Tagged: Radio Archives

ITS CHRISTMAS TIME AND DEALS APLENTY AT RADIO ARCHIVES!

RadioArchives.com Newsletter

 
December 2, 2011

 

NEW Radio Set: Fibber McGee and Molly – The Lost Episodes, Volume 13

The success of “Fibber McGee and Molly” as a legendary radio program can be attributed to many factors. The best comedy writing perhaps for any radio program in history. Memorable, lovable characters. The jokes and banter that people all across the country tuned in for every week. The primary reason, though, that this fantastically funny program still endures today, endearing itself to new fans all the time rests solely with the actors behind the title characters. The Real ‘Fibber McGee and Molly’. Jim and Marian Jordan.
 
Married just five days before Jim was drafted into World War I, both Jim and Marian Jordan had sought to work as performers their entire lives. Upon Jim’s return home, the Jordans entered into show business with a formula that would work for them their entire career. They did it together.
 
Working from hand to mouth for years, the break came for the couple in 1924 when on a bet they went to a Chicago radio station to sing better than a singer they’d heard on the radio and left that station with their first radio job. That spark led eventually to the Jordans leaving their mark on history as the couple in Wistful Vista that everybody wanted to visit. “Fibber McGee and Molly’ kept audiences in stitches for 24 years. By 1943, the Jordans had a number one show and one that still today resonates with people of all ages even today.
 
‘Fibber McGee and Molly’ fans now have the chance to hear many classic episodes of their later fifteen-minute daily series for NBC as Radio Archives has been releasing them in a series of popular compact disc collections – hilarious adventures that literally haven’t been heard since they were first aired in the mid-1950s. Featuring the Jordans, along with a cast of great characters, the newly-discovered shows in these collections are just as warm and entertaining today as they were more than fifty years ago.
 
Guaranteed to cause giggles and guffaws, “Fibber McGee and Molly: The Lost Episodes, Volume 13” is now available from Radio Archives! In this five hour collection set, priced at just $14.98 on CD and $9.98 for Digital Download, you’ll enjoy twenty full-length broadcasts, transferred from the original NBC master recordings and fully restored for sparkling audio fidelity.

 
 

 
A high riding western hero! A Great Price! And It Can Be Yours for The Holidays From Radio Archives! Radio Archives has a special offer on the Cisco Kid, Volume 1 featuring the Robin Hood of the Old West as portrayed by Jack Mather! Thrill to the adventures of Cisco and Pancho in 10 hours of wonderfully restored audio for only 99 Cents with a $35.00 Order!

That’s right, classic family western audio entertainment, 10 CDs worth of Heroes, Villains, and wonderful tales to share and yours this Holiday Season for 99 cents with an order of $35.00 or more! Just add “The Cisco Kid, Volume 1” to your shopping cart, and then add $35.00 or more worth of additional merchandise to your cart as well. Before checking out, be sure to enter the coupon code BONUS to get the Cisco Kid set for just 99 Cents.

The Cisco Kid Volume 1 for .99 cents! Just one of many Gifts from Radio Archives to you this Christmas!

 
The Treasure Chest from Radio Archives is full of even more Great Gifts that Keep on Giving! Every single DVD we offer is available at unbelievable prices this Holiday Season just for you! At Least 50% off every single DVD in our catalog! Thrill to classic television shows like Gangbusters and Robin Hood! Laugh at Comic Antics from the likes of Lum and Abner and more! Own movie classics starring Bing Crosby, Roy Rogers, and a whole Stocking full of Hollywood Stars!

 

And if that’s not enough to prove it’s Christmas, check out these even more fantastic deals inside the Treasure Chest.
 
King Kong – The Classic Film, Hollywood’s very own Beauty and the Beast tale on 1 DVD – Normally $12.98 now $5.19 – 60% off!
 
Best of Jack Benny – 4 DVDs of one of the true all time legends of classic comedy. Normally $14.98 now $5.99. A 60% discount!
 
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow – A modern Pulpy Classic full of Action,
Robots and Heroes all on 1 DVD. Normally $9.98 now $3.99 – unbelievably discounted 60%!
 

Superman – The 1948 & 1950 Theatrical Serials Collection – 4 DVDs of two of the earliest screen portrayals of the Man of Steel – Normally $39.98 now $15.99 – A 60% discount!
 
Zorro – The Masked Avenger, Old Mexico’s swashbuckling sword wielder on 3 DVDs – Normally $14.98 now $5.99. Available now at 60% off!
 
 
The Civil War – 8 hours of Audio on this Monumental Historical Event. Normally $29.98 now $14.99 – A 50% discount!
 
Great Detectives – Solve the mystery and save the day with 10 hours of Radio’s best Sleuths! Regularly priced at $29.98 now $14.99 – a 50% savings!
 
Radio’s Greatest Shows – Thrill, laugh, and tremble at 10 hours of the best shows ever from Radio’s Golden Age! Normally $29.98 priced at $14.99 now – A 50% discount!
 
Find something for everyone on your Christmas List inside The Treasure Chest This Christmas! The Treasure Chest overflows at Christmastime!
 

 
Don’t Miss these Yuletide Specials meant just for You!
 
‘A Classic Christmas’ with Ed Sullivan on DVD for only 99 cents! Televisions’ Legendary Host and some of the world’s best known stars celebrating Christmas with You for less than 1 dollar!
 

Famous Guest Stars – A two hour CD set for only Ten Cents. One Dime for some of the best stars to appear as guests in Old Time Radio Classics!
 
Do not miss out on these Terrific Holiday Gifts, from Our Family To Yours!
 
 
Wanting to share the joy of Old Time Radio with those on your Christmas List this year? Ready to give the best audio collections of Classic Drama, Mystery, Comedy and More to Those You Love? Then take a look at some of the wonderful gift ideas Radio Archives has to offer you!
 

A landmark show that left a mark on all of entertainment, Dragnet, Volume 1 features episodes from this classic police procedural’s first season! Radio and television pioneer Jack Webb is dead on as deadpan Joe Friday doing his job day in and day out for the Los Angeles Police Department. Backed up by his partner Ben Romero portrayed by radio great Barton Yarbrough, Friday carries listeners through every step of every case, making even the mundane parts of the job edge-of-your-seat exciting. Thrill to ten hours of Dragnet, Volume 1 available today on CD for $29.98 or digital download for $19.98!

 

The Biggest Stars of Radio and Hollywood’s Golden Age can be found today on The Big Show, Volume 1! “The Big Show” presented a weekly mixture of comedy, drama and music from such guest stars as Jimmy Durante, Danny Thomas, Groucho Marx, Bob Hope, Rudy Vallee, Judy Garland and Fred Allen! Hosted by celebrated actress Tallulah Bankhead, ‘The Big Show’ was one of the most expensive, extravagant and excellent radio productions of its day. And all the glamour, fun, and music can be yours in The Big Show, Volume 1, ten CDs for $29.98 or via Digital Download for $19.98!

 

Flashing eyes and flashing knives…intrigue and mystery in the dusty, crowded streets of Cairo. And the man in all the action was named Rocky Jordan. Rocky Jordan, Volume 1 stars Jack Moyles as Jordan, the offer of the shadowy Café Tambourine. Jordan finds himself in trouble in every episode, either involving espionage or someone interested in taking his business. Almost always involving a velvet voiced female making eyes at Rocky. And Rocky doesn’t find adventure alone. Cairo Police Captain Sam Sabaaya is always near by, ready to either help Jordan or arrest him! Find all the adventure and intrigue Cairo has to offer in Rocky Jordan, Volume 1, ten hours on CD for $29.98!
 

Very few shows had the impact on America in Radio’s Golden age that Amos ‘n’ Andy had. The brainchild of Charles Correll and Freeman Gosden, Amos ‘n’ Andy, Volume 1 features the iconic lead characters and the comedy stylings that stopped most activity in every home, business, and town across the United States when the show was on. Laugh out loud as Amos ‘n’ Andy geehaw and joke with The Kingfish himself, his witty wife Sapphire, and all the members of the Mystic Knights of the Sea! Amos ‘n’ Andy, Volume 1 is classic Radio at its best and an important part of America’s past! Available for $29.98 on CD or Digital Download for $19.98!
 
These and other fantastic and fascinating Audio Gift Ideas are waiting to be wrapped up for those special people on your list or for You yourself! All here for you this Holiday Season from Radio Archives!

 
Merry Christmas from Radio Archives!

 

 
 

The first audiobook of Will Murray’s monumental Doc Savage adventure The Jade Ogre may be a little too big for all but the largest stocking. But this massive audiobook from RadioArchives.com is sure to delight fans of audio adventure this holiday season.
 
“In this tale of mistaken identity, Oriental mysticism, and high adventure, Doc faces one of his most formidable and mysterious foes,” says Producer/Director Roger Rittner. “More than 11 hours in length, this tale never flags in excitement, mystery, and thrills.”
 
Based on an outline by Lester Dent, The Jade Ogre tells the story of one of Doc Savage’s most exciting and exotic adventures. Accompanied by his aides Monk Mayfair and Ham Brooks, his cousin Pat Savage, and a cast of unique characters, Doc races to unlock the secret of the Jade Ogre, a fantastic Oriental villain who unleashes death in the form of disembodied flying arms, capable of disintegrating its victims in a flash of fire. But the lethal flying arms are merely the cover for a more deadly menace – the mysterious Jade Fever, which strikes down its victims with a deadly virus that turns its victims green as jade.
 
The Jade Ogre is my greatest pulp epic,” author Will Murray says in his liner notes. “It’s a wild quest into the darkest heart of Asia to track a malevolent monster.”
 
Narrator Michael McConnohie essays every role in the story with unerring vocal impressions that give life to Murray’s distinctive characters.
 
In addition to the 36-chapter story, the 12-CD set includes two bonus audio features: a continuation of Will Murray’s discussion of the creation of Doc Savage, and his memory of creating The Jade Ogre from Lester Dent’s notes, plus how Pat Savage has contributed to the Doc Savage canon.
 

 
The Jade Ogre is available now from RadioArchives.com at $37.98 for the deluxe 12-CD set, or $25.98 for instant digital download.
 
 

For over-the-top thrills, you can’t beat Prince of the Red Looters, the first audiobook from RadioArchives.com featuring the pulp hero, The Spider.
 
Eric Troup tells of his experience listening to Prince of the Red Looters:
 
“I wasn’t sure what to expect. I love the Spider, and I loved what I’d heard from ‘Python Isle’, so I was optimistic. However, I was fully unprepared for the amazing, often visceral, experience I had before me.
 
“The narration sweeps you along in an adrenaline-filled, nonstop wave of action and suspense that simply does not let up until the end of the book. The sound effects made the production even more immersive, making me feel like I was watching a narrated movie. And the music! It put the final touch on my ‘movie-going’ experience.
 
“This story has it all – sword fights, escapes, insurmountable odds, nail-biting suspense, unexpected twists, a superb villain, and so much more.
 
“I offer up a hearty thank-you to everyone involved, and I look forward to enjoying more productions of this caliber in the future.”
 
Prince of the Red Looters is available in a 6-CD deluxe set at just $19.98, or as an instant digital download at just $14.98.
 
 

In Booklist, the 100-year-old journal of the American Library Association, Kaite Mediatore Stover says that Python Isle, the first Doc Savage audiobook from Radio Archives.com,”takes listeners on a breathless, roller-coaster adventure ride.”
 
Stover says it “sounds like a throwback to spine-tingling radio serials in which families listened to stories while glued to the radio console.
 
“McConnohie’s deep, rich tones and changing vocal patterns may fool some listeners into thinking this is a multicast performance,” Stover goes on, “but the fantastic accents and voices come from McConnohie alone. His masterful pacing keeps the tension and suspense tighter than a python’s grip, and a superb blend of sound effects and music enhance the mood, lending the production a cinematic feel.”
 
 

The full-cast NPR series The Adventures of Doc Savage. With special adaptations of “Fear Cay” and “The Thousand-Headed Man” by Roger Rittner and Will Murray, a full cast of voice actors, extensive sound effects, and period music score, The Adventures of Doc Savage is non-stop action in 13 exciting installments.
 
A super-criminal emerges in White Eyes, the second Doc Savage audiobook from RadioArchives.com. From his skyscraper headquarters high above the streets of New York City to the sugarcane fields of Cuba, Doc Savage races to crush gangland’s latest uncrowned king! White Eyes features dramatic narration by Richard Epcar, cover art by Joe DeVito, plus fantastic extras!
 

The first Black Bat audiobook, Brand of the Black Bat, is a stirring story of crime and corruption, and of a courageous avenger determined to track down the vicious gangster who robbed him of his brilliant career, all the while thwarting Captain MacGrath of the N.Y.P.D., who suspects Quinn and the Black Bat are one and the same. Michael McConnohie reads this fantastic tale.
 
RadioArchives.com resurrects the wild and wonderful Doctor Death, one of the rare unabashedly supernatural pulp series. Equal parts Doctor Frankenstein and Albert Einstein, with a dash of Fu Manchu, Doctor Death’s supreme goal in life was to crush civilization. His first fatal foray into reversing mankind’s fortunes, 12 Must Die, is now available in an audiobook read by the talented Joey D’Auria.
 

 
 
As you’re hustling to finish your Christmas shopping, don’t you want to get those on your list, something special? Like Larger than Life Heroes? Two-fisted tales of intrigue, mystery, and more action than you can shake a boxing glove at? Mad Villains bent on world domination or destruction with insane, almost mystical means? You can wrap all of that up in a box and put a pretty bow on top right here at The Pulp Book Store!

 
Not sure which fantastic hero to introduce yourself or those on your list to? Want to get a feel for the Characters that fight, tumble, run, and save the day in the Pulp Book Store? Then let’s take a look at three of the best known, true iconic Pulp Characters.
 
Clearly at the pinnacle of Pulp stands The Man of Bronze himself, Doc Savage. Largely the product of the immensely powerful imagination of author Lester Dent, Doc Savage has been the template for a multitude of heroes, homages, and pastiches since his debut in the Pulps in the 1930s. A genius and near the height of human physical perfection, Doc embodies the essence of justice and righting wrongs, a man of pure intellect as well as brawn working for a pure purpose from a pure heart. Facing some of the greatest evils ever conceived by any author, Doc thinks, works, invents, and often fights his way through to victory.
 
One of the best loved aspects of the Doc Savage stories, however, is not the man himself. Doc surrounds himself with a team of aides, confidantes known as ‘The Fabulous Five.’ Each of these men were experts in their own field and Dent used them in a variety of ways, including to add vibrant color to his tales and often as that undercurrent of comedy in the midst of blazing adventure. The tirades and sarcastic banter between Monk Mayfair and Ham Brooks add humor, but also humanity to characters who work with a man who seems almost more than human.
 
You can find Doc Savage tales, both Classic and New from Several of the Publishers in the Pulp Book Store, such as:
Nostalgia Ventures – Doc Savage, Volume 1 (Reprint) $12.95
Altus Press – The Wild Adventures of Doc Savage – The Desert Demons (New) $24.95
Radio Archives -The Adventures of Doc Savage (8 Hours on CD) $24.98
Moonstone Books – Doc Savage the Lost Radio Scripts of Lester Dent $22.95
 
Mentioned often in the same breath as Doc when discussing Pulp Icons is the legendary vigilante The Shadow. Originally a creepy voice host on an old time radio program, the two-gunned Hero of the Night that we all know as The Shadow was the brainchild of Walter Gibson. Although a Crusader for Justice, The Shadow’s approach was much more in the Shoot-First-Ask-Questions-Later realm. Using the cowardice and fear present in all criminals, The Shadow utilized great physical prowess as well as abilities he’d learned in the past, including his ability to ‘cloud men’s minds’ to insure Justice was done on the dark streets of the City, even the World.
 
The Shadow also made use of a team of operatives, this one a covert group of people who owed The Shadow for their lives in some way or another. Included amongst this clandestine crew of conspirators are such people as Burbank, the central communications link for The Shadow’s organization; Moe Shrevnitz, a Cab Driver and the Shadow’s wheelman; Joe Cardona, Policeman; Harry Vincent, one of the Shadow’s oldest allies; Cliff Marsland, the Shadow’s mole into the underworld; and many more!
 
