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Alan Ladd, Fred MacMurray, Jimmy Stewart and Superman

by gregbell 8/26/2009 5:09:00 PM

Here's the schedule for the week of August 30th - September 5th, 2009

Sirius 118 XM 164 PDF Version and the Excel Version or the direct link to the page HERE

Highlights include a two hour Box 13 special to honor Alan Ladd on his birthday week.

Photo: Alan Ladd with Veronica Lake.

There is also a new to the channel Suspense episode - "The Windy City Six" which combines music and mystery and stars Fred MacMurray (also born this week).

Photo: Fred MacMurray

Jimmy Stewart is back in an hour long Lux Radio Theatre version of his big screen western, "Winchester 73."

Photo: James Stewart In Winchester 73

And there is a 6 part - 90 minute Man of Steel Marathon featuring a Superman storyline from June of 1940.

Greg

Currently rated 4.4 by 10 people

Currently 4.4/5 Stars.
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May 17th to May 23rd 2009 Week - Jimmy Stewart's 101st and Arthur Conan Doyle's 150thAlan Young, Judy Canova, Hazel Scott, Joseph Kearns....also Alfred Hitchcock's LifeboatO.Henry, Peter Lawford, Edmond O'Brien - and Two Jimmy Stewart Movies

Comments

8/28/2009 9:19:13 AM

What a great line up of stars to honor.

Tim Mincey

8/28/2009 7:51:21 PM

sorry to hear that the substitutes while greg takes time off, were not appreciated by all. those of us who "were there" when all of these shows were originally broadcast will understand how specialized they were and to have these 2 gentlemen fill in was just great, imagine if the whole channel had been put on hold for a week, i can't speak for all, but my subcription to xm radio is just to get "the oldies" radio shows, and anything that keeps these shows on the air is fine with me.

allen miller

8/28/2009 8:23:06 PM

I like Box 13 and I hardly hear Hermits Cave which are coming next week.

Greg,
Were there limited episodes of these serials?

Lana

8/28/2009 9:12:34 PM

Not everybody likes everything. As long as 164 stays on is
all we care about(and of course you GREG.)

kim

8/28/2009 11:52:38 PM

Hi, Gang! This week's lineup is great, Greg! I remember Fred MacMurray from "My 3 Sons" and from "Double Indemnity" - he actually was PERFECT in both!
Hey, Gang - Please say a wee prayer for my family and me today --- it's the 18th anniversary of my mother's passing. I'm not morose or depressed or anything but a day doesn't go by that I dont' think of and miss her. It was she who introduced me to old-time radio - actually "new" time radio - when she turned me on (PUN INTENDED!) to "CBS Radio Mystery Theater." I swear, if Life didn't go on, I'd still be in my kitchen, listening to that show while washing the dishes. But NOW, I have XM 164 and Greg. Maybe he can't get CBSRMT (through NO Fault of his) but Greg has given me and everyone else so many other wonderful shows!
My best friend, Gordon, loves Jimmy Stewart; if I were a NICE friend, I'd tape some of the shows on cassette (he's even more behind than I --- he doesn't even have a CD player!). But I'm still trying to master this for myself. I did get "Earth Abides" and today, I may do "In Name Only," which I really enjoy. As I said before: As long as I can hear William Conrad, John Dehner and/or Orson Welles, then I'm happy. And a week of ALL 3 is HEAVEN! Also, it's a TERRIBLE week if there isn't at least 1 episode each of "Gunsmoke," "Dragnet" or Jack Benny.
Oh, Greg - that satire of Lawrence Welk, which I heard at 3 AM today, is HYSTERICAL! I don't recall hearing the history of that so if you could explain it again, I'd be grateful. It is wonderful and I thank you. You can play that - as well as Phil Harris' songs - any time! (Is there a CD of Phil's songs? I think they're SO funny).

