Episodes

  • The Unexplained: Heard But Not Seen

    The Unexplained: Heard But Not Seen
    May 18 2026
    This episode of The Unexpected stars acclaimed radio actress Virginia Gregg in “Heard but Not Seen,” a tense psychological thriller set on a stormy night near a state asylum. Alone in a remote house, an elderly blind woman becomes increasingly frightened after hearing reports that a homicidal escapee is roaming the surrounding woods.

    As the storm intensifies and isolation closes in, ordinary sounds begin to take on terrifying meaning. A dead telephone line, rattling doors, and uncertain voices create an atmosphere of mounting dread where appearances—and even trust itself—become uncertain. Known for delivering compact suspense stories with sharp twists,

    The Unexpected condensed the style of larger anthology thrillers into a tightly paced quarter-hour format. Virginia Gregg’s performance anchors the episode, capturing fear, vulnerability, and growing panic in one of the series’ most chilling installments.

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    15 mins
  • Yarns for Yanks: The Man Who Could Work Miracles

    Yarns for Yanks: The Man Who Could Work Miracles
    May 11 2026
    Aired: World War II Era (Yarns for Yanks)

    This episode of Yarns for Yanks features acclaimed actor Ronald ColEman reading H.G. Wells’ imaginative fantasy tale “The Man Who Could Work Miracles.”

    Unlike Wells’ darker works of science fiction, this story takes a lighter and more whimsical approach, following an ordinary clerk who suddenly discovers he has the power to bend reality simply by willing things to happen. What begins with small experiments and harmless tricks soon grows into a series of increasingly extraordinary events, as the bewildered miracle worker struggles to understand the consequences of unlimited power.

    Combining dry humor, fantasy, and gentle satire, the story explores how even the most impossible gifts can become overwhelming in the hands of an ordinary person.

    Produced during World War II for Allied servicemen, Yarns for Yanks brought well-known performers together to share stories from celebrated authors, offering entertainment and a reminder of home to listeners serving around the world. Ronald Colman’s warm, expressive narration gives this classic Wells story an especially charming touch.

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    19 mins
  • Ports of Call: From New Zealand

    Ports of Call: From New Zealand
    May 4 2026
    Aired: 1935 (Ports of Call series) This episode of Ports of Call takes listeners on a journey to New Zealand, blending travelogue, history, and storytelling to bring a distant land vividly to life. Through a series of dramatized vignettes, the program explores both the natural wonders and cultural legends of the islands.

    The journey begins along the coastal waters, where sailors encounter the famous dolphin Pelorus Jack, long said to guide ships safely through treacherous passages.

    From there, the program shifts inland to the rolling hills of Otago, where the discovery of gold sparks excitement, ambition, and unexpected consequences for a quiet farming community.

    Combining fact, folklore, and music, Ports of Call offered audiences of the 1930s a chance to experience the wider world from their own living rooms—capturing not just geography, but the stories and traditions that shape a place. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

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    13 mins
  • Front Page Drama: A Child is Born

    Front Page Drama: A Child is Born
    Apr 27 2026
    This episode of Front Page Drama presents “A Child is Born,” a gripping dramatization drawn from real-life accounts of the fight against narcotics trafficking.

    The story follows Julia Kaye, once a celebrated Broadway figure, whose life has been upended by morphine addiction. When she discovers she is expecting a child, she turns to a determined physician who offers a slim but urgent hope: saving the baby from the same fate.

    As Julia undergoes a difficult and closely guarded treatment, forces beyond her control begin to close in—threatening both her recovery and the fragile future of her child. The tension builds through a race against time, where secrecy, courage, and trust become as vital as medicine. Produced as part of a long-running series tied to The American Weekly,

    Front Page Drama often dramatized stories drawn from contemporary social concerns. This episode stands as a stark and emotional example of how radio sought to confront difficult issues through storytelling that was both urgent and deeply personal.

