SAVE THE LAST WORD FOR ME #4 and 5: Chatting with voice actor and audio dramatist Jon Grilz (01/2017)

Again from our archives, we present the 4th and 5th episodes of a discussion podcast that I had high hopes for, but which only went for 9 episodes or so. But the discussions are fun and if you're interested in voice actors' lives, we delve pretty deep in these interviews. 

Jon Grilz is the creator, producer and star of the "Small Town Horror" audio drama series, and our discussion spans two episodes because in the first one we talked for more than an hour, but later discovered that the recorder had punked out on us about 20 min. into our discussion. So we got together a second time and chatted for about another hour, and that one was successfully saved for the ages. Nowadays Jon is involved with the "Creepypods" series. Enjoy our freewheeling chat from five years ago!

I lied a year ago when I indicated that I'll be posting these re-runs monthly, sorry about that. But nobody wrote to complain, so I guess it wasn't important anyway. Cheers!

Season Three of Old-Time Radio Essentials continues! This time it's Paul's pick -- and he's rooted around until he found a real "gem" for us to enjoy and discuss.

And since we're on the subject of discussion, we hope to determine whether this entry meets the following criteria:

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

Next Time: An episode of Lux Radio Theatre!

Originally released 5/29/20. Transcribed live from California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennesee, and Texas... Project Audion presents a recreation of the 1937 Columbia Workshop broadcast of "R.U.R: Rossum's Universal Robots."

Pete Lutz of Narada Radio Company, director of this re-creation, says this about his choice of show: "I love the historical sense of the story. Here's Carel Kapek, in 1920 or '21, foreseeing A.I., prophesying humans' dependence on technology. Of course, robots themselves, thank the gods, haven't been perfected to the same extent. But there are so many wonderful elements in the story: all the men on the island are in love with Helena, and this unrequited love felt by Dr. Gall leads to their downfall. The robots evolve in different ways, though: some become murderous, yet two show more humane tendencies: love, compassion, sacrifice. I first heard the BBC's radio adaptation of this, which was about two hours long. Then I found the script we use here and felt that the main points of the story were covered sufficiently in a half-hour. It's exciting, dramatic, and sentimental. Columbia Workshop had geniuses working for them."

Project Audion is a collection of voice actors from across North America who are recreating classic shows from Radio's Golden Age via videoconference .

(Orig. launch date 7/24/20) Project Audion presents our recreation of an episode of Screen Guild Theatre, AKA Hollywood Soundstage. "The Ox-Bow Incident" was a best-selling book in 1940, a blockbuster Western movie in 1943, and adapted for the Screen Guild Theatre radio show no less than three times. Our version is from 1952. It's a story of vengeance and violence -- a gritty look at a group of men who turned into a mob.

"The Ox-Bow Incident" was directed by Pete Lutz / Corpus Christi, Texas and produced by Larry Groebe / Grapevine, Texas, and used a coast-to-coast cast of 14 people situated from Nova Scotia to San Francisco:

Paul Arbisi / Peoria, Illinois

John Bell / Alabaster, Alabama

Denise Cline / Nicholasville, Kentucky

Norman Cline / Nicholasville, Kentucky

Dana Gonsalves / Corpus Christi, Texas

John Mauldin / Nashville, Tennessee

Chris Messersmith / Dallas Texas

Ken Raney / Arlington, Texas

Carl Thomas / Rockport, Texas

Lothar Tuppan / San Francisco, California

Jack Ward / Halifax, Nova Scotia

Angela Young / Palm Coast, Florida

(Orig. launch date 5/7/21) Project Audion's 2nd season begins like our first season, with an episode of the classic radio drama Suspense. "Pearls are a Nuisance", aired on CBS 4/20/50, is a satirical detective drama based on a story by Raymond Chandler, which starred Ray Milland. Walter Gage is trying to track down some stolen pearls, and must call upon a gentleman of dubious morals to help him.

Our transcribed-live drama includes voice actors from California all the way to England:

Joe Mendell (UK) – Announcer

Pete Lutz (TX) - Harlow Wilcox, Henry

Doug Fain (TX) - Walter

Rhiannon McAfee (CA) - Ellen

Angela Young (FL) - Dora, Teller

Greg McAfee (CA) - Mr. Gallemore, Voice

Dana Gonsalves (TX) - Manager, Scandesi

Mr. Lutz directed, while Larry Groebe handled production and sound.

This latest Project Audion vintage radio recreation (orig. rel. 4/8/22) is an hour-long dramatization of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four...which was originally produced in August 1949, just months after the book, to great acclaim, was released. NBC University Theater adapted this scathing vision of a possible future where "Freedom is Slavery" and "Big Brother is watching you." Big Brother is part of our cultural currency now, but in 1949, "1984" was a new and daring novel, and this early audio adaptation feels fresh - and still terrifying.

