#109 Powder River (CRT)

Powder River is a western audio drama series produced by Colonial Radio Theatre on the Air. Currently there are four seasons available with a fifth and possibly as sixth on the way. The series starts off a bit shaky. Many of season one's episodes are mediocre at best. However, season one does offer glimmers of developing into a decent western and if you can get past the first season the series begins to take shape after that. 

Powder River follows the lives of retired U.S. Marshall Britt MacMasters (Jerry Robbins), his son Chad MacMasters (Derek Aalerud), Doc (Lincoln Clark), Dawes (Joseph Zamparelli), Millie (Diane Lund), Jacob (James McLean), Etta (Marcia Friedman), Matt (Isaac Bean), Sheriff Wilkins (Sam Donato), Clay (Deniz Cordell) and the other citizens of Clearmont, Wyoming.

If you're searching for a show with that rugged John Wayne feel to it or that tough gritty feeling the radio versions of Gunsmoke or Have Gun Will Travel had, this isn't it.  This series is more along the lines of the classic old time western radio series The Six Shooter or Fort Laramie with it's easy going family friendly action-adventure stories. Powder River plays out more like an audio version of The Big Valley, Bonanza or High Chaparral (which by the way were great western television series.) Though the series is pleasant and enjoyable it lacks that authentic western ambiance. The stories more often than not feel like they were written by an eastern greenhorn and the voice work doesn't quite corral that western sound. If we were using the five star rating system we'd give Powder River three stars.



Powder River offers fans of the western genre 75 half hour episodes and two 2 hour full-length features. The series is available on CD. It can also be heard on XM satellite radio as well as on Jim French's Imagination Theater.

http://www.amazon.com/Powder-River-Season-Radio-Dramatization/dp/1455835080/ref=pd_sim_b_2
http://www.amazon.com/Powder-River-Season-Radio-Dramatization/dp/1455852562/ref=pd_sim_b_2
http://www.colonialradio.com/
http://jimfrenchproductions.com/zc137m/index.php?main_page=page&id=2

#90 Perry Mason and the Case of the Howling Dog

Perry Mason is back and Colonial Radio Theatre has him. If you like mystery, suspense and a good detective story then think seriously about adding Perry Mason and the Case of the Howling Dog to your radio drama collection. In our opinion this the best one in the Perry Mason series so far.

In The Case of the Howling Dog, Arthur Cartwright, an anxious man, goes to Perry Mason to have his neighbor arrested for his vindictive and noisy dog. He is under the belief that his howling is an indication that somebody has been murdered in the neighborhood. He demands that his will be written bequeathing the estate to the lady living at the neighbor's house. However, the will is mysteriously altered by an unknown person and Cartwright goes missing, along with the lady.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1455821977/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_z-uqob0W40JC5

#83 The Alamo (CRT)

There's a proud list of names connected to the Texas revolution. There are those that everyone knows: Houston, Travis, Crockett, Bowie. And there are those that perhaps only Texans will recall: James W. Fannin Jr., Old Ben Milam, Juan Seguin, James Butler Bonham, Erastus "Deaf" Smith, and Mirabeau B. Lamar. They are the names of lore and of history. They are the blood that Texas is built on. Not all were at the Alamo but all were part of the fight for independence from Mexico and General Santa Anna.

In this production Colonial Radio Theater brings to life the most memorable event in Texas history... The Alamo. The story is told from the standpoint of young David Cummings an actual Alamo defender from Pennsylvania and begins when he answers the call for volunteers in the Texas Revolution. Cummings heads to Texas meeting a number of characters along the way. Colonial brings the events and choices these defenders faced front and center staying close to the historical account. There are, however, times when Colonial takes liberties for the sake of entertainment value. (Cummings is presented as being 16 but was actually 27 when he died at the Alamo.) Overall this is a very good production with solid dialogue and realistic sound effects. This is a show that will have you saying "Texas has yet to learn to submit to any oppression, come from what source it may" faster than you can say Sam Houston.

http://www.amazon.com/Alamo-Jerry-Robbins/dp/product-description/1929244053

#80 Perry Mason and The Case of the Lucky Legs

It's mystery Colonial Radio Theatre style as they bring you Perry Mason and The Case of the Lucky Legs. Tall, heavy-set, dignified and handsome, Frank Patton was a promoter. He was also a crook. His racket of running contests for girls with beautiful legs was technically within the law, and gullible, small-town chambers of commerce were his victims. There were complaints, but no prosecutions. Frank was a very careful man. But when Perry Mason finally caught up with him, Frank Patton was a very dead man..

If you're looking for the Raymond Burr Perry Mason you remember from television this isn't it. This full-cast audio production is based on the book by Erle Stanley Gardener and Perry is a much tougher character. Though the books are different from the TV series the stories are well suited for radio drama. Production value is good. Acting is passable. Overall CRT's presentation of Perry Mason and the Case of the Lucky Legs is enjoyable. Jerry Robbins is Perry Mason, Diane Capen is Della Street and J.T. Turner is Det. Paul Drake.
 
FROM CRT:

The Case of the Lucky Legs is the story of a confidence man who promoted fake beauty pageants in small California towns. Marjorie Clune was one of his winning victims, "The Girl with the Lucky Legs". She was promised a Hollywood movie contract, but the scam artist fled with the money. Marjorie fled too, left her hometown in shame to try and “prove” herself in Hollywood. Perry Mason is hired to track her down, but when the deceitful pageant promoter turns up murdered, Marjorie becomes the prime suspect in this “edge of your seat” murder mystery.

http://www.amazon.com/Perry-Mason-Case-Lucky-Legs/dp/1455804223

#73 Captain Blood - CRT

Like high seas swashbuckling adventure? Like clashing swords and booming cannons? A vast there because you're in luck mate. Colonial Radio Theatre brings Rafael Sabatini's Captain Blood to sonic life in this full-cast presentation.

