, "Casablanca". Who could argue with that? (Hint: us.) But there were plenty of head scratchers as well. Prestige choices like "How Green Was My Valley", "Mrs. Miniver" and Olivier's "Hamlet" look a little creaky these days. Hell, we might argue that "Rebecca" was not even Hitchcock's best film of 1940! And the less said about "Going My Way" and "Gentlemen's Agreement", the better. So kick back, round up the usual suspects, and help us make this podcast more important than the gas in that light…

Mercury Theater 38-10-30 (17) War of the Worlds

It's October, which means a couple of things: The weather is a little colder, everything is suddenly Pumpkin Spice-flavored and most importantly, it's “Spooky Season. So in addition to our normal science fiction stories, this month we're sharing some classic horror tales by Edgar Allen Poe to keep you up all night.For Spooky Season this week we have the “War of the Worlds” broadcast by Orson Welles from 1938.If you have a story you'd like to contribute to the series, you can visit https://submissions.soundconceptmedia.com/Curator: Keith Conrad linktr.ee/keithrconradNarrator: Darren Marlar https://darrenmarlar.com/Other shows hosted by Darren:Weird Darkness: https://weirddarkness.com/Paranormality Magazine: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/paranormalitymagMicro Terrors: Scary Stories for Kids: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/microterrorsRetro Radio – Old Time Radio In The Dark: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/retroradioChurch of the Undead: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/churchoftheundead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for this week's "Sunday Night Playhouse" Halloween special on Vintage Classic Radio. We take you back to 1938, for a thrilling re-broadcast of the "Mercury Theater on the Air" adaptation of "Dracula". This spine-tingling episode was directed by and starred Orson Welles, in dual roles as both Dracula and Dr. Seward. The story, based on Bram Stoker's classic novel, follows the terrifying events as Count Dracula moves from Transylvania to England, spreading the dark curse of the undead among the innocent. The episode also features a stellar cast including Agnes Moorehead as Mina Harker, Geroge Coulouris as Van Helsing, Elizabeth Fuller as Lucy Westenra, Martin Gabel as Jonathan Harker, and Ray Collins as the Ship Captain. Together, they bring to life this chilling tale, enhanced by Bernard Hermann's eerie and atmospheric score, making it an unforgettable listening experience. Tune in to relive the horror and drama of this vintage broadcast.

Jonathan Alsberry & Ira Antelis - Dance For Life Alexandra Billings & Honey West - Big Gay Cabaret at Mercury Theater

Subscriber-only episodeAir Date October 30 1938Send us a Text Message.Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Chicago has produced some incredible talents, and ranking near the top are Alexandra Billings and Honey West. Known so well to Chicago audiences and legends in the LGBTQ+ community, these lifelong friends will create magic on the Mercury Theater Stage for two nights only. Alexandra Billings: starred in the Amazon TV series “The Peripheral,” and the trailblazing series […]

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons created the soundtrack of a generation that still lives today. And Mercury theater Chicago makes the magic happen with its production of the Jersey Boys after a decade long wait for the rights to be released. Joining in the conversation are all four of the “boys:” Joining the conversation are Michael Metcalf […]

Jersey Boys at the Mercury Theatre has been extended through July 28! Michael Metcalf as Frankie Valli and Adrien Aguilar join Steve to talk about the show, what it’s like to perform as legendary musicians, and the show’s extension.

The year is 2009 and the movies are period pieces. First up it's '3 Idiots,' and the period examined is just a few years ago, when stars R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi go to college and there meet Aamir Khan, a charismatic Mary Poppins type. Rajkumar's Hirani's film was a giant success in India, and we discuss some of its crossover appeal in light of other Bollywood (and Tollywood) imports. Then we move on to 'Me and Orson Welles,' Richard Linklater's look at the Mercury Theater in New York City in the 1930s. Zac Efron takes on Christian McKay's Welles in the battle for charismatic supremacy and the company of Claire Danes. Hosted by Brad Garoon & Jake Ziegler  Other movies discussed in this episode: Revanche (2008), Adventureland (2009), An Education (2009), A Serious Man (2009), Avatar (2009), Away We Go (2009), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), The Hurt Locker (2009), I Love You Man (2009), The Informant! (2009), Inglourious Basterds (2009), Mary and Max (2009), Moon (2009), The Messenger (2009), Up (2009), Up in the Air (2009), Mank (2020), The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022), and Ricky Stanicky (2024). 