ROSEMARY

8/29/2009 10:55:15 PM

Hi Rosemary,

Some voids can never be filled. The good news is that those favorite memories of you mother will never die and somehow give you comfort day after day.

Not only do you have Greg and Radio Classics, you have all of us as well.

Lana

8/30/2009 1:15:48 AM

Lana - Oh you are a Sweetheart - thank you for those kind words. Actually, I'm not sad per se; I'm just acutely aware of her absence on the anniversary of her passing. I live with Dear Old Dad and we get along like 2 peas in a pod.
Besides, I have more pressing problems right now - finding a job and getting my blood sugar under control (I'm a PWD2 ... a Person With Diabetes type 2) without giving into depression.
Hey, Greg - I really, really enjoyed this week's episode of "Our Miss Brooks" - it was one of the funniest episodes in the series. Eve Arden was perfect for the role and I needed to hear something really funny. You guys out there may not appreciate Miss Brooks in this episode - she and her "rival" for Mr. Boynton's affections are just downright mean and catty...they should drink their milk out of a saucer! I myself am not like that - honest and true - but I recognize it when I see (or, in this case, hear) it in others.
Anyway, more later, Gang! Enjoy this rainy day --- at least it's raining in the northeast where I live.
NO POLITICS HERE BUT ... RIP, Sen. Kennedy. I didn't agree with his politics at all but NO one should die as he did. And I'm old enough to remember Jack and Bobby so I'm glad they're all togetgher now. My Uncles Warren, Bub and Bill, Aunts Helen and Gerry plus my paternal grandparents all are at Arlington and were there to greet him. He won't get a better greeting than that, I swear!

ROSEMARY

8/30/2009 6:15:20 AM

Hi, Gang! Who can or would like to help me in the world of MP3 players? I've found sites - including Radio Spirits - that offer MP3 CDs but I don't possess such a gizmo and I have no idea as to how to buy one. I read many of the MP3 players are woefully out of date and become obsolete very quickly. I need the MP3 player so I can get MP3 CDs of "Our Miss Brooks," "Gunsmoke," "Dragnet" and anything with William Conrad, John Dehner and Orson Welles. Apparently, MP3 CDs hold a gazillion # of episodes per CD but you need an MP3 player in order to hear it. I'm looking for a table top model - nothing fancy and nothing I have to hook up to my computer (though it should have that option if I so desire) or even to my current system (which probably wouldn't be able to accommodate it). All responses to my MP3 questions should be geared to a 4-year-old or "MP3 Players for DUMMIES" because I am severely technically challenged. Thanks in advance to all of you!

ROSEMARY

8/30/2009 7:04:59 AM

Does anybody know why when you subscribe to this blog via RSS that every time a new blog post is sent that you get all the previous ones over again? I have numerous copies of each blog post in my reader and get a another copy every time a new blog entry is added.

Jeremiah

8/30/2009 1:19:36 PM

Greetings all. I see you have a great schedule this week Greg, especially 9/5 (my birthday) I plan to hang out in my yard with a couple of drinks a Bar B Q and OTR.

Bill from NY

Bill

8/30/2009 9:12:43 PM

HAPPY (EARLY) BIRTHDAY, BILL!!! We Virgos have to stick together ... my birthday is Sept. 11. But now that day has been ruined; I used to stay home from work but when they started reading the names of the victims, I decided I just couldn't "celebrate" the way I used to. I did in 2003 --- that's when I turned 50. But not anymore. I still watch the readings but I cry every time and who wants to cry on the day they received the gift of Life? I'll be home this year as I was last year on my birthday only because I'm unemployed.
Whereabouts in NY do you live, Bill? I have relatives in New Berlin. My aunt Ellen, age 93 in October, lives in the same house her former in-laws lived in. She is a GREAT gal and I love her dearly even though I don't write to her nearly as often as I should.
To the rest of the gang - I agree -- it's a great schedule next week but this week was good, too, especially "Gunsmoke," "In Name Only" and "Our Miss Brooks." Greg...you did it again!

