Radio Retropolis

A middle-aged robber wearing a black mask has hit a string of supermarkets with one locking the market employees in the deep freezer!  Also, a rare and final interview with NBC announcer Bill Roddy who was Jack Webb's roommate early in their careers.

The last we heard, Kent as Superman saved Perry White from the burning building set by Renard to kill them both.  Will Kent be able to intercept Renard's plan of murder in time? Commentary on the continuing wavering belief in Superman from characters in the story.

DA Warren learns of Kent's message to Dr. Roebling while Lois is accusing him of collusion by using his office for criminal deeds. Meanwhile Clark tells a nervous Renard exactly what he knows about his plans. 

Kent and White were captured by Duke Renard's group after thinking they were riding with the police to meet up with Bensen who Renard was planning to kill at 9pm that night.  But Kent has one Hail Mary pass and that is to contact Dr. Roebling whom Kent hopes is tuning in.  Commentary on the realities of such a voice machine and how this would never really work.

While waiting to make a narcotics buy, Sergeants Friday and Smith overhear a man tearfully admit that he had committed murder. Listen for the interrogation scene.  Plus lots of Jack Webb trivia!

Thanks to Dr. Roebling's machine tipping Kent off, he plans to catch Duke before he kills Bensen who is scheduled to be transferred to the state prison that night. Commentary on enjoying the great Julian Noa as Perry White plus a comment on what was missed when Duke struck Clark.

Last time, Clark preferring to stay in jail to find out who is planning to murder Benson, shared his plan with Lois while only to discover that his cell had been bugged.  Commentary on the humor between Clark and Perry and why after a year and a half Superman is still an enigma.

A burglary in a dry goods store is the latest in a series of similar crimes. The burglar has a most unusual secret!  Commentary on the hilarious sidebar with the two women in scene one.  Plus actors Gwen Delano and Paul Richards.  Also, the rise and fall of Michelob Beer.

As Roebling's machine was picking up a crime syndicate's plans with Clark Kent as a witness, the police barge in and arrest Kent much to his shock.  More commentary on Perry White and Lois Lane plus a quick history on the Dictograph.

Roebling's unscrupulous nephew shot his wife and destroyed the voice machine for the insurance money before Superman was able to stop him.  Can the doctor rebuild or is it a hopeless cause?

The co-owner of a pawn shop has been found murdered in the back room. A laundry mark on a shirt provides the only clue. Commentary on star Olan Soule including parts of a rare 1990 interview.

Roebling's unscrupulous nephew shot his wife and destroyed the voice machine for the insurance money before Superman was able to stop him.  Can the doctor rebuild or is it a hopeless cause. Commentary on a new twist in the plot line.

Because Clark, aka Superman, prevented Jack from stealing Dr. Roebling's voice machine, Dr. Roebling, in return, granted Clark, Lois and Perry White an exclusive demonstration of the machine itself!  Commentary on the reality of such a machine and a special look at the Gettysburg Address which is the focus of the machine.

Jack was able to get his uncle to sign the rights to the valuable voice machine in which he and his wife Chickee make their getaway.  What they didn't know is that Lois and Clark spotted the car and decided to give chase.  Commentary on the great Superman no-nonsense action and if this episode lived up to "the most thrilling episode" as promised.

A florist has been found strangled to death in an alley for no viable reason whatsoever.  Commentary on actor Eddie Firestone and Carolyn Jones who would later go on to play Morticia Addams in The Addams Family.

In our last episode, the devious nephew of Dr. Roebling has drugged the good doctor into signing over the voice machine's interests to him since he found out this discovery is worth $10 million. With Clark in an accident and Lois trapped in the hotel.  Commentary on why Lois Lane seemingly gets into trouble when Clark is around.

The trail to find Dr. Roebling leads to a local hotel that gets him closer to the truth of who Mr and Mrs. Jack Smith is in room 514.  What will he find?  Commentary on newly remastered recordings of The Adventures of Superman through the Smithsonian Institute.

Sergeant Friday goes undercover as a buyer of heroin from San Francisco to break up a narcotics gang.  Commentary on the similarities with this episode and The Big Red.  Plus, Lee Marvin makes a brief appearance which is capped here in an exclusive rare interview with actor Mitchell Ryan who talks of his and Marvin's alcoholism.

Sure that the man on the train is Dr. Roebling, Clark goes to the man's cabin to check on him after he collapsed in the dining car only to find he's not there.  Commentary on having both Perry White and Lois Lane back on the show front and center.