If you like your Heroes dark, your action intense, and your villains mad, then The Shadow is just the Gift for you this holiday season! Check out these volumes of Shadow Adventures in The Pulp Book Store!
Nostalgic Ventures – The Shadow, Volume 5 (Reprint) $12.95
Sanctum Press – The Shadow, Volume 38 (Reprint) $14.95
Nostalgic Ventures – The Shadow, Volume 19 (Reprint) $12.95
Sanctum Press – The Shadow, Volume 55 (Reprint) $14.95
 
A Hero who walks the line between Paragon and Psychopath also shot his way through the Pulps with a Vengeance and is still alive and dealing death to wrongdoers today! Norvell W. Page’s The Spider is considered one of the most unique Heroes in Pulp Fiction, primarily because of his tactics and the question of his own sanity. Actually Richard Wentworth, millionaire, The Spider wrought violent justice on any evil that threatened his precious city! With blazing .45’s clenched in his hands and a horrifying fright mask over his face, The Spider made the city streets safe for its citizens by leaving corpses by the dozens littering the curbs!
 
Assisted by the lovely Nita van Sloan, who isn’t afraid to put on the outfit and play the Spider herself as well as loyal right hand man Ronald Jackson and Ram Singh, Wentworth’s Sikh bodyguard, The Spider does whatever is necessary to make sure New York City is safe! These stories reverberate with wonderfully wild characters, over the top plots, and more gunshots than one can count! Criminals beware! Evil take note! The Spider will make sure Good and Justice Prevail! At All Costs!
 
Find all the pulse pounding Spider Adventures your heart can handle for the Holidays from these Publishers in the Pulp Book Store. Stories like:
Girasol Collectables – The Spider, Volume 1 (Reprint) $14.95
Moonstone Books-The Spider Chronicles (New) $16.95
Radio Archives – The Spider: Prince of the Red Looters, Audio Book $19.98
Girasol Collectables – The Spider Issue 3 October 1933 (Pulp Replica) $35.00
 
The only Place to go to find Pulpy Presents this Christmas! Get all this and more at The Pulp Book Store!
 

 

The Man of Bronze battles the supernatural in classic pulp thrillers by Lester Dent writing as “Kenneth Robeson.” First, Doc Savage follows his stolen dirigible to a magic island and discovers the lost city of Ost, in an expanded novel with never-before-published text from Lester Dent’s original manuscript. Then, Renny Renwick awakens in the body of a fugitive gangster after encountering a strange impish man. What is the bizarre connection between the One-Eyed Mystic, a stolen military secret and a Nazi plot? This classic pulp reprint features the original color pulp covers by Robert G. Harris and Modest Stein, Paul Orban’s classic interior illustrations and historical commentary by Will Murray, writer of eight Doc Savage novels.
 
The Shadow’s true identity takes center stage in two classic pulp novels that inspired the classic 1940 Shadow movie serial. First, explorer Kent Allard is invited to join The Green Hoods, a hooded secret society whose true purpose is an enigma. Then, airplanes carrying wealthy passengers disappear over the Rockies, setting The Shadow on the trail of the criminal mastermind called Silver Skull. PLUS “Prelude to Terror,” a 1939 radio classic. This instant collector’s item showcases both classic pulp covers by George Rozen, the original interior illustrations by Edd Cartier and commentary by popular-culture historians Ed Hulse and Will Murray.
 

 
 
Spicy Adventure Stories #6 June 1935
Spicy Detective Stories #22 February 1936
The Spider #74 November 1939
The Spider #75 December 1939
Weird Tales #96 December 1931
 

 
 

Review of “Lingo” from The Shadow, Volume 9

By John Olsen

“Lingo” was published in the April 1, 1935 issue of The Shadow Magazine. Currently, the head of all gangdom is Rook Hollister. But the underworld is in turmoil. Lately, his every efforts have been thwarted by forces of the law. Planned crimes are being broken up in the act; henchmen are either captured or killed by the police. And this continual failure of leadership has Rook Hollister’s lieutenants preparing for a coup. Yes, Rook’s on the way out. He’s scheduled for “the bump.” (Meaning, they are going to bump him off.)
 
Rook Hollister, kingpin of the underworld, decides to escape the wrath of his underlings by faking his own death. Sliding into place as the new boss of the underworld is Lingo Queed. Lingo can speak Greek, Italian and Chinese. And probably others that aren’t mentioned. He claims credit for the killing of Rook Hollister, and takes over the reins of leadership. A new wave of crime is planned. It will take The Shadow to thwart those plans! It will take The Shadow to defeat Lingo Queed. And it will take The Shadow to reveal the hiding place of Rook Hollister and bring him to final justice.

 
The Shadow makes effective use of all of his aides in this story. Appearing are Clyde Burke, enterprising reporter on the staff of the Classic, Harry Vincent, the clean-cut chap who has long served The Shadow, Moe Shrevnitz, shrewd-faced cab driver whose taxi is actually owned by The Shadow, Cliff Marsland, alleged member of the underworld who is actually in The Shadow’s employ, Hawkeye, the hunchy little trailer, Jericho, one of The Shadow’s lesser agents who gets to play bodyguard for Lingo Queed, Burbank, vital communications man for The Shadow and Rutledge Mann, investment broker and contact man for The Shadow’s organization. Representing the forces of law and order are acting inspector Joe Cardona and Deputy Police Commissioner Wainwright Barth.
 
The Shadow’s famous girasol ring, the purplish, translucent gem that glows from The Shadow’s third finger, appears in this story. In this story, it is worn only by The Shadow and is used as a means of identification. In later years, the ring was worn openly when disguised as Lamont Cranston (who, by the way, makes no appearance, here).
 
Lingo’s a real classic and a thrilling Shadow mystery novel. It can be found in The Shadow, Volume 9 available from Radio Archives for $12.95!

 


Comments From Our Customers!
 
Gene Schneider:

Recently I found an offering of The Shadow that I’ve had for some time. Their re-mastering, etc. was quite bad. It can be a real shocker to play your work and compare it to other works. You have No peer in this business. Absolutely none! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 
Dominick Cancilla:
I’ve listened to your first two Doc Savage audiobooks and just finished your first Spider tale. I want to complement you on the quality of these productions. They are entertaining and engaging without being overproduced, and the voice talent, sound effects, and music are all top notch. As soon as I finish this e-mail, I will be ordering Black Bat, Doctor Death, and the new Doc Savage. Keep ’em coming!

 

Larry Black:

Thanks a million for the super deals and the excellent quality of your product! I look forward to hours of listening pleasure and to many more years of a continuing GREAT relationship.

 
If you’d like to share a comment with us or if you have a question or a suggestion send an email to Service@RadioArchives.com. We’d love to hear from you!
 

The products you’ve read about in this newsletter are just a small fraction of what you’ll find waiting for you at RadioArchives.com. Whether it’s the sparkling audio fidelity of our classic radio collections, the excitement of our new line of audiobooks, or the timeless novels of the pulp heroes, you’ll find hundreds of intriguing items at RadioArchives.com.
 
If you no longer wish to receive our newsletter, or if this newsletter has been sent to you in error, please reply to this e-mail with the subject line UNSUBSCRIBE and your name will immediately be removed from our mailing list.
 

WILL MURRAY’S PULP CLASSICS AT RADIOARCHIVES.COM! AND MORE!

RadioArchives.com Newsletter

November 4, 2011

NEW Radio Set: Box Thirteen, Volume 2

“Adventure wanted. Will go anyplace, do anything. Box Thirteen.” This want ad, placed by reporter turned mystery writer Dan Holiday in the Star-Times serves as the centerpiece of ‘Box Thirteen’, a classic mystery adventure program starring screen legend Alan Ladd.
 
Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Alan Ladd found his way to Hollywood, California by his high school years. Finding work initially on the radio, landing roles such as ‘The Richfield Reporter,” Ladd also began appearing in several films, taking the small roles he could get. The part that would change Ladd’s life forever and cement him as a movie tough guy came in 1942. Playing Raven, a conscientious murderer for hire, in ‘This Gun For Hire,’ Ladd gained fame for being able to play hard-boiled characters with at least some heart.
 
Now a leading man, Ladd played his hard bitten world wearied warrior with a soul in films now considered classics – including the role he’s most known for, Shane. With the creation of his own production company, Mayfair in 1948, Ladd found yet another way to turn the skills he’d become famous for into a program that radio listeners would thrill to decades after its original run.
 
In “Box Thirteen,” Ladd played Dan Holiday, a journalist who was now an author of mystery fiction. Interested in writing the most successful and thrilling stories possible, Holiday placed an ad in the paper he worked for – the Star-Times. Apparently prospering as a mystery writer, Holiday rarely charged a fee to any of the colorful clients that crossed his path, most of whom needed his assistance in one way or another.
 
Even on a rail thin budget, “Box Thirteen” was a fairly high-quality program. Writer Russell Hughes supplied the show with witty, engaging scripts and many of radio’s acting professionals, including Betty Lou Gerson, Lurene Tuttle, Alan Reed, Joseph Kearns, Frank Lovejoy, John Beal, and others, lent their talents to ‘Box Thirteen’ throughout its run.
 
“Box Thirteen” clearly showcased Alan Ladd at his best. Known largely for tough guy roles in film, this series allowed Ladd to take his charisma and stoic presence from the screen and apply it to a good guy character in a different medium. The show’s format also guaranteed that each week, something new and exciting awaited Holiday and the show’s listeners. This second volume of twelve episodes restored to the highest quality continues Holiday’s adventures into the mystery and unknown that he discovered every week when he checked ‘Box Thirteen.’ Available today on CD for $17.98 and as a digital download for $11.98!

 
by Tommy Hancock
 

Adapting a story from one medium to another is never an easy task. Difficulty increases when the tale being adapted is a classic work first written hundreds of years ago and those adapting it have to figure out a way to make it work for their intended audience. So many things can go wrong with this process; too much can be cut out of the story, making it something else entirely; too much of the original work gets included, adding unnecessary weight and exposition to the new product; or the sensibilities of the intended consumers isn’t considered enough and what is produced seems boring and tepid to said consumers. So it’s a hard journey, this road of adaptation, sometimes.
 
Fortunately for Old Time Radio enthusiasts today, this trip was a successful one for the people behind The Adventures of Marco Polo, Volume 1. Written originally in 1300, this seminal work, part adventure tale and part exotic travelogue, not only told a wonderfully exciting tale of world travels and of a wayward boy growing into a legendary explorer, but it also set the standard for both future volumes of this sort as well as for the men those volumes would be about. Many explorers from the 1300s into the modern day cite one of their earliest inspirations to breach the unknown around them, being the thrill of reading about Polo and the Kublai Khan and the wondrous things Polo encountered on his journeys. This appeal over the centuries is just one factor that likely led to George Edwards, a noted Australian radio performer and producer, to adapting the book into a radio serial in the 1940s.
 
The Adventures of Marco Polo, Volume 1, is a great OTR collection for several reasons. As already stated, the material was suited for adaptation due to both its popularity and its content. Also, the assembled cast and staff behind its production speak volumes for quality. Edwards, known as much for his ability to mimic hundreds if not more voices as he is for the shows he produced, lends his incredible talent to this production. Filling the roles of many of the characters, the most intriguing task Edwards takes on is playing both Marco Polo and the Kublai Khan. It’s truly a treat listening to this show and knowing when these two distinct sounding characters are having a conversation, it’s Edwards talking to himself!
 
If you’re looking for dialogue laden completely character driven audio, The Adventures of Marco Polo may not be your bag. That’s not really a negative with this show, though. The narrative moves the story along at a pretty quick clip at the slowest moments and at a nearly breakneck speed in the action scenes. In this program, narration and dialogue comfortably compliment each other, making what might have seemed dry to some readers in school actually exciting and vibrant to the listener.
 
Another aspect of this program that is done extremely well is how it’s handled as a serial. Serialization, like adaptation, is as much art as it is work. Building the tension in small snippets of story just right to leave the listener wanting more is no easy chore. The Adventures of Marco Polo is a well paced, finely crafted serial, its cliffhangers and surprise twists of which there are a few are written and delivered in a manner that hooks the listener for the rest of the ride.
 
The Adventures of Marco Polo, Volume 1 from Radio Archives is a wonderful program for those interested in serial adventures and/or history period. Combine the pacing, the performance, and the production quality with the fact that it has been restored by Radio Archives to the finest sound quality possible and this collection is a must have for fans of Old Time Radio, history, serials, or just those who like a well told tale. Only $20.98 for the Seven hour CD set or $13.98 for the Digital Download version.

 

 

 
 
Radio Archives, known as a leading producer of quality Audio collections as well as a popular purveyor of Pulp Fiction announces the blending of the two in its latest product line. Not only is Radio Archives adding twelve new audiobooks to its future lineup, it is doing so with the direction of perhaps the best known Pulp expert and author of the modern era. Acting as series producer, historian/author Will Murray lends his name to Radio Archive’s newest line of audiobooks. Will Murray’s Pulp Classics are now available from Radio Archives and take both Pulp and audio to a whole new level!
 
Murray’s involvement with past Radio Archives projects led to this new innovation in sharing Pulp classics with today’s audience. “Like everything about my association with RadioArchives.com,” stated Murray, “it was like being struck by lightning. They had just released the first two Doc Savage audiobooks and were preparing The Spider and Secret Agent X, which I had recommended to them, when Tom Brown suggested expanding the line under the umbrella of Will Murray’s Pulp Classics.”
 
With the success of the Doc Savage audiobooks, based on Murray’s Doc novels, and the early indicators that The Spider audiobook was a hit, discussion of this project turned toward what other classic characters would get the Will Murray’s Pulp Classic treatment. “We already had a full Spider program planned, and the first Secret Agent X novel, The Torture Trust, mapped out,” Murray explained, “so Tom and I hashed out a number of titles that would both compliment and contrast those. As a kind of pulp alternate-reality version of Batman, the Black Bat was a natural. Since Zombies are all the rage, who better than the past master of the undead, Dr. Death? With the legions of weird menaces like mad scientists, vampires and—yes, more Zombies—that he fought, G-8 and His Battles Aces, made sense. And for a dose of Untouchables-style reality, George Fielding-Eliot’s hard-fighting G-Man, Dan Fowler. In almost every case, we’re launching each character with his inaugural exploit.”
 
Although the stories used in Will Murray’s Pulp Classics first appeared in print during the heyday of the Pulp magazines, Murray sees the transition of these tales to audiobooks as a good and logical one. “Pulp fiction endures because in contrast to the bloated novels modern publishers insist on foisting upon the reading public, vintage pulp fiction tells a fast-moving, never-flagging, riveting narrative that holds you in your seat until you careen to The End. Audiobooks demand that the reader’s attention be held tightly. Whether it’s Doc Savage, the Spider or Dan Fowler, pulp novels are a perfect fit. I’ve had several of my Destroyer novels adapted as audiobooks in years past, but this is the first time I’d been hands-on in this medium since I worked with Roger Rittner on the Adventures of Doc Savage radio series.”
 
Murray looks forward to the future of the Pulp Classics line and sees the customers and listeners as a vital part of it. “For the first year, we’re going to be introducing our top heroes. The buying public will tell us whether they want more G-8, Dr. Death or the Spider. And I’m sure that same audience will make suggestions. I’d like to do some horror and fantasy pulp writers, like A. Merritt and William Hodgson, a few exceptional Westerns, and high adventures in the Talbot Mundy vein. But pulp fans prefer heroes, so we’ll see if, for example, we can find a Dan Turner detective story that works as an audiobook. Ultimately, I hope we can mine all the major pulp genres. We expect involved and excited listeners will be the ones to surprise us, not vice versa.”
 
The first two entries in Will Murray’s Pulp Classics are now available from Radio Archives.

 
 

If Batman ever had a brother, he would be the pulp hero called the Black Bat.
 
Both bat-caped heroes debuted in the same year, 1939. It was a strange coincidence. Blame The Shadow for that. He was in his eighth year fighting crime in the pages of his celebrated pulp magazine, and Orson Welles was bringing him to life on radio, when two different publishers decided the time was perfect to copy The Shadow.
 
Batman was the creation of artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. He debuted in Detective Comics #37, dated March, 1939, in “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate,” which was freely adapted from the 1936 Shadow mystery, Partners of Peril.
 
At virtually the same time, over at the Thrilling Group pulp house, editor in chief Leo Margulies asked prolific writer Norman A. Daniels to create a new hero for Black Book Detective magazine. Daniels came up with a character he called the Tiger. Margulies liked his idea, but decided the new hero should be more mysterioso, like The Shadow, and renamed him the Black Bat. The new nemesis of criminals was first published in the July, 1939 Black Book Detective.
 
As they appeared on the covers of their respective magazines, Batman and the Black Bat were strikingly similar. While the Black Bat lacked Batman’s signature spread-winged chest emblem and bat-ears on his cowl, both had similar finned gauntlets. 
 
