The Lone Ranger - The Return of Butch Cavendish - Radio Drama

Rudy Ramos, Duncan Regehr, Tim Considine, Bob Daniels in The Lone Ranger, The Return of Butch Cavendish

The Lone Ranger Rides again! On the weekend of June 13-15, 2013 several Hollywood actors noted for their work in westerns came together at the Memphis Film Festival to share stories of their experiences in film and television. As part of the festivities a radio drama re-creation was performed. This year's selection was from the old time radio western series - The Lone Ranger. With an excited audience looking on in great expectation the cast ensemble took to the stage and entertained the crowd with an animated and delightful performance of The Return of Butch Cavendish.

If only more modern audio dramas could be produced with this level of acting talent. What a difference professionals make to the quality of a show! The exhibition put on by this talented group of actors was not only an enjoyable trip back down memory lane to the golden age of radio but it was also a vision of what the future of audio drama could be again. What a fabulous treat!

This outstanding performance has been made available on Youtube for your viewing and listening enjoyment. So return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear.... and enjoy this wonderfully fun episode of The Lone Ranger as the daring and resourceful masked man takes on a fiendish outlaw in The Return of Butch Cavendish.


Hi-Yo Silver Away!

Featured in the cast:

Bob Daniels (grandson of Brace Beemer – radio’s Lone Ranger) as The Lone Ranger

Duncan Regehr  (Zorro) as Butch Cavendish

Don Collier (The High Chaparal) as Thunder Martin
Rudy Ramos (The High Chaparral) as Tonto
Tim Considine (Spin and Marty) as Dan Reid

David Stollery (Spin and Marty) as Captain Reid

John Buttram (son of western legend Pat Buttram) as Collins

Tommy Nolan (Buckskin ) as Sparks 

Boyd Magers (western movie historian ) as the Narrator/Announcer 

Gary Yoggy – Director-SFX-Music

 

I Love Lucy: The Untold Story Live Radio Drama Presentation

Lucille Ball starred as Liz Cooper on My Favorite Husband during the golden years of old time radio before moving on to television to star as Lucy Ricardo along with her favorite husband Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz) in a loosely based adaptation called I Love Lucy. Now you can hear the story behind the story as the loveable redhead returns to radio drama with Charlene Tilton playing the funny lady in I Love Lucy: The Untold Story.  

I Love Lucy: The Untold Story will be preformed live on stage in Pacific Palisades, California with a cast of Hollywood actors on March 3, 2013. Sounds Like a great show. Don't miss it if you can be there!

From Gregg Oppenheimer:

I'm excited to announce that I'll be directing a live, full-cast performance of my original short play, I Love Lucy: The Untold Story, Sunday, March 3, 2013, at 4pm, at Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation, 16019 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. 

It's a humorous look behind the scenes at the creation of TV's most beloved sitcom, based on my dad's memoir, Laughs, Luck…and Lucy: How I Came to Create the Most Popular of Sitcom of All Time. Since its New York premiere in 2011, the play has had successful productions on both coasts, as well as a nationwide broadcast on SiriusXM™ Radio.

Our phenomenal cast features such talented performers as Charlene Tilton (Dallas's "Lucy Ewing"), Dick Van Patten (star of Eight Is Enough), Phil Proctor (founder of the legendary Firesign Theater comedy troupe), William Schallert ("Dad" on The Patty Duke Show), Second City alum Lance Kinsey ("Lt. Proctor" in all the Police Academy films), and musical guest Dora Pearson (lead female vocalist for Sha Na Na). 

The show, which runs about 45 minutes, will be performed in the style of old-time radio, with the actors and singers standing at microphones, scripts in hand, plus sound effects and recorded music. 

After the show, refreshments will be served, and you'll have the opportunity to mingle with members of the cast. 

Proceeds benefit Kehillat Israel's "Sages" seniors program. The suggested donation is $18, but any amount is welcome. Free parking is available. 

Seating is limited. Reserve your tickets now at www.ourKI.org. Cast lineup subject to change. 

For further information, please contact Kehillat Israel's Director of Programs & Marketing, Matt Davidson, at 424.214.7454 or mdavidson@ourKI.org 

We're going to have a lot of fun on March 3rd, and I really hope to see you there. 

- Gregg Oppenheimer 

P.S. If you can't make the March 3rd performance, be sure to check out the full-cast recording of I Love Lucy: The Untold Story now available at iTunes, at Amazon.com, at Audible.com, and at Audiobooks.com. All royalties from sales of the recording benefit the Motion Picture & Television Fund.

