RAS #714 - Echoes Through Time
Ron's Amazing Stories
This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories, we take you back into the shadowy world of Suspense — one of radio’s greatest achievements and the last show to fade out at the end of the Golden Age. Our theme this time is time and perception, and we’ve got two unforgettable stories that explore both. Our first tale is Time On My Hands, a husband and wife set out to do the impossible — go back in time to stop Adolf Hitler. Can history be rewritten, or is time itself the one enemy no man can defeat? Then, we’ll step into A World of Darkness (January 20, 1944). Told through the eyes — or...
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RAS #713 - Lucky Jordan
Ron's Amazing Stories
This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories we head back to the world of Hollywood radio drama with Screen Director’s Playhouse. It’s the third time in a few weeks we’ve featured Alan Ladd — and this one helped shape his signature tough-guy style. (Links to those other stories: and ) The story is Lucky Jordan, based on the 1942 film directed by Frank Tuttle. It’s about a smooth gangster drafted into the Army who finds himself on an unexpected road to redemption. The radio version aired in 1951 and ran a full hour, giving it time to capture the wit, grit, and heart of the original...
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RAS #712 - Into the Inner Sanctum
Ron's Amazing Stories
This week marks the final chapter of our Month of Spooky, and we’re ending it with a creaking door and a chill in the air. It’s a double dose of fright from one of old-time radio’s finest — Inner Sanctum Mysteries. We’ll hear two unforgettable tales: Dead Man’s Vengeance (October 7, 1944) – A chilling story where the host himself, Raymond, becomes the target of a supernatural hit list. The Corridor of Doom (October 23, 1945) – Starring the great Boris Karloff, this haunting tale follows a man lost in a hospital corridor that may lead straight into madness. Between the...
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RAS #711 - Comedy and Creeps
Ron's Amazing Stories
This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories, we bring you a haunted double feature that’s equal parts laughter and fright! Our first tale stars Bob Hope in the Screen Directors Playhouse adaptation of The Ghost Breakers (April 3rd, 1949). It’s a spooky romp filled with witty one-liners, mistaken identities, and a manor full of “boo”s and belly laughs. Then, we trade laughter for goosebumps with Suspense’s Ghost Hunt (June 23rd, 1949). A radio host spends the night in a haunted mansion where the echoes might be more than just sound effects. It’s one of the creepiest stories ever broadcast....
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RAS #710 - It Happened on Lost Man’s Bluff
Ron's Amazing Stories
It’s week two of the Month of Spooky! Join Ron as he dives into two classic horror tales from The Hermit’s Cave — a chilling radio series that haunted the airwaves from the late 1930s to the mid-1940s. Between stories, Ron explores why we love to be scared, how horror thrived on the radio, and why the imagination can out-creep any special effect. What You Will Hear: The eerie history of The Hermit’s Cave Why people crave the spooky side of life Story 1: It Happened on Sunday – When a day of rest turns to terror Story 2: The House on Lost Man’s Bluff – A haunted house and a...
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RAS #709 - Ghosts, Ghouls, and The Mysterious Traveler
Ron's Amazing Stories
It’s the spooky season, and this week Ron’s Amazing Stories takes a ride on the rails of the supernatural with two chilling tales from the classic radio series The Mysterious Traveler. Our first story, “The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” (1949), plunges us into the depths with a diver who meets a ghostly visitor with a deadly ultimatum. Then we’ll steam ahead with “Locomotive Ghost” (1947), where two train robbers find themselves haunted by the very engine they tried to destroy. Between stories, Ron explores why we humans love being scared — and what that says about us. If you...
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RAS #708 - Alan Ladd Marches Beyond Glory
Ron's Amazing Stories
This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories we head back to 1951 for The Screen Directors Playhouse production of Beyond Glory. The play first aired on May 31, 1951, and stars Alan Ladd as West Point cadet Rockwell “Rocky” Gilman. Just a couple of weeks ago, we heard Alan as the wandering cowboy in Shane. Today, he trades in his six-shooter for a salute in a story about honor, discipline, and growing up at the legendary military academy. We’ll also chat about The Screen Directors Playhouse series, how the military was viewed in the post-WWII era, and finish with a look at West Point today. What...
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RAS #707 - Spade vs. Marlowe: Mean Streets Showdown!
Ron's Amazing Stories
This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories we continue our journey into the shadowy world of hard-boiled detectives. Last week we walked the mean streets with Philip Marlowe. This week, it’s Part 2 — and we’re talking about his rival in grit and wit, Sam Spade. We’ll compare Marlowe and Spade, and look at the men behind them — authors Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. You’ll also hear about Howard Duff, who brought Sam Spade to life on the radio. Then it’s time for not one but two episodes from The Adventures of Sam Spade. First up, The Death and Company Caper (August 9, 1946)....
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RAS #706 - Philip Marlowe – Bullets Fly, Waldo Dies
Ron's Amazing Stories
This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories we dive deep into the dark alleys and smoky bars of film noir with a Philip Marlowe double feature. First up, the pilot episode Who Shot Waldo? (aired June 12, 1947), starring Van Heflin as the hard-boiled detective. Then we jump ahead to January 8, 1949, when Gerald Mohr takes over in The Restless Day. Along the way, we’ll explore the creation of Philip Marlowe by Raymond Chandler, talk about the world of hard-boiled detectives, and have a little fun with the grit and glamour of classic radio noir. Two cases, two Marlowes’, one unforgettable ride. What...
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RAS #705 - Shane: The Western That Rode Into Legend
Ron's Amazing Stories
On this episode of Ron’s Amazing Stories, we head west—way west—to the dusty Wyoming frontier with the Lux Radio Theater production of Shane. Originally aired on February 22, 1955, this broadcast stars Alan Ladd, who reprises his iconic role from the 1953 film of the same name. We’ll take a look at the movie that redefined the western genre, talk about the incredible run of Lux Radio Theater, and explore why the 1950s were the golden age of cowboy storytelling. Along the way, we’ll cover the film’s massive box office success, its impact on the “adult western,” and even how...
info_outlineOn Ron’s Amazing Stories we journey back to the captivating era of the Golden Age of Radio. This period was marked by the extraordinary talents of character actors who brought stories to life through the power of their voices. Last week, we explored the remarkable career of William Conrad and his significant contributions. This time we shift our focus to another versatile icon of that era—Dick Powell.
Known for his dynamic range, Powell seamlessly transitioned from being a charming crooner in musical films to embodying the quintessential hard-boiled detective in radio dramas. His career spanned from the 1930s to the 1950s, leaving an indelible mark not just as an actor, but also as a singer, musician, producer, director, and even a studio head. In this episode we will talk about that career and play two stories from his radio series "Richard Diamond, Private Detective" and "Rogue's Gallery."
Join us as we celebrate Dick Powell’s legacy, listen to some of his iconic performances, and appreciate the lasting impact he had on radio storytelling.
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