Usa Classic Radio Theater

A look back at the events of D Day, June 6, 1944, 77 years ago today. Included in this hour are the sounds of the day, an abbreviated episode of the Bob Hope Show, commentary by HV Kaltenborn, a prayer from President Roosevelt, and more. (Special music entitled Elegy by Savik. Music available on YouTube or Soundcloud by searching Savik. Provided under a ‘Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)’. )

Jack Benny, originally broadcast June 6, 1954, Jack goes to Dallas. The last show of the season. Jack is off to Dallas and the gang goes down to the airport to see him off. Also Lum n Abner, originally broadcast June 6, 1935, Squire to start his own Theater. Squire Skimp has threatened to open his own movie theatre, since Lum and Abner won't take him in as a partner.

The Lives of Harry Lime starring Orson Welles, originally broadcast June 6, 1953, A Night in a Harem. Harry, a sharpie named Sam, and a real Arabian princess are set up for a $100,000,000 oil concession pushover. Also part 3 of the 5 part Yours Truly Johnny Dollar story, The Indestructible Mike Matter, originally broadcast June 6, 1956. The would-be beneficiary turns out to be an interesting and dangerous man.

Frontier Town starring Reed Hadley, originally broadcast June 5, 1953, 68 years ago, On The Prod. Floyd Hunsacker needs a lawyer. The father of Paula, Floyd's fiancee, has accused him of cattle theft. Floyd's heading for a fall!.

Have Gun Will Travel starring John Dehner as Paladin, originally broadcast June 5, 1960, Apache Concerto. Paladin is sent to return a harmonium salesman and his lovely niece home, despite being captured by the bandit "Chivaro." Also Gunsmoke, originally broadcast June 5, 1954, The Blacksmith. Emil, a good-natured German blacksmith, is picked on by Gil Tallman...once too often!

Box 13 starring Alan Ladd, originally broadcast June 5, 1949, Design for Danger. Ex-convict Johnny Tide is returning to Watertown seeking revenge. Also part 2 of the 5 part Yours Truly Johnny Dollar story, The Indestructible Mike Matter, originally broadcast June 5, 1956. Proof that life is a tenacious thing, even in the broken body of a Bowery bum. Howard McNear plays Mike.

Inner Sanctum Mysteries, originally broadcast June 4, 1946, 75 years ago, Eight Steps to Murder. A newsman plans to murder a Broadway producer and marry the man's wife.

My Favorite Husband starring Lucille Ball and Richard Denning, originally broadcast June 4, 1950, George is Messy. Liz is concerned that George is a slob. Also Lum n Abner, originally broadcast June 4, 1948, Animal Trainers.

Boston Blackie starring Dick Kollmar, originally broadcast June 4, 1946, Three Witnesses. Three people each have a motive for killing Tom Marshall, an old man, even though he seems to have died a natural death. Then three people are killed within 5 hours...with the same knife! Also part 1 of the 5 part Yours Truly Johnny Dollar story, The Indestructible Mike Matter, originally broadcast June 4, 1956. The story of the most amazing character, with at least nine lives! Howard McNear plays Mike.

Fort Laramie starring Raymond Burr, originally broadcast June 3, 1956, 65 years ago, Don’t Kick My Horse. A soldier's love for his eleven-year-old horse gets the entire troop into danger when the Indians attack.

Fibber McGee and Molly, originally broadcast June 3, 1947. Fibber has no birth certificate, so he's going to study for his citizenship papers. Also Lum n Abner, originally broadcast June 3, 1948, Lions and Tigers.

I was a Communist for the FBI starring Dana Andrews, originally broadcast June 3, 1953, The Crossed Heart. After a fellow Communist dies, Cvetic tries to find a list of other Communists that was left in his suit pocket and given to the Salvation Army. Also an episode of Little Orphan Annie from 1936, Tony Renelli is accused of being the payroll robber.

Suspense, originally broadcast June 2, 1952, 69 years ago, A Good and Faithful Service starring Jack Benny. After thirty years on the job, a meek department store accountant plans his own unique retirement pension. This would be the second of four appearances by Benny on Suspense, under the direction of Elliot Lewis.

The Great Gildersleeve starring Harold Peary, originally broadcast June 2, 1946, Meet Eve. Gildersleeve recalls the time he almost starred in the Summerfield production of, "Cyrano de Bergerac." Also Lum n Abner, originally broadcast June 2, 1948, The Wild Man from Borneo.

The Shadow, originally broadcast June 2, 1946, Death in a Minor Key. Strange murders in a madhouse, while weird music plays and a cripple thumps up the stairs. What more could you want? Also an episode of the 1940 series Can You Imagine That, the Unlucky number 2?

Mr Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons starring Bennett Kilpack, originally broadcast June 1, 1950, 71 years ago, The Quicksand Murder Case. A real estate agent loses his new tenant...to a murderess.

The Jack Paar Program, originally broadcast June 1, 1947, Disappointment in the Shade. The first show of the series, a summer replacement series for Jack Benny. Guest Dennis Day does a comedy routine with Jack. An interview with the man who invented the pen that writes under water. The cast does a British version of "Duel In The Sun" titled, "Disappointment In The Shade." Also Lum n Abner, originally broadcast June 1, 1948. Hiring Squire to run the Circus.

Luke Slaughter of Tombstone starring Sam Buffington, originally broadcast June 1, 1958, Cattle Drive. There's going to be an Arizona cattle drive for the Army. Luke bets his horse, "Blue Streak," that they'll arrive with all the cows. Also part 5 of the 5 part Yours Truly Johnny Dollar story, The Reasonable Doubt Matter, originally broadcast June 1, 1956. The pitched is pegged too late and the runner comes home, the score 1 to 0, favor death.

The Story of Dr Kildare starring Lew Ayers and Lionel Barrymore, originally broadcast May 31, 1950, 71 years ago, The Abandoned Baby. A baby named Jackie Mason has been abandoned in one of Blair Hospital's ambulances. Jack Webb portrays a cynical police lieutenant.

Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, originally broadcast May 31, 1953 with guest Nelson Eddy. An all-star program featuring recorded highlights of their first sixteen years on the radio. Also excerpts from Orson Welles Radio Almanac, originally broadcast May 31, 1944, Donovans Brain Parody.