PROJECT AUDION 80 – LUX Radio Theatre (Australia): Death of a Salesman

Death of a Salesman is one of the classic America plays: the first to win both the Tony Award for Best Author, the New York Drama Circle Critics' Award, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Arthur Miller's intense family drama might have seemed promising material for a prestige radio adaptation, but perhaps it was too intense for American radio networks. However, Australia's radio stations had no such nervousness. The Down-Under edition of Lux Radio Theatre presented their adaptation on January 29, 1956, using two of the lead actors who originally premiered it in Australia. Now, even as a new production arrives on Broadway, Audion brings forth the Lux adaptation for Project Audion's virtual airwaves: a story of the American Dream gone wrong, and the devastating effects it has on Willy Loman and his family. Still vital, after all these decades.

Our big, widespread cast:

Les Marsden (Willy) in California

Laura Mirsky (Linda) in New Jersey

Pete Lutz (Biff) in Texas

Dana Gonsalves (Hap) in Texas

Paul Arbisi (Charley) in Illinois

Nick Wommack (Bernard/Lux Spokesman) in Texas

Rhiannon McAfee (Lux Spokeswoman/Mai Zetterling) in California

Patte Rosebank (Narrator/Miss Frances) in Toronto, Canada

David Ian (Howard/Paul Jacklin) in Oregon

Tom Konkle (Announcer) in California

Original music was by Ross Bernhardt

Transcribed and Directed by Pete Lutz

Production was supervised by Larry Groebe (who also played Stanley)

OLD-TIME RADIO ESSENTIALS Ep 58 – The Mysterious Traveler

OTR-E returns with episode 58, and due to a scheduling problem, this time it's Pete's selection again, and he's bringing us an episode of The Mysterious Traveler, entitled "The Woman in Black". As always, you're invited to join Pete, Paul, and Patte for the old-time radio, and stay for the scintillating (that's one word for it...) discussion afterwards!

As you listen, perhaps you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we four bring you, as our fifty-eighth number (but 9th official episode of S5), this thrilling installment of The Mysterious Traveler, from 1947. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it!

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at [email protected] . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: It's Patte's pick again, finally and she'll bring us, for the edification of us Amuricanz, another CBC Radio comedy, At Home With the Lennicks, plus a special guest who appeared on that series. Join us then, won't you?

OLD-TIME RADIO ESSENTIALS Episode 57: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

OTR-E returns with episode 57, and this time it's Paul's selection, and he's bringing us a five-part adventure of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey in the title role. As always, you're invited to join Paul, Pete and Patte for the old-time radio, and stay for the scintillating (that's one word for it...) discussion afterwards!

As you listen, perhaps you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we four bring you, as our fifty-seventh number (but 8th official episode of S5), this 5-part adventure of Johnny Dollar, from 1955. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it!

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at [email protected] . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: It's Patte's pick again, and she'll bring us, for the edification of us Amuricanz, another CBC Radio comedy, plus a special guest who appeared on that series. Join us then, won't you?

OLD-TIME RADIO ESSENTIALS episode 56, part 2:

We conclude this special, extended, two-part episode! Special guest John Tefteller is armed with more terrific stories about Groucho Marx and his zany brothers, plus we learn how John himself started working for Groucho at the tender age of 15! (Part 1 was last week, in case you missed it.)

SPECIAL NOTE: At the behest of Mr. T, we've removed a special announcement about the release of some "new" Marxian material, so you'll hear a 5-second gap at that point. Don't turn away, just wait 5 seconds and the show will continue!

OLD-TIME RADIO ESSENTIALS Episode 56: In part one of this very special extended installment of the long-running OTR discussion series, co-hosts Pete, Patte (pat) and Paul welcome guest programmer John Tefteller, a fellow OTR podcaster and a life-long collector of radio transcription discs – not to mention somebody who worked for Groucho Marx as a young man! John is sharing an episode of 'You Bet Your Life', as well as many wonderful stories about the Marx Brothers, and old radio in general. JOIN US NEXT WEEK FOR PART TWO!

If you like OTR Essentials and have a suggestion for a future series we should discuss, please write us at our NEW email address: [email protected]! If we take your suggestion, you'll be eligible for some cool Narada and Moonlight swag.

OLD-TIME RADIO ESSENTIALS Ep 55.5 -- 10th Anniversary of Mickey Mouse

Co-hosts Pete, Paul and Patte divert from their usual format to bring you this diversion -- a standalone production from 1938 that honors Walt Disney on the 10th anniversary of the very first Mickey Mouse cartoon. Discovered by OTR aficionado John Tefteller in his vast collection of acetate (and other) recordings, he released it on Thanksgiving Day 2025 on his own podcast, The Good Old Days of Radio, thus letting listeners hear it for the first time (probably) since its first release 88 years ago. Mr. Tefteller has graciously allowed us to re-re-release it, since our listeners and his likely follow parallel lines, thus allowing more folks to enjoy it.

