Each week on Famous Stories you will hear some info and clips from a famous story by the master storyteller of the early 20th century, Damon Runyon. Then the feature presentation is the 1948/1949 old time radio show “The Damon Runyon Theater”. Hosted by John Henderson from the podcast This Day in Jack Benny. Subscribe now!
Preview
Background Music: “If I Were A Bell” by Miles Davis
Episode 1
“Tobias The Terrible”
The Damon Runyon Theater
October 3, 1948
Opening Music: “Runyonland” from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Walter Winchell voice over from Sorrowful Jones (1949)
Episode 2
“Little Miss Marker”
The Damon Runyon Theater
October 10, 1948
Opening Music: “Broadway Rhythm” from Bloodhounds of Broadway
Clip: Shirley Temple from Damon Runyon’s Little Miss Marker (1934)
Episode 3
“Romance in the Roaring Forties”
The Damon Runyon Theater
October 17, 1948
Opening Music: “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” by Bing Crosby covering song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Episode of 1994 television show Broadway Stories
Episode 4
“The Lemon Drop Kid”
The Damon Runyon Theater
October 24, 1948
Opening Music: “Sunbeam Serenade” by Patsy O’Conner, Leighton Nobel and Grace MacDonald from It Ain’t Hey
Clip: Lee Tracy from Damon Runyon’s The Lemon Drop Kid (1934)
Episode 5
“A Nice Price”
The Damon Runyon Theater
October 31, 1948
Opening Music: “Luck Be A lady” by Seal covering song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Edward G. Robinson from A Slight Case of Murder (1938)
Episode 6
“The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown”
The Damon Runyon Theater
November 7, 1948
Opening Music: “I Wanna Man” by Glenda Farrell from the movie Lady For A Day.
Clip: Marlon Brando from Guys and Dolls (1955)
Episode 7
“For A Pal”
The Damon Runyon Theater
November 14, 1948
Opening Music: “If You” by Mort Lindsay and His Orchestra from the movie 40 Pounds of Trouble.
Clip: Johnny One-Eye (1950)
Episode 8
“Princess O’Hara”
The Damon Runyon Theater
November 21, 1948
Opening Music: “Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat” by Sammy Davis Jr covering song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Princess O’Hara (1935)
Episode 9
“Butch Minds The Baby”
The Damon Runyon Theater
November 28, 1948
Opening Music: “80 Miles Outside of Atlanta” by Mitzi Gaynor from Bloodhounds of Broadway
Clip: Butch Minds The Baby from Screen Director’s Playhouse (1950)
Episode 10
“Breach of Promise”
The Damon Runyon Theater
December 5, 1948
Opening Music: “Sue Me” by Nathan Lane and Faith Prince from the New Broadway Cast of Guys and Dolls
Clip: Three Wise Guys from The Whistler (1950)
Episode 11
“Dancing Dan’s Christmas”
The Damon Runyon Theater
December 12, 1948
Opening Music: “Silver Bells” by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell from the movie The Lemon Drop Kid
Clip: Episode of 1994 television show Broadway Stories
[ audio http://traffic.libsyn.com/famousstories/Famous_Stories_11_Dancing_Dans_Christmas.mp3 ]
Episode 12
“Pick The Winner”
The Damon Runyon Theater
December 19, 1948
Opening Music: “Have a Good Time” by Jay C. Flippen from the movie Million Dollar Ransom
Clip: Frank Sinatra from Guys and Dolls (1955)
Episode 13
“Hold ‘Em Yale”
The Damon Runyon Theater
December 26, 1948
Opening Music: “Pocket Full of Miracles” by Frank Sinatra covering song from the movie of the same name.
