Project Audion: Classic Audio Dramas for Modern Times

Project Audion: Classic Audio Dramas for Modern Times

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Network Radio of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s - the precursor to today's podcasting - was a golden era for Audio Theatre. Project Audion selects the most interesting examples of these vintage audio plays - often from lost scripts that haven't been heard or performed in decades - and recreates them in real-time using top-notch voice actors from across the country and vintage production techniques. The result: a timeless treat for your ears.

Episode List

"Dragnet" recreation of the lost premiere episode of famous police procedural audio drama from June 3 1949 (plus bonus parody)

Mar 14th, 2026 12:00 AM

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

"Dr Christian: To Live A Dream" recreation of Rod Serling's first script, a classic radio 1949 drama

Feb 14th, 2026 1:00 AM

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's Plays: Special to Hollywood" remastered recreation of audio drama from 1945

Jan 10th, 2026 1:00 AM

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

"A Christmas Carol" classic holiday Audio Drama recreated for a live studio audience

Dec 24th, 2025 5:00 PM

Project Audion presents a special Christmas audio drama recorded before a live audience at the Grapevine (TX) Public Library on December 14, 2025 as part of "Christmas On The Air." This half hour recreates a "A Christmas Carol" as it was traditionally heard on on the radio networks in the days before television. For nearly two decades spread across across the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, actor Lionel Barrymore definitively portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge  for eager American radio listeners. We recreated his 1949 production with a full cast, right down to Tiny Tim, plus music and live sound effects. It's the voices of Christmas past, here as your Christmas present... Kim Titus Mitch Carr   Reg Platt Susan  Platt Brian Hoffman Gary Layton Sheela Bailey A. J. Glendenning Pierce Morgan Chase Morgan Produced and directed by Larry Groebe

"The Men From the Ministry" lost 1964 Christmas radio comedy, recreated for a live studio audience

Dec 24th, 2025 4:30 PM

Project Audion presents a special Christmas audio comedy, recorded before a live audience at the Grapevine (TX) Public Library on December 14, 2025 as part of "Christmas On The Air." This show recreates a special Christmas episode of the beloved British radio sitcom "The Men From the Ministry" which was extremely popular during the 1960s and 1970s (and still re-run on the BBC today). The show satirized governmental bureaucracy, but it only aired a single Christmas episode, in December 1964. That recording was subsequently lost or wiped, so Project Audion, performing from the delightfully funny original script, is bringing back to life something which NO ONE has heard in over 60 years! Listen as two bumbling bureaucrats attempt to spread a little Christmas cheer  with their plans to deliver "A Present for Norman." A. J. Glendenning Gary Layton Kim Titus Mitch Carr Brian Hoffman Reg Platt Susan  Platt Sheela Bailey Produced and directed by Larry Groebe

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