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.

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.

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RAS #711 – Comedy and Creeps

This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories, we bring you a haunted double feature that’s equal parts laughter and fright!

Our first tale stars Bob Hope in the Screen Directors Playhouse adaptation of The Ghost Breakers (April 3rd, 1949). It’s a spooky romp filled with witty one-liners, mistaken identities, and a manor full of “boo”s and belly laughs.

Then, we trade laughter for goosebumps with Suspense’s Ghost Hunt (June 23rd, 1949). A radio host spends the night in a haunted mansion where the echoes might be more than just sound effects. It’s one of the creepiest stories ever broadcast.

Between our two stories, I’ll be talking about why we love to scare ourselves, how humor helps us face our fears, and a few real-life haunted homes that continue to keep the lights on—and the whispers going. So, grab your flashlight and your funny bone—because this week we’re exploring Comedy and Creeps: A Haunted Double Feature.

What You Will Hear:

Introduction: Why we laugh at fear
The Screen Directors Playhouse – The Ghost Breakers
Ron’s thoughts on laughter vs. fear
Suspense – Ghost Hunt
Closing commentary on hauntings and human curiosity

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

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RAS #710 – It Happened on Lost Man’s Bluff

It’s week two of the Month of Spooky! Join Ron as he dives into two classic horror tales from The Hermit’s Cave — a chilling radio series that haunted the airwaves from the late 1930s to the mid-1940s. Between stories, Ron explores why we love to be scared, how horror thrived on the radio, and why the imagination can out-creep any special effect.

What You Will Hear:

The eerie history of The Hermit’s Cave
Why people crave the spooky side of life
Story 1: It Happened on Sunday – When a day of rest turns to terror
Story 2: The House on Lost Man’s Bluff – A haunted house and a terrible secret
Discussion: Horror on the radio versus horror on the big screen
Closing thoughts on why these old stories still give us chills

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

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RAS #709 – Ghosts, Ghouls, and The Mysterious Traveler

It’s the spooky season, and this week Ron’s Amazing Stories takes a ride on the rails of the supernatural with two chilling tales from the classic radio series The Mysterious Traveler.

Our first story, “The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” (1949), plunges us into the depths with a diver who meets a ghostly visitor with a deadly ultimatum. Then we’ll steam ahead with “Locomotive Ghost” (1947), where two train robbers find themselves haunted by the very engine they tried to destroy. Between stories, Ron explores why we humans love being scared — and what that says about us. If you enjoy your frights with a touch of humor and a dash of nostalgia, this episode’s your ticket to ride.

What You Will Hear

A brief history of The Mysterious Traveler
Why October brings out our love of the spooky and strange
The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea – A diver faces a ghost’s deadly demand (Aired Jan. 1, 1949).
Locomotive Ghost – A haunting on the rails (Aired July 7, 1947).
A discussion of why we love to be creeped out.
A closing reflection on the enduring charm of vintage radio chills.

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 #707 – Spade vs. Marlowe: Mean Streets Showdown!

This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories we continue our journey into the shadowy world of hard-boiled detectives. Last week we walked the mean streets with Philip Marlowe. This week, it’s Part 2 — and we’re talking about his rival in grit and wit, Sam Spade.

We’ll compare Marlowe and Spade, and look at the men behind them — authors Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. You’ll also hear about Howard Duff, who brought Sam Spade to life on the radio. Then it’s time for not one but two episodes from The Adventures of Sam Spade. First up, The Death and Company Caper (August 9, 1946). Then, The Wheel of Life Caper (July 11, 1948).

What You Will Hear:

How Chandler’s Philip Marlowe and Hammett’s Sam Spade stack up.
The backstory of their creators: Hammett the ex-Pinkerton, Chandler the literary craftsman.
The wit and voice of Howard Duff as Sam Spade.
The Death and Company Caper (1946).
The Wheel of Life Caper (1948).
A few laughs and wisecracks along the way.

Two detectives. Two styles. One unforgettable showdown.

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