The Great Detectives of OTR

Call it Hard-Boiled. Call it Classic. Call it Noir. Call it what you like. But when it comes to detective fiction it's hard to beat the lineup of great detectives shows that were produced during The Golden Age of Radio. Old time radio (OTR) presented listeners with an outstanding variety of wisecracking, pistol packing, knock your teeth out, tough as nails gumshoes and cops. The following is a list of great detective radio dramas that are still highly enjoyable and entertaining today.

1. Sam Spade

Dashiell Hamett's The Adventure's of Sam Spade made its debut on CBS radio in August of 1946 and ended in 1951 after airing 246 shows. Howard Duff (pictured above) voiced the role of hard hitting private eye Sam Spade and Lurene Tuttle was his lovably loyal secretary Effie Perrine. The brash and bold, witty and charming Spade took on all comers from tough guy thugs to sweet talking dames. No episode was ever short on gritty action, drama, or suspense. Sam Spade was an immediate hit with listeners and sponsors alike. In fact, it was so successful that it spawned a litany of private detectives shows in its wake. The Adventures of Sam Spade endures to this day as perhaps the greatest hard-boiled radio drama adventure ever created. So if you're in the mood for a classic detective caper we suggest you call on Sam Spade.

2. Philip Marlowe

Writer Raymond Chandler's classic tough guy detective hit the airwaves for CBS on September 26, 1948 with Gerald Mohr (pictured above) as the voice of the gritty no nonsense detective. Mohr's deep baritone voice perfectly fit the cynical detective's style and by 1949 The Adventures of Philip Marlowe would have the largest audience on radio. A trend that would continue for three more years. Using the Sam Spade formula for success: wisecracking tough guys and sultry dames coupled with lots of action, drama, suspense, wit and charm Philip Marlowe became one of the most well received shows on radio. Today it's still stands as one of the best detective series ever created.

3. Richard Diamond

Richard Diamond, Private Detective debuted on NBC in 1949 with Dick Powell as the slick talking, sophisticated tough guy gumshoe. Each show opened with Powell whistling the show's theme and generally closed with him singing a popular song to his girl Helen Asher (played by Virginia Gregg). Richard Diamond wasn't your standard P.I. show as it contained vastly more humor than either the Spade or Marlowe programs. However, fist fights and flying bullets were never in short supply. Diamond routinely sparred verbally with Lt. Walt Levinson (voiced by Ed Begley then later by Arthur Q. Bryan) and Sergeant Otis (Wilms Herbert) of the police force providing a more balanced atmosphere than many of the other detective series of its day. The stories were more than well written by Pink Panther (Inspector Clouseau) creator Blake Edwards. As radio detectives goes Richard Diamond is as good as they get. 

4. Yours Truly Johnny Dollar

For nearly thirteen years (1949-1962 minus a year long hiatus in 1955) "America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, the man with the action packed expense account" Johnny Dollar entertained listeners with action packed investigations all over the world. During the shows run no less than eight actors played the role of Dollar. Dick Powell (Richard Diamond) played the title role in the original audition performance. Interestingly Gerald Mohr (Philip Marlowe) auditioned for the role of Dollar in 1955 losing out to the actor who would ultimately become the most popular actor to voice the role, Bob Bailey (pictured above). Originally the character of Dollar was played as the typical hard-boiled detective sort. However, when Bailey took over the role he toned down the character of Dollar making him into a tough, streetwise investigator who was smart and sometimes too emotionally involved. The new interpretation worked well as the show had its most successful run during the Bob Bailey years. Many of the episodes from this series have been preserved and can still be enjoyed by those who delight in noir genre radio drama. For detective lovers, this one comes highly recommended. - Yours Truly Johnny Dollar.

5. Dragnet

Dun, ta dun dunt... dun ta dunt, dunt, dun. "Ladies and gentlemen the story you're about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent." Whether a fan of radio drama or not most people instantly recognize the opening theme and the words that followed. Dragnet was the brainchild of actor Jack Webb. Inspired by the film He Walked By Night, which he had a part in, and the high profile Black Dahlia investigation Webb conceived the idea for Dragnet. Based on official L.A.P.D. case files the show chronicled step by step every aspect of police work. The dialogue was clipped and the stories fast moving and highly entertaining all in an effort to stay with "Just the facts." Sergeant Joe Friday's deadpan, fast talking persona appeal even today and "Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime"continues to be as entertaining as it ever was.