WINSTON SMITH: Dana Gonsalves, TX

ANNOUNCER: John Bell, AL

O'BRIEN: Les Marsden, CA

JULIA: Jesirae Kesler, TX

MR. PARSONS & OTHERS: Tom Konkle, CA

MR. SYME: Jason Johnson, TX

MRS. PARSONS: Rachel Pulliam, MO

ASSORTED VOICES: Jessica Matthews, TX

CHARRINGTON, AMPLEFORTH AND DIRECTION: Pete Lutz, TX

MUSIC/FX/ASSTD. VOICES/PRODUCTION: Larry Groebe, TX

It's episode two of a new, limited anthology series from 63audio and the Narada Radio Company! Adventure Trail brings back to the Narada microphone The Old-Timer, a character first heard way back in the first season of Pulp-Pourri Theatre. He's back after all this time to spin a few yarns and tell some tall tales about adventures he's had over his long life, and this second outing is a prime example. Set in the 1940s or thereabouts, in "Demon an' Pithypuss" we hear about a pair of ranch hands (Rowdy Ransom and Mac McCorkadale) who are such close friends, that one can't itch without the other one scratchin', to hear Ol' Duff Moser, the ramrod, tell it. Mac and Rowdy are sure-fire winners in the upcoming rodeo's steer-tying competition, but their other event, a ballad-singing contest, causes their friendship (and rodeo partnership) to fall apart when they find they can't agree on the "right" words to an old song. With all the other hands' wages tied up in bets, things look pretty dire, and the other cowboys try all kinds of ways to bring these two back together.

CAST:

Gene Giggy as THE OLD-TIMER

Les Marsden as DUFF MOSER

John Bell as EDITOR STRAWN

Norman Cline as ROWDY RANSOM

David Ian as MAC McCORKADALE

Eugene Lutz as PINCH-POCKET PATTERSON

Mark Kalita as LINK CASSIDY

Pete Lutz as BIG-NOSE GEORGE and NICK SHORTRIDGE 

Jordan Bruster as JOE CLARK

Dana Gonsalves as AB BUNKER

With additional voices by Glenn Higbee, Glenn Hascall, and members of the cast.

Guitar for "Trail to Mexico" performed by Riley Lutz

ADVENTURE TRAIL theme and interstitial music composed and performed by Ed Champion

Melody for "Trail to Mexico" composed by Pete Lutz

Season Three of Old-Time Radio Essentials continues! This time it's Dave's pick -- but he's invited Essential Listener Marshal to choose something for us to enjoy and discuss.

And since we're on the subject of discussion, we hope to determine whether this entry meets the following criteria:

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

Next Time: An episode of Philo Vance!

We have just learned that the Feedspot blog has published a list of the "Best 50 Audio Drama Podcasts" to follow, and Narada was ranked in the 1st position! We couldn't be more pleased -- it's our first time on ANY list, seriously! Pete thanks all of our beloved cast members, composers, and other collaborators -- and of course the terrific listeners who join us from various places around the world. Thank you for your support over the years, and please check out the list and see who else is on it:

https://blog.feedspot.com/audio_drama_podcasts/?fbclid=IwAR0H9yR46X7EuapQhwui5zlsBimKmU54_S2XEkUwz3OceuROMTBaYgM4dhg

In honor of Saint Paddy's day (March 17th), we've sent our intrepid reporter, Philboyd Studge, to New York City, home of the world's largest St. Patrick's Day parade, to interview someone who claims to be a leprechaun. You'll be "Wearin' o' the Grin" by the time it's over, don't ye know. Enjoy!

Season Three of Old-Time Radio Essentials continues! This time it's Pete's pick -- but he's invited Essential Listener Rick to choose something for us to enjoy and discuss.

And since we're on the subject of discussion, we hope to determine whether this entry meets the following criteria:

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

Next Time: An episode of Mark Trail, and another guest programmer!

63audio Presents: QUEEN OF BLOOD!

Adapted/Produced/Directed by Pete Lutz from the 1966 film, this tale of science fiction and horror takes us from Earth to Mars and back again. The Earth is eagerly awaiting the arrival of emissaries from a distant planet, but they crash-land on Mars, and astronauts must travel there to rescue them. What happens after that will haunt your dreams ... forever. Dedicated to the memory of our friend, Bill Hollweg.

