#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

#118 Star Wars: Dark Forces - Jedi Knight

Star Wars: Dark Forces - Jedi Knight is the third and final installment of the Dark Forces audio drama trilogy. Again the acting and sound design in this production are excellent. Unfortunately the storyline in this episode begins to crumble. What started out to be such a promising trilogy ends up being a bit of a disappointment. Definitely a let down for those looking for an adventure in a galaxy far, far away. Certain elements, particularly the ending, don't live up to Lucas' original versions of Star Wars.

Kyle Katarn is now a Jedi Knight and it's his duty to stop the Dark Jedi Jerec from reaching the Valley of the Jedi and taking control of aa incredible amount of force energy that lies underneath the Valley. An ancient prophecy says that someone will come and release this power but will Katarn be the one to full those words or will it be the evil Jerec who desires the power to rule the galaxy with his twisted intent.

The cast assembled for the production of Star Wars Dark Forces was exceptional. There were numerous great performance but the performance by Mo Collins as Jan Ors was especially delightful. 

Featured in the cast:

Mark Benninghofen as Luke Skywalker
Randal Berger as Kyle Katarn
Christopher Bloch as Lt. Aagon and Bouncer
James Cada as Screamer and Imperial Pilot
Mo Collins as Jan Ors
Patrick Coyle as Nathan Donar, Speeder Pilot and Imperial Co-Pilot
David Chase as Morgan Katarn
Nancy Crocker as Sariss
Stephen D'Ambrose as Boc and Weapons Officer
Susanne Egli as Leia Organa
Louise Enyeart as Lasko and Peeno
Bob Davis as Skorg Jameson and Lando Calrissian
Chris Forth as Mon Mothma
James Gaulke as Han Solo
Gary Groomes as Major Vig
Allen Hamilton as Jerec
Gary Groomes as Governor Donar and Major Horst
Peter Moore as Meck Odom and Slyder
Tim Russell as Captain Thrawn, A-Cee and General Mohc 
Emil Herrera as Obata
Ken Hiller as Narrator
Jay Hornbacher as Grif
Virginia Burke as Norley
Tom Keith as Sergeant and Imperial Pilot
Timothy Kuhlmann as Yun
Peter Moore as Officer and Floater
Martin Ruben as Battle Droid and Maw
Sue Scott as Carole
Michael Tezla as Rahn
Jack Walsh as Mayor Devo and Pardy
John Wehrmann as Captain Trico
Stephen Yoakam as Dinko, Executive and Captain Tola

For more Star Wars see also:

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama (aka Star Wars: A New Hope)
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/1-star-wars-original-radio-drama.html

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/2-empire-strikes-back-radio-drama.html

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/3-return-of-jedi.html

Star Wars: Dark Forces - Soldier For The Empire
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/48-star-wars-dark-forces-soldier-for.html

Star Wars: Dark Forces - Rebel Agent
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/12/117-star-wars-dark-forces-rebel-agent.html

Star Wars: Crimson Empire
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/08/97-star-wars-crimson-empire.html

Star Wars: Rebel Mission to Ord Mantell
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/08/99-star-wars.html

#117 Star Wars: Dark Forces - Rebel Agent

 Star Wars: Dark Forces - Rebel Agent. The second in the Dark Forces trilogy. Great acting and outstanding sound design are the highlights of this production. The story though strong dips a bit below that of Soldier For The Empire. A fun story and good audio drama that will probably appeal mostly to Star Wars fans.

From Star Wars:
In Soldier for the Empire, Kyle Katarn, having graduated from the Imperial Military Academy, learns of his father's murder. On his way home he meets a Rebel agent, learns the ugly truth about the way in which his father died, and swears revenge.

Now, in Rebel Agent, Kyle learns more about what his father found in the Valley of the Jedi that ultimately led to his death. Kyle finally earns his Knighthood as a Jedi, and the stage is set for him to avenge his father's death and stop the Dark Jedi from taking control of the source of energy that lies underneath the valley.

Introductions From Star Wars: Dark Forces Rebel Agent:

The fight for galactic freedom rages on, the past and the present collide. In the present, the Emperor has been destroyed, and the weakened Empire has shrunk to a fraction of it's former size, while the Rebel Alliance continues to grow. For a young mercenary named Kyle Katarn, it has been five years since he'd betrayed the Empire. Five years since he abandoned his life as an Imperial office and delivered the Death Star Plans to the Rebels. Five years since the death of his father, Morgan Katarn. But Kyle cannot escape the memory of the past. Five years ago he swore to avenge his father's death. But for all that time, his oath has gone unfulfilled. As he continues to search for the unknown Imperial murderers, Kyle under the watchful eyes of Jan Ors has become a Rebel agent. But like Kyle himself, the Alliance cannot forget Katarn's Imperial past. And the Alliance views him with suspicion. So Kyle Katarn and the Rebel Alliance hurdle together to an unknown future. But as so-often happens, the future will be determined by the past. For his own sake, and for the sake of the Alliance Kyle must unlock the secret to an ancient prophecy, and uncover the heroic deeds of his father that took places back in the early days of the Rebellion.…

