Greetings, old time radio fans! Hope your summer is off to a good (and not too sweltering) start.
First, I hope you'll tune in this Friday for a bonus episode of Down These Mean Streets in honor of Superman Day. We're saluting the Man of Steel with the earliest episodes of the show that brought him to radio way back in 1940. And since I had so much fun recording this episode, I decided we'll hang out in Metropolis for the rest of the summer.
Between now and August 26th, each Friday I'll post a bonus episode with another complete Superman radio adventure! I know the Superman shows can be divisive - some of you really enjoy them, and some of you have shared that you'd rather I drop Superman and focus more on private eyes and cops. If, like me, you dig the radio exploits of Superman, I invite you to join me for these Friday shows. And if you'd rather not get into tights and capes, our regular Sunday sleuthing sessions will continue on as usual. I hope you'll give them a shot. Along with the Shadow and Sherlock Holmes, the Superman radio shows were what got me into the era and the wonderful world of old time radio.
Speaking of that...on Sunday's upcoming regular episode, I'm celebrating the 75th anniversary of the debut of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe. Raymond Chandler's private eye came to the airwaves in his own series on June 17, 1947 with Van Heflin as Marlowe. To mark the occasion, I'll share an extra-large podcast featuring all five of the surviving episodes starring Van Heflin as Marlowe. These are great shows - including several adaptations of Chandler short stories - and I think you'll really enjoy them. For the rest of June, I've picked out a trio of radio mysteries set at sea on cruise ships that are anything but relaxing for the detectives (6/19) and some wedding-themed capers for the traditional month of matrimony (6/26).
Over on Stars on Suspense, our next leading lady is Nancy Coleman. We'll hear her on Thursday in a pair of Suspense shows, plus an episode of Crime Does Not Pay. We'll keep going in June with Virginia Bruce (6/14), Leon Ames (6/21), and Joan Bennett (6/28).
Believe it or not, we're on track to hit the 300th regular episode of Stars on Suspense and (drumroll) the 500th regular episode of Down These Mean Streets in August. When I started podcasting back in 2013, I never thought I'd hit 100 shows - let alone over 800 across two podcasts. And that's all thanks to you - the folks who listen, who subscribe, who support the show - all of you who share this passion for the golden age of radio. It's been amazing to connect with you and to enjoy these great shows with you for almost ten years now, and your support over that time has been appreciated in ways I can't begin to express to you.
In terms of what's ahead - more old time radio of course, plus...stay tuned for details about bonus shows that will be made available exclusively to subscribers.
Thanks again, and as always - happy listening!
Jack