Clark and Jimmy embark on another mystery in which they find a threatening note left behind from a man Clark is sure is Dr. Roebling and one that the man has strongly denied.  Commentary on the events of these days that perpetuating the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese.

A woman is found murdered in a closet and the trail leads to a freighter in San Francisco.  Commentary on Peter Leeds, June Whitley and our host Hal Gibney.

Jimmy and Batiste are about to be killed by an angry bear with Superman racing to rescue them. Plus, a new exciting serial begins! Commentary on the the cliffhanger style of storytelling for this series and the welcome return to Metropolis for our next serial.

Jimmy and Batiste are in dire straits as they are trapped in a cave with bear ready to lash out. Commentary on why Kent let's his inner Superman personality surface with repeatedly in front of witnesses when he should conceal it.

Bull sets a trap for Kent separating him from Jimmy and Batiste.  Once captured, Jimmy and Batiste are faced with an even deadlier opponent.  Commentary on the acceptance of mink hunting in the 1940s, the political opponents in later years and its status today.

A movie director was killed at the studio when a 250 lb. stage lamp had fallen on him. Friday and Smith investigate to determine whether it was an accident or a murder.  Commentary on Dragnet's claim to using real crimes for their stories.  Plus, we look at films in which actual tragedies occurred during filming.

Bull and Chuck set deadly bear traps for Kent and Jimmy, who are hiking the trails, which can snap a leg in two should one be caught.  Commentary on Jimmy's unsubstantiated suspicion of Clark with the twisted rifle.  Plus we look at the background of the politically incorrectly phrase "walking Indian file".

Jimmy and Kent decide to investigate these two men claiming to be game wardens. Commentary on the early arrival of Superman and the sloppy manner in which he quite often forgets his secret identity is actually a secret!

A bank robber makes a getaway using a sawed-off shotgun with only the first three digits of his license plate number as the only lead. Commentary on how Ben Alexander loosened up the dialogue with Webb as we demonstrate with a laugh track what Dragnet would sound like as a comedy.

Clark and Jimmy decide to extend their vacation by going on a camping expedition in the deep forest.  Their activities are suspiciously eyed by two men who have other plans for our heroes.  Commentary on Clark's fortuitous educational lesson to Jimmy about preserving our national resources for future generations and how that has even more significance today.

Two Marines are targeted and poisoned, with one dying, in a cheap hotel by a man with a vendetta.  Commentary on the public opinion of the Korean War at that time. Plus, what makes Virginia Gregg the ideal character actress.

Clark is about to name the murderer.  Commentary on the change in direction of this episode in which Kent deduces the murderer in true Agatha Christie fashion.

Kent and Father Malone try to save Kurt Travers' log cabin as it goes up in fiery blaze with him trapped inside.  Can they get him out in time or will the White Plague Murderer claim another victim? Commentary on the defensive military action the US took on this day just three days after FDR's infamous speech about the country's position on the war in Europe.

Superman found Nancy and Jimmy drugged in the log cabin convincing him that someone in the camp was committing murder under the guise of a phony curse.  But who is it and to what gain?  Commentary on the significance of this date and the infamous speech from FDR on whether America would go to war.

A man has been shot and killed in his own home with his mother being the closest witness.  But, the evidence discovered by Friday and Smith leads them in a new direction. Commentary on the darkness of this episode.  Plus, star Helen Kleeb.

Kent and Harmon investigate the disappearance of Jimmy and Harmon's daughter, Nancy, and are shocked to find the kids' footprints in the snow abruptly end.  Commentary on the opening theme and how some phrases, like "race a speeding bullet to its target", didn't quite sell the "super" in Superman in which changes needed to be made.

Last time, the White Plague took on a more physical form as several rifle shots were aimed at Clark and Jimmy. Commentary on how Jimmy Olsen came to be as well as the different Jimmys throughout the decades.

A drunken teenage boy who started a riot in chemistry class reveals a couple who is selling narcotics and liquor to him and some of his friends. Commentary on teen rebellion in the 1950's.

Last time, a logger presumably afflicted with the White Plague died who may have taken the secret of the curse to his grave unless Clark can figure it out before more men die.  Commentary on Clark's lesson to Jim my and the listener about America and coal formation.  Plus, The Superman TV episode Jungle Devil in which Kent crushes a lump of coal into a diamond and whether that could really happen.