6. Tales of the Texas Rangers

Movie star Joel McCrea starred as Ranger Jayce Pearson in Tales of the Texas Rangers a procedural documentary similar to that of Dragnet. Based on actual files of the Texas Rangers the series was set in the modern era of Texas (1928-1948) rather than the old west. Fast paced with hard hitting, realistic gritty action the series was the modern era equivalent of it's radio western counterpart Gunsmoke. The action varied in location from urban to rural. A chase scene, for example, could as easily take place in a vehicle as it could on horseback. The popular series aired on NBC from July 8, 1950 to September 14, 1952. The content is just as enjoyable now as it was in 1950.

7. Rocky Jordan

Rocky Jordan (played by Jack Moyles) was a hard-boiled detective who left St. Louis, Missouri and relocated to Cairo, Egypt to escape his enemies. Rocky owns and operates the cafe Tambourine. Here in his gin-joint he encounters every variety of despot you can imagine from ex-Nazi's, murders, thieves, smugglers, expatriated American thugs on the run to down on their luck dames. At times Rocky Jordan feels like a poor man's hodgepodge of Casablanca meets The Maltese Falcon but it provides top notch action, romance and mystery for listeners. Sam Sabaaya, Captain of the Cairo police, is a friend of sorts to Jordan who's always willing to give him a fair shake. However, Sabaaya's second in command, Sergeant Greco, has no love for Jordan and anytime something happens Jordan is immediately his primary suspect. Running from 1945 to 1953 the series entertained for several years on the radio. Today many of the episodes still exist and are still most gratifying. 

8. Mr. and Mrs. North

Pam and Jerry North (originally voiced by Alice Frost and Joseph Curtin then by Barbara Britton and Richard Denning [pictured above]) aren't your normal detectives. In fact, they not really detectives at all. Jerry works as a book publisher and Pam's a housewife. But the two always seem to wind up getting involved in mysteries and the only way out is to solve them. Fortunately for them they have a friend in the police department, Lt. Bill Weigand in Homicide. Superbly written, Mr. and Mrs. North let listeners play along by allowing the audience to have the clues giving them the opportunity to solve the crime before Pam and Jerry. The series ran from 1942 - 1954 but could just as easily air today with certain success.

9. Box 13

 Alan Ladd starred as Dan Holiday the fiction writer with the ad in the paper stating "Adventure wanted. Will go anywhere, do anything. Reply to... Box 13." Though not a detective Dan Holiday often found himself involved in events that required him to decipher clues, gather information and get answers to solve a puzzle, usually life threatening. Action, adventure and intrigue are always found in Box 13. Though it only ran for one season the series is a can't miss when it comes to investigative entertainment.

10. Nick Carter, Master Detective

Nick Carter (Lon Clark [pictured above]) is a master detective and Patsy Bowen (Helen Choate, later Charolette Manson [pictured above]) is his assistant. Together with legman (investigator) "Scubby" Wilson (John Kane) no crime is too tough to tackle and before long they'll have the case solved. Based on the pulp magazine of the same name Nick Carter brought a bit more of a soft-boiled flare to the genre. Carter was a brains first, brawn second detective that worked in tandem with his friends to solve crimes. Though a little more lighthearted in it's presentation than other detective series Nick Carter, Master Detective is an enjoyable adventure worthy of being included among the great noir shows of the past. It more than stands the test of time. The series aired from 1943-1955.

#136 Son of a Wanted Man (Louis L'Amour)

Louis L'Amour brings you almost 3 hours of western adventure in Son of a Wanted Man. Based loosely on the full length Louis L'Amour novel this story tells the tale of Miguel "Mike" Santos. Orphaned at a young age by outlaws who killed his father in a robbery he is taken to live with the gang and raised by their leader Ben Curry. He's grown up learning the ways of living on the wrong side of the law. He knows how to cheat at cards, rustle cattle, work over a brand, crack a safe, plan a hold up, rob a bank, a stage or a train, and make a get away without getting caught. He's good with a gun. Pistol or rifle, makes no difference. He can hunt and track. But Mike has also been educated on the ways of the outside world as well. Now as an adult his adoptive father is about to leave the outfit to him. Will this be the life he chooses to lead or will he choose another path? Will Mike have time to make a decision one way or another before the law pinpoints the hideout and all hell breaks loose? Will he be able to stave off an insurrection by some of Ben's own men?

Son of a Wanted Man is traditional high stakes fun from Louis L'Amour. This production offers a strong story and exceptional acting. Produced in the truest sense of a radio drama this presentation has, with the exception of the opening introduction, no narration. Son of a Wanted Man is a first rate drama any western fan is sure to enjoy.

