Monday Matinee

As we do each year, Re-Imagined Radio samples Christmas episodes from a variety of radio programs. This year's "A Radio Christmas Sampler, Vol. 5" samples three interesting Christmas programs. First, a Christmas 1942 wartime message from Edward R. Murrow who encourages us to keep hope alive.Second "Christmas Party for Hubert Smith," an episode of Truth or Consequences where radio connects a wounded Navy sailor in California with his family and hometown in Tennessee.And third, "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas" by Irwin Corwin, told in rhyming verse, from Columbia Workshop. Enjoy listening.

Sherlock Holmes is such an iconic figure, and so well suited for radio, that the detective was on the air for over 20 years (starting in 1930) and portrayed by a half dozen actors. None were better than Nigel Bruce and Basil Rathbone, who owned the roles from 1939-1946. Project Audion recreates an episode from December 3, 1945 entitled "Murder in the Casbah" which was sponsored by Petri Wine. Audion's transcribed-live edition features a cast of voice actors performing from England, Hollywood, and multiple locations in between. Holmes: David Ault, UK Watson: Paul Arbisi, IL Announcer: Lec Zorn, IN Miss Tretfield: M J Cogburn, TX Col. de Brisson: Trevor Rines, CA Rafi: Jacob Palka, IL Leaming/Commissioner: Joe Mendell, UK Ayisha: Grace Wagner, IL Milton: John Mauldin, TN Waiter/ Dr. Porter: Robert Mills, CA ...and produced and directed by Larry Groebe in Texas 

There's nothing like bringing in the herd! Jack and David round up the Cowlets for winter and there's nothing like bringing in a new show! This week it's Starfall with the prologue, first, and second scenes of Act I. Starfall follows the adventures of the Carouvel Traveling Acting Troupe - a theatre troupe that uses magical items to create illusions for their shows as they move around the Falstenian Empire. The story begins as the troupe is joined by Leona, a young warrior with a mysterious past and even more mysterious powers. With their new guardian in tow, the troupe traverses the continent, encountering the dangers of humans, fae, and greater forces alike, all while still trying to put on a good show. It's Audio Drama time!

Wowzers! Christmas comes early to the Matinee where Federal Stonecipher reads out the listing with Sonic Society Season #793, Project Audion #21:Sherlock Holmes, and Re-Imagined Radio: A Radio Christmas Sampler, Vol. 5!

Re-Imagined Radio presents "D.B. Cooper's Last Interview," a factual documentary with a fictional ending about man known as D.B. Cooper who hijacks a passenger airplane Thanksgiving Eve, 1971, and then parachutes over southwest Washington state carrying $200,000 in ransom money. Never apprehended, presumed dead, Cooper remains legendary. We adapt Tom Vandel's original story, "The Last Interview," to bring closure without disrupting the power of this true but unsolved mystery. From our Guest Writer series.

Project Audion's latest episode is a recreation of a Jack Benny show you've never heard before - because it was written just for Audion by Bob Hope staff writer Robert L. Mills. Robert learned the comedy craft by listening to Benny's shows as a boy, and his script - "Jack Visits the DMV" - has the classic setups and style that made the original Benny shows so funny. It's like a whole new episode from 1950! Thanks to our talented transcontinental cast and crew, it sounds like a vintage episode too. We have some terrific voices stepping into the shoes of the original Jack Benny players -- Jack Benny: Geoffrey Mark, CA Don Wilson: Ken Jeffries, CA Rochester: Lee J. Greene, NE Dennis Day/Frank Nelson: Bob Beaumont, CA Mary Livingstone/Bus Guide: Denise Cline, KY Phil Harris: Norman Cline, KY Ed the Vault Guard: Harry Middlebrooks, CA Mr Kitzel/Racetrack Tout: Duane Noch, NJ Butler & Cop: Stanley Dyrector, CA Stu: Robert L. Mills, CA ...with Ken Raney handling sound effects and the production managed by Larry Groebe.

With Jack and David finally reunited the Audioverse lies ahead! This week we begin with Benchmark from James O'Neill and Paul Freeman performed by Anton Lesser and music by Dan Harris. There's No Place For Old Spies. Defection is a dangerous game. Oliver West relives an event he will regret for the rest of his life.Afterwards we have lighter fantasy fare with "The Inn Between" and episode one "The Goblin Head" where our heroes meet in a tavern. As you do from Kristen Brand and music from Society favourite Eli McIlveen!

Federal Stonecipher opens the Matinee after Halloween to a tired but eager crowd with Sonic Society #792, Project Audion Episode 20, and Reimagined Radio: D.B. Cooper's Last Interview!

Re-Imagined Radio presents "Frequency 43" by Jerrel McQuen and Marc Rose. Just in time for Halloween. A suitable taste of terror with a side of science fiction adventure. A researcher discovers a parallel universe where the morphing liquidity of dream and nightmare questions the rules of reality. Can dreams connect us with the Great Unknown? If so, how much connection would we truly want? McQuen and Rose hint at answers. From our Guest Producer and Science Fiction series.

We have another visit with Larry Groebe and Project Audion with "On Stage," the early 50s anthology series created by (and for) Elliott and Cathy Lewis. Patte Rosebank and Tim Burns return to the microphones, joined by Trevor Rines, for this half-hour drama of two lost adults who find each other one night, and how it changed their lives. The writing is believable, and the performances, excellent. Not your normal old-time-radio show, this is well worth your time...