It has been five years since the destruction of the first Death Star and months since the defeat of the Empire at the Battle of Endor. Since the Emperor's fall the fledgling Alliance has struggled to drive the Empire further and further back from the worlds it's conquered. But now, a new threat has emerged. The Dark Jedi known as Jerec has uncovered an ancient prophecy and a source of unbelievable power. Somewhere among the stars, lies an uncharted planet and a mysterious place called the Valley of the Jedi. Only the murdered Rebel leader Morgan Katarn knew its whereabouts. Recording the secret on a
datadisk for his son Kyle. Unfortunately for the young Rebel, a scheming droid called 8t88
obtained the disk. The droid was able to decipher some of its information and deliver it to Jerec just before Kyle caught up with it. Tracking the droid to Nar Shaddaa, Kyle recovered the disc but was wounded in the ensuing battle. Recovering from his wounds, Kyle receives a vision from the murdered Jedi Master Rahn. Warning him of the task he must complete…

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Dark-Forces-Distribution/dp/156511244X

For More Star Wars see also:

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama (aka Star Wars: A New Hope)
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/1-star-wars-original-radio-drama.html

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/2-empire-strikes-back-radio-drama.html

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/3-return-of-jedi.html


Star Wars: Dark Forces - Jedi Knight
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/12/118-star-wars-dark-forces-jedi-knight.html

Star Wars: Dark Forces - Soldier For The Empire
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/48-star-wars-dark-forces-soldier-for.html

Star Wars: Crimson Empire
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/08/97-star-wars-crimson-empire.html

Star Wars: Rebel Mission to Ord Mantell
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/08/99-star-wars.html

The Mark of Zorro Nominated For A Grammy!

Congratulations to Mr. Yuri Rasovsky, producer for Hollywood Theater of the Ear, for 2 Grammy nominations in the Spoken Word category.

Nominated for Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books and Story Telling):

The Mark of Zorro (from Blackstone Audio) starring Val Kilmer, Ruth Livier, Armin Shimerman, Elizabeth Peña, Meshach Taylor, Keith Szarabajka, Ned Schmidtke, Scott Brick, Stefan Rudnicki, Kristoffer Tabori, Philip Proctor, John Sloan, Gordo Panza and Lorna Raver (the announcer).

Congratulations also to Josh Stanton (Blackstone Audio), John Gertz (Zorro Productions Inc.) and Daryl McCullough associate producers on The Mark of Zorro.

http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/4-mark-of-zorro.html

http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Zorro-Full-Cast-Audio-Dramatization/dp/1441728899

William Shakespeare's Hamlet (from Blackstone Audio) featuring Dan Donohue & Various Artists - Oregon Shakespeare Festival

http://www.grammy.com/nominees?year=2011&genre=32

#116 Dead Man's Folly - Hercule Poirot (BBC)

Dead Man's Folly again features John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot in another of the BBC's oustanding productions of Agatha Christies famous Belgian detective. This time Poirot's friend Ariadne Oliver (Julia McKenzie) has been asked to create a murder mystery game for a party. Fearing that somehow the game may become a reality she calls on Poirot to help her. Dead Man's Folly has been selected as one of Audio File Magazines 10 best in the "voices of 2011 full-cast category" along with another production spotlighted on this post, The Mark of Zorro. This is one of Christie's best written Poirot stories and a wonderful audio production.

From the BBC:
Ariadne Oliver, Queen of Crime Fiction, has been asked to devise a Murder Hunt for a fete at Nasse House, the home of Sir George Stubbs. But she begins to suspect that someone is manipulating the scenario of her game and fears that something very sinister is being planned. She sends for her old friend Hercule Poirot. At first he is not inclined to take her very seriously but soon a series of events propels him to change his mind. Then suddenly all Ariadne's worst fears are realised when the girl playing the part of the murder victim is found strangled in the boat-house. For Hercule Poirot, the Murder Hunt has become a grim reality. This is a BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation starring John Moffatt as the great Belgian detective, with Julia McKenzie as Ariadne Oliver.  



http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Folly-Full-Cast-Radio/dp/1405677201

Five Old Time Radio Westerns That Are Still Great Today

1. Doc Holliday = Gunsmoke Season 1 -Episode 13. Broadcast July 19, 1952. 
    Starring Williams Conrad as U.S. Marshall Matt Dillion and Harry Bartell as Doc Holliday.
    Pictured: Howard McNear (as Doc), William Conrad (as U.S. Marshall Matt Dillion)
    Parley Baer (as Chester), and Georgia Ellis (as Kitty).

2. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon = Lux Radio Theater. Broadcast 3-12-1951
    Starring John Wayne and Mel Ferrer.

3. Red River = Lux Radio Theater. Broadcast 3-7-1949
    Starring John Wayne, Joanne Dru, Walter Brennan.

4. My Darling Clementine = Lux Radio Theater. Broadcast 04-28-1947
    Starring Henry Fonda, Cathy Downs, Richard Conte, Walter Brennan.
    Pictured: Henry Fonda and Cathy Downs

5. No Visitors = Have Gun Will Travel. Broadcast 12-28-1958
    The Return of Dr. Thackery = Have Gun Will Travel 02-15-1959
    Photo: John Dehner (on left) Have Gun Will Travel's Paladin on radio
    with Richard Boone, Have Gun's Paladin on TV



The Golden Age of Radio produced numerous great radio shows. Among them you'll find some of the best westerns ever created. From radio remakes of great movies such as She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, Red River, Shane, and Broken Arrow to the great serials like Have Gun Will Travel, Gunsmoke, Fort Laramie, The Six Shooter and Frontier Gentleman, old time radio gives listeners the best of the western genre.

Find these shows and more at the Times Past Old Time Radio Archives.
http://otrarchive.blogspot.com/2009/04/gunsmoke.html