ROSEMARY

8/31/2009 5:39:56 AM

I heard something about not being able to play the Lone Ranger and Challenge of the Yukon on the channel, so whats the deal with that they are my 2 of my favorite shows. Any idea if you are going to re-gain permission to broadcast them?

Keep up the amazing job this channel is one of the main reasons I pay for my XM subscription all along.

Johnny

8/31/2009 6:04:41 AM

The owners of those shows are not allowing them on satellite radio. Unless they change their stance we can't legally play them on the channel.

Greg.

gregbell

8/31/2009 6:04:01 PM

Thank you ROSEMARY. I live on Long Island, outside of NYC. I am sorry that your birthday will forever be tied to a tragedy. I still wish you a Happy Early birthday.

Boo to the owners of The Lone Ranger and Challenge of the Yukon. First off it's great advertising for the shows. I am sure that some people have purchased CD's of these programes after hearing them on OTR, and second, in these hard times, when people are out of work and can't afford to buy these CD's they take away the only option of hearing them on XM just to put a few extra dollars in their pockets. I hope they enjoy the money.

Bill from NY

Bill

8/31/2009 11:41:39 PM

Hey, Greg - R U allowed to tell us who the owners of The Lone Ranger and Challenge of the Yukon are so we can flood them with letters allowing you to play these shows? We probably could do a google so you won't get into trouble but if you can tell us, it would help. I know we can do a google on Himan Brown RE: CBS Radio Mystery Theatre ... I did one. By the way ... did I miss something, Greg ... there was not a 2-hour special on Mr. Brown in honor of his 99th birthday last month. As you know, he did some wonderful stuff, most notably Inner Sanctum. We may be miffed at him for not letting us hear CBSRMT but he still deserves recognition.
Thanks, Bill, for the birthday greetings. I'll be 56 - I don't mind telling my age. My weight is another matter! More later, Gang! Tomorrow, if you go on this blog, then go over to the schedule section, you can get next week's sked ahead of time. That's what I usually do, then I print them out and save them. I have them in a notebook where I put them and on almost each one, I have notations, such as when GREG went on vacation or the week "Earth Abides" aired. I also go to www.radiogoldindex.com to get information on the actual episodes of shows I like - such as Gunsmoke, Our Miss Brooks, Have Gun-Will Travel, Frontier Gentleman, etc. I've almost got this down to a science! Actually, it's the first real hobby I've ever had so I'm very involved with it.
Hey, Greg - I love it that you are airing more new episodes on shows I like - right now, for instance, you're doing a new Sherlock Holmes and you just had a new "Suspense." I like Fred MacMurray a great deal so I'm glad to have heard him on "Suspense." He passed away the same year as my mom and you know what? I don't remember it at all. The ONLY thing besides her death that I remember from that year is the Clarence Thomas hearings. I don't remember ANYTHING else, including the passing of Mr. MacMurray.

ROSEMARY

9/1/2009 12:14:54 AM

I guess I did it wrong. I'll try again.
Is it possible to get some Damon Runyon on air? Have not heard him in many years.
Also, is it possible to air CBS Mystery Theater from the early 70's? I think E.G. Marshall hosted the program.
I love how you provide the info and give good context to the programs that you air.
Thanks,
Beth

beth

9/1/2009 12:47:31 AM

I owe a big thanks to Greg Bell for his introduction, to me, of all the wonderful shows that were aired in the great days of radio. I now host my own small OTR show on our tiny community raadio station here in Marengo, IN. It is but an hour each week, but I have tremendous fun and as I hear from the listeners, they enjoy hearing all the shows from their past. Thank you Greg!
This is my first posting on this site. I read from all of you that we have similar interests in OTR, hello my dear new friends! I enjoy reading your views and comments and am refreshed at seeing so many OTR enthusiasts.
Happy Listening and I'll See You 'Round the Radio!
Carson