The three co-hosts are not judging it by their usual criteria (see previous episodes), merely bringing it to you for your entertainment.

If you like OTR Essentials and have a suggestion for a future series we should discuss, please write us at our NEW email address: [email protected]! If we take your suggestion, you'll be eligible for some cool Narada and Moonlight swag.

OLD-TIME RADIO ESSENTIALS Episode 55: The Great Gildersleeve (S5 Holiday Special)

Old-Time Radio Essentials returns with episode 55, and as we continue Season 5, we present Paul's pick, an installment of the NBC comedy series, The Great Gildersleeve, from 12/24/44. Come for the old-time radio, stay for the scintillating (that's one way of putting it) discussion afterwards!

As you listen, perhaps you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we four bring you, as our fifty-fifth number (but 6th official episode of S5), this episode of The Great Gildersleeve, from Christmas Eve, 1944. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it!

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at [email protected] . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: It's Pete's pick again, and he'll bring us, for our 1st number of 2026, special guest programmer (and fellow OTR podcaster) John Tefteller, who will be sharing an episode of You Bet Your Life, starring Groucho Marx. Join us then, won't you?

SIX-GUN SANTA CLAUS, A Jake Dimes Christmas Number

Western detective Jake Dimes returns for a third holiday adventure! At a family gathering in Celestial City, Jake and his sidekick Briar Buck tell the "one hundred percent true" tale of a youngster, living a hardscrabble existence in a small Arizona town, who gets a new lease on life through the kindness of a circus performer. Aside from the main story, two members of the family reveal some important news! Enjoy this new offering from the Narada Radio Company, and Happy Holidays to all of our listeners!

With the voice talents of:

Dana Gonsalves as JAKE DIMES

Victoria Fancki as CHRIS GREENSLATE DIMES

Austin Beach as BRIAR BUCK

Nancy Bueler as MOLLY SUTCLIFFE BUCK

Joe Stofko as FRED GREENSLATE

Glenn Hascall as SLIM SUTCLIFFE and

Debby Gonzales Ramirez as LUPE; with

Nick Wommack as TODD

Alan Clower as NEVADA

Andy Hartson-Bowyer as ACE GARLAND

Paul J. Patterson as COLONEL BRAGG

Mel Rose as FREDERICA "RICKY" DIMES

Additional voices by Pete Lutz

Cannonball Kelly as YOUR ANNOUNCER

*

Adapted, produced and directed by Pete Lutz, from a short story by Lee E. Wells.

The Jake Dimes Theme was composed by Pete Lutz, arranged and performed by Dr. Ross Bernhardt.

Music passages came from "The Winter's Passed" by Wayne Barlow; other music from the public domain with the exception of certain stings by Edward Champion.

THE BEETLE WHO WENT ON HIS TRAVELS by Hans Christian Andersen

Originally produced for Mutual Audio Network's Saturday Story Circle, I decided to share my narration of this enchanting story with my regular listeners, in case they missed it at Mutual a couple years ago. Enjoy!

OLD-TIME RADIO ESSENTIALS Episode 54: I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again

Old-Time Radio Essentials returns with episode 54, and as we continue Season 5, we present Patte's pick, an early episode of the groundbreaking BBC comedy series, I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again, from April, 1964. Come for the old-time radio, stay for the scintillating (that's one way of putting it) discussion afterwards!

As you listen, perhaps you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we four bring you, as our fifty-fourth number (but 5th official episode of S5), this episode of I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again, from 04/64. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it!

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at [email protected] . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: It's Paul's pick again, and he'll bring us, for our 5th annual Christmas special, a holiday edition of The Great Gildersleeve. Join us then, won't you?

OLD-TIME RADIO ESSENTIALS Episode 53: NBC Presents: Short Story

Old-Time Radio Essentials returns with episode 53, and as we continue Season 5, we present Pete's pick, or rather Special Guest Programmer Jack Ward's pick, an example of the NBC Radio Anthology series NBC Presents: Short Story. Come for the old-time radio, stay for the scintillating (that's one way of putting it) discussion afterwards!

As you listen, perhaps you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we four bring you, as our fifty-third number (but 4th official episode of S5), this episode of NBC Presents: Short Story, from 3-15-51. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it!

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at [email protected] . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: It's Patte's pick again, and she is still mulling things over -- but she does specify something from either the BBC or CBC. Join us then, won't you?