Paine ClassicsWe Cannot Say Much of the 'Really Good Stuff' on Here That's Why We Created Paine.tv YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** GET the Intel that's Too Hot For Anywhere Else at P A IN E. TV CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** ...

Jersey Boys currently on stage in Chicago features 30 musical numbers while walking us through the life and times of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons a New Jersey based rock and roll quartet that appealed largely to blue collar teens nationwide in the 1960s with songs like “Sherry” and “Walk Like A Man.”  Podcast theater review by Reno Lovison includes a short excerpt of an interview by Rikki Lee Travolta with co-directors Walter Stearns and Brenda Didier commenting on their love of the show and some specifics about actors Michael Metcalf and Adrian Aguilar. Jersey Boys is at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, through May 19, 2024.  For tickets and information visit mercurytheaterchicago.com or call (773) 360-7365.

This Friday, tune into Vintage Classic Radio for an enthralling "Friday Night Noir" double feature. Our evening of mystery and suspense kicks off with the gripping "Suspense" radio show episode titled "Banquo's Chair," originally aired on June 1st, 1943. In this chilling tale, a retired detective employs an unusual tactic to catch a murderer. He organizes a dinner party, inviting the suspect, and uses a gimmick inspired by Shakespeare's "Macbeth" — the ghostly presence of Banquo's chair. The tension mounts as guests and suspect alike are drawn into a clever psychological trap, leading to an unexpected and eerie conclusion. The cast features celebrated actors of the era, including John Loder, who brings the ingenious detective to life, with support from Ian Wolfe, Hans Conried, and Lurene Tuttle among others. Their performances under the masterful direction of William Spier ensure a truly suspenseful experience. Following "Suspense," we delve into the darker corners of crime with "The Black Museum" radio series, featuring the episode "A Letter." Hosted and narrated by the legendary Orson Welles, this episode, like all in the series, draws from the true-life cases of Scotland Yard. In "A Letter," listeners are guided through a haunting tale spun around an innocuous piece of evidence — a letter that becomes key to unraveling a chilling murder. Welles, with his distinctive voice, sets the scene from the grim confines of The Black Museum, introducing the episode against the atmospheric chimes of Big Ben, drawing listeners into a narrative woven with suspense and the macabre. The show was produced by Harry Alan Towers, with scripts by Ira Marion and music by Sidney Torch, creating an immersive experience that epitomizes classic radio noir. Each episode of "The Black Museum" begins uniquely, yet follows a captivating format as Welles introduces the episode's central evidence item, leading into a dramatic retelling of the case it's associated with. Throughout "A Letter," Welles provides narration, adding depth and context to the story, ultimately closing the episode with his signature sign-off, remaining "obediently yours," a nod to his days with the Mercury Theater of the Air. Don't miss this double feature of mystery and suspense, a perfect homage to the golden age of radio noir. Join us this Friday on Vintage Classic Radio for "Friday Night Noir," and immerse yourself in the intrigue and drama of "Banquo's Chair" and "A Letter."

Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago Water Stearns and actor Andrew MacNaughton join Paul Lisenk, in for Lisa Dent, to discuss the shows coming and going to The Mercury Theater on Southport in Lakeview. Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein will be at the theater till December 31st and winner of Best Musical at both the Tony […]

In this new podcast, Paul goes behind the curtain with cast members of “Young Frankenstein,” a Mel Brooks classic. Joining the conversation are Sean Fortunato (Dr. Frederick Frankenstein), Andrew MacNaughton (The Monster) and Mary Robin Roth (Frau Blucher). The classic Frankenstein story picks up a generation later when Frankenstein Grandson believes that his grandfather never […]

Mercury Theater on the Air | Heart of Darkness, Life with Father | Broadcast date: November 3, 1938Heart of Darkness: an exciting adventure of danger and madness in the Belgian Congo (written by: Joseph Conrad)Life with Father: a series of well-done vignettes from the famous novel (written by: Clarence)Featuring: William Alland; Arthur Anderson; Ray Collins; Alice Frost; Mildred Natwick; Frank Readick; Alfred Shirley; Anna Stafford; Orson Welles; Mary Wickes: : : : :My other podcast channels include: MYSTERY x SUSPENSE -- DRAMA X THEATER -- SCI FI x HORROR -- COMEDY x FUNNY HA HA -- VARIETY X ARMED FORCES.Subscribing is free and you'll receive new post notifications. Also, if you have a moment, please give a 4-5 star rating and/or write a 1-2 sentence positive review on your preferred service -- that would help me a lot.Thank you for your support.https://otr.duane.media | Instagram @duane.otr

