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.

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RAS #715 – Office of Strategic Services

This week, Alan Ladd returns for his fourth appearance on the podcast, stepping into the role of a covert agent in the Lux Radio Theater adaptation of the 1946 spy drama O.S.S. It’s classic wartime intrigue, delivered with the steady intensity only Ladd could pull off.

We take a quick look at the real OSS, the film behind the broadcast, and why Ladd continues to impress every time he shows up on the show.

In This Episode

Alan Ladd takes on a covert wartime role
A brief look at the OSS and its legacy
The origins of the story and its Bond connection
The full Lux Radio Theater production of O.S.S.

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 #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.

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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.

What You Will Hear

The chilling world of Inner Sanctum Mysteries
A discussion on why fear entertains us
Insights into Boris Karloff’s legendary career
Classic audio from two of radio’s creepiest stories
A fond farewell to the Month of Spooky

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
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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.