From CRT:

Dr. Peter Blood is arrested and sentenced to hang for treating a wounded rebel. Instead of death, he is sent to Barbados as a slave. When the Spanish attack the port city of Bridgetown, he and his fellow slaves capture the Spanish ship and set out to sea, where he becomes the notorious Pirate, Captain Blood. Battles on Sea and on Land, daring escapes, sword duels to the death, a touch of romance, and a magnificent score by Jeffrey Gage, “Captain Blood” is a swashbuckling adventure on a very grand scale!

http://www.amazon.com/Captain-Blood-Dramatization-Colonial-Theatre/dp/1455804045/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312501138&sr=1-1

#72 Logan's Run - CRT

Colonial Radio Theater brings you Logan's Run adapted from the Blue Water comics with elements from the Logan's Run books. It's face paced action that almost feels like a comic book. If you like futuristic sci-fi this may be worth a shot. Definitely better than the TV series.

From CRT:

It’s the 23rd Century — at age 21 your life is over. Logan-6 has been trained to kill. Born and bred from conception to be the best of the best. His time is short, but before his life ends he’s got one final mission — find and destroy Sanctuary, a fabled haven for those who chose to defy the system. When Logan meets and falls in love with Jessica, he begins to question the very system he has sworn to protect. Soon they are both running for their lives. When your last day comes, will you lie down and die — or run!

http://www.amazon.com/William-Nolans-Logans-Run-Dramatization/dp/1455812889

#32 Zorro Rides Again (CRT)

Zorro Rides again based on D.J. Arneson's adaptation of Johnston McCulley's third story Zorro story. Ride along in another exciting Zorro adventure that will fill your ears with swashbuckling fun.

Zorro Rides Again featuring Kevin Cirone, Jeremy Benson, Shonna McEachern, Shana Dirk, Sam Donato, and Hugh Metzler. 

From CRT:
Has Zorro gone mad? That's the rumor spreading like wildfire through Reina de Los Angeles. For a dazzling swordsman wearing cape and mask is terrorizing innocent citizens. Riding with the night, he leaves the Mark of Zorro on his cruel deeds.
Already the govenor has placed a price on Zorro's head, dispatching a cutthroat army led by the ruthless Captain Rocha to hunt him down. But Zorro's loyal band and a gallant Indian tribe refuse to believe the foul lie. Still, only one man can expose the truth - and unmask the evil impostor.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=zorro+rides+again+colonial&x=0&y=0

If you're a fan of Zorro or just love a great swashbuckling story be sure to look at post #31 and #4.
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/31-zorro-and-pirate-raiders-crt.html

The Mark of Zorro (featuring Val Kilmer)
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/4-mark-of-zorro.html

The Mark of Zorro Sequel
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2012/06/mark-zorro-sequel.html

#31 Zorro and the Pirate Raiders (CRT)

Colonial Radio Theater brings you high seas swashbuckling action in Zorro and the Pirate Raiders. This story is based on D.J. Arneson's adaptation of Johnston McCulley's serial cliff hanger style story The Further Adventures of Zorro. Zorro and the Pirate Raiders is filled with swashbuckling and adventure. Hugh Metzler gives a superb performance as the pirate Captain Bardoso and Shonna McEachern is a feisty Lolita Pulido.

Zorro and the Pirate Raiders stars Kevin Cirone, Shonna McEachern, Hugh Metzler, J.T. Turner, Sam Donato, Joseph Zamperelli Jr., and Dan Powell.  From CRT: The Pirate Raiders, with the villainous Captain Bardoso in command, are employed by the vicious Captain Ramon to kidnap the daughter of a wealthy caballero, hoping to use her to trap Zorro. Battles on land and sea, flashing swords and booming cannon explode before your very ears in this exciting audio production.  http://www.amazon.com/Zorro-Pirate-Raiders-Radio-Dramatization/dp/B004B5J6YQ If you're a fan or Zorro or just enjoy swashbuckling adventure make sure to see post #32 and #4. Zorro Riders Again http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/32-zorro-rides-again-crt.html The Mark of Zorro (featuring Val Kilmer) http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/4-mark-of-zorro.html The Mark of Zorro Sequel http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2012/06/mark-zorro-sequel.html

#25 Little Big Horn (CRT)

Colonial Radio Theatre on the Air brings to you the story of George Armstrong Custer and his overwhelming defeat along with the 7th cavalry at the battle of Little Big Horn. This true to life sonic reenactment is very well depicted. This is sure to please not only the audio fan but also the history buff as well with its historical accuracy. The production gives an authentic western feeling transporting you back to the final days of Custer's Last Stand. You'll feel like you're on the rolling plains of Montana with the 7th cavalry. Jerry Robbins portrays Custer outstandingly.

A truly great piece of audio drama work and first class western. If you're a fan of the western genre Little Big Horn needs to be part of your collection.

From CRT:
This is a signature title in The Colonial Radio Theatre's meticulously researched series of accurate historical programs. Lt. Col. George A. Custer leads his 7th Cavalry in the Valley of the Little Big Horn and into eternity in this truly spectacular audio dramatization. It is our heartfelt hope that we have done justice to the events of June 25, 1876. It was a horrific battle, which saw no true victors. Custer's command lost their lives. The Plains Indians lost their way of life.

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Big-Horn-Dramatized/dp/B00092P1GW