The similarities did not go much beyond their ebony costumes. The Black Bat was a district attorney named Anthony Quinn—this was long before the actor of that name made the scene. Blinded by a cowardly criminal, Quinn lost his sight, his face acid-scarred around the eyes. No longer able to practice law, Quinn retired. But a miracle eye transplant restored his sight, and more. Quinn discovered that he could see in the dark. This gave him inspiration.
 
Gathering together a small band of assistants—reformed conman “Silk” Kirby and muscleman “Butch” O’Leary—Quinn decided to wage an unrelenting secret war on the criminal element. Joining him is lovely Carol Baldwin. It was the corneas of her dying policeman father which were grafted into Tony’s own eyes, restoring his sight.
 
The first Black Bat adventure, Brand of the Black Bat, relates all that. It’s a stirring story of crime and corruption, and of a courageous avenger determined to track down the vicious gangster who robbed him of his brilliant career, all the while thwarting Captain MacGrath of the N.Y.P.D., who suspects Quinn and the Black Bat are one and the same. For like The Shadow, but unlike Batman, The Bat carries a brace of .45 automatics and the will to use them. This does not make the cloaked vigilante popular with the police.
 
There has never been a media crossover for this long-running pulp hero. No radio show, no movie serial, no comic books. So it is with justifiable pride that RadioArchives.com lures the Black Bat out of the shadows of his original era and into the 21st century with his first audiobook, read with impeccable skill and fidelity by the accomplished Michael McConnohie.  Brand of the Black Bat is available now from Radio Archives for $14.98 for Audio CDs and $9.98 for the Digital Download!

 
 

 
Prince of the Red Looters, the first audio adventure of The Spider and the first of Will Murray’s Pulp Classics, packs mile-a-minute thrills as Richard Wentworth races to discover the identity of The Fly, one of the Spider’s most fiendish foes. A master of the blade who can anticipate The Spider’s every move, The Fly is bent on The Spider’s destruction, leaving The Fly’s criminal organization free to loot, maim, and kill.
 
Producer/Director Roger Rittner says, “Prince of the Red Looters is an astounding accomplishment, wedding dynamic narration from two unique stars of stage and screen, specially selected sound effects, and a complete period music score.”
 
Prince of the Red Looters is available now in a six-CD set, priced at $19.98, with original cover art and special bonus features. The audiobook is also available as an MP3 Digital Download, including the special bonus feature, at just $13.98.
 
Also, RadioArchives.com first two Doc Savage audiobooks, Will Murray’s Python Isle and White Eyes continue to garner accolades from Doc fans as well as those just discovering the greatest adventure hero of the 1930s.
 
Python Isle, narrated by Michael McConnohie, and White Eyes, narrated by Richard Epcar, are available in impressive CD sets and as digital downloads. Python Isle and White Eyes are also available in special Signed Director’s Editions.
 
Like your audiobooks Adventure filled and Pulpy? Then RadioArchives.com is the right place for you!

 

Yesteryear or Today, Pulp Fiction is where readers find adventure, suspense, justice, and thrills a minute! And The Pulp Book Store is where the finest of Pulp can be found! Whether you’re seeking Classic Pulp tales from legendary authors or you’re looking for new tales of derring do by today’s writers, all of it and more is right here for you in The Pulp Book Store!

Find these and more in the Pulp Book Store!
 
The Dark Avenger and Harry Vincent share center stage in two thrilling tales of lost treasure by Walter Gibson writing as “Maxwell Grant.” First, The Shadow and his ablest agent journey to Michigan timber country in The Golden Quest, a thrilling tale of deadly avarice, betrayal and a forgotten gold mine. Then, a supercrook preys upon aristocratic refugees from the Spanish civil war, leading The Shadow into a deadly dual with The Masked Headsman. This instant collector’s item showcases both classic pulp covers by George Rozen, the original interior illustrations by Tom Lovell, commentary by popular-culture historian Will Murray plus “The Shadow Around the World.” Enjoy these tales and extra features for only $14.95 from Sanctum Press in The Pulp Book Store!
 

Triple-novel World War II Special: The Man of Bronze battles America’s enemies in three World War II thrillers by Lester Dent writing as “Kenneth Robeson.” First, Doc Savage has only two days to unmask the disguised Adolf Hitler, who has fled a collapsing Nazi Germany! Then, the Man of Bronze is framed for murder as he hunts an undercover Gestapo officer. Finally, after Johnny Littlejohn vanishes on a secret mission for Army Intelligence, Doc goes on a rescue mission to the Far East. Can he unmask a murderous fugitive from Nazi Germany in time to save his aide? This classic pulp reprint features the original color pulp covers by Modest Stein, Paul Orban’s classic interior illustrations and historical commentary by Will Murray, writer of eight Doc Savage novels. All of this and more available now for $14.95 from Sanctum Press from The Pulp Book Store!
 
First, The Spider sets out to stop wholesale slaughter that turns the dead green as he squares off with The Corpse Broker! Next, The Spider encounters deadly plague germs used against the nation and, stricken himself, battles the Volunteer Corpse Brigade! All of this available from Girasol Collectables for $14.95 in the Pulp Book Store!
 

In 1939, author Paul Ernst gave Pulp fiction a frozen faced force of Justice. Now the greatest crime-fighter of the 40s returns in a stunning collection from Moonstone of original action-packed tales of adventure, intrigue and revenge written by leading names in Pulp today, including the first and only time The Avenger meets the uncompromising relentless justice of The Spider! From Moonstone Books, available in the Pulp Book Store for $18.95!
 
The only survivor of a doomed starship, stranded in his spacesuit, leaves a frantic message about a strange alien “talent”. Classic sci-fi by Peter Baily, from Astounding Science Fiction magazine, February 1959. A full cast audio play adapted from a Pulp magazine of the late 1950s. Specially dramatized and produced in dimensional sound with professional cast, stereo sound effects, and period music. Starring Terwilliger Rhinehart. From Roger Rittner Productions! Only $4.95 in The Pulp Book Store!
 
Fighting the aerial forces of evil for nearly ten years in the pages of Flying Aces, Kerry Keen AKA The Griffon returns to print! This edition begins a complete reprinting of the entire series. Volume 1 contains his first six stories, all from 1935, including the debut story-“Guns of the Griffon”: Meet Kerry Keen sky sleuth in this new series of modern thrillers! Also included is an article by series author, Arch Whitehouse. From Altus Press and only $19.95 in the Pulp Book Store!
 
The Pulp Book Store – The Place to get the Pulp You Need.
 
 

Review of “The Genghis Khan” from Doc Savage, Volume 1

By Dr. Art Sippo
 

The Man of Bronze confronts his greatest enemy in The Devil Genghis, reprinted in Doc Savage, Volume 1! From the Arctic to the French Riviera, men begin to go mad and lash out at invisible opponents until they are either exhausted or physically restrained. Then Doc Savage on his way to play the violin and the clarinet in a charity concert is kidnapped! He escapes but discovers that whoever ordered the kidnapping wanted to bring him to Europe. Doc and his aides set sail for Europe to find out what was behind the plot to capture the Man of Bronze. Along the way they encounter danger and Renny falls victim to the invisible enemy madness. Meanwhile, the stunning and resourceful woman, Toni Lash joins up with Doc and his crew to solve the mystery. She is an exceptional woman and even Doc takes notice.
 
The trail leads to the Arctic and to the unthinkable. Is John Sunlight still alive? It was believed that he had been devoured by a polar bear months before. But unmistakably, Sunlight is alive and well and he is plotting again to conquer the world. Now under the title of “The Devil Genghis” he plans to create a world empire under his absolute rule. But this time instead of fighting Doc Savage, Sunlight will offer him a Faustian bargain. Can even Doc Savage refuse an offer to share dominion over the entire world?
 
John Sunlight is the greatest villain the Man of Bronze has ever faced. No other enemy had ever survived to confront Doc a second time. Sunlight is a man of great physical and mental powers with the indomitable will to survive death itself. Has Doc Savage finally met his match? Find all the answers to these troubling questions for $12.95 in Doc Savage, Volume 1 from Radio Archives!
 

 
Deal of the Day

High quality Audio, Pulp, and Classic DVDs! And at a fantastic price! That’s the Radio Archives Deal of the Day! The Deal of the Day is actually several great deals at all times. No limits! Simply Great Products at Unbelievable Prices!
 
Look for the yellow ‘Deal Of The Day’ price tag on the right side of the home page and click it for a great deal every Single Day from RadioArchives.com!
 
 

 
Comments From Our Customers!
 
Ken Bosworth writes:
I can’t wait to get Volume 2 of “Afloat with Henry Morgan” My wife and I found the first volume to be totally enjoyable, very good radio drama. We really look forward to listening to the rest of the story. We had intended to listen to one disc each evening, but ended up listening to the entire 7-disc series in one evening and the next morning because we just could not tear ourselves away from the story. Thanks again.
 
Randall F Miller Jr., Society of Broadcast Engineers:
I just want to tell you that your program selection is excellent, and the quality is superb. As a broadcast engineer with over 30 years experience, I certainly appreciate good quality and yours is the best. Keep up the good work, and keep adding to the digital downloads. They are the best way to get my old time radio fix.
 
Solid Gold Reviews comments on “The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes”:
Complete with musical transition, multiple actors with background sounds, and excellent story-play, Sherlock Holmes has everything the audiobook enthusiast seeks. Holmes addicts, or just those looking for a quick suspenseful mystery, will greatly enjoy this audio broadcast. This audio selection is perfect for those who want to enjoy the original Holmes, sans image, or find themselves on a vehicle trek in need of background storytelling at its finest.
 

Steve Sher:
“Listening to Old Time Radio shows from Radio Archives has actually slowed down my highway driving (the faster I go, the harder it is to hear the shows clearly because of road noise) which has resulted in fewer speeding tickets! Excellent by product of my love affair with the many shows I’ve ordered from Radio Archives!”
 
Barney McCasland:
I’m really liking the new pulp audiobooks. Looking forward to many more. Thanks!

 
If you’d like to share a comment with us or if you have a question or a suggestion send an email to Service@RadioArchives.com. We’d love to hear from you!
 

The products you’ve read about in this newsletter are just a small fraction of what you’ll find waiting for you at RadioArchives.com. Whether it’s the sparkling audio fidelity of our classic radio collections, the excitement of our new line of audiobooks, or the timeless novels of the pulp heroes, you’ll find hundreds of intriguing items at RadioArchives.com.
 
If you no longer wish to receive our newsletter, or if this newsletter has been sent to you in error, please reply to this e-mail with the subject line UNSUBSCRIBE and your name will immediately be removed from our mailing list.
 

RADIO ARCHIVES PULP BOOK STORE MANAGER INTERVIEWED!

TOMMY HANCOCK
Store Manager, www.pulpbookstore.com, Radio Archives
ALL PULP: Tommy, thanks for joining us today to talk about yet another project that you’re involved in!  Lots going on in Pulp with you these days, it seems.
TOMMY HANCOCK: Yeah, there is.  But it’s okay, I like it that way.
AP:  With everything you’ve got going, we’ll let our readers Google you or search through our page to get a handle on all the stuff you’re doing and jump right into the interview.  One association you have is with Radio Archives.  What does Radio Archives do and what do you do for them?
TH:  Radio Archives is the leading company in, well, several things really.  Probably most known for high quality restorations of old time radio programs, now with around 180 in their catalog, Radio Archives is also providing brand new audio entertainment to Pulp fans today.  Through both enhanced audio books as done by Roger Rittner Productions as well a more traditional line of audiobooks, Will Murray’s Pulp Classics, audio versions of both new stories as well as Pulp classics are seeing life over at Radio Archives.   It’s also the go to place for Pulp reprints, particularly if your interest is Doc Savage, the Shadow, and the Spider.
I am the newsletter editor for Radio Archives and I provide liner notes for products as well.   The newsletter comes out every two weeks and thanks to All Pulp for posting it like you guys do.   Recently, I’ve picked up another title.  I am Store Manager for the Pulp Book Store.
AP: What is the Pulp Book Store?
TH:  It’s something a lot of people in Pulp have talked about off and on for awhile.  Whether they publish classic reprints or New Pulp, many publishers have discussed having a ‘one stop shop’ for Pulp somewhere online.  A place that a consumer could go and browse for Pulp products from a whole variety of Publishers.  Radio Archives has set that very thing up at www.pulpbookstore.com.
The concept’s easy.  The product sold at the Pulp Book Store will be at the same price it’s sold elsewhere, there’s no increase in cost at all.   The convenience for the consumer is amazing.  If someone is a fan of a particular company, they usually just go to that publisher’s site and nowhere else and that’s fine.  But, speaking as a fan myself, most of us enjoy Pulp stuff from a variety of sources.   With The Pulp Book Store, I can go and find several companies providing and promoting books I want.  Each company that signs on will have its own ‘store within a store’ and it can be designed basically however they want it to make their wares more appealing.
AP:  Why would Pulp publishers be interested in being a part of this?  And if they are, how do they sign on?
TH:  Well, as I mentioned already, this puts several Pulp companies together in one place.  So there’s the possibility of cross shopping.  A customer goes looking for the latest Shadow reprint and they see Moonstone, Pulpwork Press, Twit Publishing, and other companies listed on the same page.  Curiosity takes over and suddenly their shopping horizons have expanded.
Delivery and such is easy as well.  A publisher sends Radio Archives stock and Radio Archives handles all the processing and shipping. So as long as companies keep stock in the hands of Radio Archives, then that’s really all they have to do other than collect the benefits.
Another great benefit is the marketing and promotion that Radio Archives will be providing.  The newsletter goes out to thousands of people every two weeks.  Also, as store manager, I will be handling regular promotion by providing sites like All Pulp, Coming Attractions, and other Pulp and press outlets with at least weekly updates and news and such, including new Publishers coming on board or even new product being available. 
The Pulp Book Store isn’t meant to replace anything a Publisher is already doing.  It’s simply an additional resource that brings with it exposure to a whole host of fans that may not be seeing a Publisher’s product yet and also marketing and support provided by the Radio Archives team.
AP:  When does the Pulp Book Store open?

TH: It’s already open!  The grand opening was this past Friday and several Pulp publishers, including Pro Se Press, are already there.   We’re still in the ‘construction’ process and working out details like store design and such, but we’re very pleased with the response so far and hope to have even more companies become a part of it.

AP:  If a publisher wants to get involved or to simply ask questions, whom do they contact?
TH:  TommyHancock@RadioArchives.com and I’ll not only answer questions, but I plan to help Publishers with making their stores as awesome as they want to be by assisting with liner notes and things such as that if requested.  Also, if a publisher is interested, but isn’t sure if their material qualifies as Pulp, either in the classic or new sense, I can help with that as well.
AP:  Tommy, thanks again for joining us!
TH: Thank you!

PIRATES, A PULP BOOKSTORE, AND RAVE REVIEWS! ALL FROM RADIO ARCHIVES

RadioArchives.com Newsletter

October 21, 2011

NEW Radio Set: Afloat with Henry Morgan, Volume 1

Pulse Pounding Pirate Adventure!
 
In 1947, a new serial sailed its way to the airwaves, one quite unlike anything to come before it. High seas intrigue. Colorful, exciting characters, both within the stories and behind the mike. Pulse pounding, pulpy tales of pirates and buccaneers. All of this and more can be found in fifteen-minute punches of action and adventure with Afloat with Henry Morgan, Volume 1.
 
A 52 episode Australian series, Afloat with Henry Morgan definitely has an all ages appeal. This is due primarily to the intense pacing of the stories themselves as well as the historical component, the fact that Henry Morgan, the buccaneer spotlighted in ‘Afloat’ was indeed a real person! Spending nearly his entire seafaring career in the Caribbean, wild tales of adventure swirl around the real life Morgan from 1655, his first noted appearance in the area, up until his death in 1688. Morgan’s legend as a carousing, hard fighting ambitious man lived far beyond his passing, providing fertile soil for Afloat with Henry Morgan to sprout from nearly 300 years later.
 
This classic program was produced by well-known Australian radio personality George Edwards. Edwards lent not only his production skills to Afloat, but shared his amazing vocal talents as well. Known as “The Man with a Thousand Voices,” Edwards parlayed his ability to sound like a young child, any male he wanted to, nearly any nationality necessary, and even older women into a legendary career as a radio actor. The skill to do sometimes twelve different voices in a single episode definitely fit the needs of Afloat with Henry Morgan, with it being a lower budget affair.
 
Written by Warren Berry, Afloat with Henry Morgan follows Morgan and his intrepid band of privateers through storms, swamps, deep into the hands of the enemy, and of course across the wide-open seas. Stories center around political conspiracies, pilfered Aztec necklaces, coups and swordplay, and of course the double crossing and conniving ways of good old-fashioned pirates!
 