From Louis L'Amour:

Son of A Wanted Man tells the story of Ben Curry and his adopted son Mike Santos. In a remote corner of California's High Sierra mountains lies the secret outlaw kingdom of Ben Curry. For fifteen years Curry has ruled supreme. But the king is getting old, and he wants to turn his legacy over to someone and get out -someone like Mike. Mike is a young man who can handle a knife, a gun, his fists, and who's been trained in every criminal skill. But so far he's never broken the law. Now, as treachery explodes among Ben's riders, Mike must choose.between his loyalty to Ben or his yearning for a different life.

Listen to the trailer:
http://www.sonofawantedman.com/trailer.htm

Buy or learn more about Son of a Wanted Man:
http://www.louislamour.com/audio/sonofawantedman.htm

# 127 Where Buzzards Fly (Louis L'Amour)

Another great western story from the mind of Louis L'Amour. This time Texas Ranger Chick Bowdrie is on the trail of unknown killers who've wiped out a band of notorious Mexican outlaws. It's high stakes adventure in this thrilling tale of law and order.

From Louis L'Amour:
Texas Ranger Chick Bowdrie tracks the killers of an infamous Mexican outlaw, Zaparo and fourteen of his desperadoes. With only the slightest clues to the ruthless ambush, Bowdrie is led to the K-Bar Ranch, and the beautiful girlfriend of the last living member of Zaparo's gang--only to find his prime suspect is a man closer to the Texas Rangers than he ever dreamed.

http://www.louislamour.com/audio/wherebuzzards.htm

Philip Marlowe - Private Detective

In 1946 Humphrey Bogart played hard-boiled private detective Philip Marlowe in the movie adaptation of Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep. That performance would spark interest in Philip Marlowe for decades to come and etch an expectation of Bogey's style and presence into the conscious fabric of fans of the character. Though Bogey never played Marlowe on radio his voice is the one that comes to mind first. When it comes to voices it's next to impossible to beat Bogart's.

Gerald Mohr took on the role of Philip Marlowe in the radio series The Adventures of Philip Marlowe on September 26, 1948. The series had been on the air for nearly 6 months with actor Van Heflin in the role of Marlowe. Heflin's portrayal, however, was flat leaving both Chandler himself and listeners disappointed. Mohr's impact on the series was immediate. He breathed new life into series. With his bold personality, tough voice and gritty take on Marlowe the series would run 3 more years ending on September 15, 1951. The Adventures of Philip Marlowe starring Gerald Mohr is a work of greatness still available and still appreciated by Marlowe fans to this day.

Raymond Chandler’s immortal private eye Philip Marlowe would once again make a return to radio. This time the BBC adapting Chandler's first 6 novels (The Big Sleep, The High Window, Farewell My Lovely, The Lady in the Lake, The Little Sister, and The Long Goodbye). UK-based American character actor Ed Bishop took on the role of Marlowe in these 90-minute presentations which would be produced and broadcast  between 1977 and 1988. Bishop's voice takes a bit of getting used to in the role of Marlowe but once that happens his performance is actually quite good. The production of these 6 Marlowe stories is very enjoyable and well worth listening to. The only downfall to these productions is that the female voices don't always fit the parts. Often times the women sound much older than the character being portrayed. This exception aside, these are very well made dramas.

In 2011 the BBC would once again commission the production of Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe novels. This time producing all eight of his works (The Big Sleep, The High Window, Farewell My Lovely, The Lady in the Lake, The Little Sister, The Long Goodbye, Playback and Poodle Springs which was finished 30 years later by author Robert B. Parker). Toby Stephens would take on the role of hard-boiled P.I. Philip Marlowe and bring his own brand of toughness to the role. Stephens fits the part well and does the character justice. These productions are crisp, sharp and filled with kick your door in, knock your teeth out adventure. Marlowe fans will find these productions most enjoyable. The only downfall to this series is the sound effects. They're mixed well but the sound engineer missed on many of the period effects. Cars, trains, guns and at times telephone sound effects are often not from the era of the Marlowe stories. Anyone who's ever heard a 38 Packard or an Oldsmobile, Buick, Ford or Chevy from the 30s, 40s or 50s knows it doesn't sound like a Toyota or a Fiat. Most listeners probably won't notice these sounds being from the wrong time period but those with a trained ear will pick up on it immediately. Voice casting for this series was very good and the female voices were exceptional. Marlowe fans should be very pleased with the BBC's efforts to capture the essence of the hard-boiled detective created by Chandler.