Clip: William Frawley from Hold ‘Em Yale (1935)
Episode 14
“The Brain Goes Home”
The Damon Runyon Theater
January 2, 1949
Opening Music: “Adelaide’s Lament” by Carol Burnett covering song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Peter Falk from Pocket Full of Miracles (1961)
Episode 15
“Blood Pressure”
The Damon Runyon Theater
January 9, 1949
Opening Music: “Be Careful Song” by Jerry Lewis from the movie Money From Home
Clip: Frank Sinatra from Guys and Dolls (1955)
Episode 16
“Old Em’s Kentucky Home”
The Damon Runyon Theater
January 16, 1949
Opening Music: “I Wish I Knew” by Mitzi Gaynor from the movie Bloodhounds of Broadway
Clip: Bob Hope from the movie The Lemon Drop Kid (1951)
Episode 17
“Blond Mink”
The Damon Runyon Theater
January 23, 1949
Opening Music: “Take Back Your Mink” by Vivian Blaine from the original Broadway cast recording of Guys and Dolls
Clip: Joe E. Brown from A Very Honorable Guy (1934)
Episode 18
“Leopard’s Spots”
The Damon Runyon Theater
January 30, 1949
Opening Music: “With You On My Mind” by Ethel Merman from the movie Straight Place and Show
Clip: James J Braddock better known as “The Cinderella Man”
Episode 19
“All Horse Players Die Broke”
The Damon Runyon Theater
February 6, 1949
Opening Music: “Fugue in Tinhorns” by Ethel Merman from the movie Guys and Dolls
Clip: Racing Lady (1937)
Episode 20
“The Hottest Guy In The World”
The Damon Runyon Theater
February 13, 1949
Opening Music: “I’m a Black Sheep Who’s Blue” by Dorothy Dell from the movie Little Miss Marker
Clip: Episode of 1994 television show Broadway Stories
Episode 21
“A Piece of Pie”
The Damon Runyon Theater
February 20, 1949
Opening Music: “My Time of Day” by Robert Alda from the original Broadway cast recording of Guys and Dolls
Clip: 1945 Radio version of A Slight Case of Murder
Episode 22
“Barbecue”
The Damon Runyon Theater
February 27, 1949
Opening Music: “Having a Wonderful Wish” by Annette Warren (Lipsynced by Lucile Ball) from the movie Sorrowful Jones
Clip: 1934 Radio version of a newspaper mystery.
Episode 23
“Lonely Heart”
The Damon Runyon Theater
March 6, 1949
Opening Music: “I’ll Know” by The Four Lads covering song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: At the Stroke of Twelve (1941)
Episode 24
“Broadway Complex”
The Damon Runyon Theater
March 13, 1949
Opening Music: “Jack O’Diamonds” by Mitzi Gaynor from the movie Bloodhounds of Broadway
Clip: Walter Mathau in Little Miss Marker (1980)
Episode 25
“Madame La Gimp”
The Damon Runyon Theater
March 20, 1949
Opening Music: “A woman in Love” by Frankie Lane and Percy Faith covering song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Frank Capra’s Lady For a Day (1933)
Episode 26
“Baseball Hattie”
The Damon Runyon Theater
March 27, 1949
Opening Music: “Who Knows?” by Martha Mears (Lipsynced by Lucile Ball) From the movie The Big Street
Clip: Prologue to The Pride of the Yankees (1942)
Episode 27
“The Big Umbrella”
The Damon Runyon Theater
April 3, 1949
Opening Music: “Hang Your Troubles on a Rainbow” by Leighton Nobel from the movie It Aint Hey
Clip: Professional Soldier (1935)
Episode 28
“Earthquake”
The Damon Runyon Theater
April 10, 1949
Opening Music: “A Bushel and a Peck” by Doris Day covering the song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Midnight Alibi (1934)
Episode 29
“The Bloodhounds of Broadway”
The Damon Runyon Theater
April 17, 1949
Opening Music: “I Surrender, Dear” by Madonna from the movie Bloodhounds of Broadway (1989)
Clip: Bloodhounds of Broadway (1952)
Episode 30
“The Lilly of St Pierre”
The Damon Runyon Theater
April 24, 1949
Opening Music: “Low Down Lullaby” by Dorothy Dell from the movie Little Miss Marker (1934)
Clip: Tony Curtis in 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962)
Episode 31
“It Comes Up Mud”
The Damon Runyon Theater
May 1, 1949
Opening Music: “Fugue in Tinhorns” by The Andrews Sisters covering the song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Abbot and Costello in It Ain’t Hay (1943)
Episode 32
“Broadway Financier”
The Damon Runyon Theater
May 8, 1949
Opening Music: “You Send Me” by Marguerite Chapman from the movie Bloodhound of Broadway
Clip: Nathan Lane in the stage revival of Guys and Dolls (1992)
Episode 33
“Bred for Battle”
The Damon Runyon Theater
May 15, 1949
Opening Music: “More I Cannot Wish You” by Paul McCartney covering the song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Cliff Edwards from the short Just a Cute Kid (1940)