The first 28 episodes of this cliffhanger non-stop serial are presented in Afloat with Henry Morgan, Volume 1. Restored to the finest sparkling quality possible by Radio Archives, this collection brings you seven hours of history, mystery, hard men, courageous women, and sea battles galore! Thrill as Morgan becomes involved in the theft of an Aztec artifact, plots are hatched and betrayed, raids are planned and double crossed, and a plethora of characters, many voiced by George Edwards, all come together to take you Afloat with Henry Morgan in this first volume of this classic show brought to you by RadioArchives.com.
 
Order your Seven Hour CD set today for only $20.98 or Download the entire volume for $13.98! Only from RadioArchives.com.
 
 
by Tommy Hancock
 

When one ponders words and phrases like ‘hard boiled,’ ‘gritty,’ ‘pulp,’ or ‘noir,’ most usually get images of a rugged fedora wearing gun toting Private Eye or Gangster skulking in a dark alley, waiting to either fire the next bullet or take the next one between the eyes. Not often do those descriptors bring to mind a solitary reporter working the streets of Chicago after the sun goes down, looking for the horror and humanity that his readers will wake up to over coffee.
 
Listen to Nightbeat, Volume 1 and I bet the next time you hear those words, you’ll think of Randy Stone and his nightly sojourn into the underbelly of Chicago.
 
Following the popular trend in films, literature, and radio of focusing on the darker aspects of people and the lives they led, Nightbeat was a program that debuted in 1950. The pilot episode, ‘The Elevator’ details an adventure in the life of one Lucky Stone, reporter for the Chicago Examiner, voiced by character actor Frank Lovejoy. The frantic, frenetic approach Lovejoy used in voicing a man walking the line between getting a story for his newspaper and taking vengeance for a departed friend combined with a memorable opening theme and a moody soundtrack definitely shows why NBC added Nightbeat to its schedule for the next two years.
 
Debuting February 6, 1950, Nightbeat came to the listening public a bit different than its previous incarnation. Lucky had given way to Randy Stone, now a reporter for The Chicago Star. There was also a subtle, but distinct difference between Lovejoy’s portrayal of Stone in the pilot and from the first show forward. More confident and harder boiled in many ways than Lucky, Randy Stone found his way into one adventure after another, dealing with plotlines that twisted and turned along the way.
 
The simple premise made wonderfully intricate stories full of layered characters and fleshed out nuances come to life quickly for listeners. Randy Stone was just a guy doing his job and, when confronted with decisions and situations, he worked to do the right thing, even if it meant slapping someone around or putting his life on the line. This ‘Good American’ mentality combined with the seedier side of life, Stone often confronted, were strong reasons it was popular both amongst listeners who heard its original two-year run and fans and enthusiasts today.
 
This twenty episode collection features ‘special rebroadcasts’ of previous Nightbeat episodes. These shows played on Sunday nights instead of Mondays to bring listeners to the show on its regular night. It’s actually really neat to hear these programs because they’re not actually rebroadcasts. In at least one of them, the only voice that appeared in the first version was Lovejoy’s, so there’s an opportunity to hear how different actors played the same roles.
 
The twenty episodes in this collection take Randy all over Chicago and the human experience. Frank Lovejoy’s fantastic voice talent and the terse, rapid fire pacing of each tale makes Nightbeat, Volume 1 a collection not to be missed for fans of hard boiled pulp radio or the drama of humanity. Only $29.98 for the Ten Hour CD set or $13.98 for the Digital Download version.
 
 
 
 

A criminal army is attacking the financial centers of New York.  They are led by a mysterious mastermind so clever and so ruthless, that only one man can possibly stop him.  And that man has been targeted for death by the gang’s leader.  Can Richard Wentworth, the infamous Spider, match wits with The Fly and save the lives and fortunes of the people of New York?
 
RadioArchives.com’s newest audiobook, Prince of the Red Looters, the first audio adventure of The Spider, packs mile-a-minute thrills as Richard Wentworth races to discover the identity of The Fly, one of the Spider’s most fiendish foes.  A master of the blade, who can anticipate The Spider’s every move, The Fly is bent on The Spider’s destruction, leaving The Fly’s criminal organization free to loot, maim, and kill.
 
Prince of the Red Looters, available now in both a deluxe six-CD set and MP3 digital download, is the first in RadioArchives.com series of Will Murray’s Pulp Classics.  Each entry in the series is a classic pulp adventure personally chosen by Will Murray, one of the country’s foremost experts on all things pulp.
 
Producer/Director Roger Rittner says, “Prince of the Red Looters is an astounding accomplishment, wedding dynamic narration from two unique stars of stage and screen, specially selected sound effects, and a complete period music score.”
 
This action-packed story features Nick Santa Maria and Robin Riker narrating and voicing the character parts.  “They’ve done outstanding work in this exciting novel-length adventure of the classic pulp hero, The Spider,” Roger says.
 
Early listeners say:
  “It looks terrific and sounds even better.”
  “It’s excellent.  Really held my attention.”
  “The results are amazing.”
 
 
Prince of the Red Looters is available now in a six-CD set, priced at $19.98, with original cover art and a special bonus audio feature of Will Murray explaining the genesis of The Spider.  The audiobook is also available as an MP3 Digital Download, including the special bonus feature, at just $13.98.
 
“Prince of the Red Looters is a listening experience that will thrill every fan of audiobooks and pulp fiction,” Roger says.
 
Doc Savage Fans Continue to Praise Man of Bronze Audiobooks
 
RadioArchives.com first two Doc Savage audiobooks, Will Murray’s Python Isle and White Eyes – along with the full-cast NPR series The Adventures of Doc Savage –  continue to garner accolades from Doc fans as well as those just discovering the greatest adventure hero of the 1930s.
 
Richard Brunner writes,
“The production values are fantastic.  I missed the first one when it was on NPR.  I have listened to a number of audio books over the years, but the music and sound you have added to these two really make them come alive.  Both of the narrators are really pros.
 
RadioArchives.com customer Eugene Dungan says,
“I just wanted to let you know that I have really enjoyed your two Doc Savage audiobooks, Python Isle and White Eyes.  Keep up the great work.”
 
Python Isle, narrated by Michael McConnohie, White Eyes, narrated by Richard Epcar, and The Adventures of Doc Savage with a full Hollywood cast, are available in impressive CD sets and as digital downloads.  Python Isle and White Eyes are also available in special Signed Director’s Editions.
 
And coming soon: Will Murray’s monumental Doc Savage adventure, The Jade Ogre, in a deluxe 12-hour audiobook edition. 
 

Known for continually offering its customers the best in products and service, Radio Archives is proud to announce the opening of The Pulp Book Store. This innovative site will provide both Pulp enthusiasts and those who are simply curious a one-stop opportunity to browse and shop the best the Pulp market in all its many facets has to offer every single day!

 
Pulp Fiction, even though its heyday was in the early 20th Century, has been popular as long as it has existed and continues to excite readers today. Often fast paced, action packed, and full of fantastical ideas, over the top characters, and imaginative adventures, Pulp can be about cowboys, aliens, ancient gods, two-fisted detectives, bigger than life gangsters, femme fatales, and so many other sorts of characters as it reaches into nearly every genre imaginable.
 
In the last few years, Pulp has resurged. Some have called it a renaissance, others simply saying that due to current economic and societal situations, pulp literature is once again sought by the masses. Regardless of the view taken, the fact that so many companies are involved in either the reproduction of classic Pulp stories or creating brand new pulp stories written by modern writers proves that Pulp is still viable as a creative outlet. Add to that the rising prominence once again of such classic Pulp icons as Doc Savage, The Shadow, and The Spider, there can be no denying that Pulp strikes a chord with consumers and shows no signs of that changing.
 

Pulp is also all about variety. Not only are there classic and new pulp stories, but nearly every genre has stories within it that are clearly pulp. Be it science fiction, hard boiled crime, rootin’ tootin’ westerns and so many others, Pulp discriminates against no genre. This, along with the resurgence of Pulp publishers and its popularity, is why Radio Archives has established the Pulp Book Store.
 
The plan for the Book Store is simple, to become a central hub for all Pulp products. Although this may be a lofty goal, the vision behind it is basic. Instead of having to shop all over the internet and go from site to site to buy the Pulp that they want, consumers will have one location to browse a multitude of Publishers and Pulp Providers. Publishers will have a single location that will sell their products, a location that is set aside for Pulp type material only, so as customers come to view one item, every publisher gets a chance with their store to win new customers for their products.
 
This concept even works for the accidental browser, one who is slightly curious about Pulp or maybe knows nothing about it. In the Pulp Book Store, that person will find more than enough information and opportunities to sample this thing called Pulp.
 

If you’re interested in Pulp Classics, then the Pulp Book Store features the best in Pulp Reprint Publishers. Ride along with the well remembered classic Pulp heroes as they fight wrong and make right! Or, if your interest leans more toward more obscure characters, you’ll find those too in some of the great replicas and reprints produced by leading publishers in the Pulp world, all right here at The Pulp Book Store!
 
Looking for something new? Pulpy tales written by modern writers and using either original characters or simply new stories about existing characters, are growing in popularity. Pulp icons blaze new trails in original adventures, such as Will Murray’s all new Doc Savage novels. A pantheon of modern original heroes step front and center to keep up the good fight as well. New tales in a classic style keep Pulp Fiction current and alive and can be found here at the Pulp Book Store!
 
Pulp Publishers, your home can easily be here. The Pulp Book Store is a shared marketplace where you have your own store, your own identity, yet you’re in a market of like products, of companies that like you are interested in promoting Pulp. There is no better place to be to do that than amongst others doing it. Opportunity exists for all to succeed within the Pulp Book Store.
 
If you purchase several products from several publishers, everything is shipped to you in the same box. Our Flat Rate ground postage means that no matter how many companies you buy from, you pay only one small amount for postage and you pay for everything together. Possibly the best news, Place your order by 7:30pm Eastern Time and your order is mailed the same day. Unbelievable but true.
 
If Pulp is a part of your life, then browse the Pulp Book Store and enjoy. If you end up there out of curiosity or by accident, then please look around. We’re sure there is something offered by our many Publishers that will intrigue you. And if you’re a publisher and wish to be a part of this, send a message to Service@radioarchives.com. Regardless, Radio Archives recognizes Pulp is here to stay and wants the Pulp Book Store to be the one stop all encompassing site where it grows and thrives.
 
 

Review of “Tower of Death” from The Shadow, Volume 22

By John Olsen
 

Tower Of Death was published in the May 1, 1934 issue of The Shadow Magazine. The tower of the story’s title is only a part of a fortlike mansion known as Montgard. The large looming old house sits on the country estate, with the tall tower in the center. The gigantic turret serves as a huge entry to the house. Inside on the round tower floor, a double circle of tile borders the circumference of the room, decorated by Egyptian hieroglyphics along with signs of the zodiac. A strange tower, indeed, it was built long ago by old Windrop Raleigh, an eccentric inventor.
 
Rumor has it that Windrop Raleigh left a treasure hidden in the old mansion when he died. Racketeers Mallet Haverly and “Speedy” Tyron have been in contact with Luskin, a former servant of Windrop Raleigh, and have been informed of the rumored millions. But there’s more than just a treasure to worry about. There’s the mysterious disappearances. Men have been known to enter the huge turret, to never be heard from again! Two half-brothers and a cousin. One by one they disappeared – always after paying visits to Windrop Raleigh. They entered Montgard, one by one, never to reappear! Let’s not also forget the strange terms of the will of recently deceased Windrop Raleigh.
 
There are many questions to be answered in this strange, sinister mystery. It will take The Shadow to find out the answers! The Shadow is aided by his agents Cliff Marsland and Harry Vincent in this story. They are dispatched to the town of Glenwood to assist The Shadow in his investigation of the sinister goings-on at Montgard. Investment broker Rutledge Mann, contact man Burbank and reporter Clyde Burke also make brief appearances. Detective Cardona appears at the beginning of the novel and again at the end. The Shadow, himself, appears twice as Lamont Cranston, but throughout most of the story appears attired in his black cloak and slouch hat.
 
It’s interesting to note that The Shadow climbs the stone walls of Montgard with his gloved hands. No use is made of those rubber suction cups which he would occasionally use to scale the outsides of buildings. In this story, he’s as a human fly. But wouldn’t it have been safer to remove the gloves?
 
Again in this story, The Shadow grabs the falling body of a wounded thug and uses it as a shield in his gun battle with a mob of gangsters. This has happened in many other Shadow novels, so it appears to be somewhat of a standard practice. And to think that when I saw that technique used in the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie “Total Recall” some years ago, I thought it was original. Nope, The Shadow was doing it fifty years earlier!
 
You’ll really enjoy this wonderfully moody story with its fading twilight, looming edifices, darkened turrets and forbidding walls. And it can be yours for $12.95 along with another great Shadow tale in The Shadow Volume 22 from Radio Archives!
 

 

Deal of the DayHigh quality Audio, Pulp, and Classic DVDs! And at a fantastic price! That’s the Radio Archives Deal of the Day! The Deal of the Day is actually several great deals at all times. No limits! Simply Great Products at Unbelievable Prices!

Look for the yellow ‘Deal Of The Day’ price tag on the right side of the home page and click it for a great deal every Single Day from RadioArchives.com!

 

 
Comments From Our Customers!
 
Greg Burton writes:
Fort Laramie is one of my favorite westerns, and I was so excited when I saw that you now had it available for download. In the past few years I had listened to the series 3 or 4 times, and was curious as to how much better it would sound from Radio Archives. The quality on my “old” copies is not bad, but the sound quality from Radio Archives is magnificent. There is such a dramatic difference that I almost did not recognize a couple of the voices. Bravo. Another job well done.
 
Erick Ingram writes:
Thank you for the free gifts you included with my order of the “The Unexpected” Volumes 1 and 2. They were a pleasant surprise. Again thanks. Satisfied customer.
 
Steve Sher writes:
Just started to listen today to Box Thirteen.  Wow!  Excellent addition to my drive time activities.  Any more in this series available?  Great also to hear Bob and Ray after many years.  They were great favorites of mine from the old “Omnibus” days of NBC.
 
Curtis Spencer writes:
Understanding that Doc Savage will soon be released. Will order as soon as it’s out. Thank you very much.
 
Gary Brown writes:
Any news on any New Doc Savage novels. I hear that Will Murray is writing some. I bet it is going to be great.
 
If you’d like to share a comment with us or if you have a question or a suggestion send an email to Service@RadioArchives.com. We’d love to hear from you!
 

The products you’ve read about in this newsletter are just a small fraction of what you’ll find waiting for you at RadioArchives.com. Whether it’s the sparkling audio fidelity of our classic radio collections, the excitement of our new line of audiobooks, or the timeless novels of the pulp heroes, you’ll find hundreds of intriguing items at RadioArchives.com.
 
If you no longer wish to receive our newsletter, or if this newsletter has been sent to you in error, please reply to this e-mail with the subject line UNSUBSCRIBE and your name will immediately be removed from our mailing list.

PULP! PULP!! AND MORE PULP!!! plus so much more from Radio Archives!

RadioArchives.com Newsletter

October 7, 2011

NEW Radio Set: Claudia, Volume 6

Since the inception of the soap opera on radio, various things have been part and parcel of that genre; melodrama, tear jerking storylines, scandal and rumor, and enough deceit to fill a bathtub. In 1947, however, a new twist on that formula hit the airwaves thanks to the sponsorship of Coca Cola. And this new take on soap operas had a name. Claudia.
 
“Claudia” told the tale of Claudia and David Naughton, newlyweds, just beginning their married life. Young, enthusiastic, and very much in love, they weren’t suffering from any medical problems, suspicions, or ungrateful children. Instead, they were simply facing the many challenges of any new marriage in the years following World War II – finding an apartment, getting used to each other’s quirks, and learning to live together as husband and wife.
 
The very elements that made Claudia different from other soap operas quickly became its strengths. There were very few “tune in tomorrow” hooks that most soaps used to lure listeners back. People came back to “Claudia” for the interesting, fully developed characters, the lighthearted banter, and the familiarity of their day-to-day situations.
 
Based on the literary works of Rose Franken, “Claudia” began as short stories. Immensely popular, those grew into a series of best selling novels and then in 1941, were adapted into a Broadway play, with a young actress named Dorothy McGuire in the title role. Claudia was a breakout role for McGuire; one that brought her to Hollywood to reprise the role in the 20th Century Fox film version, released in 1943 and co-starring Robert Young as David. Based on that film’s success, 1946 found them together again in “Claudia and David,” a sequel to the earlier film. Due in large part to the success of the two “Claudia” movies, in 1947, the D’Arcy advertising agency decided to bring the characters to radio in a five-a-week quarter-hour serial on behalf of its client, Coca-Cola. This was the third attempt to bring the story of Claudia to radio and would be followed by a try as a TV series as well.
 