#122 The Count of Monte Cristo (BBC)

Alexander Dumas classic tale The Count of Monte Cristo is splendidly played out in this BBC production. As Edmond Dantes returns from sea to the girl and job of his dreams his meddling "friends" become jealous and have him unjustly imprisoned. He later escapes, acquires a fortune and sets out to exact revenge on the men who destroyed his life. Originally aired in 1987 this nearly 7 hour long production stars  Andrew Sachs, Nigel Anthony, Steve Hodson, Paul Gregory, Geoffrey Matthews, Melinda Walker and Leslie Sands. Unfortunately this program has not yet been released for purchase by the BBC. If you didn't catch the re-airing of it in 2011 on BBC 7 it might be awhile before it's available to hear again.

#121 The New Adventures of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer Vol 1

Hammer's back. The hard nosed smash 'em in the mouth detective from the mind of Mickey Spillane returns in full-cast audio splendor. Featuring Stacey Keach from the Mike Hammer TV series that aired on CBS in the 1980s, stories written by the original staff and music from the series. It's hard boiled detective fun in these two presentations.

From Blackstone:

Everybody loves a mystery, and nobody solves them like Mike Hammer. While other detectives bend and manipulate the law, Hammer holds it in total contempt, seeing it as nothing more than an impediment to justice, the one virtue he holds in absolute esteem. Now, the no-holds-barred private eye returns, along with his gorgeous secretary, Velda, and a collection of New York City characters, in two fully dramatized “theater-of-the-mind” audio adventures. “Dangerous Days” and “Oil and Water.”
Narrated by Stacy Keach, the acclaimed actor who starred in the original Mike Hammer TV series, these new mysteries are written by the writers of that show and enhanced with a full supporting cast, sound effects, and music. Even the show’s jazzy theme song is back to set the gritty tone for each episode.



http://www.blackstoneaudio.com/audiobook.cfm?id=4858

For more Mike Hammer see the other two posts on this blog.

Encore For Murder
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/37-mike-hammer-encore-for-murder.html

The Little Death
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/24-mike-hammer-little-death.html

#120 Instead of Evidence - Nero Wolfe (CBC)

Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin are back in Instead of Evidence. When Eugene Poor suspects his business partner is out to kill him he turns to Nero Wolfe. Not to protect him but to make sure his killer is caught after the fact. It's murder and mayhem in this mystery full of twists and turns. Mavor Moore and Don Francks star in this CBC production. Though the series is not available for purchase it can be found online.


From Nero Wolfe:

Eugene Poor suspected his partner Conroy Balney of planning to kill him. He’ll pay Wolfe $5000 — not to keep Blaney from murdering him, but to be sure that he doesn’t get away with it.
Eugene’s premonition of death was right on the money. The ink was hardly dry on the receipt when Poor was killed . . . by an exploding cigar! Naturally, though the client is dead, Wolfe is determined to solve the murder and earn the fee.
Conroy Blaney claims his innocence. Helen Vardis claims that the newly widowed Martha Poor had killed her husband because she was jealous of their relationship, but Joe Groll was also very interested in Helen. A brutal hit-and-run claims Arthur Howell. All these people had connections with Blaney and Poor.

#119 Riding For the Brand (Louis L'Amour)

Louis L'Amour brings you Riding For The Brand for a second time. This time produced by son Beau L'Amour along with David Rapkin and Charles Potter. It's the story of drifter Jed Asbury. After discovering the dead body of Michael Latch on the prairie Asbury assumes his identity and heads for California to claim a large ranch left as Latch's inheritance.  Upon arriving at Casa Grande the new Michael Latch has to contend with not only the ranch's foremost residents, foreman Toni Costa and Carol Arden, but also the villainous Walt Seaver who believes the ranch is his to have.

This version of Riding For The Brand is significantly different from the one produced by Soundelux which featured Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. Both are well produced with music and sound effects and fun to listen to. If you enjoy tales of the old west then you'll find both versions to be a real treat.

