RAS #692 – The Incredible World Of the Short Story

In this episode, “The Incredible World of the Short Story,” we explore a diverse collection of captivating tales that will ignite your imagination, provoke thought, and perhaps even send a shiver down your spine. From chilling brevity to eerie cosmic twists, these stories showcase the power of concise storytelling.

Stories Featured:

Knock by Fredric Brown – A legendary two-sentence horror story that encapsulates fear and suspense in its simplest form.
The Ultimate Experiment by Thornton DeK – Originally published in Comet (July 1941), this story delves into the legacy humanity might leave behind—artificial intelligence.
Untechnological Employment by Ed M. Clinton – From Analog Science Fact · Science Fiction (November 1962), this tale examines a quirky, speculative scenario rooted in the space race era.
Beyond Pandora by Robert J. Martin – Published in Analog (September 1962), this story explores how seemingly dangerous elements can have hidden benefits, much like snake venom’s role in medicine.
Quiet, Please by Kevin Scott – A humorous yet cautionary tale from Worlds of If (November 1961), emphasizing the subjective nature of value and peace.
The Untouchable by Stephen A. Kallis, Jr. – From Analog Magazine (December 1960), this tragicomic tale deals with frustration and desire, with a nod to Greek mythology’s King Tantalus.
An Incident On Route 12 by James H. Schmitz – A creepy, justice-driven story from Worlds of If (January 1952), where a thief unknowingly becomes the prize.

Thank you for joining this journey through the incredible world of short stories. Whether contemplating AI’s legacy, the silver lining in medical breakthroughs, or existential dilemmas, each tale offers a unique lens on the human condition.

Stay curious, keep your mind open, and maybe—just maybe—leave the door open a crack. You never know what might come knocking.

Thank you for listening to Ron’s Amazing Stories!

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:
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RAS #691 – The D.O.A. Story

This time on Ron’s Amazing Stories we have the man who solved his own murder. We explore the curious case of Frank Bigelow—a man who was murdered but lived long enough to solve his own case. Sound unbelievable? That’s the premise of the 1949 film D.O.A., and today, we’re bringing you its radio adaptation from the Screen Director’s Playhouse, featuring Edmund O’Brien reprising his role.

Episode Highlights:

The baffling question: “Have you ever been murdered?” (Hopefully, no!)
Film Thoughts: A humorous, insightful look at D.O.A. (1949), starring Edmond O’Brien. Discover why this film stands out in the film noir genre and how it became a cult classic despite mixed initial reviews..
Radio Adaptation: Edited for this podcast, we present the Screen Director’s Playhouse version of D.O.A., originally aired on June 21, 1951.

D.O.A. is more than just a film noir; it’s a tale of irony, determination, and dramatic flair.

Frank Bigelow’s story serves as a reminder of resilience—even when time is quite literally running out.

Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow mystery and film noir enthusiasts. Until next time—stay curious!

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
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Contact Links:
Email
Story Submissions
Contact Ron

RAS #689 – The Legacy of The Virginian

In this episode, Ron investigates one of his favorite TV shows from childhood—The Virginian. Saddle up as he explores the story’s origins, and its transformation through literature, film, and radio. The Virginian’s evolution from novel to screen shaped a genre. Gary Cooper’s portrayal of the character remains a benchmark in Western cinema.

What You’ll Hear:

Ron’s memories of The Virginian TV show starring James Drury, and favorite character, Trampus.
The History of The Virginian. A literary journey beginning with Owen Wister’s 1902 novel, its role in defining the Western genre, and its adaptation into films—highlighting Gary Cooper’s iconic performance and his famous line, “When you call me that, smile.”
Listen to the 1936 Lux Radio Theater’s adaptation of The Virginian, featuring Gary Cooper reprising his role.
Learn about one of Hollywood’s first gossip columnist, his influence on Tinseltown, and the origin of the term “Oscar.”
Ron investigates the Virginian’s real name—and why it remains a mystery to this day.

Thank you for listening to Ron’s Amazing Stories—where history, mystery, and classic tales come alive.

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 #687 – Ron’s View Of Pulp Magazine History

On Ron’s Amazing Stories this week we look into the sensational, fast-paced, and wildly imaginative world of Pulp Magazines, exploring both their history and some captivating stories from the era.

Episode Highlights:

Introduction to Pulp Magazines.
Story 1: “Test Rocket” (Read by Ron) Published in Amazing Science Fiction Stories, April 1959. A tale of humanity’s first attempt at space exploration. The intriguing juxtaposition of human curiosity and alien perception.
Story 2: “Toy Shop” (Read by Corey Samuels) Appeared in Analog Science Fiction and Fact, April 1962. Written by Harry Harrison, famous for The Stainless Steel Rat. A toy can change the world.
Story 3: “2BR02B” (Read by Anthony Wood) Authored by Kurt Vonnegut, first published in If: Worlds of Science Fiction, January 1962. A dystopian story reflecting on life, death, and society’s control over both.
Story 4: “We Didn’t Do Anything Wrong…Hardly” (Read by Fatima) From Astounding Science Fiction, May 1959. A whimsical sci-fi adventure, rumored to have inspired the 1985 film The Explorers.
Closing Thoughts.

Thank You for Listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share!

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 #686 – Dick Powell

On Ron’s Amazing Stories we journey back to the captivating era of the Golden Age of Radio. This period was marked by the extraordinary talents of character actors who brought stories to life through the power of their voices. Last week, we explored the remarkable career of William Conrad and his significant contributions. This time we shift our focus to another versatile icon of that era—Dick Powell.

Dick Powell - Singer, Actor, and Producer

Known for his dynamic range, Powell seamlessly transitioned from being a charming crooner in musical films to embodying the quintessential hard-boiled detective in radio dramas. His career spanned from the 1930s to the 1950s, leaving an indelible mark not just as an actor, but also as a singer, musician, producer, director, and even a studio head. In this episode we will talk about that career and play two stories from his radio series “Richard Diamond, Private Detective” and “Rogue’s Gallery.”

Join us as we celebrate Dick Powell’s legacy, listen to some of his iconic performances, and appreciate the lasting impact he had on radio storytelling.

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