Due to the diligent work of Radio Archives, all 390 episodes of the series, which had an eighteen-month run, have been located and preserved to the highest standard. This sixth volume of 24 episodes continues on where the others left off, marching through Spring and toward the start of Summer 1948. Heard today, “Claudia” remains wonderful entertainment, notable for both its lighthearted tone and the believable interplay between its characters and will make a fine addition to any Old Time Radio Fan’s collection! Order your 6 Hour CD set today for only 17.98 or Download the entire volume for $11.98! Only from Radio Archives!
 
 
 
Radio Archives, well known for high quality audio collections, introduces a new category of Old Time Radio! Are you a fan of fast paced, action packed adventures? Do you enjoy larger than life heroes, over the top villains, and impossible plots and schemes? Whether or not you’re a Mystery, Western, Science Fiction,or simply a fan of Adventure and Suspense, Radio Archives has what you’re looking for in its new category, Pulp Radio!

Pulp means many things to many people. Historically, Pulp refers to fiction magazines that were printed on cheap wood pulp paper. The paper was coarse with rough edges. Publishers found this cheaper to produce and began turning out magazines that ran around 128 or so pages and only cost a dime. For ten cents, readers could encounter far away lands, lost civilizations, thugs with guns, cowboys and Indians, and anything else fiction writers of the day came up with.

Although first introduced in the 1890s, Pulp magazines really came into their own in the 1930s and 40s. This was due in large part to the popularity of what have come to be known as the Hero Pulps. Take a poll today on what Pulp heroes the public remembers, any that have a clue what Pulp is will likely say, “Doc Savage” or “The Shadow” or “The Spider.” Well-versed armchair fans might even rattle off “The Black Bat” or “The Avenger.” Hero Pulps provided readers with stories about ideal men fighting for right and justice against insurmountable odds.

Although Hero Pulps are the most fondly remembered by some, Pulp magazines provided the stage for so many other genres. Nearly regardless of a reader’s taste in fiction, it could be found in a Pulp magazine. Western, Action Adventure, Sports, Mystery, Crime, Horror, Fantasy, Science Fiction, even Romance Pulps dominated newsstands and kiosks all over America. That is, until the early 1950s when for various reasons, Pulp magazines faded from view.

In an effort to explain why Pulp has had the impact it has, many have come up with definitions of what Pulp is. Most include Pulp being fast paced and plot oriented with clearly defined, larger than life protagonists and antagonists and creative descriptions, clever use of turns of phrase and other aspects of writing that add to the intensity and pacing of the story. Any of that sound familiar, radio Detective fans? Or how about those of you who enjoy a good frontier shootout on your favorite western show? Looking at that definition, it is clear that Pulp had not only an impact on later mediums, but definitely shared characteristics with a source of entertainment that experienced its golden age simultaneously with the Pulps. That entertainment that we now call Old Time Radio.

Like Pulp, Old Time Radio covers many genres and many styles of storytelling. There are shows, though, that fit squarely into what many would consider to be Pulp. Detective programs, particularly, fit the model extremely well. In the space of a little over twenty minutes, radio writers had to introduce the detective, establish the cast of characters, set up the mystery to be solved, throw in one or two red herrings or a fight scene, and then resolve everything. These detectives were tough, heroic men and stood out in one way or another, like Richard Diamond and his singing, Johnny Dollar and his expense account, or Nero Wolfe and his eccentricities. And the bad guys, always some grand plan to dupe money out of someone or even larger schemes. Some would call stories like that plot oriented, fast paced fiction with larger than life heroes and villains. Here at Radio Archives, we call it Pulp Radio.

And Pulp Radio doesn’t stop at hard-boiled gumshoes, either! Western lawmen and the desperadoes they tangled with week in and week out on the radio rode the same trails as their Pulp cowboy counterparts. Astronauts and aliens on the airwaves fit the bill for larger than life and fast paced! And even characters that first found life in the Pulps lived even longer thanks to Radio. Pulp Radio is full of mayhem and monsters, good and evil, and stories that still today ring true with Fans of great Heroic Fiction of any medium.

Titles that you’ll find in Radio Archives’ Pulp Radio section include:

The New Adventures of Michael Shayne – Jeff Chandler’s rugged voice adds to the pace and intensity of this Pulp type detective program from beginning to end, bringing Brett Halliday’s fictional detective to explosive life!

The Shadow of Fu Manchu – Sax Rohmer’s Villain of All Villains continues his life of Tyranny and Evil in this relentlessly fast paced radio show!

The Planet Man – This Sci-Fi show definitely walks the line between Camp and Pulp, but has all the ear markings of excitement, over the top characters, and life and death situations it needs to be Pure Pulp!

Luke Slaughter of Tombstone – Westerns, prime Pulp territory, shined just as brightly in Radio’s Golden Age. The adventures of Luke Slaughter have all the toughness, six guns, horses and outlaws that it takes to make a Western tale great Radio Pulp!

If you’re a Pulp fan looking for something that sounds like what you love to read, then the shows in Radio Archive’s Pulp Section are just what you’ve been after. The fact that aspects of Pulp can be found in Old Time Radio adds a whole other level of enjoyment for Pulp Fiction readers. Not only can you get the visceral excitement of following adventure on the written page, but you can hear stories in the same vein, tales that make your heart beat faster and even sometimes make your blood run cold. Rapid fire dialogue and matching action, characters that fire the imagination, and everything else you love about Pulp can be found in the shows in Radio Archive’s Pulp Radio!
 
And if you’re an Old Time Radio enthusiast intrigued by fast paced, exciting adventures, then you’ve come to the right place! Detective fans that peruse this new section may find that the same elements that appeal to them in their whodunits also are part and parcel to frontier tales and space operas. Likewise, cowboy aficionados might find just as much pistol shootin’ and desperadoes in a mystery or crime show! Not convinced yet? Then hear for yourself by picking up one of the collections in Radio Archives’ Pulp Radio section today!
 
‘Pulp Radio’ is a registered trademark of Roger Rittner Productions, Inc., used with permission.
 
 
 

The Spider Strikes! In First Audiobook

One of pulp fiction’s most popular vigilante avengers comes to audiobooks for the first time in Prince of the Red Looters, the first Spider audiobook from RadioArchives.com. Prince of the Red Looters is available now in both a deluxe six-CD set and MP3 digital download.

Producer/Director Roger Rittner says, “Prince of the Red Looters is an astounding accomplishment, wedding dynamic narration from two unique stars of stage and screen, specially selected sound effects, and a complete period music score.”

This action-packed story features Nick Santa Maria and Robin Riker narrating and voicing the character parts. “They’ve done outstanding work in this exciting novel-length adventure of the classic pulp hero, The Spider,” Roger says.

In Prince of the Red Looters, The Spider faces one of his most cunning criminal enemies — The Fly! The Fly’s ruthlessly efficient crime organization commits a chain of bold and deadly atrocities on New York City, while The Fly taunts The Spider in a series of ever more dangerous duels.

“The sword fights will have listeners sitting on the edge of their seats,” Roger says. “Prince of the Red Looters will be a stunning addition to RadioArchives.com’s audiobook line.”

Prince of the Red Looters inaugurates Will Murray’s Pulp Classics, a new series of pulp-related audiobooks from RadioArchives.com. Each entry in the series is a classic pulp adventures personally chosen by Will Murray, one of the country’s foremost experts on all things pulp.

“I’m very excited to present to listeners some of my favorite pulp stories in this engaging format,” Will says. “This first Spider audiobook is a grand launch to the series.”

Listeners who have previewed Prince of the Red Looters are enthused:

  • “It’s excellent. Really held my attention. I think it works wonderfully.”
  • “An exceptional job.”
  • “The results are amazing.”



Prince of the Red Looters is available now in a six-CD set, priced at $19.98, with original cover art and a special bonus audio feature of Will Murray explaining the genesis of The Spider. The audiobook is also available as an MP3 Digital Download, including the special bonus feature, at just $13.98.

Prince of the Red Looters is a listening experience that will thrill every fan of audiobooks and pulp fiction,” Roger says.

Doc Savage Audiobooks Continue to Delight Fans

2011’s ‘Summer of Doc Savage’ continues into the Fall, as RadioArchives.com’s first two Doc Savage audiobooks, Will Murray’s Python Isle and White Eyes continue to attract and delight Doc fans as well as those just discovering the greatest adventure hero of the 1930s.

RadioArchives.com customer Eugene Dungan says,

“I just wanted to let you know that I have really enjoyed your two Doc Savage audiobooks, Python Isle and White Eyes. Please tell all your people to keep up the great work. I am looking forward to buying all of the audiobooks that you come out with.”

Python Isle, narrated by Michael McConnohie, and White Eyes, narrated by Richard Epcar, are available in impressive CD sets, as digital downloads, and also in special Signed Director’s Editions.

 
The legendary Master of Men returns in two classic stories from the 1930s. First, a spider should be able to catch a fly, but this particular Fly has other plans in mind! In “Prince of the Red Looters” (1934), you’ll join Richard Wentworth as he battles a criminal mastermind more lethal, more ruthless than any he has encountered before. So confident is the Fly of his own abilities that he dares challenge The Spider himself to a duel – to the death! Then, in “The City That Dared Not Eat” (1937), New York City staggers under a vicious crime wave aimed at controlling the very food supply! Mass murder, wholesale poisoning — nothing is beyond the maniac leading a gang of ruthless killers in their battle for supremacy. While The Spider matches guns and wits against an army of crime, the city starves! These two exciting pulp adventures have been beautifully reformatted for easy reading and feature both of the original full color covers as well as interior illustrations that accompany each story. Available from RadioArchives.com for only $14.95.
 
NEW Pulp Fiction Reprints

In a world where evil and danger loomed at every corner, a time when no one knew what might be waiting for them in the dark, a place where the future was in no way certain, a trembling populace reached out for an escape and found it in Pulp Magazines! That same doorway to Adventure, those tales of Heroes tried and true are available still today as classic pulp novel reprints from Radio Archives! Need a break from your reality? Find it in Pulp Fiction here at Radio Archives!

Spider Pulp Doubles #21

The Spider fights his way through two classic tales! First, The Spider squares off with The Corpse Broker! For a ten percent commission on murder, the Master of the Green Death guarantees immunity from the police! The Spider sets out to stop wholesale slaughter that turns the dead green! Next, The Spider marches against the Volunteer Corpse Brigade! Deadly plague-germs are used against the nation as Smiler Miordan crushes all who oppose him. The Spider, himself stricken with the virus, takes on the criminal Underworld Union! All of this available for $14.95 from Radio Archives!

Doc Savage, Volume 51: Halloween Special

The Pulp Era’s legendary superhero follows terror trails in two classic thrillers. First, the Man of Bronze journeys to “The Land of Fear” to discover the deadly secret behind the “skeleton death” that dissolves human flesh to the bone. Then, a grisly vampire murder in the lobby of his own headquarters building leads Doc Savage and his beautiful cousin Patricia in pursuit of “The Fiery Menace.” Enjoy these tales and extra features for only $14.95 at RadioArchives.com
 
The Knight of Darkness investigates deadly vampire attacks in two heart-stopping chillers and a classic radio mystery! First, the Shadow must battle a giant vampire bat and enter the dangerous “Garden of Death” to discover the secret behind a deadly drug monopoly. Then, The Shadow enters haunted Haldrew Hall to investigate “The Vampire Murders” in a sequel to the legendary Victorian thriller, “Varney the Vampire.” BONUS: “Vampires Prowl by Night,” a lost thriller from the Golden Age of Radio! All of this and more available now for $14.95 from RadioArchives.com.
 

Review of “The Land of Terror” from Doc Savage, Volume 14

By Dr. Art Sippo
 

Doc Savage’s old chemistry tutor, Jerome Coffern, asked him to dinner to seek his help. While waiting for Doc to arrive, Dr. Coffern is assaulted and struck dead by a heavy led pipe. His attackers use an air pistol to fire a hollow metal capsule onto the body and a strange reaction ensues. The body along with the lead pipe and part of the sidewalk disintegrate into a vile cloud of gray ash. All that is left is Coffern’s left hand and the wrist watch that Doc Savage gave him. When Doc arrives mere moments later, he finds this and he immediately sets out to avenge his teacher.

The evil mastermind Kar discovered an irresistible weapon: the Smoke of Eternity. It is a universal solvent that can destroy flesh, metal, even stone. Jerome Coffern knew the secret of this new weapon and was going to reveal it to Doc but he was brutally assassinated before he could. Now Doc and Kar begin a life and death struggle. They will battle to a standstill in New York and the body count rises as the stakes get higher.

Doc traces the secret of the Smoke of Eternity to a recent expedition to the Indian Ocean in which Jerome Coffern and another chemist, Gabe Yuder, were joined by adventurer Oliver Wording Bittman. Bittman was a friend of Doc’s father who saved Clark Sr.’s life by killing an African lion on safari. The three men found a strange volcanic land they called Thunder Island studded with minerals unknown elsewhere on earth and harboring all manner of extinct monsters including dinosaurs, flying reptiles, and enormous mammals. This is the most foreboding place on Earth. Doc saved Bittman from Kar’s henchmen and allowed him to join in the expedition back to Thunder Island. Gabe Yuder is the only one of the three that is unaccounted for and it seems that he is the villain Kar. Doc and his men travel to Thunder Island and confront danger on all sides, including a battle with a Tyrannosaurus Rex!

This is the second Doc Savage story in the original print order and it hit the newsstands in March 1933. It remains one of the best. Doc has not developed his code against killing at this point and he takes out several villains spectacularly. It should be noted that this story was on the newsstands the month before the movie King Kong which opened on 7 April 1933.

Own Land Of Terror today in Doc Savage Volume 14 for only $12.95 here at RadioArchives.com!


 

Deal of the DayHigh quality Audio, Pulp, and Classic DVDs! And at a fantastic price! Why, that’s the Radio Archives Deal of the Day!

The Deal of the Day is actually Three Deals at All Times! No limits! No minimum amount! Simply Great Products at Unbelievable Prices!

Every Day a Different Item is available at 10% Off.

If you’re into Pulp, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days to pick up a great Pulp deal at a 10% discount!

For The Next Two Weeks Only – 10 Hours of Radio’s Greatest Shows for 25% off!

Discover the magic of radio’s Golden Age with this handpicked selection of shows. Your mind’s eye will come alive with timeless mystery, comedy, science fiction and detective shows. Experience the greatness of the Nelson Family, Don Ameche and Francis Langford, as well as the genius of Ray Bradbury, Willis Cooper, Orson Welles, Jack Webb, and many more in this ten hour collection.

The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, The Aldrich Family, Baby Snooks, Beulah, The Bickersons, Big Town, The Bill Stern Colgate Sports Reel, Boston Blackie, Night Beat, Casey, Crime Photographer, Dimension X, X-Minus One, The Fred Allen Show, The Great Gildersleeve, Inner Sanctum Mysteries, Lights Out, The Lux Radio Theatre, Orson Welles Meets H.G. Wells, Pat Novak, For Hire, The Saint, The Unexpected, Lights Out. And it can be yours for $22.49, 25% off the regular price until October 20th at RadioArchives.com!

October Deal Of The Month – Bing Crosby: Screen Legends Collection for 50% off

Actor and crooner Bing Crosby had a rich, long film career and this collection features some of the best of his lesser-known films. Crosby is joined by costars such as Anthony Quinn, Joan Blondell, Gloria Jean, Betty Hutton, and more! And Bing lends his voice to such classics as “Sweet Leilani,” That Old Black Magic,” “Ac-cent-u-ate the Positive,” and many others! The collection is a great cross-section of Crosby’s career and shouldn’t be missed by fans of him or of American films of the 1930s and 1940s. The movies included are:

Waikiki Wedding (1937, directed by Frank Tuttle)

Double or Nothing (1937, directed by Theodore Reed)

East Side of Heaven (1939, directed by David Butler)

If I Had My Way (1940, directed by David Butler)

For the month of October this classic collection of Crosby films is half price at $13.49 from Radio Archives! Look for the yellow ‘Deal Of The Day’ price tag in the upper right hand corner of the home page and click it for a great deal Every Single Day from RadioArchives.com!

 
Comments From Our Customers!
 
D. Ernie Frick:
Your news letter is awesome.
 
Charles T. St. George:

I was just thinking how far Radio Archives has come since the days of snail mail. You deserve all the credit for making the right changes.