From Louis L'Amour:
The open West was a land where wanderers could find themselves a home--a home to fight for, to be changed by, sometimes to die for. Jed Ashbury was one such journeyman, taking on the identity of a dead man. Allen Ring was another: he'd won his plot of land in a card game only to find he had to win again with a gun. From a has-been boxer to a ranch hand taking on his bosses' troubles, the characters in these classic Louis L'Amour short stories are all "riding for the brand"-staying loyal to what matters, staking the West with their courage and their blood.

http://www.louislamour.com/audio/riding_cassette.htm

Riding For the Brand featuring The Highwaymen.
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/27-riding-for-brand-louis-lamour.html

#111 Nemesis - Miss Marple (BBC)

June Whitfield reprises the role of the delightful Miss Jane Marple in Nemesis. The sharp-witted spinster sleuth receives a letter from Jason Rafiel, a recently deceased millionaire, asking her to investigate a compelling murder mystery. However, Mr. Rafiel has left her with very few clues, failing to even tell her where or when the crime that was committed took place. He has not even furnished her with the knowledge of who was involved in the matter only that if she succeeds in solving the crime she will inherit £20,000. Her only real starting point for investigation is is a tour of famous houses and gardens of Great Britain, arranged for her by Mr. Rafiel prior to his death. On the tour she is accompanied by fourteen other people who may have had some connection to the deceased millionaire. One of the fourteen people in the group Miss Marple suspects may be her nemesis.

Agatha Christie's Nemesis is classic BBC radio drama at its best. 

From the BBC:

Miss Marple is totally shocked to receive a letter from the recently deceased Mr Rafiel, an acquaintance she had met briefly on her travels. The letter leaves instructions for Miss Marple, whom Mr Rafiel had recognised as a natural detective, to investigate a crime after his death. There are absolutely no details about the crime, however, nothing about who is involved, or where or when it had been committed. Miss Marple, of course is thoroughly intrigued and sets out to solve a compelling murder mystery.

http://www.bbcshop.com/drama+arts/agatha-christie-nemesis/invt/9780563494249/

#110 Merrano of the Dry Country (Louis L'Amour)

Merrano of the Dry Country is a classic gritty western that pits a young Mexican rancher named Miguel Merrano against Mirror Valley, New Mexico's three most powerful ranchers: Tom Drake, Joe Stangel and Jim Hill. Drought has come to the valley and the once magnificent ranches of these three men have wilted under the harsh heat and blowing winds. The water has dried up. Their cattle are gaunt, dying of thirst. And now their fortunes have dwindled away to nothing along with their prospects for the future. Pride, desperation, and prejudice create strong emotions leading to accusations of rustling followed by a heated confrontation between the three leading citizens of the area and Merrano. As tensions heighten Tom Drake's daughter Candy and local store owner Clouse Mayer hope to find a way to restore reason with these men before things get so far out of hand they can't be repaired.

This is one of L'Amour's best. A superb western tale that evokes strong emotions.

From Louis L'Amour:

When Miguel Merrano first came to Mirror Valley, the land was green and lush . . . and off limits to Mexicans. Ranchers such as Tom Drake and Joe Stangle tried to drive Merrano out, to fence him out; and when he warned them that greed and overgrazing would ruin their land, they refused to listen.

Now Merrano's predictions have come true. Mirror Valley is so dry it's about to blow away. The cattle are hollow-ribbed and dying. And the ranchers are broke . . . flat broke. Only Merrano's ranch is still thriving. As the ranchers watch him pay for goods in gold and sell his cattle at a mighty profit, their hatred grows and festers . . . until they draw their guns in a desperate act that will pit daughter against father, friend against friend - an act that could tear the valley apart... forever.

http://www.louislamour.com/audio/merrano.htm

#106 At Bertram's Hotel - Miss Marple (BBC)

When Jane Marple comes up from the country for a holiday in London, she finds what she’s looking for at Bertram’s: a restored London hotel with traditional decor, impeccable service -- and an unmistakable atmosphere of danger behind the highly polished veneer. Yet not even Miss Marple can foresee the violent chain of events set in motion when an eccentric guest makes his way to the airport on the wrong day.

From the BBC:
Miss Marple, Agatha Christie s deceptively mild spinster sleuth, is being treated to a few days holiday by her niece, staying at Bertram s Hotel, a dignified, unostentatious establishment tucked away in a back street of busy Mayfair. Here is a place where sedate upper class ladies, retired military gentlemen and the higher echelons of the clergy can indulge in the comforts of a bygone age. But Miss Marple begins to feel uneasy. Something sinister lurks beneath the polished veneer. Why are so many major crimes associated in some way with the hotel or somehow implicate eminently respectable people staying there? June Whitfield stars as Miss Marple in this BBC Radio 4 dramatisation of a classic brain-teaser from the Queen of Crime.

http://www.amazon.com/Bertrams-Hotel-BBC-Radio-Collection/dp/0563524499/ref=pd_sim_m2

#105 Bill Carey Rides West - Louis L'Amour

Great acting, sound effects and music make this highly entertaining story come to life. Louis L'Amour is a master of transporting the reader, in this case the listener, back to the days of the old west. Bill Carey Rides West once again shows why Louis L'Amour is the best selling western novelist of all-time.

