The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio: Snack Wagon Smorgasbord #2 (EP4805e)

Date: September 21, 2025
Host: Adam Graham

Episode Overview

This episode is a special sampler for Adam Graham's “Old Time Radio Snack Wagon,” a podcast spin-off serving bite-sized old time radio clips and episodes across genres. In this "Snack Wagon Smorgasbord," listeners are treated to four distinct radio selections, each highlighted and contextualized by Adam Graham. The episode is designed for both the nostalgic and curious, providing listeners with a feel for the rich diversity of OTR (Old Time Radio) with shorter, often self-contained pieces perfect for the on-the-go listener.

Key Discussion Points & Episode Segments

1. Introduction to the Snack Wagon Concept

[01:57–03:43]

• Adam Graham outlines the concept behind the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon: short, easily-digestible episodes or clips from a range of genres, intended for brief listening sessions (“while you're in the car, going to the gym, or taking a quick trip to the convenience store”).
• Announces a sampler of four shows, including “Abroad with the Lockharts,” notable for being played in its entirety on the Snack Wagon.

“If you are interested in listening to the rest of Abroad with the Lockharts or find some of the episodes that we brought you appealing in this smorgasbord, then please subscribe at snackwagon.net or search for the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon wherever you get your podcast from.”
— Adam Graham (03:20)

2. Wings Over Jordan – Preserving a Lost Legacy

[04:09–21:50]

Adam's Introduction

[04:09–06:58]

• Graham provides historical context on “Wings Over Jordan,” once a highly-rated choral program (over 500 episodes) centering Black American voices, community leaders, and spirituals.
• Highlights the importance of the show in Black communities and its broader popularity (even the First Lady and NYC’s Mayor listened).
• Notes only one episode survives: an Armed Forces Radio Service recording, which lacks the guest speaker segment.

“It's worth remembering... The Gethsemane Choir, a black congregation in Cleveland that had migrated from the South, provided the music. CBS picked up the series and took it national and it was renamed Wings Over Jordan... The audience crossed racial lines with supporters including First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia of New York City.”
— Adam Graham (04:17)

Surviving Broadcast Excerpt

[06:58–21:50]

• Features choral spirituals and narration by Rev. Glenn T. Settle with themes of faith, perseverance, and reflection on judgment and hardship.
• Notable moments include “You Better Mind” and stories framing the spiritual significance for listeners.

“Pharaoh. Pharaoh. To let my people go... From over yond mystic divide comes the assurance and hope that he is an ever present help in trouble and a friend that never fails.”
— Rev. Glenn T. Settle (06:58)

Post-Episode Commentary

[22:42–25:37]

• Adam summarizes the choir’s impact and long post-radio life; noting their extended tours (overseas and domestically), strained racial barriers, and ongoing legacy via recordings and celebratory choruses.

“This is one of the more intriguing series I’ve come across... the group continued to perform even after it left radio with new members, record deals, satellite choirs, and eventually a celebration chorus that formed in the 1980s.”
— Adam Graham (22:43)

3. Diamond Drama – "The Pit Diamond"

[25:37–41:13]

Setup & Historical Context

[22:42–25:37]

• Graham introduces the rare syndicated series “Diamond Drama,” initially produced for Salt Lake City radio in 1934, sponsored (amusingly) by a diamond-shaped laxative salt company.
• Today's selection, “The Pit Diamond,” tells the dramatized story of Thomas Pitt and the famous Regent Diamond.

Episode Summary

[25:55–40:39]

• Thomas Pitt, a real historical figure, obtains the enormous diamond through a tense negotiation and later navigates the social and personal consequences of his possession.
• Subplots include interactions with society women and a former love, Marion, revealing how greed, love, and regret intertwine.

“Why, this stone is worth a king's ransom. And it's mine. Mine. I can buy the world with this. And it only cost me £1,000.”
— Thomas Pitt (30:05)

• Emotional climax: Marion rejects Pitt, accusing him of loving the diamond more than people.

“You were more jealous of that huge rock stone than a man is ever of a beautiful wife... Is it any wonder that I realized we could never have any happiness together?”
— Marion (34:46)

• Pitt’s confession about the torment the diamond brought him rounds out the drama.

“From the time the Hindu put it into my hand, that diamond possessed every waking moment of my life... That's what it did for me. And when at last I sold it, all the money in the world couldn't bring back my self respect.”
— Thomas Pitt (36:00)

Fact-Checking & Reflections

[41:13–47:45]

• Adam distinguishes radio embellishment from reality: the romantic subplot wasn’t true, and the price/purchase details diverged from history (including the dark origins of the diamond’s prior owner).
• Shares that Pitt smuggled the diamond home in his son’s boot; it became the famous Regent Diamond.
• Reflects on how syndicated radio “could always be resold for different stations years and years after their first issue,” contributing to sponsor longevity.

