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A Sampling of the Best of Old Time Radio

George R Dekle | Lake City, FL United States | 08/18/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Radio Spirits collects two specimen shows from each of ten excellent old time radio programs. "Burns and Allen" and "Jack Benny" were the comedy selections, with "Jack Benny" being far the funnier show."Suspense" and "Escape" served as excellent representatives of drama anthology series. "Suspense" has to have been the best drama series in the history of radio, and possibly in the history of broadcasting."The Whistler" and "Inner Sanctum Mysteries" were the sample mystery shows. The plot twists in "The Whistler" stories were delightful.For detective stories, we have "Dragnet" and "The Green Hornet." The "Dragnet" stories were excellent."The Lone Ranger" was the lone western, and of course it was really more of a juvenile show. The same can be said for "The Green Hornet," who was a nephew of the Lone Ranger.For science fiction, we had "X-Minus One," which turned in one good story and one excellent story. "No Contact" was a satisfying space opera, but "The Green Hills of Earth" has to be a classic. It is the story of Rhysling, a blind songwriter who is to space travel what Homer was to Greek mythology."

Good section, but not great

Edward Torpy | Reston, VA | 12/17/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's always tough to pick just ten shows, but there are a few odd omissions. For example: a) The Shadow was one of the most popular and longest running mystery/crime fighter series ever, b) Fibber McGee and Molly was an extremely popular comedy that created the first radio show spin-off when it launched The Great Gildersleeve, and c) Sam Spade is probably still the most famous of all radio detectives. But this is still a good, entertaining selection. The following is a list of episodes on this set:



1) The Burns and Allen Show

- Last year's Christmas bills 01-09-47

- Crime wave - getting a dog for protection 03-20-47



2) Dragnet

- The Big Test 08-28-52

- The Big Ray 09-04-52



3) Escape

- The Adaptive Ultimate 03-26-49

- Treasure Incorporated 01-24-50



4) The Green Hornet®

- Death in the Dark 08-31-46

- Underwater Adventure 09-14-46



5) Inner Sanctum Mysteries

- Portrait of Death 06-12-45

- Skeleton Bay 02-05-46



6) The Jack Benny Program

- A day at the races w/ Ronald and Benita Colman 03-06-49

- After the races 03-13-49



7) The Lone Ranger

- The Vultures Nest 02-23-42

- Three Generations 02-25-42



8) Suspense

- Celebration w/ Robert Young and Virginia Bruce 09-23-48

- A Little Piece of Rope w/ Lucille Ball 10-14-48



9) The Whistler

- Married to Murder 09-25-44

- Not if I Kill You First 10-02-44



10) X-Minus One

- No Contact w/ Luis Van Rooten (1st show) 04-24-55

- The Green Hills of Earth w/ Ken Williams 07-07-55

"