Just the facts, ma'am: DRAGNET is one of the few programs from the classic age of audio drama which is still recognized by most people today - for the iconic four-note theme, at least. But even Dragnet didn't hit the airwaves at the start in its fully-realized familiar form. Episode number one, which aired on June 3, 1949, survives only via a script, not a recording. That script reveals a compelling cop show, but one which doesn't quite match our memories of Jack Webb's LAPD detective formed from years of radio, television, and movie versions. All of which makes Project Audion's new reconstruction of that very first episode such a fascinating show worth listening to. Even the Dragnet theme isn't yet there. But Joe Friday is, along with his partner Ben Alexander, and the true-life crime stories where "only the names have been changed - to protect the innocent."

But wait -- there's more (as they used to say on the commercials accompanying Dragnet TV reruns). R. L. Mills, that senior scriptwriting script and storyteller from the days of Bob Hope, has penned a parody of Dragnet called "Hairnet" - and THAT plays back right AFTER our lost premiere. The same cast is heard (and seen) in both shows...only of the parts were changed, to protect the actors...

Denise and Norman Cline, Kentucky
Pete Fernbaugh, West Virginia
Caleb Fisher, Virginia
Chris Hart, Florida
Ed Herman, New York
Sean Massey, Texas
Bob Mills, California
Craig Whichman, New York
...with production, direction, sound & music by Larry Groebe in Texas

Even the greatest creative people had to start somewhere. For Rod Serling, whose "Twilight Zone" series is one of the landmarks of television, it was the radio series "Doctor Christian." Project Audion is proud to recreate his very first professionally-sold script for that show, which hasn't been heard since it originally aired back on November 9, 1949.

Doctor Christian, which starred Jean Herscholt, was a popular and long-running light drama series about a small town doctor and the wide range of people he helped. While completing college, Rod Serling submitted a script about a boxer who was facing the fight of his life - titled "To Live a Dream." Entered into the annual Dr. Christian scriptwriting contest, it came in second place, and gave Serling his first income from writing, his first national broadcast...and the first step of Rod Serling's own dream. It's a surprisingly polished and intense first step, at that! Audion's far-flung voice actors included.

Ken Raney in Texas
Andy Hartson-Bowyer in Virginia
Sheree Wichard in Pennsylvania
Pete Lutz in Texas
Hunter Adkins in Maryland
Dana Gonsalves in Texas
and Tim Burns in Kansas
Music, Sound, production and direction from Larry Groebe in Texas.

Arch Oboler was one of radio's most accomplished writer/producers. Although he may be best known for his creepy horror scripts, he cared deeply about the human condition and regularly tackled weighty topics. "Special To Hollywood" was an indictment of the vacuousness of Hollywood celebrity, told in a sort of proto-"Twilight Zone" form. The story was performed on three occasions, and the 1945 script (from the series "Arch Oboler's Plays") became the core of Project Audion's second-ever show back in 2020. Six years later, we've gone back to our old Zoom files and remixed them because - well, just because it's a yarn that's worth re-hearing with a message that is still relevant today. Our cast:

Patte Rosebank, Canada
Tim Burns, Kansas
Larry Jurrist, Florida
Trevor Rines, Canada
Paul Arbisi, Illinois
Directed by Patte Rosebank, & Produced by Larry Groebe