When I heard Marion High School alumni were going to present radio plays, I was skeptical of whether it would be very entertaining.
I have cable and Internet at home. The only time I ever really listen to radio is during K-State games that aren’t on television, but I decided to give it a chance.
I’m happy I did. “Tales of Mystery and Suspense” was an interesting change of pace.
The newly-formed Alumni Radio Players produced four episodes of actual radio shows — two episodes of “Suspense,” one episode of “Pat Novak For Hire,” and the pilot episode or the original radio version of “Father Knows Best.”
The storytelling was so different from today’s TV shows and movies. Well-written and delivered dialogue were the most important aspects of a radio show.
The entire cast did a good job delivering their lines. Brett Billings was outstanding as private investigator Pat Novak. He had just the right rhythm and accent for the gumshoe.
In “Father Knows Best,” Isaac Guetersloh was incredulous as patriarch Jim Henderson.
TC Edwards obviously had fun serving as the old-fashioned radio announcer.
Watching foley artist Lee Ownbey produce the sound effects was interesting. Especially fun was the effect of a police inspector falling into the water below a bridge. Ownbey accomplished the effect by shoving a plunger into a bucket full of water.
“Tales of Mystery and Suspense” was a fun look at the lost art of radio drama. I hope the Alumni Radio Players find a way to present more radio plays in years to come.
— Adam Stewart