Happy Halloween! Our little radio gift to you: from October 30, 1938, the classic "The War of the Worlds." A 23-year-old Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater deliver one of the greatest radio programs ever. Enjoy!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of Orson Welles On The Air revisits his classic broadcast from October 30, 1938, The War Of The Worlds, from The Mercury Theater On The Air. Listen to more from The Mercury Theater https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/rr22023/owota285.mp3 Download owota285 | Subscribe | Support

We begin our final week! RIP to actor Matthew Perry, who died over the weekend at 54. Denver In Decay: audio of officer-involved shootings released. "Madam X" back in CO and court tomorrow. Today marks the 85th anniversary of one of the greatest radio broadcasts of all-time: the Mercury Theater's "War of the Worlds" from 1938. Our Farewell Tour continues with our friend from the 4th Judicial District DA Michael Allen. We wrap with a nod to "The War of the Worlds" - what kind of candy-giver are you?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dracula

Paine Radio ClassicsWe Cannot Say Much of the 'Really Good Stuff' on Here That's Why We Created Paine.tv YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** GET the Intel that's Too Hot For Anywhere Else at P A IN E. TV CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** ...This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5788750/advertisement

Paine Radio ClassicsWe Cannot Say Much of the 'Really Good Stuff' on Here That's Why We Created Paine.tv YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** GET the Intel that's Too Hot For Anywhere Else at P A IN E. TV CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** ...This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5788750/advertisement

Paine Radio ClassicsWe Cannot Say Much of the 'Really Good Stuff' on Here That's Why We Created Paine.tv YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** GET the Intel that's Too Hot For Anywhere Else at P A IN E. TV CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** ...This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5788750/advertisement

Radio Classics: Part 2 -- Mercury Theater -- War of WorldsWe Cannot Say Much of the 'Really Good Stuff' on Here That's Why We Created Paine.tv YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** GET the Intel that's Too Hot For Anywhere Else at P A IN E. TV CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** ...This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5788750/advertisement

Radio Classics: Part 1 -- Mercury Theater -- War of WorldsWe Cannot Say Much of the 'Really Good Stuff' on Here That's Why We Created Paine.tv YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** GET the Intel that's Too Hot For Anywhere Else at P A IN E. TV CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** ...This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5788750/advertisement

In 1948 author Graham Greene was in Vienna getting a tour of the city, its back alleys, less-reputable nightclubs, and even its sewers. He was also introduced by actress Elizabeth Montagu to Peter Smolka, the central European correspondent for The Times. Greene was working on a novella that would become a screenplay called The Third Man. Greene sold the film rights to producers Alexander Korda and David O'Selznick. In the story a man named Holly Martins comes to Vienna to accept a job with his friend Harry Lime, only to learn that Lime has died. Martins is a writer. He's told Lime was killed by a car while crossing the street. ​​At Lime's funeral, Martins meets two British Royal Military Police: Sergeant Paine, a fan of Martins' books, and Major Calloway. Martins thinks the death is suspicious, so he stays in Vienna to investigate the matter. Orson Welles was cast as Lime with longtime Mercury Theater friend Joseph Cotton cast as Martins. Principal photography began in Vienna in early November of 1948 and lasted for six weeks. The rest was done around London and completed by March of 1949. Then-unknown composer Anton Karas was hired to create the musical score, performing it on a zither. The film was released in the UK in September of 1949, quickly becoming that year's most popular. When released in the U.S. audiences loved it. Time wrote that the film was "crammed with cinematic plums that would do Hitchcock proud—ingenious twists and turns of plot, subtle detail, full-bodied bit characters, atmospheric backgrounds that become an intrinsic part of the story, a deft commingling of the sinister with the ludicrous, the casual with the bizarre.” At the 1951 Academy Awards, the film took home the award for Best Black and White Cinematography, while at the British equivalent, it won for Best British Film. In the meantime Welles and Tyrone Power made The Black Rose in 1950, directed by Henry Hathaway. Welles played Mongolian warrior Bayan of the Hundred Eyes. Hathaway, who liked Welles, later said the casting was poor, with Welles purposely outwitting people during shooting. While in England making The Third Man, Orson Welles became acquainted with Harry Alan Towers. Towers was a thirty-year-old radio producer whose company, Towers of London, was heavily into syndicated productions in British, American, Australian, and Canadian markets. His anthology series Secrets of Scotland Yard had proven that there was a lucrative market for high-end entertainment and, in Welles, he saw a personality and a talent that could quickly make his production company a leading one. Towers and Greene had the same literary agent. Finding out that Greene hadn't sold Harry Lime's character rights when he sold the screenplay, Towers quickly bought the rights to the character with plans to put a syndicated radio series into production. Welles signed with Towers to produce The Adventures of Harry Lime. They were prequel stories showcasing some of the more good-hearted things Harry Lime was supposed to have done. Only sixteen of the episodes were acquired and broadcast by the BBC. It was the first time that the BBC broadcast episodes of a dramatic series that it did not produce. The full fifty-five episodes were syndicated to radio stations in the U.S. Welles is credited as the author of ten scripts, including the first episode, “Too Many Crooks” which aired on August 3rd, 1951. The fifth episode was called, “Voodoo,” something Orson Welles had a lot of experience with, dating back to his time in South America during World War II.