STARRING THE NARADA RADIO COMPANY

CAST:

ALLAN BRENNER: Pete Lutz

LAURA JAMES: Carole Krohn

DR. FARRADAY: Mark Kalita

PAUL GRANT: Lothar Tuppan

TONY BARRATTA: Jack Ward

CDR. BROCKMAN: Dana Gonsalves

THE QUEEN OF BLOOD: Kendra Murray

ANNOUNCER: John Bell

ADDITIONAL VOICES BY: Paul Arbisi, Tom Konkle, Riley Lutz, Pam Pailes, Frank Guglielmelli, Dave Robison, Rachel Pulliam, Juan Perez

MUSIC BY: Dr. Ross Bernhardt (with some passages of music taken from the film's soundtrack)

NOW AVAILABLE from 63audio and The Narada Radio Company!

QUEEN OF BLOOD is an audio adaptation of the 1966 sci-fi/horror film of the same name. It tells the story of space explorers from Earth whose mission to rescue some extraterrestrials who have crash-landed on Mars turns from one of humanitarian purpose, to one of life-saving -- their own lives, that is! 

With a stellar cast of Narada favorites plus a few newcomers, and music from the film plus new passages composed by Dr. Ross Bernhardt, QUEEN OF BLOOD is a not-to-be-missed thriller you will never forget! 

NOW AVAILABLE on Moonlight, Mutual Audio and Narada Radio Feeds! SUBSCRIBE, Y'ALL.

Season Three of Old-Time Radio Essentials continues! This time it's Paul's pick -- and he's bringing us an (ahem) unusual episode of Gangbusters for us to (ahem) enjoy and discuss.

And since we're on the subject of discussion, we hope to determine whether this entry meets the following criteria:

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

Next Time: An episode of The Red Skelton Program, and a guest programmer!

It's episode one of a new, limited anthology series from 63audio and the Narada Radio Company! Adventure Trail brings back to the Narada microphone The Old-Timer, a character first heard way back in the first season of Pulp-Pourri Theatre. He's back after all this time to spin a few yarns and tell some tall tales about adventures he's had over his long life, and this first outing is a prime example. Set in the Old West, "Loco or Love" tells the story of a sheriff and his deputy, lifelong pals, whose relationship falls apart when they both fall for a pretty lady who isn't exactly what she seems, and whose jobs are threatened when a crime spree takes place under their very noses.

ANNOUNCER: Harold Zither

THE OLD-TIMER: Gene Giggy

MAGPIE SIMPKINS: Parrish Worsfold

LILY LESTER: Orlando Segarra

ZEB ABERNATHY: David Ian

SCENERY SIMS: Eugene Lutz

BUCK MASTERSON/PETE GONYER: John Bell

AGENT BRAND: Norman Cline

ART MILLER: Dana Gonsalves

ADDITIONAL VOICES by Philboyd Studge

THEME and INTERSTITIAL MUSIC by Edward Champion

Hear the Old-Timer's first adventure here:

https://naradaradio.libsyn.com/s1-e7-the-better-man

SPECIAL NOTE: This play is featured in my book, Get Me Out of Here and Other Plays, available at amazon.com and from the publisher, at these links:

https://www.amazon.com/Get-Out-Here-Other-Plays/dp/B0BV49MHJC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

https://gnashingteethpublishing.com/product/buy-get-me-out-of-here-pete-lutz/

OR...if you'd like an autographed copy, please contact me at f6point3@gmail.com, and I'll tell you how to get one. Thanks!

TRANSCONTINENTAL TERROR Presents: 

The Cellar Mini-Series, episode 5: For I Have Sinned

Originally released on the Mutual Audio Network in October 2021, this is the 5th of five new episodes produced by 63audio for the month-long Transcontinental Terror audio series. 

In "For I Have Sinned", a group of men travel to a secluded retreat house to contemplate the error of their ways. However, a vengeful force has other plans for them. Written, directed and produced by Pete Lutz. NARADA RADIO COMPANY

CAST:

ANNOUNCER - Robin Robbins

CADAVERA QUIVRY - Angela Young

O'ROURKE: Chuck Wilson

DEMPSEY: Jason D. Johnson

THOMPSON: Carl Yowell

VAN DRIVER: Ross Bernhardt

CONNOLLY: Pete Lutz

JAMISON: Derek Rhein

FRANKLIN: Dana Gonsalves

MIKE: Austin Beach

Music by Dr. Ross Bernhardt

Originally released 01/01/21, Project Audion presents a recreation of the classic OTR Quiet Please episode titled "Rain on New Year's Eve." It's a small, spooky story about movies, monsters, and midnight, written by Wyllis Cooper, master of radio macabre which originally aired December 31, 1947.

For this transcribed-live national recreation, Pete Lutz in Corpus Christi Texas directs and appears in the show, along with Dana Gonsalves, Jessica Mathews, and Marty Bufalini from WWJ radio in Detroit. Larry Groebe created the organ links and handled production elements.