RAS #717 – Captain Blood… and Ron’s Fizzy Rebellion

This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories we step aboard a ship loaded with adventure, rebellion, and old-school Hollywood charm. Our feature comes from Lux Radio Theater and is the radio adaptation of the 1935 classic Captain Blood, starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. Both reprise their roles, bringing the swashbuckling tale to life all over again.

We take a moment to explore the real history behind the story—its roots in the Monmouth Rebellion, the fictional-yet-inspired character of Dr. Peter Blood, and the bold musical choices of composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold, whose groundbreaking score helped usher in the era of full symphonic soundtracks.

And at the end of the show, we answer a listener email from John Pierce of Oklahoma City, who wants to know why Alan Ladd ranks so highly on my personal list of Hollywood greats. I give my take in a short segment you won’t want to miss.

What On This week:

Featured Story: Captain Blood from Lux Radio Theater
Behind the Scenes: The historical backdrop of the Monmouth Rebellion
Film Music Spotlight: How Korngold changed movie scores forever
Listener Email: Why Alan Ladd still stands tall

Ron’s Amazing Stories Is Sponsored by: Audible – You can get a free audiobook and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/ronsamazingstories.

Your Stories: Do you have a story that you would like to share on the podcast or the blog? Head to the main website, click on Story Submission, leave your story, give it a title, and please tell me where you’re from. I will read it if I can. Links are below.

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.

Social Links:
Main Podcast Site by LibSyn
The Blog Site by WordPress
Facebook Link
Twitter Link

Contact Links:
Email
Story Submissions
Contact Ron

RAS #716 – The Box 13 Double Mystery

This time on Ron’s Amazing Stories, we bring you a special Box 13 double feature suggested by listener Pete Toreck from Miami, Florida. We kick things off with the very first adventure Dan Holiday ever tackled, The First Letter. Then we follow it up with one of the most listened-to stories of the entire run, The Professor and The Puzzle. Between the two tales, we take a humorous look at the advice columnists of the 1950s—those brave souls who solved life’s everyday mysteries one letter at a time.

This episode also marks a milestone: we close out the last known radio acting done by Alan Ladd. Known is the key word—because the world of old-time radio is full of surprises. I may continue with more Box 13 stories in the future, and if you know of any Ladd broadcasts I haven’t covered, let me know!

In This Episode

Box 13 – “The First Letter”
The pilot episode that sets Dan Holiday’s unique career of adventure in motion.
A Look at 1950s Advice Columnists
A lighthearted break exploring the real-life letter-solvers of the era.
Box 13 – “The Professor and The Puzzle”
A classic episode featuring mystery, danger, and a reclusive professor.
Alan Ladd Milestone
Wrapping up the known Ladd broadcasts—with room for future discoveries.

Ron’s Amazing Stories Is Sponsored by: Audible – You can get a free audiobook and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/ronsamazingstories.

Social Links:
Main Podcast Site by LibSyn
The Blog Site by WordPress
Facebook Link
Twitter Link

Contact Links:
Email
Story Submissions
Contact Ron

RAS #714 – Echoes Through Time

This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories, we take you back into the shadowy world of Suspense — one of radio’s greatest achievements and the last show to fade out at the end of the Golden Age. Our theme this time is time and perception, and we’ve got two unforgettable stories that explore both.

Our first tale is Time On My Hands, a husband and wife set out to do the impossible — go back in time to stop Adolf Hitler. Can history be rewritten, or is time itself the one enemy no man can defeat? Then, we’ll step into A World of Darkness (January 20, 1944). Told through the eyes — or rather, the ears — of a blind man, this gripping mystery reveals how sound can paint pictures far more vivid than sight ever could. Between these stories, we’ll pause for a brief look at the history of Suspense, the show that kept listeners on edge for over two decades and closed the curtain on radio’s golden era.

Featured Stories:

Suspense – “Time On My Hands” (9/25/1960)
Suspense – “A World Of Darkness” (1/20/1944)

Also in this episode:

A short history of Suspense
The real science behind how the blind “see” without sight
Ron’s thoughts on the impossibility of changing time
A special Thanksgiving episode teaser — send in your ideas!

Ron’s Amazing Stories Is Sponsored by: Audible – You can get a free audiobook and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/ronsamazingstories.

Social Links:
Main Podcast Site by LibSyn
The Blog Site by WordPress
Facebook Link
Twitter Link

Contact Links:
Email
Story Submissions
Contact Ron

RAS #713 – Lucky Jordan

This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories we head back to the world of Hollywood radio drama with Screen Director’s Playhouse. It’s the third time in a few weeks we’ve featured Alan Ladd — and this one helped shape his signature tough-guy style. (Links to those other stories: Shane and Beyond Glory)

The story is Lucky Jordan, based on the 1942 film directed by Frank Tuttle. It’s about a smooth gangster drafted into the Army who finds himself on an unexpected road to redemption. The radio version aired in 1951 and ran a full hour, giving it time to capture the wit, grit, and heart of the original film. If you love sharp dialogue, strong characters, and classic sound design — this one delivers all three.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy Alan Ladd in Lucky Jordan from Screen Director’s Playhouse!

Available wherever you listen to podcasts

Runtime: 59:11 minutes (including commentary)

Ron’s Amazing Stories Is Sponsored by: Audible – You can get a free audiobook and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/ronsamazingstories.

Social Links:
Main Podcast Site by LibSyn
The Blog Site by WordPress
Facebook Link
Twitter Link

Contact Links:
Email
Story Submissions
Contact Ron

RAS #712 – Into the Inner Sanctum

This week marks the final chapter of our Month of Spooky, and we’re ending it with a creaking door and a chill in the air. It’s a double dose of fright from one of old-time radio’s finest — Inner Sanctum Mysteries. We’ll hear two unforgettable tales:

Dead Man’s Vengeance (October 7, 1944) – A chilling story where the host himself, Raymond, becomes the target of a supernatural hit list.
The Corridor of Doom (October 23, 1945) – Starring the great Boris Karloff, this haunting tale follows a man lost in a hospital corridor that may lead straight into madness.

Between the stories, Ron dives deep into Inner Sanctum’s eerie history — its creaking doors, its pun-loving host, and its strange ability to make us both laugh and shiver. He also reflects on why we like to be scared and what keeps these old tales alive more than 80 years later.

So, pull up a chair, dim the lights, and join us for one last visit to the shadows.