Radio City Playhouse


(4.5 stars; 4 reviews)

Radio City Playhouse is dramatic radio at its best. First appearing on September 25, 1948, this series was conceived as a showcase for what NBC termed "good drama" regardless of the renown of the playwright or of the play. The program was "sustained", meaning that the production costs were borne by the network rather than a sponsor, allowing for more literary works to be presented.

Director Harry W. Junkin and producer Richard McDonagh took full advantage of this freedom, presenting plays ranging from the quirky comedy, "Fanny", to the taut drama "Long Distance", the series' premiere episode. Many scripts were written by Junkin himself, while others were original works by major authors like Cornell Woolrich and Ray Bradbury.

The cast varied from week to week, featuring notable talents such as Jan Miner and John Larkin. The program last aired on New Year's Day, 1950, with a play written by Junkin entitled "Reflections", showcasing the marriage of superb writing, inspired acting, and expert direction that defined the series.


This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.

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Chapters

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Long Distance 27:59
Ground Floor Window 28:36
Of Unsound Mind 27:57
Whistle Daughter, Whistle 27:42
Special Delivery 29:06
Hit and Run 29:52
Fanny 29:07
Long Distance 28:06
Betrayal 28:26
King of the Moon 28:37
Mother 28:31
Soundless 29:37
The Dark Hour 29:30
The Promise 29:59
The First and the Last 29:53
Temporarily Purple 29:46
Five Extra Nooses 29:44
Heritage of Wimple Street 28:21
Three Men 27:28
Strange Identity 29:59
Correction 29:43
Portrait of Lenore 29:46
The Wisdom of Eve 29:57
Machine 29:41
Elementals 29:57
One from Three Leaves Two 29:54
Deadline 29:42
Deadline 29:42
Two Moods from the Past 29:44
Weather Ahead 29:36
Blind Vengeance 29:28
Luck 29:36
Wardrobe Trunk 29:20
Only Unto Him 28:55
Witness for Prosecution 28:58
Hands of Dr Otermole 29:15
No Shoes 28:36
Murder is a Matter of Opi 29:26
The Promise 28:55
Danger B 28:28
How Love Came to Professor Guildea 28:01
Motive for Murder 26:24
Legend of Teresa 28:26
Long Distance 28:06
Murder is the Easiest Way 29:28
Two Moods from the Past 29:44
Portrait of Lenora 29:46
The Birthday Party 28:45
Tension in 643 29:01
Hit and Run 29:16
Level Crossing 29:29
Soundless 29:37
Blackout 28:27
Machine 29:40
Joey was Different 28:32
The Unguarded Moment 28:07
Affliction 28:42
The Plotters 28:14
Duet 29:28
Ground Floor Window 29:27
The Wind 29:06
Problem Child 25:11
Deception 28:19
Interval 28:30
Local Storm 24:22
Sibling 28:53
The Wine of Orapalo 28:32
Twas' the Night Before Christmas 29:54
Refelction 29:19

Reviews

Nothing less than the best.


(5 stars)

Radio City Playhouse was my introduction to radio drama years ago. I was definitely spoiled. There's not a bad one out of the bunch, all of them are great in their own way. I'm sure the fact that they weren't beholden to advertisers was a huge factor in just how well-written these shows are and the heavier and more serious situations they portray. This isn't a cheap cowboy show or cop show, this is something special. Every radio drama listener should have these as part of their collection.