Podcast
Stars on Suspense (Old Time Radio)
Hosted by Mean Streets Podcasts · EN
Presenting the biggest legends of Hollywood starring in "Suspense," radio's outstanding theater of thrills! Each week, we'll hear two chillers from this old time radio classic featuring one of the all-time great stars of stage and screen.
83episodes
Episodes
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Episode 462 - Stars of "Broken Arrow"
Yesterday02:07:06Summary readyBroken Arrow was unique in the world of Hollywood westerns as one of the first films to offer a sympathetic, nuanced portrayal of Native Americans. Jeff Chandler earned an Oscar nomination for his performance as Cochise alongside Jimmy Stewart, and we'll hear both of them in episodes of Suspense: Mr. Stewart in "Consequence" (originally aired on CBS on February 21, 1946) and Mr. Chandler in "The Case Against Loo Doc" (originally aired on CBS on January 7, 1952). Then, Chandler co-stars with Burt Lancaster in a Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of the film (originally aired on CBS on January 22, 1951).
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Episode 461 - Stars of "Sunset Boulevard"
1w ago02:36:59Summary readyGet ready for your close-up with the stars of Sunset Boulevard, Billy Wilder's classic noir set on the darker side of Hollywood. We'll hear Gloria Swanson and William Holden in Suspense thrillers: Ms. Swanson in "Murder by the Book" (originally aired on CBS on July 10, 1947) and Mr. Holden in "Blood on the Trumpet" (originally aired on CBS on November 9, 1950). Then the pair reprise their screen roles on the Lux Radio Theatre (originally aired on CBS on September 17, 1951). And as a bonus, Jack Benny and his gang put their own spin on the story (originally aired on CBS on March 25, 1951).
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Episode 460 - Stars of "I Love Lucy"
2w ago01:37:40Summary readyLucille 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 entertain old and new fans today. We'll hear the couple in thrillers: first, Ms. Ball stars in "Dime a Dance," a thriller from the pen of Cornell Woolrich (originally aired on CBS on January 13,1944), and then she's joined by her husband in "The Red-Headed Woman" (originally aired on CBS on November 17, 1949). Then, Lucy and Desi are Lucy and Ricky in the audition for what would have been a radio version of I Love Lucy.
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Episode 459 - Stars of "The Sea Wolf"
3w ago02:01:54Summary readySet 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 hear all three of them in radio thrillers from Suspense: Mr. Garfield in "Reprieve" (AFRS rebroadcast from May 10, 1945); Ms. Lupino in "Summer Night" (originally aired on CBS on July 15, 1948); and Mr. Robinson in "You Can't Die Twice" (originally aired on CBS on March 31, 1949). Plus, Robinson recreates his film role on Screen Directors' Playhouse (originally aired on CBS on February 3, 1950).
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Episode 458 - Star of "Yankee Doodle Dandy"
Jul 202:06:57Summary readyWith 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 for his performance as the composer who gave us songs like "Over There" and "You're a Grand Old Flag." We'll hear both of Mr. Cagney's Suspense appearances - "Love's Lovely Counterfeit" (originally aired on CBS on January 17, 1948) and "No Escape" (originally aired on CBS on December 16, 1948). And he recreates his film role as The Lady Esther Screen Guild Theatre presents Yankee Doodle Dandy (originally aired on CBS on October 19, 1942).
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Episode 457 - Stars of "Stagecoach"
Jun 2502:05:19Summary readyHit the trail with the stars of Stagecoach - John Ford's western classic that announced John Wayne as one of Hollywood's legendary leading men. The film follows a gang of passengers on a dangerous trip through Apache country, and we'll hear two of those riders - Claire Trevor and Thomas Mitchell - whose performance won him an Academy Award. Mitchell stars in "John Barbie and Son" (originally aired on CBS on February 22, 1945) and Ms. Trevor stars in "The Blue Hour" (originally aired on CBS on September 25, 1947) and "The Light Switch" (originally aired on CBS on May 12, 1949). Plus, Claire Trevor and the Duke himself reunite in a production of the film from Screen Directors' Assignment (originally aired on NBC on January 9, 1949).
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Episode 456 - Stars of "The Absent-Minded Professor" and "Son of Flubber"
Jun 1802:35:34Summary readyHop in your Model T and fly courtesy of "flubber" with the stars of The Absent-Minded Professor and its sequel Son of Flubber. The Disney classics concern the titular man of science whose new invention is a very hot commodity, but the discovery may cost him the love of his long-suffering fiancee. We'll hear five of the stars of the film and its sequel in stories from Suspense: Charles Ruggles in "The Burning Court" (originally aired on CBS on June 17, 1942); Keenan Wynn in "I Had an Alibi" (originally aired on CBS on January 4, 1945); Elliot Reid in "Return Trip" (originally aired on CBS on June 27, 1946); Leon Ames in "An Evening's Diversion" (originally aired on CBS on July 4, 1946); and Fred MacMurray in "The Great Train Robbery" (originally aired on CBS on April 13, 1953).
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Episode 455 - Stars of "The Adventures of Robin Hood"
Jun 1101:36:13Summary readyIt's off to Sherwood Forest with two of the stars of The Adventures of Robin Hood, the 1938 lavish Technicolor production that pits Errol Flynn's Robin against Basil Rathbone's vile Sir Guy. It's one of the best (maybe the best) film adaptation of the classic legend, and it still thrills audiences today. We'll hear Olivia de Havilland (Maid Marian) in "Voyage Through Darkness" (originally aired on CBS on September 7, 1944) and Alan Hale, Sr. (Little John) in "The Leading Citizen of Pratt County" (originally aired on CBS on May 30, 1946). Plus, Edmond O'Brien stars in a radio retelling of Robin Hood from Family Theatre (originally aired on Mutual on July 27, 1949). Check out this TCM special on the making of The Adventures of Robin Hood!
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Episode 454 - Stars of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"
Jun 402:34:20Summary readyJoin us for a journey 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with the stars of Walt Disney's special effects-laden big screen adaptation of Jules Verne's science fiction adventure. We'll hear the film's four stars - James Mason, Kirk Douglas, Paul Lukas, and Peter Lorre - in old time radio thrillers: Mr. Lorre in "The Moment of Darkness" (originally aired on CBS on April 20, 1943); Mr. Lukas in "A World of Darkness" (originally aired on CBS on January 20, 1944); Mr. Douglas in "The Butcher's Wife" (originally aired on CBS on February 9, 1950); and Mr. Mason in "Banquo's Chair" (originally aired on CBS on March 9, 1950). Plus, the original story is recreated for radio with Gene Lockhart on Family Theatre (originally aired on Mutual on April 22, 1953).
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Episode 453 - Stars of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World"
May 2802:54:42Summary readyIt's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is the rare epic-length comedy - over three hours long with a cast that includes Spencer Tracy, the Three Stooges, and nearly everyone in between. The movie follows a crazy cast on the hunt for hidden loot, and we'll hear six of the film's stars in radio thrillers: Phil Silvers in "The Swift Rise of Eddie Albright" (originally aired on CBS on April 3, 1947); Mickey Rooney in "The Lie" (originally aired on CBS on April 28, 1949); Milton Berle in "Rave Notice" (originally aired on CBS on October 12, 1950); Jack Benny in "Plan X" (originally aired on CBS on February 2, 1953); Ethel Merman in "Never Follow a Banjo Act" (originally aired on CBS on February 1, 1954); and Jim Backus in "See How He Runs" (AFRS rebroadcast from April 19, 1959).
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