Shadowing St. Jude's
A live re-creation of a lost episode of old-time radio classic The Shadow will benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital---itself the creation of an old-time radio presence (Danny Thomas, whose credits include brother Amos in The Bickersons)---when it's performed as part of the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention 27-29 August, in Aberdeen, Maryland.
"The Case of the Avenging Brain" aired originally 30 January 1944 but is considered a lost episode of the legendary crime drama, because o recording of the original episode is known to survive.
The synopsis: A series of thefts---and a bizarre attempt on Lamont's life by Margot herself---lead Lamont to a scientist keeping alive the brain of an executed criminal via an artificial heart . . . which enabled the brain to mastermind the actual and attempted crimes, to finance surgeries that would transplant it to a younger body, and to lure Lamont into a trap---the brain knows the Shadow's true identity---but allow him to perform a turnabout, tricking the brain into destroying its host . . . and, its new master.
Written by Robert Arthur and David Kogan (The Mysterious Traveler), the episode is considered a lost episode because no known recording of the original broadcast is known to exist, but the script has been bought, copied, and cleared for copyright to deliver the performance.
Participants are expected to include several with old-time radio credits, including Celeste Holm (Lux Radio Theater), Patty McCormack (Suspense), Bob Hastings (The Shadow, as it happens), and Rosemary Rice (Suspense, X Minus One, Archie Andrews); and, television veterans John Whitaker (Family Affair), Lee Meriwether (Barnaby Jones), and James Best (The Dukes of Hazzard).
Special thanks to Martin Grams, Jr., who provided much of the foregoing information, and whose books about classic radio include Inner Sanctum Mysteries: Behind the Creaking Door; Suspense: Twenty Years of Thrills and Chills; Information, Please; and, The I Love a Mystery Companion.)
posted by Jeff Kallman at
10:05 PM
4 Comments:
The Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention has been donating its admission fees to charity ever since its start four years ago. The OTR recreations are nearly always of "lost" or uncirculating shows, and its movie room tends toward material not available on DVD. I'm proud to have contributed to its presentation program every year (some of which can be viewed in part on YouTube), and look forward to returning.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Hayde
Michael--I had only ever received an advance nod on this year's convention and its intended charitable recipient, so I hoisted it up here. Personally, I think it's a wonderful thing for the MANC to do that with their admissions, as also with re-creating lost or uncirculated old-time radio shows. As a rule, I tend to shy away from nostalgia angles when discussing OTR here, but I did this one as a favour to Martin Grams, whose work I respect, as well as to St. Jude's, whose work I respect even more. Thanks for writing!---Jeff
What I have always enjoyed about the M.A.N.C. convention has been the diversity of nostalgia. Martin, who those in the otr community know, has boosted the hobby with his variety of books. But his love of entertainment nostalgia didn't stop with radio and that is what makes his convention one that shouldn't be missed. I've missed a couple since it started, but there is never a dull moment there, so if you have a chance to go, I recommend it. Thanks for posting it, Jeff.
Jim---I would love to go if I could. But for now it's enough to keep up with this blog while continuing to develop, write, produce, and host my own weekly radio show, to the point where I can actually make a living at it. I've enjoyed whatever I've found of Martin's work. His passion is evident and his care is to be emulated.---Jeff.
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