Episode 34
“So You Won’t Talk”
The Damon Runyon Theater
May 22, 1949
Opening Music: “Old Timer” by Patsy O’Conner from the movie It Ain’t Hay
Clip: Andy Devine from Million Dollar Ransom (1934)
Episode 35
“Social Error”
The Damon Runyon Theater
May 29, 1949
Opening Music: “Take Back Your Mink” by Dorothy Shay covering the song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Madonna from the movie Bloodhounds of Broadway (1989)
Episode 36
“Cemetery Bait”
The Damon Runyon Theater
June 5, 1949
Opening Music: “Harrah For Love” by Mort Lindsay and his Orchestra from the movie 40 Pounds of Trouble
Clip: Joe and Ethel Turp story from the radio show Good News (1939)
Episode 37
“The Melancholy Dane”
The Damon Runyon Theater
June 12, 1949
Opening Music: “My Time of Day” by Edmond Hockridge covering the song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: The Good Luck Kid from the TV Show The Damon Runyon Theater (1956)
Episode 38
“The Brakeman’s Daughter”
The Damon Runyon Theater
June 19, 1949
Opening Music: “Joan of Arkansas” by Dixie Dunbar from the movie Professional Soldier
Clip: Bob Hope and Lucile Ball from the movie Sorrowful Jones (1949)
Episode 39
“The Lacework Kid”
The Damon Runyon Theater
June 26, 1949
Opening Music: “If I Were a Bell” by Ella Fitzgerald covering the song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Jackie Chan from the movie Miracles (1989)
Episode 40
“Maybe a Queen”
The Damon Runyon Theater
July 3, 1949
Opening Music: “I’ve Got a Feelin’ You’re Foolin'” by Mitzi Gaynor, Mitzi Green an Richard Allan from the move Bloodhounds of Broadway
Clip: Joe and Ethel Turp story from the radio show Good News (1939)
Episode 41
“Joe Terrace”
The Damon Runyon Theater
July 10, 1949
Opening Music: “Guys and Dolls” by Bobby Darin covering the song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Stop You’re Killing Me (1952)
Episode 42
“Lillian”
The Damon Runyon Theater
July 17, 1949
Opening Music: “Glory Be” by Grace MacDonald from the movie It Ain’t Hay
Clip: Radio preview Damon Runyon Says (1944)
Episode 43
“Palm Beach Santa Claus”
The Damon Runyon Theater
July 24, 1949
Opening Music: “More I Cannot Wish You” by Pat Rooney Sr from the original Broadway cast recording of Guys and Dolls
Clip: The TV Movie Three Wise Guys (2005)
Episode 44
“Tight Shoes”
The Damon Runyon Theater
July 31, 1949
Opening Music: “Laugh, You Son of a Gun” by Shirley Temple from the movie Little Miss Marker
Clip: Red Skelton and Lucy in Tight Shoes (1942)
Episode 45
“That Ever-Lovin’ Wife of Hymie’s”
The Damon Runyon Theater
August 7, 1949
Opening Music: “Adelaide” by Kirby Stone Four covering the song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Straight Place and Show (1938)
Episode 46
“A Light In France”
The Damon Runyon Theater
August 14, 1949
Opening Music: “You’ll Never Know” by Winnie Shaw from the movie Million Dollar Ransom
Clip: Bob Hope from the radio version of The Lemon Drop Kid (1951)
Episode 47
“A Story Goes With It”
The Damon Runyon Theater
August 21, 1949
Opening Music: “I’ll Know” by Barbra Streisand covering the song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: The radio version of A Very Honorable Guy (1946)
Episode 48
“Dark Dolores”
The Damon Runyon Theater
August 28, 1949
Opening Music: “Now That We’re Alone” by Jeanette Loff from the movie A Very Honorable Guy
Clip: The short film Butch Minds the Baby (1979)
Episode 49
“What, No Butler?”
The Damon Runyon Theater
September 4, 1949
Opening Music: “I Wish I Knew” by Mitzi Gaynor and Richard Allan from the movie Bloodhounds of Broadway
Clip: Lucille Ball from The Big Street (1942)
Episode 49
“Neat Strip”
The Damon Runyon Theater
September 11, 1949
Opening Music: “Pet Me Pappa” by Rosemary Clooney covering the song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: Episode of 1994 television show Broadway Stories
Episode 50
“Sense of Humor”
The Damon Runyon Theater
September 18, 1949
Opening Music: “It Doesn’t Cost a Dime to Dream” by Bob Hope & Marilyn Maxwell from the movie The Lemon Drop Kid
Clip: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis in Money From Home
Episode 52
“Dream Street Rose”
The Damon Runyon Theater
September 25, 1949
Opening Music: “The Oldest Established” by Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby covering the song from Guys and Dolls
Clip: The radio version of Lady for a Day (1939)
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