1975 Old Time Radio Recreations

OTR Recreation

(4.5 stars; 2 reviews)

Over the July 4, 1975 holiday, WBZ in Boston was part of a Muscular Dystrophy radiothon that included recreations of radio programs. The event was held at Dunfey's resort in Hyannis on Cape Cod. Radio stars and technical artists traveled from New York and California to be part of the event. The event used scripts of the era. Casey, Crime Photographer Death of a Rattlesnake originally aired on December 17, 1945. The script was actually a re-use of the April 10, 1945 script Account Settled but was renamed for the second broadcast. The recreation stars Staats Cotsworth, who played the role for most of its radio run. None of the other original cast members were in the recreation, but it featured Vicki Vola ( Mr. District Attorney ), Marvin Miller ( The Whistler ), Frank Nelson (many comedic roles, especially Jack Benny ), and Betty Wragge ( Pepper Young's Family ). Music was by organist Ashley Miller (numerous radio and TV soap operas, as well as sporting events, especially Madison Square Garden). The program was directed by Ira Ashley ( Grand Central Station ) with sound effects by Ed Blainey and Walt Gustafson (staff sound effects artists for ABC). This is the only surviving production of this script; neither of the 1940s productions have survived in recorded form. The other recreations do not have such detailed information, but many of the same actors appeared in multiple productions that weekend. Cisco Kid Sniffer Smith originally aired on 1954-01-12, or thereabouts. The series was syndicated and stations had a choice of when to air the program. This recreation stars NY radio veteran and voiceover artist Jackson Beck, one of the greatest and most versatile voices of the era. Beck was the original Cisco Kid but did not have the role for a very long time. Pancho was played in the recreation by Mel Blanc, as he did early in the series. The legendary animation voice of Bugs Bunny and numerous other characters was also famous for his comedic parts in The Jack Benny Show . The Shadow Reflection of Death originally aired on May 9, 1948. The last of the Shadow actors, Bret Morrison, played the role at that time and also in this recreation. Morrison played the role for about a decade. Nick Carter, Master Detective Case of the Too Too Careful Killer aired on October 30, 1949. Lon Clark, who had the lead role throughout the series, reprises his role in the recreation. Other cast members include Hedda Muir, Court Benson ( Tennessee Jed ), and was directed by Warren Somerville ( Theater Five , Tales of Tomorrow ). A recording of the 1949 broadcast has not survived.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.