On Ron’s Amazing Stories last time I announced that we had run out of the Five Minute Mysteries. You guys sent in a number of requests to keep the program going and start over. On this week’s podcast I will make an announcement about the show’s fate, but for this blog I thought I would tell the Five Minute Mystery story.

The Five Minute Mysteries were aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System from 1947 to 1950. The shows were produced and syndicated to individual local radio stations. They in turn would insert advertising for local merchants or trade the advertising announcements for goods, services or prizes awarded to listeners. Musical interludes were inserted with enough time for a local announcer to present the advertiser’s message and wrap things up with other local information.

Each show featured mini-mystery dramatized with actors, organ music and sound effects. Solutions to each mystery could be suggested by a panel of listeners and studio guests. The panelists sometimes shared a common background; for example, on the April 14, 1949 program amateur sleuths were given the opportunity to solve the crime.

Cast members included Jackson Beck, Staats Cotsworth, Michael Fitzmaurice, Timmy Hyler, Abby Lewis, Frank Lovejoy and Ian MacAllister. Organist Rosa Rio provided the music.

It has been amazing to me how popular this segment has become on Ron’s Amazing Stories. Also, I have to admit that I enjoy coming up with the fake advertisements each week. Although there have been few times when I really do promote a real product or service.

-Ron

This Week’s Podcast:

The podcast this week answers the question, “What about the Five Minute Mysteries?” Also, we have an OTR tale that stars Boris Karloff and a listener’s tale from Mitch in North Carolina. You can listen to this podcast on Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on TuneIn Radio or listen to it on your radio Saturday night at 6pm Eastern time. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

The Calendar:

June 29 – C-Chute – (RAS290)
July 06 – Replay Cypherus Canyon With Jim Harold
July 13 – Mitch in Raleigh’s Near Death Experience (RAS291)
July 20 – (RAS292)
July 27 – (RAS293)
August 03 – (RAS294)