RAS #706 – Philip Marlowe – Bullets Fly, Waldo Dies

This week on Ron’s Amazing Stories we dive deep into the dark alleys and smoky bars of film noir with a Philip Marlowe double feature. First up, the pilot episode Who Shot Waldo? (aired June 12, 1947), starring Van Heflin as the hard-boiled detective. Then we jump ahead to January 8, 1949, when Gerald Mohr takes over in The Restless Day.

Along the way, we’ll explore the creation of Philip Marlowe by Raymond Chandler, talk about the world of hard-boiled detectives, and have a little fun with the grit and glamour of classic radio noir. Two cases, two Marlowes’, one unforgettable ride.

What You Will Hear:

The origins of Philip Marlowe and how Raymond Chandler brought him to life.
A look at the hard-boiled detective genre and its influence on radio and film.
Who Shot Waldo? (1947) starring Van Heflin.
The Restless Day (1949) starring Gerald Mohr.
My commentary between the stories with a dash of humor, pulp style.

So grab your trench coat, light up that imaginary cigarette, and join me for a trip down these mean streets.

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 #701 – Voices from the Static

On Ron’s Amazing stories this time, we drift deep into the crackle and hiss of late-night shortwave radio. What begins as idle tuning on a battered Zenith Trans-Oceanic turns into something much stranger: two complete old-time radio programs surfacing on a signal that shouldn’t exist.

First, from the hypnotic and unsettling world of Quiet, Please, we hear “Whence Came You?” (1948) — a slow-burn tale of an archaeologist in Egypt who discovers far more than ancient ruins. Then, without warning, the dial delivers us into the grim territory of Lights Out with “Knock at the Door” (1942), a short, shocking story that might have you keeping the lights on tonight.

But the night has one more surprise: a fleeting, unexplained transmission — a whisper, a burst of Morse code, and a voice warning, “…don’t let him open the door—” before vanishing into silence. Was it an atmospheric fluke? A hidden rebroadcast? Or did we stumble into a station that exists somewhere beyond the usual airwaves? Tune in, lean close, and decide for yourself.

Featured Stories:

Quiet, Please – “Whence Came You?” (Feb 16, 1948)|
Lights Out – “Knock at the Door” (Dec 29, 1942)

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 #700 – The Secrets of Scotland Yard

This is episode #700 of Ron’s Amazing Stories! Can you believe it? Seven hundred episodes of time travel through tales, truth, and the occasional trench-coated raccoon. More on that in a bit. Today’s journey starts deep in the heart of Secrets of Scotland Yard, the legendary radio drama that pulled back the curtain on some of Britain’s most chilling cases. We’ll share two classic episodes, each steeped in mystery, crime, and a touch of old-world British grit:

Featured Stories:

“The Man with the Violin: The Charles Peace Case”

Meet Charles Peace—by day, a violinist and gentleman. By night, a rooftop-scaling, disguise-wearing, cold-blooded killer. His tale winds through 19th-century rooftops and courtrooms, ending, as many true crimes do, with a noose and a gasp. Bonus Ron Fact: Charles Peace inspired a 1949 British crime film, and every bit of his story—from obsession to execution—is documented history.

“Just A Matchstick And A Duster”

A peculiar little tale about two ordinary items and a rather extraordinary crime. Though no concrete history backs this one up, the mystery remains… and sometimes, that’s the fun of it.

Special Segment: Don’s Astounding Stories Hits 700

In celebration of our 700th episode, we share the completely true and not-at-all embellished tale of Don’s Astounding Stories, a podcast that defied logic, common sense, and multiple cease-and-desist letters to reach its own 700-episode milestone. From answering machines to AI co-hosts and spam busts, this satirical tribute reminds us all: you don’t need polish to have persistence. You just need Don… and possibly a backup host made of kitchen appliances.

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 #699 – Ears That Betray, Eyes That See

On Ron’s Amazing Stories this week, Ears That Betray, Eyes That See. We head into the murky world of eavesdropping, unspoken truths, and the heavy price of hearing too much. With two chilling tales from the golden age of radio, we explore how curiosity doesn’t just kill the cat—it occasionally takes a few bystanders with it.

Stories Featured:

The Whistler – “The Witness” – Original Air Date: July 8, 1951 – A brilliant young architect sees his career implode—only to be offered a lifeline from a coworker with a price. When ambition mixes with manipulation, the cost of success may be far higher than anyone imagined.
Suspense – “Sorry, Wrong Number” – Original Air Date: May 25, 1943 – Written by Lucille Fletcher. Starring Agnes Moorehead in her most legendary radio performance. An invalid woman, confined to her bed, overhears a phone call that pulls her into a deadly web. Frantic, powerless, and unheard—her night spirals into sheer terror.

Host’s Note: From architects of fate to victims of coincidence, both tales remind us that sometimes, hearing too much—or seeing too clearly—can be the beginning of the end. Evil doesn’t knock. It whispers. And if you’re unlucky enough to be listening… well, you’ve already invited it in.

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 #695 – Stories of Revolution and Revere

In this special Independence Day episode of Ron’s Amazing Stories, we celebrate the 4th of July with tales that dive into the heart of American history—blending revolutionary fervor with a dash of humor. From the signatures on the Declaration of Independence to a tooth-related parody involving Paul Revere, we’ve got an episode that’s as entertaining as a fireworks finale.

Story 1: Philadelphia, July 4, 1776 – Travel back to 1776 with an episode from CBS’s You Are There, imagining modern reporters covering the signing of the Declaration OF Indepence. Hear interviews with historical figures like Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, and Adams, bringing a fresh perspective to a pivotal moment in history.

Story 2: A Tooth For Paul Revere – A parody from the OTR series Escape, featuring Liege Butterwick and his tooth in a fictional tale loosely connected to Paul Revere. While historically inaccurate (confirmed after some “rigorous” research), it’s a fun, whimsical story perfect for the holiday.

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