What happens when two of radio’s greatest comedians stop trying to make us laugh?
This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories, we shine a spotlight on a fascinating side of old-time radio history. Suspense was famous for bringing Hollywood’s biggest stars to the microphone, and every so often it convinced legendary comedians to leave their familiar characters behind and step into stories filled with danger, fear, and moral choices.
In this special double feature, Fibber McGee and Molly become innocent victims trapped with a desperate killer, while Jack Benny trades his famous penny-pinching jokes for a crime that could cost him everything. It’s a side of these beloved performers that many listeners have never heard—and it’s absolutely unforgettable.
In This Episode
- Why Suspense loved casting famous comedians in dramatic roles.
- Jim and Marian Jordan step away from Fibber McGee and Molly for one of the series’ most acclaimed performances.
- Jack Benny proves he could create tension just as easily as laughter.
- Listener email: Ron answers a question about how AI is—and isn’t—used to create the podcast.
- Two outstanding episodes from one of radio’s greatest dramatic series.
Featured Stories
Backseat Driver
Originally Broadcast: February 22, 1951 – Jim and Marian Jordan, forever remembered as Fibber McGee and Molly, deliver an unforgettable dramatic performance as an ordinary couple whose evening drive becomes a terrifying ordeal after a desperate killer forces his way into their car. This highly regarded episode demonstrates just how talented the Jordans were beyond comedy.
A Good and Faithful Servant
Originally Broadcast: June 2, 1952 – Jack Benny takes on one of the most unusual roles of his career. After thirty years of loyal service to a department store, one man’s temptation leads him down a dangerous path. It’s a gripping tale made even more memorable by hearing America’s favorite comedian in such a serious role.
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Music Used In This Podcast: Most of the music you hear on Ron’s Amazing Stories has been composed by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Other pieces are in the public domain. You can find great free music at FreePd.com which is a site owned by Kevin.
Program Info: Ron’s Amazing Stories is published each Thursday. You can download it from Apple Podcasts, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.
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