 
If you’d like to share a comment with us or if you have a question or a suggestion send an email to Service@RadioArchives.com. We’d love to hear from you!
 

The products you’ve read about in this newsletter are just a small fraction of what you’ll find waiting for you at RadioArchives.com. Whether it’s the sparkling audio fidelity of our classic radio collections, the excitement of our new line of audiobooks, or the timeless novels of the pulp heroes, you’ll find hundreds of intriguing items at RadioArchives.com.
 
If you no longer wish to receive our newsletter, or if this newsletter has been sent to you in error, please reply to this e-mail with the subject line UNSUBSCRIBE and your name will immediately be removed from our mailing list.

HOLLYWOOD, DOC, SPIDER, THE UNEXPECTED, AND MORE FROM RADIO ARCHIVES!

September 23, 2011

NEW RELEASE – The Lux Radio Theatre, Volume 3

“Lux Presents Hollywood!”
Hollywood’s greatest actors and best directors. Star level writing and production values. A world renowned Hollywood legend as the host. And a full hour weekly to showcase it all to the listening public. Sound like the perfect formula for a drama program from the Golden Age of Radio? It was and Radio Archives has it here for you, The Lux Radio Theatre Volume 3!
The Lux Radio Theatre, based in New York, premiered on the Blue Network October 14, 1934. The name derived from the show’s sponsor, Lux Soap from Lever Brothers. Although Lux began primarily as an anthology based on Broadway shows of the period, it recognized the value of Hollywood star power from the start. Stories abound of the various imaginative and cunning ways that scouts for Lux snagged top talent.
Even with creative recruitment techniques, The Lux Radio Theatre teetered on cancellation within a year of its debut, due largely to lack of available talent in New York. Even a move to CBS on July 29, 1935 didn’t change the downward spiral. Danny Denker, an executive with the ad agency handling the Lever Brothers account, advised that production values of The Lux Radio Theatre had to be opulent and top notch and that films, not Broadway shows, should be the focus, and most of all, the program had to come out of Hollywood, not New York.
Denker’s suggestions became fact on June 1, 1936 with the first Lux Radio Theatre program from Hollywood. And from the first show, opulent and top notch was the new standard for the program: budgeted at $17,000.00, more than half of that going to pay Marlene Dietrich and Clark Gable, the show’s leads, and acclaimed director Cecil B. Demille as host.
As the six programs in this third volume of Lux Radio Theatre clearly show, there were many reasons that this hour long program was a top-ten network show for much of its nearly twenty year run after moving to Hollywood and remains one of the most beloved shows by OTR collectors today. The programs spotlighted in this volume are from early 1939 and are headlined by the seminal Hollywood talent of the era, including James Cagney and Maureen O’Sullivan. That combined with the sparkling audio quality of this newly restored and remastered set makes Radio Archive’s third volume of The Lux Radio Theatre an absolute must-have for OTR fans. Priced at only $17.98 for the six hour Audio CD set or $11.98 for the Digital Download version, you’ll want to add this to your personal collection today.



Radio Reviews of “The Unexpected Volume 1”
By Tommy Hancock


Even though it seems that all the audio gems that could be discovered from the Golden Age of Radio have been available for years, there are still several hidden treasures that haven’t been heard in many cases since the first time some radio station played them fifty or more years ago. Thanks to the work of Radio Archives, one such program, The Unexpected has risen from past obscurity and can be appreciated for all of its genre smashing greatness.
Produced by Hamilton-Whitney Productions for syndication in 1947, The Unexpected is a program consisting of fifteen minute long episodes, each one a self-contained tale involving some sort of situation that a protagonist found him or herself in, one usually of their own making, that led to adventure, action, or simply general chaos. Also, each show ended in exactly the same way. A resolution would be presented, seemingly the end of the episode, then the disturbingly deep voice of the announcer interrupted with “You think the story is over, don’t you? But wait! Fate takes a hand. Wait for the Unexpected!”
The Unexpected Volume 1 is just that, an unexpected treat for a variety of reasons. First, the cast pool that Hamilton-Whitney drew from consisted mostly of excellent character actors, like Barry Sullivan, Lyle Talbot, and Lurene Tuttle, many of which had experience behind the radio microphone as well. Even when there are flubs on the part of someone like Sullivan or Tuttle, it adds realism to the performance, accenting the anxiety already building for the character.
As mentioned, the scripts provided for The Unexpected are shining examples of just what a skillful writer can do with about twelve minutes of story. The pacing is frenetic, from the usually already in progress feel of the beginning all the way through the shock ending. Even though some of the outcomes may seem cliché to a modern audience, listeners will find they don’t care because they are caught up in the flow of the story. Add in the haunting melody of the theme music and the unassuming, yet unsettling tones of the announcer, and the production values of The Unexpected make this stand out well amongst other similar shows
The Unexpected is a stand out show that blends horror, mystery, adventure, and even a touch of comedy every once in a while. Stories in this volume range from adventure yarns like ‘Unknown Cargo’ to slice of life situations such as ‘Birthday Present’ and even into the realm of predestined justice with tales like ‘The Cripple.’ Each show is the audio equivalent of flipping through the yellowed pages of an old Pulp magazine, not knowing what thrills lay ahead. Excellent performances, dead on pacing, twist endings, and quality audio remastering insure that The Unexpected Volume One is one of the best series of its type! And it is available from Radio Archives for only $14.98 for the five hour CD collection or $9.98 for the Digital Download version.


31 New Digital Download sets now available
RA001 One Man’s Family, Vol 1                           RA002 Mr. President, Vol 1
RA005 Little Orphan Annie                                    RA008 The Shadow of Fu Manchu
RA009 The Kraft Music Hall starring Al Jolson   RA016 Frontier Town
RA017 The Milton Berle Show                              RA020 Dr. Christian

RA031 The Complete Cinnamon Bear                RA027 Birds Eye Open House, starring Dinah Shore

RA037 Mr. President, Vol 2                                    RA039 Richard Diamond, Private Detective, Vol 1
RA045 Matinee with Bob and Ray, Vol 1             RA064 One Man’s Family, Vol 2
RA068 Komedy Kingdom                                       RA079 The Big Bands on One Night Stand, Vol 1
RA080 The Mercury Theatre on the Air                RA082 The Big Bands on One Night Stand, Vol 2
RA083 MGM Theatre of the Air                              RA085 Mystery House
RA127 The Couple Next Door                               RA128 Screen Director’s Playhouse
RA131 Space Patrol, Vol 1                                     RA156 Imperial Leader
RA158 Date with the Duke                                     RA160 Curtain Time, Vol 1 
RA169 Luke Slaughter of Tombstone                  RA163 The Big Bands on One Night Stand, Vol 3
RA171 Command Performance, Vol 1                 RA174 All-Star Western Theatre
RA178 Radio Hall of Fame, Vol 1
RadioArchives.com continues to bring the best of the Past to You via the technology of Today! With Digital Downloads, the amazing quality audio content that Radio Archives is known for can be yours on your phone, computer, iPod or portable device! Set at a great price with immediate delivery once you click and purchase, the audio you love from Radio Archives is available now as Digital Downloads! Click here to see all the sets available for download.
The Spider Arrives in First Audiobook

RadioArchives.com takes pulp audiobooks to a new and exciting level, with the release of Prince of the Red Looters, the first Spider audiobook, coming October 7.
Producer Roger Rittner says, “Prince of the Red Looters will be a stunning addition to RadioArchives.com‘s audiobook line. This action-packed story will have two stars of stage and film narrating and voicing the character parts. Nick Santa Maria and Robin Riker have done outstanding work in this exciting novel-length adventure of the classic pulp hero, The Spider.
“Nick has the perfect voice to narrate the fantastic adventures of The Spider. And Robin, who played Pat Savage in The Adventures of Doc Savage, has turned in a stellar performance as his companion and confidant, Nita Van Sloane, as well as other female characters.
“This new and exciting audiobook enhanced with sound effects and full music score takes you on a roller-coaster ride of danger, action, thrills, and adventure.”
In Prince of the Red Looters, The Spider faces one of his most cunning criminal enemies The Fly! The Fly’s ruthlessly efficient crime organization commits a chain of bold and deadly atrocities on New York City, while The Fly taunts The Spider in a series of ever more dangerous duels.
“The result is a listening experience that will thrill every fan of audiobooks and pulp fiction,” Roger says.
Listeners who have previewed early chapters are enthused:
* “It’s excellent. Really held my attention. I think it works wonderfully.”
* “An exceptional job.”
* “The results are amazing.”
Prince of the Red Looters will be available in a six-CD set at $19.98, and an MP3 Digital Download at just $14.98.


Doc Savage Audiobooks Continue to Delight Fans
RadioArchives.com‘s first two Doc Savage audiobooks, Will Murray’s Python Isle and White Eyes, continue to attract and delight Doc fans as well as those just discovering the greatest adventure hero of the 1930s.
Narrator Michael McConnohie’s extended audio-visual sampler of Python Isle, the first Doc Savage audiobook, is available for viewing on the Python Isle Liner Notes in the Audiobook category. Python Isle will soon be available at selected comic book retailers.
White Eyes narrator Richard Epcar has been talking up the second Doc Savage audiobooks at recent comic and video game conventions, and says many of his fans are enthusiastic when they learn about the adventure hero.
Python Isle and White Eyes are available in impressive CD sets, as digital downloads, and also in special Signed Director’s Editions.
New Pulp Fiction Reprints
Need a dose of Action?  Want to infuse some Adventure into your every day life?  Do you need a Hero?  Then find all of that and more in the classic pulp novel reprints from RadioArchives.com featuring the greatest heroes, the highest adventure, and the most action from the best Pulp Fiction has to offer!
Doc Savage, Volume 51: Halloween Special
The Pulp Era’s legendary superhero follows terror trails in classic thrillers by Harold A. Davis and Lester Dent writing as “Kenneth Robeson.” First, the Man of Bronze journeys to “The Land of Fear” hidden deep within Africa to discover the deadly secret behind the “skeleton death” that dissolves human flesh to the bone. Then, a grisly vampire murder in the lobby of his own headquarters building leads Doc Savage and his beautiful cousin Patricia to the South Atlantic in pursuit of “The Fiery Menace.” This classic pulp reprint showcases the original color pulp covers by Robert G. Harris and Emery Clarke, Paul Orban’s classic interior illustrations and a behind-the-scenes article by Will Murray, writer of eight Doc Savage novels. Only $14.95 at RadioArchives.com


The Shadow, Volume 53: Vampire Triple Feature!
The Knight of Darkness investigates deadly vampire attacks in two heart-stopping chillers by Walter Gibson writing as “Maxwell Grant” and a classic radio mystery! First, the Master of Darkness must battle a giant vampire bat and enter the dangerous “Garden of Death” to discover the secret behind a deadly drug monopoly. Then, The Shadow enters haunted Haldrew Hall to unearth the bloody secret behind “The Vampire Murders” in a sequel to the legendary Victorian thriller, “Varney the Vampire.” BONUS: “Vampires Prowl by Night,” a lost thriller from the Golden Age of Radio! This instant collector’s item showcases both classic pulp covers by George Rozen, the original interior illustrations by Paul Orban and commentary by popular-culture historians Anthony Tollin and Will Murray. Available now for $14.95.


The Spider, Volume 20
The Spider returns in two thrill-packed adventures!  First, in The Devil’s Candlesticks, Only the Spider can combat a mystic murder spell turning the rich into ruthless fiends has fallen over Manhattan! Then, in Revolt Of The Underworld, America’s most ruthless criminals, led by the Fox, have declared war on the Spider. Nita Van Sloan apparently murdered! Richard Wentworth framed! Can the Spider successfully clear his name and find his beloved fiancé?  All this and more for $14.95 from RadioArchives.com!

Review of “Crime, Insured” from The Shadow, Volume 1
By John Olsen

“Crime, Insured” was originally published in the July 1, 1937 issue of The Shadow Magazine. A new racket has sprung up in Manhattan: crime insurance. Crime has gone ultra-modern. Bigshots have discarded old-fashioned methods and are now insuring their crimes against failure. But can they insure against intervention by that master of the night, The Shadow?
Nearly all of The Shadow’s agents appear in this story. Not only the main agents who are captured, but some of the secondary or “reserve” agents appear as well. Criminologist Slade Farrow shows up along with his assistant Tapper, whose expertise at picking a lock is second only to The Shadow. Giant African Jericho Druke is another reserve agent who appears. Doctor Rupert Sayre joins in to assist with some radio direction finding tasks.The New York Police is represented by Commissioner Ralph Weston and ace inspector Joe Cardona. Both get small parts, and don’t get to do much. Still, it’s nice to see them included here.
It’s mentioned that The Shadow is an expert at jujutsu. This isn’t the only time his martial arts abilities have been mentioned, but it’s nice to see them specifically identified.
In 1933s story “The Black Hush,” an amazing invention was detailed. A black-ray machine that could suppress all electrical activity. That machine reappears in this story, four years later. The black ray machine plays an important part in the rescue of the agents. Also, that strange code that The Shadow uses, the one that’s comprised of a silent eye-code shows up again. This time it’s Burbank who uses it to communicate with the other agents during their confinement. “Glances, with simple shifts of gaze, enabled them to spell out secret messages.”
This story is one of the pivotal ones in the saga of The Shadow. Read as The Shadow battles the boldest and most amazing racket in the history of modern crime, and nearly loses his entire organization in the bargain. Yup, this is the one. And it is available from Radio Archives in The Shadow Volume 1 for $12.95.

Will Murray’s New Doc Savage Book: The Desert Demons
by Lester Dent and Will Murray, writing as Kenneth Robeson

The Ultimate Pulp Hero is back after 20 years! Doc Savage and his mighty crew return in a brand-new series of nightmare exploits that can only be called The Wild Adventures of Doc Savage!
Ferocious blood-red Things drop down from the sky! The state of California is besieged by the Desert Demons, a phenomenon so fierce that it triggers a modern exodus! Only Doc Savage, the scientist-superman forged in the fires of scientific knowledge to battle the unknown, is equal to the challenge. From the Hollywood hills to the alligator-infested interior of Florida, the Man of Bronze wages war with cyclonic monsters that seem to possess an intelligence of their own and a murderous malevolence that smacks of the unearthly!
From ideas crafted by Pulp Legend Lester Dent, noted Pulp Author and Historian Will Murray uses his incredible storytelling skills to bring life once more to the penultimate fiction Hero of the 20th Century! Before Comic books there were pulps and before four color heroes, there was Doc Savage! And, thanks to Will Murray, Doc is most definitely Back in this first of The Wild Adventures of Doc Savage series.
The Desert Demons – Written by Will Murray! Based on concepts by Lester Dent! Cover Illustration by Joe DeVito! Get your copy today from RadioArchives.com for only $24.95!


Praise for The Desert Demons
My cover arrived today; it is fabulous! Without a doubt or hesitation it is worth every single penny! I hope fans recognize what a super bargain this volume is and support this release. From cover to cover this book remind me of times when publishers really took pride in their books; you folks obviously do and it shows! As always, I hope y’all know just how much Doc fans appreciate these new adventures! Will, you have really outdone yourself with this one; great fun! Wishing you all the very best!
Link Hullar
The Desert Demons resurrects Doc Savage and his friends in a way Lester Dent would be proud of. Will Murray, who fleshes out this novel from some previously unpublished notes and material written by Dent in the mid-thirties, seems at times to be channeling Dent in an almost supernatural way. Certainly The Desert Demons is a novel every fan of Doc Savage will not just enjoy, but thrill to. This one, certainly did.
Gerald W. Page, editor The Years’ Best Horror Stories
This took me back to my youth, when I spent summer afternoons avidly reading musty back issues of Doc Savage Magazine. It’s all here – the fantastic other-worldly menace, Doc’s crew of five, his cousin Pat, and the pre-World War 2 world of the ’30s. What more could I ask?
Ted White, author of The Great Gold Steal
A “lost” novel of the Man of Bronze, conceived in the 1930s by the great Kenneth Robeson and written by his brilliant successor, famed adventure novelist Will Murray the real Doc Savage lives again!
Richard Kyle, editor, Argosy


Deal of the Day

Deal of the Day

Looking for the best in quality Audio, Pulps, and classic DVDs at a price you just can’t beat? Then you’re in the right place for Radio Archive’s Deal Of The Day!
Not only is one item available daily at a discount, but there are Three Deals at All Times with the Deal of the Day! No limits! No minimum amount! Simply Great Products at Unbelievable Prices!
Every Day a Different Item is available at 10% Off. If you’re into Pulp, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days to pick up a great Pulp deal at a 10% discount!
For The Next Two Weeks Only – 4 Hours of Western Audio Adventure for 25% off!
OTR and Pulp fans alike will thrill to the six gun two fisted action of yesteryear with this fantastic 4 hour set of classic Radio Westerns. Stars such as Jeff Chandler, Guy Madison, Roy Rogers, and Gene Autry as well as classic Western characters like Wild Bill Hickok and The Cisco Kid make this Western set a must have for fans of Cowboys and Frontier Justice! And until October 6th, it’s available for $14.98, 25% percent off regular price!
September Deal Of The Month – Zorro: The Masked Avenger
Out of the old Spanish West comes Zorro! Relive the classic tales of Zorro, the defender of the common people, the masked hero of the oppressed riding right out of the old Spanish West! This 3-DVD set features three classic movie serials from Hollywood’s Golden Age plus the 1936 feature length film “The Bold Caballero”. Swashbuckling sword slinging at its best for only $14.98, 50% off regular price! for the entire month of September!
Look for the yellow ‘Deal Of The Day’ price tag in the upper right hand corner of the home page and click it for a great deal Every Single Day from RadioArchives.com!


