Radio City Playhouse

NBC Radio

(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.

License

Chapters

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)

Kilroy_Was_Here_1856

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.