A note about Louis L'Amour - Unlike other writers who sometimes fictionalize locations, customs and other details of the western era L'Amour was a tireless researcher. He would search out old newspapers, diaries and maps to learn not only about the people of the western era but also the topography and geography of the area. He talked to those who knew the land and many times knew figures of historical significance to those areas. L'Amour eagerly learned about landmarks, waterholes and other points of interest found in the regions he was writing about. He learned how the Indians and settlers identified these landmarks. In order to further accurately convey the lay of the land he would traverse the landscape sometimes even taking an aerial view by plane. His tireless pursuit of details certainly shines through in his storytelling.

Bill Carey robbed the bank in Churchfield making off with two bags of gold. But not before getting himself shot up. With the law hot on his trail Bill stumbles half dead onto a ranch run by Jess Conway and his daughter Jane. Jane patches up him up but he quickly learns that this is no safe haven. The ruthless outlaw Tabat Ryerson and his gang have the Conway's mercilessly doing their bidding. As Bill starts to mend he must decide what to do, get out of the territory or stay and help the sweet young woman and her father.

From Louis L'Amour:
Life on an Ohio farm couldn't hold young Bill Carey.  He wanted the adventure he knew waited in the territories to the west.  He'd drifted into the outlaw life, and now he found himself shot up, a lawman on his trail, holed up on a small farm near the lair of Tabat Ryerson.  Ryerson, the man who'd introduced him to cattle rustling and bank robbery, a cold-blooded killer.  The man who'd turned the sweet young woman who'd saved Carey's life into an unwilling accomplice.  On a remote little farm, Carey's caught between both sides of the law, and he finds a reason for staying alive in a rancher's pretty daughter.

http://www.louislamour.com/audio/BillCarey.htm

#100 The Posion Belt - Professor Challenger (American Radio Theater)

American Radio Theater presents the second of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Professor Challenger stories with The Poison Belt. This production, especially the acting, is very reminiscent of a BBC production. It feels like a sequel to the BBC's production of Conan Doyle's The Lost World which of course was the first and most famous in this series of stories.

Also available from American Radio Theater When The World Screamed (a Professor Challenger story.)

From ART:
THE POISON BELT - written by Arthur Conan Doyle, adapted by Cole Hornaday. The world swims through a belt of poison ether. Can Professor Challenger and his companions survive? 61 minutes (2008)

Featured in the cast:

• Ivan Cury as Ted Malone
• Kim Turner as Mr. McCardle
• Cole Hornaday as Professor Challenger
• Gregg Porter as Professor Summerlee
• Reynaud LeBoeuf as Lord John Roxton
• Bryan Hendrickson as Austin, the Chauffeur
• Melinda Mains as Mrs. Challenger
• Joan Parker as Mrs. Burston
• Pat McNally as Telegraph Boy
• Live Sound Effects by Penny Swanberg

http://www.americanradiotheater.org/plays.html
http://www.americanradiotheater.org/index.html

See also The Lost World by the BBC post #16:
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/16-lost-world-bbc.html

#95 Get Out Of Town - Louis L'Amour

Growing up to the point of being viewed as a man wasn't always an easy thing in the west. Neither was re-establishing yourself after having been convicted of a crime. In this story Tom Fairchild, a teenager yearning to be looked upon as a man, hires a just released from prison saddle bum named Riley. Everyone in the town except the boy's mother objects. Riley's served his time but the town's people seem to figure once a man's been in prison that makes him a criminal for life. Together Mrs. Fairchild, Tom and Riley face tough choices and challenging situations that will alter all their lives. Louis L'Amour brings you yet another wonder tale of the old west in Get Out Of Town. 

From Louis L'Amour:
Ever since his father died, fourteen-year-old Tom Fairchild has helped his mother keep the ranch going. Soon it would be time to gather the cattle to market, and Tom was sent to ride into town to hire a hand. When he chose a stranger named Riley, the townspeople, the former hands, and the local law didn't approve. Worse yet, the sheriff said Riley was a former convict. But Tom didn't care. It was the first real decision Tom ever made on his own. Now he must face a threat closer to home, a danger he never expected. Tom Fairchild isn't about to back down—but he's in more trouble than he can handle by himself.

http://www.louislamour.com/audio/GetOutOfTown.htm

#91 Dr. No - James Bond (BBC)

Bond, James Bond. Ian Fleming’s James Bond is licensed to kill (and thrill) in this BBC 4 production from 2008. Toby Stephens (Die Another Day) won't make anyone forget Sean Connery but he's passable as Bond in this fully dramatized adaption. If a comparison had to be made Stephens'  is probably most comparable to Timothy Dalton's version of Bond. Dr. No brings you action, adventure and a touch of romantic intrigue as James Bond is sent to the island of Jamaica to investigate the strange disappearance of British operative, John Strangways and his secretary Mary Trueblood. Overall this is a decent production but it could have been... better, much better.

