Radio Law Enforcement

Hello MPIR Fans,
I hope you've enjoyed the Western programming the past few days. Coming up for Monday Feb 15, 2016 will be radio law enforcement themed programs. Episodes from The Tales of The Texas Rangers, The Line Up, 21st Precinct, and featuring Dragnet.

Dragnet, 1949 - 1957 the brainchild of Jack Webb, may very well be the most well-remembered, and the best, radio police drama series. Each 30 minute show brought to radio true police stories in a low-key, documentary style. Dragnet became one of radio's top rated shows. Jack Webb insisted on realism in every aspect of the show. The dialogue was clipped, understated, and sparse -- influenced by the hard-boiled school of crime fiction. Scripts were fast moving, but didn't seem rushed. Every aspect of police work was chronicled, step-by-step. From patrols and paperwork, to crime scene investigation, lab work and questioning witnesses or suspects. Webb was a stickler for accurate details, and Dragnet used many authentic touches, such as LAPD's actual radio call sign, KMA-367, and the names of many real department officials, such as Ray Pinker and Lee Jones of the Crime Lab, or Chief of Detectives, Thad Brown.


21st Precinct 1953 - 1956 was a very dramatic police drama. CBS decided to use New York City as the backdrop for this series and to focus on the happenings in an actual police precinct. The premise was to put the listener into the drama from the opening phone call until the final report was written.

Enjoy the programming? Please let know if you have a particular show you wish to hear.

Until next time,

Gunsmoke & Westerns

Hello MPIR Fans & Friends,
I hope you enjoyed the Lux Radio Theatre shows. Now it's time to put on your 10 gallon hat and strap that six shooter. Get ready for a shooting, and fighting weekend of radio westerns. Featuring Gunsmoke, and other adult western radio shows.

Gunsmoke ran from 1952 - 1961 and is respected for its high values, in all aspects. The show was billed as the first adult western. It was set in Dodge City, Kansas in the 1870's. The main character, Matt Dillon, was played by William Conrad. Other regular characters were Chester Proudfoot, played by Parley Baer; Kitty, played by Georgia Ellis; and Doc Adams, played by Howard McNear.

The series featured top-notch acting and well-developed scripts that set it apart from many other shows, not only Westerns; however, it was the sound effects that stood out the most. Listen carefully and one can hear many levels of sound that really helps transport the listener back to the old west.

The Six Shooter starring Jimmy Stewart, and Fort Laramie starring Raymond Burr will be featured starting Friday Feb 12, 2016. Partner feel free to join Marshall Dillon, Chester, Doc, and Kitty in the Long Branch Saloon for a cool drink and tune into Mystery Play Internet Radio.