Like Miss Jackson (cuz we're nasty) said, it is the pleasure principle, oh oh, and that's what you're getting in this episode! Whether it's upcoming superhero movies and television, music, or some good old-fashioned live theater, these pop culture moments are tickling the fancy of our fancy-footed hosts!The ball has dropped, the new year's resolutions have been made (and some have most likely been dropped), and the boys are back at the round table for their first discussion of 2023! As a counter-conversation to their last discussion as a group in 2022, the boys are making some predictions about the year in pop culture choosing their top five picks for content that they believe will give them pleasure (not pleasure them... get your mind out of the gutter!) and will hopefully make their year-end best-of lists! Bryan brings a mixture of live music along with the Dune nerdiness that you've come to expect while BeeJay is ready to ring in the new year with M3GAN shenanigans, video games, and of course The Marvels. On the other side of the table, Erik crosses his Bridgerton into the woods where he finds a Cocaine Bear and hopes that it's not The Last Of Us during his rounds. Well, of course, there's more, but that was the best sentence we could come up with and we hope you enjoyed it! Pat also talks music, his excitement for deep friends of the pod The Golden Gals (Ginger Minj, Gidget Galore, Divine Grace, and MRMS Adrien) and their month-long residency at The Mercury Theater in Chicago (get your tickets here), and much more! This year is shaping up to be full of amazing pop culture, so check out what the boys are looking forward to and share your picks in the comments!Sit back and get ready to FLAME ON!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/flameon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode of The Horror features an adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula. This episode, the first of The Mercury Theater On The Air, originally aired July 11, 1938. More from The Mercury Theater https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/rr12022/TheHorror1095.mp3 Download TheHorror1095 Your support makes this show possible. If you'd like to help, visit Donate.RelicRadio.com for more information. [...]

A. Brad Schwartz, who entertained us with Eliot Ness stories in back-to-back episodes earlier this year, returns to talk about the notorious October 30, 1938 radio broadcast of War of the Worlds, directed by Orson Wells. The young and up-and-coming Orson Wells shocked and frightened listeners who tuned in late to his radio adaptation of H.G. Wells' science fiction novel, which tells the story of an invasion of Earth by tentacled aliens. The broadcast was delivered in a news story style so realistic that those who weren't aware it was a Mercury Theater production panicked. The extent and nature of the panic, however, is disputed, and my guest sets the record straight (as best as primary sources allow) about what really happened. His book is called "Broadcast Hysteria: Orson Welles's War of the Worlds and the Art of Fake News", and more information about his work can be found here: https://abradschwartz.com/

In the fall of 1938 as Orson Welles was launching The Mercury Theater of The Air, radio character actor Bill Johnstone became The Shadow. Johnstone held the role until March 21st, 1943, when Brett Morison took over. Morison had the title role for most of the rest of the radio run. The Shadow would air until December 26th, 1954. We're going to stop here. I've covered Welles from his birth through Pearl Harbor in episode 79 and from there to the early 1950s in episode 104. While we're wrapping up our coverage of The Shadow, we're staying with The Mutual Broadcasting System in October and getting into the Halloween spirit. Next time on Breaking Walls, we'll spend Halloween with Mutual Broadcasting mystery shows of the 1940s.