Carson

9/1/2009 2:51:12 AM

Hi, Beth! You may be new to this blog so here's the "scoop" on CBS Radio Mystery Theater, hosted by, as you said correctly, E.G. Marshall. Himan Brown is the producer of the show and for reasons known only to him, his inner demons and God, he won't give permission for the show to air on satellite radio stations such as XM Sirius. I believe it has something to do with copyright infringement but I'm not 100 percent sure about this. Do a google on CBS Radio Mystery Theater and you'll find lots of sites that allow downloading and that provide information.
Greg has mentioned this many times and he's still trying to cajole, convince and otherwise persuade Mr. Brown, who turned 99 years old last month, to let us hear this marvelous show. It's odd because "Inner Sanctum" was also a Himan Brown production and, as you know, Greg airs that quite often. Greg said he will keep trying ... just pray!
It was CBSRMT that got me into Old Time Radio way back in the late 1970s. My mother told me about it and I got HOOKED. I then got a slew of cassettes of CBSRMT and now I'm looking for new sites from which to buy CDs. I haven't figured out downloading, IPods and MP3 player technology yet. Anyway, this show has a very special place in my heart - it gives me a really positive memory of my mother, who died 18 years ago last THursday.
Carson - I agree with you completely - one of the things that makes Classic Radio so much fun and so enjoyable is Greg's information and introductions. I even listen to him when he's introducing shows I don't like such as Fred Allen, Baby Snooks, the Bickersons and Allen Young. Good luck with your "little" radio station. Anyone and everyone who can spread the word about Classic Radio is my HERO!
Talk to you guys and gals tomorrow. Meanwhile, Happy Trails to You, God Bless and Good Night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.

ROSEMARY

9/1/2009 4:22:38 PM

Hi Rosemary,

To play MP3 cds, you really only need a pc with a cd or dvd drive, and the ability to play sound, of course. You would load the cd into the cd drive, then use something like Windows Explorer to look at the files on the cd. Each radio show episode will have a different filename with a .mp3 extension. If you double-click on the filename, it will then be played in Windows Media Player. (I am assuming you are using a PC; an Apple with a cd drive will work just as well).
Good luck!

Mark

Mark Bennett

9/1/2009 5:24:56 PM

Hi Greg,
I am a newcomer to Sirius Radio, and I must say I am enjoying Radio Classics immensly. I was born on June 2, 1939, and grew up listening to the programs on the radio when they were "live". Some of the programs I listened to but don't hear on Radio Classics are The Lone Ranger, Inner Sanctum, Little Iodine, Tarzan, Jack Armstrong-All American Boy, and Gangbusters.
Keep up the good work. Other than 50's 0n Five, yours is about the only program I listen to since TV has gone to pot.
Ray.

Ray Little

9/2/2009 12:13:53 AM

Hi, Gang! Does anyone here Twitter? I do... look for Navy Moo (that's me) on Twitter. The pic I use is my official Navy boot camp pic. I was sick as a DOG when it was taken but it's the ONLY picture of me I find acceptable. Greg - do you Twitter?
Hey, Greg - where's next week's sked? I'm getting FRANTIC! Great episodes of "Suspense" with Art Carney and "Hermit's Cave." Thanks for info on Art --- I picked up a book I've had since 2001 on The Great One (no, not Mark Levine this time but rather, Jackie Gleason).
Take care.

ROSEMARY

9/2/2009 12:34:02 AM

Rosemary,

It is only Monday! Geez!

Greg.

gregbell

9/2/2009 1:03:33 AM

I don't mean to push you, Greg - I'm spoiled I guess --- I've gotten them on Mondays or early Tuesdays for a long time --- ever since you switched the week from Monday to Sunday. But consider this: Wanting the sked early is a testament to YOU --- and how much I enjoy the station. It's better than thinking, "Gee, that woman is an old NAG!" (which probably is closer to the truth, by the way) ...