Dr. No was Ian Fleming’s sixth James Bond book and first to be made as a film in the cinematic series.

Featuring Toby Stephens as James Bond, David Suchet (Hercule Poirot) as Dr. No, Janie Dee as Miss Moneypenny, Jordanna Tin as Miss Taro, John Standing as ‘M’, Samuel West as Pleydel-Smith,  Clarke Peters as Quarrel, Lisa Dillon as Honey Rider, Martin Jarvis as the Voice of Ian Fleming. Also in the cast Simon Williams, Peter Capaldi, Nicky Henson, Kobna Holdbrook Smith, Kosha Engler, Jon David Yu, Inika Leigh Wright and a special appearance by Ian Fleming’s niece Lucy Fleming as the Jamaican Institute Librarian. Original music was composed by Samuel Barbour and Mark Holden. Produced by Rosalind Ayres. Directed by Martin Jarvis. Written by Hugh Whitmore.

Dr. No apparently isn't available for purchase at this time as the BBC hasn't released this title yet. 


You Only Live Twice
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/28-james-bond-you-only-live-twice-bbc.html

Goldfinger
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/goldfinger-bbc.html
You Only Live Twice
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/28-james-bond-you-only-live-twice-bbc.html

#86 The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side - Miss Marple (BBC)

After the death of her husband, Dolly Bantry sold Gossington Hall to the former film star Marina Gregg and her husband. When the glamorous couple decide to throw a benefit party for the local hospital, the grounds are thronged with curious visitors, and for one of them, the day ends in tragedy. As Marina is serving cocktails in the house, she is cornered by the excitable Heather Babcock, who chatters away about their former meeting about eleven years ago before spilling her daiquiri all over herself and Marina.Ever the gracious hostess, Marina offers her own untouched drink to Mrs Babcock - only to look on, horrified, as the lady dies in front of her. It is up to Miss Marple to find out who was really meant to take the poison that killed poor Heather Babcock. Could it be that Marina Gregg was the intended victim? If so, Miss Marple's task will not be an easy one, for the lady had an unusually large number of enemies...Agatha Christie's perplexing mystery is dramatized with a full cast including Ian Lavender, Gayle Hunnicutt and James Laurenson, with June Whitfield as the sharp-witted spinster sleuth.

http://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Crackd-Side-Full-Cast-Radio/dp/0563510854

#84 Case Closed, No Prisoners - Louis L'Amour

Chick Bowdrie is a Texas Ranger. His job is to bring in those wanted by the state of Texas. It doesn't matter to him if he brings his prisoner back sitting on a saddle or laying across one. Either way he's going to get his man. Case Closed - No Prisoners is another of the great western stories from Louis L'Amour and one of the best in the Chick Bowdrie audio drama series.

From Louis L'Amour:

Ride with legendary Texas Ranger Chick Bowdrie as he helps out a small town with a big problem. Someone has brutally murdered the local banker and made off with forty thousand dollars -- and it appears to be the work of someone who knows his way around town.

http://www.louislamour.com/audio/caseclosed.htm

#82 The 4:50 From Paddington - Miss Marple (BBC)

June Whitfield gives another stellar performance as the spinster sleuth from St. Mary Mead. This time Elspeth McGillicuddy has come from Scottland to visit her old friend Miss Marple. On the way, she sees a woman strangled in a passing train. However, only Miss Marple believes her story as there is no evidence of wrongdoing. So Miss Marple sets off to find where the body could be hidden and bring a killer to justice. If you like great mystery then 4:50 From Paddington's the ticket. If you like great mystery and a female lead then Miss Marple's your gal.

From the BBC:

When Elspeth McGillicuddy is the only witness to a brutal murder - for which not even a body is in evidence - it takes all of Miss Marple's remarkable ingenuity to discover the key to a secret which lies buried within a decaying country house. This BBC Radio full-cast dramatization stars June Whitfield as the deceptively mild Miss Marple.

http://www.amazon.com/Paddington-Full-Cast-Radio-Drama-Audio/dp/0563524294