Times Past Podcast

Larry Kent is a crime investigator. As a newspaperman in New York, he becomes interested in crime detection and sets up in business in Australia. He has a nose for danger and a habit of playing hunches. A light touch to offset the serious theme of the plays is his eye for a pretty figure, and a favorite occupation of, as he puts it, ‘Watching the blondes go by’.I Hate Crime - Murder At Cockle Creek.mp3 

The Great Gildersleeve. November 8, 1945. With WILLARD WATERMAN, WALTER TETLEY, GALE GORDON, LILLIAN RANDOLPH, EARLE ROSS, RICHARD LEGRAND, ARTHUR Q. BRYAN, MARYLEE ROBB, CATHY LEWIS, ROBERT ARMBRUSTER ORCHESTRA. Plot Summary: Gildy decides to crash Mr. Bullard's boating party to prevent Bullard from romancing his girl. Running time: 30:08. TGRC 10 The Great Gildersleeve.mp3

The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. November 8, 1945. With GEORGE AND GRACIE, BILL GOODWIN, DICK JOY, MEREDITH WILLSON ORCHESTRA, LOUELLA P ARSONS (cameo role), and GEORGE JESSEL. Also MEL BLANC. Plot summary: George has landed a movie part as a leading man and has "gone Hollywood." Running time: 24:25. TGRC 09 Burns & Allen.mp3

Duffy's Tavern. December 18, 1946. With ED "ARCHIE" GARDNER, SHIRLEY BOOTH, EDDIE GREEN, CHARLIE CANTOR, guest JOAN BENNETT, JIMMY WALLINGTON, MATTY MELNICK ORCHESTRA. Plot Summary: The prize in Archie's raffle for the poor people of 3rd Avenue at Christmas is a kiss from Joan Bennett. Running time: 28:29. TGRC 08 Duffy's Tavern.mp3

The Jimmy Durante Show. November 22, 1946. Note: For the 1947 season, Garry Moore was given equal billing with Durante (known as the "Jimmy Durante-Garry Moore Show" for the 1947-48 season). With JIMMY, GARRY MOORE, SUZANNE ELLIS, ROY BARGY and His Orchestra, CANDY CANDIDO, HOWARD PETRIE. Plot Summary: Features the "Thanksgiving Pilgrim Opera." Running time: 29:00.TGRC 07 Jimmy Durante.mp3

The Eddie Cantor Pabst Blue Ribbon Show. November 19, 1948. With EDDIE, HARRY VON ZELL, DINAH SHORE, COOKIE FAIRCHILD ORCHESTRA, BERT GORDON (the Mad Russian), and guest GEORGE MONTGOMERY. Plot Summary: Eddie's throwing a party celebrating his 18th anniversary in show business. Also with the Sportsmen Quartet. Running time: 28:39.TGRC 06 Eddie Cantor.mp3

The Charlie McCarthy Show. (also known as "The Edgar Bergen-Charlie McCarthy Show") January 7,1945. With EDGAR, DON AMECHE, RAY NOBLE and His Orchestra, guest CARMEN MIRANDA, vocals by JOAN MERRILL. Plot summary: Charlie's version of "Tobacco Road," called "Cornsilk Alley." A hillbilly skit. Running time: 28:51.TGRC 05 Charlie McCarthy.mp3

The Fred Allen Show. Probable broadcast date: December, 1947. With FRED, PORTLAND HOFFA, GEORGE JESSEL, PARKER FENNELLEY, PETER DONALD, MINERVA PIOUS, KENNY DELMAR, AL GOODMAN ORCHESTRA, THE DEMARCO SISTERS. George Jessel invites Fred to his nightclub for New Year's Festivities and sells him a new tuxedo. Plus a visit to Allen's Alley (topic: what is the most important scientific advance of recent years?).  Note: The abrupt conclusion of the show is typical of Fred's shows. He very seldom could end his show on time and had a fight with NBC for years about having the end of the show shut off the network. Running time: 29:55.TGRC 04 Fred Allen.mp3

Amos 'n' Andy. October 17, 1948. With FREEMAN GOSDEN, CHARLES CORRELL, JOHN LAKE, ART GILLMORE, LOU LUBIN, EDDIE GREEN, JEFF ALEXANDER'S ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS. Plot summary: The Kingfish sells Andy a new house. . . for $500. Running time: 30:0l.TGRC 03 Amos 'n' Andy