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...
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RAS #704 - Rails And Isles
Ron's Amazing Stories
This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories, we’re celebrating Labor Day with a special double feature. Our first tale comes from the series Escape and is titled Conquerer’s Isle. Three Navy flyers, lost in the South China Sea, discover a secret underground civilization that sees them as little more than pets. It’s a strange mix of survival, science fiction, and a chilling vision of humanity’s “next stage.” Then, we turn from fantasy to history with Cavalcade of America’s Railroad Builders, which first aired on April 15th, 1936. It honors the men who laid steel tracks across mountains,...
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RAS #703 - A Shadow Of A Doubt
Ron's Amazing Stories
This time on Ron’s Amazing Stories, we’re diving into one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most celebrated thrillers—Shadow of a Doubt. Originally released as a film in 1943 and starring Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright, the story gets a radio makeover in the Screen Director’s Playhouse adaptation from November 1950. This time, none other than Cary Grant steps into the role of Uncle Charlie, bringing his trademark charm with an unsettling twist. What makes Shadow of a Doubt stand out in Hitchcock’s catalog is its unique suspense style. We, the audience, know from the beginning that Uncle...
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RAS #702 - Islands In The Sky
Ron's Amazing Stories
On this episode of Ron’s Amazing Stories, we take to the skies—and then make an emergency landing in the frozen wilderness! Our featured story comes from the Lux Radio Theater and is titled Island In The Sky. It stars Dick Powell as pilot John Dooley, who must lead his crew to survival after their plane is forced down in Labrador’s icy barrens. Before it was a radio play, Island In The Sky was a 1953 film starring none other than John Wayne. And here’s the real kicker—it’s based on a true story from the pen (and cockpit) of Ernest K. Gann, who lived through similar events as a WWII...
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RAS #701 - Voices from the Static
Ron's Amazing Stories
On Ron’s Amazing stories this time, we drift deep into the crackle and hiss of late-night shortwave radio. What begins as idle tuning on a battered Zenith Trans-Oceanic turns into something much stranger: two complete old-time radio programs surfacing on a signal that shouldn’t exist. First, from the hypnotic and unsettling world of Quiet, Please, we hear “Whence Came You?” (1948) — a slow-burn tale of an archaeologist in Egypt who discovers far more than ancient ruins. Then, without warning, the dial delivers us into the grim territory of Lights Out with “Knock at the Door”...
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RAS #700 - The Secrets of Scotland Yard
Ron's Amazing Stories
This is episode #700 of Ron’s Amazing Stories! Can you believe it? Seven hundred episodes of time travel through tales, truth, and the occasional trench-coated raccoon. More on that in a bit. Today’s journey starts deep in the heart of Secrets of Scotland Yard, the legendary radio drama that pulled back the curtain on some of Britain's most chilling cases. We’ll share two classic episodes, each steeped in mystery, crime, and a touch of old-world British grit: Featured Stories: “The Man with the Violin: The Charles Peace Case” Meet Charles Peace—by day, a violinist and...
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RAS #699 - Ears That Betray, Eyes That See
Ron's Amazing Stories
On Ron’s Amazing Stories this week, Ears That Betray, Eyes That See. We head into the murky world of eavesdropping, unspoken truths, and the heavy price of hearing too much. With two chilling tales from the golden age of radio, we explore how curiosity doesn’t just kill the cat—it occasionally takes a few bystanders with it. Stories Featured: The Whistler – “The Witness” - Original Air Date: July 8, 1951 - A brilliant young architect sees his career implode—only to be offered a lifeline from a coworker with a price. When ambition mixes with manipulation, the cost of success may...
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RAS #698 - The Scarlet Pimpernel – The Original Superhero?
Ron's Amazing Stories
In this week’s episode of Ron's Amazing Stories, we're stepping back into the 1930s for a swashbuckling adventure of daring disguises and heroic deeds. Before Batman or Superman, there was The Scarlet Pimpernel — the masked avenger who saved innocents from the guillotine under the very noses of the French Revolution’s fiercest villains. Is he the first superhero? You decide. Join Ron as he explores the origins of Baroness Orczy’s legendary character, the history behind the novel and film, and the Lux Radio Theater’s adaptation featuring Leslie Howard himself — reprising his iconic...
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RAS #697 - A Sci-Fi Classic Revisited
Ron's Amazing Stories
In this episode of Ron's Amazing Stories, we head back to the golden age of science fiction cinema, exploring the 1951 masterpiece The Day the Earth Stood Still. Get ready to dive into its rich history, cultural impact, and timeless message of peace. Plus, enjoy the Lux Radio Theater adaptation featuring Michael Rennie reprising his role as Klaatu. Introduction: Ron sets the stage with a journey into The Day the Earth Stood Still, directed by Robert Wise, with insights into its message, characters, and influence on the genre. Origins: Discover the origin story, "Farewell to the Master" by...
info_outlineThis week on Ron’s Amazing Stories, we’re celebrating Labor Day with a special double feature. Our first tale comes from the series Escape and is titled Conquerer’s Isle. Three Navy flyers, lost in the South China Sea, discover a secret underground civilization that sees them as little more than pets. It’s a strange mix of survival, science fiction, and a chilling vision of humanity’s “next stage.”
Then, we turn from fantasy to history with Cavalcade of America’s Railroad Builders, which first aired on April 15th, 1936. It honors the men who laid steel tracks across mountains, plains, and rivers—building a pathway that connected a nation.
Two very different stories—one imagined, one real—but both remind us of the courage, toil, and spirit of labor. So, fire up the grill, grab a cool drink, and settle in for this Labor Day adventure.
Featured Stories:
- Escape – “Conquerer’s Isle” (March 5, 1958)
- Cavalcade of America – “Railroad Builders” (April 15, 1936)
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Music Used In This Podcast: Most of the music you hear on Ron’s Amazing Stories has been composed by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Other pieces are in the public domain. You can find great free music at FreePd.com which is a site owned by Kevin.
Program Info: Ron’s Amazing Stories is published each Thursday. You can download it from Apple Podcasts, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.
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