ROSEMARY

9/2/2009 2:12:37 PM

OK, gang, like it or not ---

JIM BOB AND MICHELLE DUGGAR ARE EXPECTING

BABY #19!!!!!!

I know a lot of people think this couple are crazy but they genuinely love one another and their children so if they can afford to have them and if they don't look to the govt. or the taxpayer to care for them (like Octomom), then I say GO FOR IT!
For those who don't know - this couple, who live in Arkansas, are the "stars" (along with their children) of "18 Kids and Counting," which airs on Discovery Health and The Learning challens. Looks like they'll have to change the title. And to top it off, Michelle and Jim Bob's 1st grandchild, a girl to be named MacKynzie Renee, is due next month. MacKynzie is the daughter of oldest child Joshua and his wife Anna.
Just passing off the news. I'm thrilled. I don't have any children so I'm always glad for those who do.

ROSEMARY

9/2/2009 7:38:15 PM

And this related to OTR how?

Dave

9/2/2009 8:23:54 PM

Hi, Gang! My announcement about the Duggars has NO bearing on OTR at all and I admit it. I just was and remain so excited for them I had to share it. But you know, there were lots of OTR shows about families large and small...there was that forever show titled "One Man's Family." Then there was "Family Theater." And "Young Widder Brown." So maybe there's a connection, albeit tenuous at best, to OTR....

ROSEMARY

9/3/2009 12:02:50 AM

Grumpy old person that I am, I'd like to see people stay on topic as much as possible. I view OTR as my pleasant little escape from current events. I read this blog every day for the same reason, to learn and share thoughts about OTR. I'm not into National Enquirer headlines. I am only a voice of one however, and certainly can skip posts that do not interest me, so regardless I am here to stay.

Pam D.

9/3/2009 11:51:17 AM

Staying on topic...

Greg,

Do you have much contact with the OTR actors that are still with us?

Michael

9/3/2009 12:21:26 PM

Michael,

As a matter of fact a number of them have reached out to me recently. I am working on getting out and about to meet them for a sit down and record the visit to play on the channel. When I have specifics, I will of course share it with all of you.

Greg.

gregbell

9/3/2009 2:40:40 PM

I think it would be terrific to hear from some who are luckily still with us. I hope they realize how much we appreciate them and the work they did.

The young people don't realize how difficult to produce the old radio shows were. They have to convey pictures to us only through our ears and our imagination. Back when I was a little tyke it was all we had, well except for that 9" BW TV. I can vagely remember Fibber Magee and Molly and The Shadow. What OTR brings back to me is when staying at my grandma and grandpa's, they religiously listened every night to Gabriel Heater. His booming deep voice, I can still hear.

Thanks.

Sevenshooter

9/3/2009 10:19:01 PM

Hi, Gang! Did you see next week's sked yet? There are 5 episodes of "Suspense" and at least 2 (if not more) "Gunsmoke" episodes. That's GREAT --- Thanks, Greg.

ROSEMARY

9/3/2009 10:56:40 PM

Hey Greg,

Do you know if XM/Sirius has the ability to compile the total number of subscribers on any channel on an hour-by-hour basis? If so, can they do the same if the channel is temporarily not broadcasting, say for example, to provide bandwidth to another channel?

Regards,
william

William

9/5/2009 12:57:48 AM

Hi all,
I've been listening to XM 164 since before it merged with Sirius. I love all of the shows, especially, "The Whistler," "Suspense," and "Gun Smoke."
Greg, I've been a fan of yours for the whole time I've been listening. I remember emailing you, asking how to get the schedule for someone who is blind. Keep up the great job you do!!

Jessi

9/8/2009 9:43:24 PM

I have to admit that William Conrad is one of my favorite actors on both Tv and radio, and not just because we have the same last name.

Bob Conrad

9/21/2009 2:25:26 PM