By Forris Day Jr.
It’s called “Theater of the Mind”, “Old Time Radio” or “Radio Dramas” to name a few. If you have ever heard a radio drama you know what I am talking about. If you haven’t now is the time. Radio dramas were hugely popular in the 1940’s and 1950’s before we had television. Yes, there was a time that people did not have televisions. Folks wanted entertainment so that is what the radio was for. All day long you could tune in and hear radio dramas and serial programs. Serials were much like what a soap opera is today. People could not get enough of these radio shows. Along come the 60’s and people start buying televisions. Radio dramas start losing popularity to the new television shows. The radio shows are still produced, even through the 80’s, with such classics as CBS Radio Mystery Theater hosted by E.G. Marshal, but much of the popularity has waned because of the explosion of affordable television sets.
One of the most popular shows in the early days was called “Suspense” and I am thrilled to say that it is back and on the radio. It is produced by John C. Alsedek at his Blue Hours Production studio in California. This is great news for us radio drama fans. Each show is either an adaptation from a classic story or an original script. I have so far listened to several episodes and loved them all. There is nothing like imagining the story in your mind. It is so much more relaxing and more of an escape than watching a television show. With the radio shows your imagination is guided by the dialog and sound effects of each program.
The biggest obstacle these radio shows will have in today’s world is people’s short attention span, but I assure you they are worth the time to listen to. It is a great way to have a bit of time to yourself. Just listen and tune out the world. Enter the world of “Suspense”. “Suspense” is currently on nearly 200 radio stations across the US and climbing.
I enjoyed all the episodes I have listened to so far and look forward to each new one. As a voice-over person and actor myself I truly appreciate the hard work and creativity that goes into making each episode. Alsedek is now creating a new 1950’s style variety radio show called “The Hooey Old-Time Radio Hour” so keep an ear open for that show too. It is a departure from “Suspense” in the fact that it is loaded with comedy and music.
Rating: 9/10 – Radio at it’s best.