Comments From Our Customers!
Steven Goodrich writes:
Thanks for the response. You have a great company there. Keep up the good work.
Andy Howells reviews The New Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes Volume 1 and writes:
“a new collection of rare radio plays from the 1940s recently released by Radio Archives retells some of Holmes greatest escapades from the armchair of his closest ally, Dr Watson and despite the age of the recordings have excellent sound quality. The presentation and pace of the stories is very good and in all examples have a beginning, middle and end making them very listenable and enjoyable.
Steve Sher writes:
Listened to “Suspense” on the way home tonight–lots of traffic–and was held spellbound by “Donovan’s Brain.” Just had to tell you!
Gil Wilson says of The Unexpected Volume 1:
“This collection is perfect for any fan of mystery, thrillers, suspense and old time radio. If you are just plain curious, check them out they are a lot of fun, especially because the end of each story is Unexpected.”
If you’d like to share a comment with us or if you have a question or a suggestion send an email to Service@RadioArchives.com. We’d love to hear from you!


RADIO ARCHIVE BRINGS HOLMES HOME! AND MORE!



August 26, 2011

Harlan Zinck, a long time member of the Radio Archives family, has moved on to take advantage of new opportunities. Radio Archives wishes Harlan all the best in his future endeavors.

Starting with this issue, the Radio Archives Newsletter will be bi-weekly and emailed to you every other Friday afternoon. Tommy Hancock, a good friend and supporter of the Archives, joins the Archives as editor of this newsletter. Tommy is one of the bright lights in New Pulp. A partner in a publishing company, Tommy is an author with many fiction short stories and one published novel to his credit. Tommy also runs a Pulp convention each year while maintaining several blogs and a podcast.


We are excited that the infrastructure of our website has been dramatically upgraded and you should see a much faster and snappier website.

Stay tuned for the same great info and quality you’ve come to know and for a few new surprises as well, all from RadioArchives.com!



The World’s Greatest Detective Back On The Case
NEW RELEASE – The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 2

Created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, the character of Sherlock Holmes was a fixture of American broadcasting almost from the beginning of network radio. First heard over NBC in the fall of 1930, Holmes and Dr. John Watson – his friend, right-hand man, and chronicler (his “Boswell” as Holmes called him) – were portrayed by a number of actors on screen and on radio throughout the 1930s. Most definitely the appearance of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the 1939 20th Century Fox film “The Hound of the Baskervilles” created, for many, the perfect embodiment of the characters. Because of this, Rathbone and Bruce would come to be seen as Holmes and Watson in the flesh for the next six years – both on radio, in series for NBC and Mutual, and in a lengthy series of second features made for both Fox and Universal through 1945.
By the middle of 1946, however, Basil Rathbone had grown weary of playing Holmes – so much so, in fact, that he refused to sign a lucrative seven-year radio contract. And so, at the end of the 1945-46 season, the producers of “The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” faced the necessity of finding another actor to play the leading part – and, after considering a number of talented members of Hollywood’s British colony, happened upon the name of Tom Conway.
Born in Russia and educated in England, Tom Conway was certainly no stranger to the detective genre, having taken over the movie role of The Falcon from his brother George Sanders in 1942. His seasoned acting abilities gave him the ability to adopt a voice and delivery very similar to that of Basil Rathbone, performing his lines in much the same clipped and precise way that his predecessor had done. He quickly acquainted himself with the role and, in the company of Nigel Bruce – who opted to stay with the series in exchange for being assigned star billing in the weekly adventures – was introduced as Sherlock Holmes in October of 1946. Also, in 1946, the series moved from the Mutual network to ABC – the former Blue Network – and was given a few more production values to boost interest, as well as a new sponsor – the Semler Company, promoting their Kreml Hair Tonic and Shampoo.
Unfortunately, due to a combination of Rathbone’s departure and the inevitable loss of interest in a series that had been on the air for over six years led to both Conway and Bruce leaving the roles at the end of the 1946/47 season. “The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” would return the following season, moving from Hollywood to New York and recast with John Stanley and Alfred Shirley in the leading roles which is also available from RadioArchives.com.
Heard today, “The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes”, with Tom Conway and Nigel Bruce, not only retain their entertainment value but compare quite favorably with the earlier series with Rathbone. Conway is indeed quite good as Holmes and Nigel Bruce, though often disdained by the “Baker Street Irregulars” who prefer their Conan Doyle adventures straight, is always charming as the sometimes baffled but always loyal Dr. Watson. Wisely, the producers retained the framing device of Watson introducing each story from the cozy scene of his fireside, retired (as radio would have it) comfortably in California.
This collection offers ten full length broadcasts of “The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” starring Tom Conway and Nigel Bruce, all taken from the original reference recordings and beautifully restored for outstanding audio fidelity. If you’re a long-time fan of “the world’s greatest consulting detective”, or if you just love a good mystery, you’ll definitely want to add The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 2 to your collection today priced at only $14.98 for the five Audio CD set or $9.98 for the Digital Download.
Celebrating Sherlock Means More Holmes For You!
With the debut of The New Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 2, Radio Archives is celebrating Sherlock Holmes for the next two weeks! And you’re invited to the party!
Radio Archives, in association with Moonstone Entertainment, commissioned the beautifully rendered art for this collection from Timothy Lantz. Radio Archives is proud to offer you Moonstone’s comic take on the World’s Greatest Detective as part of a limited time promotion!
Buy any of the Sherlock Holmes products listed below from now until the next newsletter is released and RadioArchives.com will automatically include for absolutely FREE The Sherlock Holmes Mysteries, Volume One, a Graphic Novel from Moonstone, normally priced at $22.95. No coupon code required.

Order one of the following Audio CDs or DVD:

The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 2
Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1 from Nostalgia Ventures
Sherlock Holmes, Volume 2 from Nostalgia Ventures
Sherlock Holmes (Classic Television Series) DVD
And with your order, you’ll be able to thrill to the World’s Greatest Detective combating Dracula and the Invisible Man in Sherlock Holmes Mysteries, Volume One from Moonstone for FREE! Offer good for the next two weeks. (The bonus offer does not apply to the Download versions of these products)
New Digital Downloads Now Available
Laugh out loud at the lovable neighbor Harold Peary made famous – The Great Gildersleeve!
RA006 The Great Gildersleeve, Volume 1
RA035 The Great Gildersleeve, Volume 2
Dive into the original Medical Drama with The Story of Dr. Kildare!
RA018 The Story of Dr. Kildare, Volume 1
RA048 The Story of Dr. Kildare, Volume 2
Ride the Vocal Range with America’s Singing Cowboy – Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch!
RA104 Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch, Volume 1
RA126 Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch, Volume 2

Follow Ann Sothern’s antics as that Jill-of-all-trades – The Adventures of Maisie!

RA157 The Adventures of Maisie, Volume 1
RA197 The Adventures of Maisie, Volume 2

Find Mystery, Intrigue, and Espionage in The Adventures of Frank Race!
RA170 The Adventures of Frank Race, Volume 1
RA191 The Adventures of Frank Race, Volume 2
Fighting his way from Dime Novels to Radio – The Adventures of Frank Merriwell!
RA101 The Adventures of Frank Merriwell, Volume 1
RA203 The Adventures of Frank Merriwell, Volume 2
Digital Downloads from RadioArchives.com literally give you the best of everything. The same sparkling high quality audio content as our compact disc collections at a reduced price; Delivery immediately upon payment and the ability to play them on your phone, computer, iPod or portable device! Purchase the audio collections you love and enjoy them in a whole new way. Click here to see all the sets available for download.

New in Pulp Fiction: Doc Savage Volume 50 and The Shadow Volume 52

Anyone living in the world today knows that true heroes are very hard to come by. But, in the pulp fiction world of the 1930s and 1940s, heroes were always on watch to fight the criminals and evildoers that threatened our way of life. You’ll find proof of this in the two new double-novel pulp reprints now available from RadioArchives.com, featuring the top heroes from this Golden Age of literary entertainment:

Doc Savage Volume 50
The Pulp Era’s greatest superman journeys to the American West in classic pulp thrillers by Lester Dent writing as “Kenneth Robeson.” First, a bequest from a dying scientist leads Doc Savage to Death Valley in search of a long-dead pirate’s legendary treasure. Can this amazing invention allow The Pirate’s Ghost to speak from beyond the grave? Then, the Man of Bronze goes undercover at a Wyoming dude ranch to solve the bizarre puzzle of a strange Green Eagle with lead feathers. This special anniversary edition showcases the original color pulp covers by Emery Clarke, Paul Orban’s classic interior illustrations and an intriguing article by The Shadow’s famous raconteur, Walter B. Gibson. Priced at $14.95.

 

The Shadow Volume 52

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows! The Knight of Darkness wages war on criminal masterminds in two thrilling pulp novels by Walter Gibson and Theodore Tinsley writing as “Maxwell Grant.” First, The Shadow executes a deadly chess game with The Crime Master, an underworld kingpin whose amazing superbrain rivals his own. Who will have the last laugh? Then, the Master of Darkness seeks to unmask The Fifth Napoleon, the master plotter who commands New York’s four most powerful crime lords. This instant collectors’ item features both classic cover paintings by George Rozen, the original interior pulp illustrations by Tom Lovell, historical commentary by popular culture historian Will Murray plus a biographical article by Anthony Tollin on Frank Readick,.”The Man with The Shadow’s Laugh.” Available for only $14.95.



Knowing The Shadow
Reviews Of The Shadow Pulp Tales By John Olsen

“The Golden Vulture” was published in the July 15, 1938 issue of The Shadow Magazine. It was actually written much earlier, in July of 1932. And it was written, not by Walter Gibson, but Lester Dent – the same Lester Dent who would begin writing the adventures of Doc Savage a few months later. It is the only Shadow pulp mystery ever written by Lester Dent, and was greatly revised by Walter Gibson before its 1938 publication, all which makes it a unique collaboration between the two.

The Golden Vulture is an unseen master criminal who extorts millions from wealthy men of society. He controls a vast empire of gangsters who do his every bidding. He communicates his instructions to his minions via small golden statues of a vulture which can receive and transmit radio and television signals. Who is The Golden Vulture? Who will be his next victim? And who can stop him? Only The Shadow can stop this super fiend’s quest for power and wealth!
Many of Lester Dent’s famous touches are evident in this story — little things that would later show up in his Doc Savage stories. Great strength, for example. The Shadow, as described by the pen of Lester Dent, is capable of great strength. Even Walter Gibson’s Shadow was exceedingly strong, but Dent’s description of The Shadow’s display of strength seems quite familiar to anyone who has read Doc Savage. His grip is that of steel bands. He easily overpowers a foe of tremendous strength and throws him through a door, reducing it to splinters. And then, there’s the gadgets. Lester Dent loved to use gadgets in his stories. And although Walter Gibson enjoyed using them in his Shadow stories as well, he employed far fewer of them than did Dent. In this story, the coolest gadget of all is the actual statues of The Golden Vulture. Most are small statuettes of under two feet tall. But their insides contain enough electronics to receive and transmit both audio and video as well as enough explosive charges to create tremendous destruction.
We also see the touch of Walter Gibson in this story. He keeps the character of The Shadow true to the version readers had come to recognize in 1938. The Shadow creates a temporary sanctum in Miami, where he puts his thoughts to paper with pen and disappearing ink. The Shadow has strange but vague powers to compel others to do his wishes. He communicates secret messages by the use of slightly emphasized words in otherwise seemingly innocent announcements. He disappears from the back of taxi-cabs, leaving a five dollar bill on the seat. He is a master of disguise, who can make himself faultlessly appear as others.
I really enjoyed reading this partial collaboration of Dent and Gibson, and I think you will too. You’ll appreciate the exotic locations and gadgets typical of Doc Savage, mixed with the moody atmosphere and frenetic action of Walter Gibson’s Shadow. A very unique story, and one that is definitely recommended!

Read The Golden Vulture and another Shadow tale when you get your copy of The Shadow, Volume 1 available at RadioArchives.com for only $12.95.

AUDIOBOOKS



Special Collectors’ Editions of Audiobooks
Attention collectors and autograph seekers! Here’s a special offer just made for you.

RadioArchives.com’s two new audiobooks, Python Isle and White Eyes, are now available in special signed limited editions, available only from RadioArchives.com!

Each Special Edition CD set is autographed by the entire production team including author Will Murray, producer/director Roger Rittner, and the voice actors and recordist. They come with a special bookplate to certify their authenticity.
There are only 50 copies of each set available. There will be no more.
These special collector editions are available for just $45.98 for Python Isle, and $51.98 for White Eyes. That includes the complete set of CDs, plus the autographed case, and certified bookplate.



White Eyes Reviews Are Stunning

Reviews are starting to come in for White Eyes, the latest audiobook from RadioArchives.com. And they’re just as enthusiastic as the reviews for our first audiobook, Python Isle.

Stephen Brandt at Audiobook Heaven says:

“The whole idea behind these Doc Savage productions is to give them the feel of an old-time radio program. Richard Epcar achieved this with his radio-announcer voice, and his melodramatic characterizations. White Eyes is narrated in 3D stereo, with Epcar’s narration coming through the center channel, and his character voices coming from the right or left, putting the listener right in the middle. Add to this Radio Archive’s crystal clear reproduction technology, and you have a cinema quality extravaganza.”

At The Retroist, Vic Sage says:

“… you can really tell how much work the likes of Roger Rittner and of course Radio Archives puts into these audiobooks. The sound is crisp and clear and they make sure to get a narrator that can not only portray the Man of Bronze and his “fabulous five” but EVERY character in the tale as well, and they’ve chosen wisely with Richard Epcar.



I have to say that in Chapter 28 “Gangdom’s Long Arm” I was pacing the floor in front of the radio, since this is a chapter where Doc Savage’s skyscraper headquarters comes under siege by the united criminal underworld. That I think is the greatest compliment I can give to Radio Archives and Will Murray, the writing and production is so strong that I actually got nervous for Doc Savage and his friends!”

http://www.retroist.com/2011/08/17/radio-archives-doc-savage-white-eyes-review/

And don’t miss narrator Michael McConnohie’s exclusive “Python Isle” promotional video, including a number of dialog excerpts (scroll to the bottom of the page):

http://www.radioarchives.com/Doc_Savage_Python_Isle_Audiobook_p/401.html 

Deal of the Day – Great Quality Great Price


Radio Archives not only offers the finest Audio and Pulp Products, but we also give you awesome bargains with the RadioArchives.com Deal Of The Day! You can take advantage of Three Deals at All Times with the Deal of the Day!
Every Day a Different Item is available at 10% Off. If you’re into Pulp, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days to pick up a great Pulp deal at a 10% discount!
Every two weeks as the newsletter comes out, a different item is available at 25% off from RadioArchives.com
Each month, one item is 50% off for the entire month!
Enjoy Quality. Enjoy Savings. Take advantage of the Deal of the Day from RadioArchives.com!




Hearing From You!
Comments From Customers!
Greg Burton listened to Let George Do It and writes:
I am so glad you have made the radio shows available as downloads. I started collecting old radio shows in mp3 format in 1995 and have listened regularly (daily) since that time. Last year I purchased a CD from you (“Let George Do It”), and since you have been making shows available as a download, I have purchased three items from you. I have been amazingly surprised how much more I enjoy listening to your top-quality productions. I did not think it would make that big of a difference, but it does. I can’t thank you enough. There are many more that over time I will purchase. I get on your site regularly to see if you have any new releases.
Find out for yourself what Greg is talking about! Pick up an Old Time Radio Classic, on CD or by Digital Download, today from RadioArchives.com!