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    20 mins
  • The Grantland Rice Story: Granny's All-TIme Baseball Team

    The Grantland Rice Story: Granny's All-TIme Baseball Team
    Apr 20 2026
    Aired: 1956 (Series Release)

    This episode features “Granny’s All-Time Baseball Team,” drawn from The Tumult and the Shouting, the autobiography of legendary sportswriter Grantland Rice. Narrated by Jimmy Powers, the program brings Rice’s firsthand reflections on baseball’s greatest players to life, blending storytelling with commentary shaped by decades of observation.

    Looking back across the early decades of professional baseball, Rice assembles his ideal lineup—drawing from icons of the Deadball Era through the rise of power hitting in the 1920s and beyond. Along the way, he offers insight into how the game evolved, from speed and strategy to power and spectacle, while reflecting on players whose reputations were built long before the age of television.

    More than just a list of great names, the episode captures the perspective of a witness to baseball’s formative years, offering a snapshot of how the sport—and its legends—were understood in the mid-20th century.

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    20 mins
  • Guest Star: Truth or Consequences

    Guest Star: Truth or Consequences
    Apr 13 2026
    This episode presents a special Guest Star adaptation of the long-running quiz show Truth or Consequences, hosted by Ralph Edwards. Originally created as a fast-paced blend of trivia, comedy, and audience participation, the program challenged contestants to answer simple questions—or face humorous and often unpredictable consequences.

    In this condensed version, listeners experience the show’s signature mix of playful deception, audience interaction, and offbeat stunts. From a tongue-in-cheek “mind-reading” experiment to a lighthearted comedy test involving an unsuspecting participant, the episode captures the spirit that made Truth or Consequences one of the most enduring entertainment programs of its era. Produced as part of a public service broadcast promoting U.S. Savings Bonds, this adaptation also reflects how popular entertainment formats were used to support national initiatives in the postwar years.

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    20 mins
  • Pipes of Scotland: The Glasgow Police Pipe Band

    Pipes of Scotland: The Glasgow Police Pipe Band
    Apr 6 2026
    Aired: April 6, 1948

    In this festive episode of The Old Time Radio Snack Wagon, host Adam Graham celebrates Tartan Day by serving up a delightful portion of Scottish heritage through the enchanting sounds of the Glasgow Police Pipe Band. Broadcasting originally over the BBC, this installment of *Pipes of Scotland* showcases the band’s vibrant performances, clad in their striking Royal Stuart tartan, as they march with pride and precision.

    Listeners will be treated to a medley of traditional tunes, including the spirited “Captain R. Ewing” and the evocative “Old Air at the Battle of Killiecranky.” With a legacy dating back to 1883, the Glasgow Police Pipe Band has become a symbol of excellence in the world of pipe music, having claimed numerous championships throughout its storied history. Adam delves into the band’s origins and evolution, highlighting their remarkable achievements and the enduring spirit of Scottish culture.

    Join us for this special episode that not only celebrates the artistry of pipe music but also honors the rich traditions of Scotland. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

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    18 mins
  • Treasury Salute: The Bishop of Munster

    Treasury Salute: The Bishop of Munster
    Mar 30 2026
    Aired: 1942 (Treasury Star Parade)

    This episode of Treasury Star Parade presents “The Bishop of Münster,” a powerful Easter-season dramatization performed by Henry Hull and adapted from a work by H. S. Kraft. Set in a German cathedral during the rise of Nazi rule, the story centers on a bishop who faces mounting pressure from authorities to remain silent in the face of injustice.

    As the congregation gathers for Easter services, the bishop delivers a message that departs from tradition—one shaped by conscience, faith, and the realities unfolding beyond the church walls. What follows is a moment of moral reckoning, where spiritual conviction collides with political power. Produced during World War II as part of a series supporting the war effort,

    Treasury Star Parade combined drama and music to reflect the stakes of the time. This episode stands as a striking example of how radio storytelling was used to explore themes of courage, resistance, and the role of faith in times of crisis. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

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    20 mins