4. Australian OTR: "Famous Escapes – Escape from Robespierre"

[47:45–61:50]

Contextual Intro

[41:13–47:45]

• Graham spotlights the Australian golden age of radio and the prolific Artranza syndicate, which adapted American scripts and crafted original dramas.
• “Famous Escapes” is a rare 1938 show, here dramatizing a daring evasion from the grasp of Robespierre during the French Revolution.

Episode Summary

[47:45–61:50]

• The Marquis de Storg seeks to rescue his wife from Paris, risking all to circumvent strict revolutionary passport controls.
• After being captured, his brother Armand bargains with Robespierre: his brother and sister-in-law’s freedom in exchange for the leader De Mailleaux.
• The twist: De Mailleaux is already deceased (from typhus); the handover is a ruse.

“My brother and his wife do not constitute a real danger to your party.... But suppose that for this comparatively harmless pair I were able to give you the most dangerous enemy of the Republic in La Vendette.”
— Armand de Storg (52:41)

• The ruse succeeds, and the trio ultimately escapes to England for a new life.

Post-Episode Take

[61:50–64:11]

• Adam praises the program’s well-paced, suspenseful storytelling and effective use of short-format drama.
• Notes the impressive quality of Australian OTR and the surprising discovery of this obscure series.

5. Abroad with the Lockharts – Episode 1: Planning a Trip to Europe

[64:11–77:41]

Historical Context & Series Overview

[61:50–64:11]

• Adam introduces “Abroad with the Lockharts,” starring real-life couple Gene and Kathleen Lockhart (parents of actress June Lockhart).
• Points out the uniqueness and early airdate (August 17, 1930) and the escapist appeal during the depths of the Great Depression.

“Abroad with the Lockharts is a sort of series that offered escape from the grim present to some past happy memories and allowed the listeners to take a trip on a luxury line to visit the great cities of Europe.”
— Adam Graham (78:37)

Episode Summary

[67:37–77:41]

• The episode centers on Will Lockhart, a stolid, comfort-loving husband, and his determined wife as she persuades him to forgo fishing for a European vacation.
• Their witty banter embodies typical marital dynamics of the era.

“This summer means fishing to me, dear.”
— Will (68:14)

• Mrs. Lockhart’s persistence and careful planning (“I want a trip to Europe. Nearly every other woman at our club has been to Europe...”) ultimately win him over.
• Notable comedic confusion over French names and tourist destinations.

“What are invalids?” / “They're not invalids. That's just their name.”
— Will and Mrs. Lockhart (70:12)

• The negotiation ends with Will agreeing to go, provided he can skip the museums and tombs, and Mrs. Lockhart revealing she had already booked the tickets.

“I've made reservations for sailing on the same day you were to start your fishing trip.”
— Mrs. Lockhart (73:08)

Closing Commentary

[78:37–81:43]

• Adam highlights the charm and preservation quality of this 94-year-old broadcast, discussing its light domestic comedy and the gentle affection between leads.
• Reflects on the escapism offered to Depression-era listeners, and previews continuation of the full available series on future Snack Wagon episodes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the significance of “Wings Over Jordan” (04:17):
  "Yet the audience crossed racial lines with supporters including First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia of New York City." — Adam Graham

• On the cost of obsession (“The Pit Diamond,” 36:00):
  "From the time the Hindu put it into my hand, that diamond possessed every waking moment of my life... all the money in the world couldn't bring back my self respect." — Thomas Pitt

• On convincing a reluctant husband (“Abroad with the Lockharts,” 73:08):
  “I've already made them. I've made reservations for sailing on the same day you were to start your fishing trip.” — Mrs. Lockhart

• Reflections on escapist radio (78:37):
  "Abroad with the Lockharts is a sort of series that offered escape from the grim present... and allowed the listeners to take a trip on a luxury liner to visit the great cities of Europe. And who knows, maybe better days would come and they'd be able to take that trip in person." — Adam Graham

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Adam’s Episode Preface: 01:57–03:43
• Wings Over Jordan, intro & episode: 04:09–21:50
• Wings Over Jordan, commentary: 22:42–25:37
• Diamond Drama, story and context: 25:37–41:13
• Diamond Drama, fact-check and wrap-up: 41:13–47:45
• Famous Escapes (Australian OTR): 47:45–61:50
• Famous Escapes, commentary: 61:50–64:11
• Abroad with the Lockharts, episode 1: 67:37–77:41
• Abroad with the Lockharts, summary: 78:37–81:43

Final Thoughts

This episode is a robust showcase of OTR's breadth: the grandeur and social impact of choral music in “Wings Over Jordan”; the intrigue and pathos of historical drama in “The Pit Diamond”; taut suspense and cleverness in “Famous Escapes”; and the gentle, comedic look at marital negotiation during the Depression in “Abroad with the Lockharts.” Adam Graham effectively contextualizes each piece with both knowledge and warmth, making this sampler as informative as it is entertaining for new and seasoned old-time radio fans alike.