LOOK INTO WHITE EYES THIS WEEK WITH DOC SAVAGE AND RADIO ARCHIVES!


July 29, 2011

It’s the Radio Archives Newsletter!
* New Doc Savage Audiobook: “White Eyes”
* New in Pulp Fiction: The Spider Volume 20, Doc Savage Volume 49, and The Shadow Volume 51
* New in Digital Downloads
* Deal of the Day
* The Critics Love “Python Isle”
* New in Classic Radio: Claudia, Volume 5

New Doc Savage Audiobook: “White Eyes”
The place: New York City. During the depths of the Great Depression, in the shadow of streamlined skyscrapers, reporters scramble for clues about an insidious wave of bizarre deaths – everyday citizens struck dead, the eyes in their lifeless bodies turned a sightless and ghastly white. The Blind Death has the teeming city paralyzed with fear; in desperation, civic leaders turn to the one man who can discover who or what is behind this gruesome series of murders: Doc Savage, the Man of Bronze.

From his offices high above the city, Doc and his band of trusted colleagues soon uncover a terrifying scheme to gather together all of the city’s criminal elements as a single and seemingly undefeatable force. Their intent: to seize the wealth of the Man of Bronze and destroy him once and for all!

“White Eyes”, the second in a new line of audiobook adventures from RadioArchives.com, is an epic tale of crime from the pen of Will Murray, heir apparent to Lester Dent, creator of Doc Savage. Featuring dramatic narration by Richard Epcar, “White Eyes” is a roller coaster ride of action and excitement that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Produced and directed by Roger Rittner, who joined with Will Murray to bring you both “The Adventures of Doc Savage” radio series and the thrilling audiobook “Python Isle”, “White Eyes” brings you ten hours of engrossing entertainment. Now available as both a ten audio compact disc collection priced at Just $31.98 and a ten hour digital download priced at Just $21.98, this new release from RadioArchives.com also features evocative cover art by Joe DeVito and two fascinating and exclusive audio interviews with the author.

Join the Man of Bronze for a suspenseful tale of action and adventure in “White Eyes”, the new Doc Savage audiobook now available from RadioArchives.com!

New in Pulp Fiction: The Spider Volume 20, Doc Savage Volume 49 and The Shadow Volume 51If you’re a fan of pulp fiction, you know that, in the 1930s and 1940s, there were three heroes who dominated the newsstands of America: the mysterious enemy of the underworld known as The Shadow, the tall and muscular Doc Savage, and a troubled and vengeful vigilante known as The Spider. Here at RadioArchives.com, we’re delighted to carry a full line of double novel reprints featuring all three of these iconic supermen – including three new books that have just been released:

“The Spider Volume 20” features two thrill-packed adventures written by Norvell Page and Wayne Rogers under the pseudonym of Grant Stockbridge. First, in “The Devil’s Candlesticks”, a mystic murder spell falls over Manhattan, transforming America’s moneyed aristocracy into ruthless fiends and criminals. Only The Spider can battle a horror league that has turned America’s most wealthy citizens into lawless butchers! Then, in “Revolt of the Underworld”, America’s most ruthless criminals declare war on the Spider. Organized by the Fox, this tireless and devious band have succeeded in framing Richard Wentworth for the apparent murder of his fiancé Nita Van Sloan. Can the Spider successfully clear his name while also searching for the whereabouts of his beloved fiancée?

Then, in “Doc Savage Volume 49”, you’ll thrill as the Man of Bronze and his daredevil cousin Patricia Savage battle deadly menaces in two classic pulp novels by Lester Dent, writing as Kenneth Robeson: “The Terror in the Navy” and “Waves of Death”.

Finally, in “The Shadow Volume 51”, the Knight of Darkness battles strange supercrime in two thrillers by Walter Gibson: “The Living Joss” and “Judge Lawless”.

These beautifully formatted issues, priced at Just $14.95 each, feature classic cover art, interior illustrations, full-length stories reformatted for relaxed reading, and many special features to add to your enjoyment. Radio Archives carries the latest issues of these exciting publications, plus all of the back issues as well, ensuring you hours of edge-of-your-seat entertainment. Be sure to stop by RadioArchives.com and pick up your copies of these new releases right away!
New in Digital Downloads
For years, entertainment on the go meant a transistor radio or a portable 8-track or cassette player. But nowadays, thanks to the new digital technologies, you can travel the world and take a world of entertainment with you to enjoy along the way!

Whether you enjoy your entertainment on your laptop, your cell phone, or one of the many small portable devices now available, when you’re on the go, be sure to take the great sounding radio shows and audiobooks from Radio Archives right along with you. All of our digital downloads offer the same impressive audio fidelity as our compact disc collections and are available to you around the world around the clock at RadioArchives.com. And, best of all, with digital downloads, you’ll pay no postage or delivery charges!

This week, we’re excited to feature our new line of audiobooks for digital download – including the Doc Savage adventures “Python Isle” and “White Eyes”. “The Adventures of Doc Savage” radio series is downloadable, too, as well as radio classics like the long-lost daytime serial “Claudia”, the mystery whodunits of “Philo Vance”, the bizarre tales of “The Unexpected”, and the hilarious misadventures of “Fibber McGee and Molly”. Whether you’re a fan of drama, westerns, comedy, detectives, or musical variety, you’ll find it on the Digital Downloads page at RadioArchives.com. Place your order, download your shows and, within minutes, you’ll be enjoying some delightful audio entertainment.

Digital downloads from Radio Archive give you the best of everything: great shows, great selection, great sound quality, and all at great prices, too! Stop by RadioArchives.com today and see what’s waiting for you!Deal of the DayLooking for a great deal in entertainment? Then you can’t go wrong with the Deal of the Day, a new feature now available at RadioArchives.com!

When you visit our home page, look for the bright yellow Deal of the Day tag on the top right hand side. Click on it and you’ll see today’s special deal. Sometimes a pulp reprint, other times a book, a DVD, or a compact disc collection, these limited time bargains are available at a fraction of their regular price – and there’s no minimum purchase required! Whether you want just that day’s special deal or whether you add it to the rest of your order with RadioArchives.com, the price you see is the price you’ll pay – and that price will reflect a discount of 10, 20, or even 50 percent off the retail price!

But remember: the Deal of the Day may change at any time! If you like what you see, order it right away; wait and it may be gone!

Visit RadioArchives.com often and check out the Deal of the Day. It’s a great way to stretch your budget, add to your personal library, and enjoy some timeless entertainment!
The Critics Love “Python Isle”For well over a decade, Radio Archives has maintained only the highest standards of quality, making our reputation by offering the very best audio fidelity, packaging, and customer service. So, when we decided to begin producing our own line of audiobooks, we wanted to make sure that they were the very best you could get anywhere at any price – and, thanks to the impressive talents of producer/director Roger Rittner and the skills of our world-class narrator Michael McConnohie, “Python Isle” had not only met but exceeded our standards and expectations.

But don’t take our word for it! Here are some reviews that have recently appeared:

In “Mass Movement Magazine”, Tim Cundle writes:
“It’s an incredible tale of an ancient tribe of Solomon, a queen and a sorcerer locked in political struggle, pirates, New York gangsters, undiscovered islands, lost explorers, hijacked zeppelins and much, much, much more. Michael McConnohie’s narration is nothing short of breath taking, capturing Dent and Murray’s frantic pacing perfectly whilst bringing each and every character to glorious life. ‘Python Isle’ is an astonishing accomplishment that I can’t recommend highly enough. Brilliant. Just…Brilliant.”

In “Comics Bulletin”, Penny Kenny writes:
“The skillful use of language and vocabulary is one of the delights of the story, and narrator Michael McConnohie’s smooth, rich voice is more than up to the task of bringing it to life for the listener. Without overdoing it, McConnohie brings out the humor in lines that could easily be glided over, and he creates tension simply by the way he reads a passage. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to read a Doc Savage book again without hearing McConnohie’s interpretation in my head. If you’re looking for a fun action-adventure story, or if you want to try some of the original pulp fiction, you need to give the ‘Python Isle’ audiobook a try.”

“Python Isle”, written by Will Murray and directed and produced by Roger Rittner, is available as an eight audio compact disc collection priced at Just $25.98 and as an eight hour digital download priced at just $17.98. Join the thousands of excited listeners who are now thrilling to the audio exploits of the Man of Bronze. Visit RadioArchives.com and order your copy of “Python Isle” and our latest audiobook “White Eyes” right away !
New in Classic Radio: Claudia, Volume 5If you were a stay-at-home housewife in the 1930s and 1940s, you were most likely a fan of the soap operas. Ever-present on radio, and later on television, these daytime dramas of romance, heartbreak, mother love, sacrifice, and somewhat overdramatized family life became a staple in the lives of millions of avid listeners – many of whom planned their daytime chores around the five-times-a-week adventures of “Our Gal Sunday”, “Ma Perkins”, “Stella Dallas”, and the other dramas that dominated the airwaves between 10 AM and 5 PM.

But, in 1947, a new soap opera debuted that was far more quiet and gentle and down-to-earth than its strife-ridden neighbors on the radio dial. “Claudia”, based on the best-selling novel and play by author Rose Franken, told the tale of Claudia and David Naughton, two newlyweds just beginning their married life. Young, enthusiastic, and very much in love, they weren’t suffering from any of the crises or tragedies that were the common plot points of most daytime dramas. Instead, they were two people simply facing the many challenges of marriage and learning to live together as husband and wife. Thanks to insightful scripting, as well as charming performances by Kathryn Bard and Paul Crabtree in the leading roles, “Claudia” remains one of the unsung classics of radio’s golden age – as well as one of the most entertaining soap operas ever aired.

In “Claudia, Volume 5”, you’ll enjoy 24 more consecutive broadcasts that were first heard in April and May of 1948. Priced at Just $17.98 for the six audio CD set and Just $11.98 for the six hour digital download, this charming series is one you’ll want to share at home with your family – or keep it in the car and play one episode a day as you drive to or from work. Either way, we know you’ll be delighted by the endearing adventures of “Claudia”, now available from RadioArchives.com !

Listen to this Newsletter!


Sit back, relax, and enjoy this newsletter as an Audio Podcast! Click anywhere in the colorful banner at the top and you’ll automatically hear the Radio Archives Newsletter, enhanced with narration, music, and clips from our latest collections! This audio version of our regular newsletter is a pleasant and convenient way to hear all about our latest products, as well as the newest pulp fiction reprints, special offers, and much, much more!

TUNE INTO PULP RETURNS ON A TRIP TO ‘PYTHON ISLE’!

First, some housekeeping.  Yes, it’s been a while since I debuted this column and due to a variety of reasons, this is the first one in awhile.  Do not worry, pulpsters, there will be one a week after this ad infinitum!  Audio Pulp is not only an important part of Pulp history that many are not aware of, but its a growing facet of the genre even today, as you will see in this column today and weeks to come.

You’ll notice an addition to our logo.  Yes, its true, Radio Archives has stepped forward, noticing the trend toward Audio Pulp and entered into an arrangement with All Pulp to sponsor this column.  RA produces top of the line audio material bringing old time classic radio of all varieties to a modern audience.  Fantastic sound quality, tremendous effort to not only preserve material, but also provide new and interesting information on material, and awesome packaging make RA’s offerings top notch.  RA as well is readying itself to be one of the leaders in New Audio Pulp with its foray into audiobooks based on Pulp characters starring in new stories, just like the one I’m about to leap into the middle of.  I will continue to cover all aspects of New Pulp Audio, not simply RA’s contributions, but I do want to thank Harlan Zinck and RA for the support and material and willingness to see the importance of this column enough to sponsor it.

PYTHON ISLE-A Doc Savage Audiobook
Written by Will Murray based on a concept By Lester Dent
Narrated by Michael McConnohie
Directed and Produced by Roger Rittner
Published by Radio Archives (www.radioarchives.com)

Not only has Radio Archives decided to move into New Pulp audio, They have done it by taking giant steps.  The first RA offering in their Pulp Audiobook lineup is not only no lightweight when it comes to Pulp, but instead it is probably the top of the heap, the primo of premium pulp.  And, not to telegraph this review or anything, Radio Archives meets that challenge just the way Doc Savage would have.

PYTHON ISLE is an audiobook version of the novel written in 1991 by Will Murray, based on a concept by Lester Dent.  Directed and produced by Roger Rittner for RA and narrated by Michael Mcconnohie.  The story opens with diamond smugglers catching sight of a plane they believe to be the authorities.  Once the plane is downed, the smugglers discover that not only are there two strangely garbed people aboard, but the plane, once damaged, had been patched and repaired with what appears to be soft, pure gold.  One of the plane passengers, a man who can speak English, is desperate to protect a bamboo tube he has and to make contact with only one man-Doc Savage!



Author Will Murray

 What ensues from this tense, in your face opening is the stuff pulp dreams are made of.  From fist fights and gun battles to harrowing chases in various locales all the way to a ride and epic conflict aboard a Zeppelin, PYTHON ISLE delivers all the thrills and chills anyone could want.  Add into that that this is a Doc Savage tale complete with Doc’s stoic presence, supreme intelligence, and skills honed finer than any blade as well as three of the five aides in their finest form ever and what you have in PYTHON ISLE is more than a treat, better than a nice surprise.  It is simply New Pulp storytelling at its best. 



Narrator Michael McConnohie

 With material like this, one would think that it would be difficult for an audiobook version to add anything at all to it.  Boy, one would be wrong.  PYTHON ISLE from Radio Archives takes this story from the pinnacle it already reaches in prose to an unbelievable high mark as an audiobook.  Michael McConnohie is more than the ‘reader’ or ‘narrator’ of this adventure.  He brings the exact intensity and passion to this story that any well crafted Doc tale would command.  His mastery of his own voice is phenomenal, switching back and forth from Monk’s high pitched affectation to Renny’s thunderous rumblings and then to Bull Pizano’s gravelly retort.  McConnohie makes this feel like a full cast audio drama and that brings the listener completely into the folds of the story.



Director/Producer Roger Rittner

 One issue many audiobooks have, and this is in part due to the fact that they are based on written prose, not scripts, is pacing.  At times, audiobooks lag in the middle and whatever gait had been set previously is lost.  This is definitely an issue with Pulp stories due to the naturally frenetic pacing good Pulp should have.  PYTHON ISLE does not fall victim to this.  Due to McConnohie’s voicing as well as Roger Rittner’s directing, this tale moves along at a good clip from beginning to end.  There are points that I, being both an avid Pulp reader and an audio fan, predicted were going to be those spots where things started to plod and slow down, but every single time due to either a musical sting or a change in inflection or even the speed at which the words were delivered, that plodding never came, nothing slowed down.  Rittner produced a fine piece of roller coaster up and down drama, probably the finest I’ve ever listened to.

Could PYTHON ISLE be better?  Usually I would say that any audiobook could be improved by adding voices and sound effects and changing the leopard’s spots, so to speak, from audiobook to full cast drama.  And don’t get me wrong, I would love to hear this story given that treatment.  Having said that, though, I think that in this case, it would not improve what has been done to make it a full cast drama. I feel like that this audiobook would sit on a shelf right alongside the best possible version of this story as a full drama and still hold its own.   The feeling I got from listening to PYTHON ISLE was much akin to what it must have felt like sitting in a darkened theater in the 1940s waiting to see what Captain Marvel or Gene Autry would do in the next chapter of the latest serial.  It was nail biting, cliff hanging, and inspiring.

Radio Archives has announced that this is only the first of their Pulp Audio books and that future volumes would not only include Doc, but cover other characters as well.  If that’s the case, then I’m one heckuva happy Pulpster.

WINDY CITY UPDATE-4/16/11

WINDY CITY UPDATE-4/16/11

Hello All Pulpsters!! It’s Tommy, exhausted but happy to be reporting on Windy City Pulp and Paper Con once again…Big day at the con, lots of people…Several of the new pulp publishers had decent days and of course, all the old pulp collectors and such made good sells and trades as well.

Will Murray signed autographs and, along with Radio Archives and Moonstone, gave away to a lucky winner, whose name I did not get unfortunately, a huge poster of the cover of the first Radio Archives Doc Savage audio book, PYTHON ISLE, out this June!!

Lots of connections were made, discussions had ideas bandied about.  I personally made a purchase that may lead to a little known pulp type character reemerging, but we shall see.   Several possible new additions to the guest list as well for Pulp Ark showed themselves today, including the one I’m most excited about  Frank Coffman, an Illinois college professor is also a leading expert on the poetry of Robert E. Howard and if schedules do not conflict, will be attending Pulp Ark next month and doing a classroom on Howard’s poetry and then another on how to write pulp poetry! Awesome stuff happening at Windy City!  More tomorrow!