A deadly trio form a phony insurance corporation in order to kill their clients and collect their insurance benefits.  Commentary on the return to a more sinister tone and the significance that this broadcast date coincides with Josef Stalin's 60th birthday.

While in Canada heading to the logging camp, Clark, Jimmy and their guide find themselves surrounded by dozens of hungry timber wolves set to attack and Clark must figure out a way to save them without exposing his secret identity.  Commentary on Superman's somewhat neanderthal use of his strength as he has yet to discover his other talents. Plus, the darkness of this serial is discussed.

A carjacking victim in the hospital doesn't provide any clues yet they believe the suspect has been spotted in San Francisco.  But he claims to have an alibi for the crimes committed in Los Angeles.  Commentary on the many Dragnets that followed including Dick Wolf's version starring Ed O'Neill.

Clark and Jimmy head to the Great White North to a logging camp for a little rest and relaxation but find that men are mysteriously dying from a curse known as the White Plague.

Perry and Jimmy have been captured by Lewis at gunpoint who we just found out is a double agent for Deutch.  Clark , in the meantime, is still searching the coast line to make sure all was clear. Commentary on Perry White's strong words to Deutch that opened a much clearer direction in the Superman episodes as to who the real villain truly was in 1941.

The Shadow discovers a gang of crooks who buy old horses from desperate farmers and kills them for the insurance. Commentary on the lighter tone of these recent stories with this one geared specifically to the young listener despite its sinister plot.  Also, pioneer cowboys, William S. Hart and Hoot Gibson who are referenced in one scene are discussed.

Clark and Jimmy spy a suspicious man pull a speedboat out of the water.  Are the duo about to get the shock of their lives?  Commentary on how they can possibly wrap up the action in the next 11 minute episode.

June 27, 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of DARK SHADOWS! Series commentary and exclusive interviews highlight the revealing secrets behind this amazing television phenomenon! Episode 2 BACK TO COLLINSPORT re-issued from the 50th anniversary in 2016 is an hour long highlight from the cast. The actors speaks very candidly about their roles and the show itself. Some answers will surprise you. Most answers you never heard in this great of detail until now. Stars featured in EXCLUSIVE NEW INTERVIEWS: * Kathryn Leigh Scott * David Selby * Jerry Lacy * Lara Parker * John Karlen *Plus one SPECIAL STAR who will be heard ONLY in a full interview in one of our upcoming podcasts! In this hour, we discuss: * Auditioning for the show * Remembering Jonathan Frid * Acting inspirations * The Death of Dan Curtis * Flubs and TelePrompters * What made the series successful and much, much more!

Part 2 our in-depth look from concept to cancellation of the original series Dark Shadows (1966-71) with Jim Pierson, creator Dan Curtis' right hand man. He's been associated with Dan Curtis Productions for over twenty years as promotional director and producer.  Topics discussed include: * How Jonathan Frid's nervousness helped Barnabas Collins be a success. * How ABC almost cancelled the series after 6 months. * Why Joan Bennett decided to do the show. * Why certain actors were fired and replaced. * How this soap changed daytime television.  * How a phenomenon gets cancelled. * plus much more behind the scenes analysis.

Celebrating the 60th anniv ersary of the cult classic DARK SHADOWS with this re-issue of this 50th anniversary podcast from 2016!  Series commentary and exclusive interviews with answers to questions you have always wanted to know highlight the revealing secrets behind this amazing television phenomenon!  Episode 1 is a two-part in-depth look from concept to cancellation with Jim Pierson, creator Dan Curtis' right hand man. He's been associated with Dan Curtis Productions for over twenty years as promotional director and producer.  Topics discussed include: * How Jonathan Frid's nervousness helped Barnabas Collins be a success. * How ABC almost cancelled the series after 6 months. * Why Joan Bennett decided to do the show. * Why certain actors were fired and replaced. * How this soap changed daytime television.  * How a phenomenon gets cancelled. * plus much more behind the scenes analysis.

A nightclub manager has been robbed and killed. The killers made good their escape.  Commentary introducing Ben Alexander who joins the cast as Officer Frank Smith for the remainder of the radio and original television series. Plus, additional commentary on Chesterfield cigarettes being touted by Jack Webb and the medical community as a "healthy" cigarette.

Kent captured two of Deutch's thugs and tied them up in the stern of the boat.  Little did he know that they cut their way through the ropes, set the boat on fire and they made their getaway leaving Jimmy and Clark to die at sea. Commentary on Superman's discoveries of his powers and abilities in previous episodes but not this time.