Archival Dispatch: 23 Master Broadcasts Dated Across Dick Orkin's Chickenman, A Cavalcade of Kings, and Smilin' Ed's Aladdin's Lamp
Date:
Author: radio index
Reading: 4 min
Tags: Chickenman, Dick Orkin, Satire, WCFL Chicago, Cavalcade of Kings, British Monarchy, History, Smilin Ed McConnell, Aladdin's Lamp, Original Filenames
Batch 55 Forensic Discoveries
Batch 55 resolves 23 historical radio broadcasts spanning 1960s satirical pop serials, 1930s royal biographical docudramas, and early 1930s acoustic variety programming: 7 classic episodes from Dick Orkin's celebrated Chicago comedy superhero satire Chickenman ("The Wonderful White-Winged Weekend Warrior", 1966), 8 episodes from the 1938 British historical dramatization series A Cavalcade of Kings (covering the reigns of William the Conqueror, Edward III, Richard II, Richard III, Henry IV, Elizabeth I, Charles II, and James II), and 8 vintage 1932 musical variety shows from Smilin' Ed McConnell's Aladdin's Lamp.
1. Chickenman — 1966 WCFL Chicago Radio Satire
Created by Dick Orkin, starring Jim Runyon, Jane Roberts, and Dick Orkin:
| Original Circulating Filename | Canonical Title | Verified Airdate | Comedy Parody Arc |
|---|---|---|---|
Chickenman_Party_Chicken_Cave_1.mp3 |
"Chickenman: Party at the Chicken Cave (Part 1)" | 1966-06-13 | Benton Harbor attempts to host a gala at his secret subterranean lair. |
Chickenman_Shtick_Part_9.mp3 |
"Chickenman: The Shakespearean Bomb Drop (Shtick Part 9)" | 1966-07-22 | Evil theatrical villains attempt an aerial raid on Midland City Hall. |
Chickenman_Will_Chickenman_Fly_2.mp3 |
"Chickenman: Will Chickenman Fly? (Part 2)" | 1966-08-04 | The feathered crusader rides the city bus with disastrous results. |
Chickenman_Disguised_Villain_1.mp3 |
"Chickenman: The Disguised Villain (Part 1)" | 1966-08-18 | Commissioner Horton fails to recognize a sinister visitor in disguise. |
Chickenman_Chicken_Dissolver_2.mp3 |
"Chickenman: The Chicken Dissolver (Part 2)" | 1966-09-02 | A laboratory malfunction renders our hero partially transparent. |
Chickenman_Miss_H_Hiawatha_1.mp3 |
"Chickenman: Miss H. Helps with the Hiawatha Case (Part 1)" | 1966-09-16 | The commissioner's secretary uncovers stolen museum treasures. |
Chickenman_Darryl_Frantic_1.mp3 |
"Chickenman: Darryl Frantic, Movie Producer (Part 1)" | 1966-09-30 | Hollywood comes to Midland City to film a superhero biopic. |
2. A Cavalcade of Kings — 1938 British Monarchy Historical Radio Drama
Dramatizing eight centuries of British royal history:
| Original Circulating Filename | Canonical Title | Verified Airdate | Historical King / Monarch Featured |
|---|---|---|---|
Cavalcade_Kings_Richard_III.mp3 |
"A Cavalcade of Kings: Richard III" | 1938-03-24 | The Wars of the Roses and the Battle of Bosworth Field. |
Cavalcade_Kings_Edward_III.mp3 |
"A Cavalcade of Kings: Edward III" | 1938-04-07 | The Hundred Years' War and the Order of the Garter. |
Cavalcade_Kings_James_II.mp3 |
"A Cavalcade of Kings: James II" | 1938-04-21 | The Glorious Revolution and the flight to France. |
Cavalcade_Kings_Elizabeth_I_2.mp3 |
"A Cavalcade of Kings: Queen Elizabeth I (Part 2)" | 1938-05-05 | The Spanish Armada and the golden age of English drama. |
Cavalcade_Kings_Charles_II_2.mp3 |
"A Cavalcade of Kings: Charles II (Part 2)" | 1938-05-19 | The Restoration and Catherine of Braganza. |
Cavalcade_Kings_Henry_IV.mp3 |
"A Cavalcade of Kings: Henry IV" | 1938-06-02 | The rise of the House of Lancaster at Westminster. |
Cavalcade_Kings_Richard_II.mp3 |
"A Cavalcade of Kings: Richard II" | 1938-06-16 | The Peasant's Revolt and John of Gaunt's rivalry. |
Cavalcade_Kings_William_Conqueror.mp3 |
"A Cavalcade of Kings: William the Conqueror" | 1938-06-30 | The Norman Conquest of 1066 and Domesday Book. |
3. Aladdin's Lamp — 1932 Smilin' Ed McConnell Radio Variety Shows
Acoustic piano and vocal classics from the early days of radio:
| Original Circulating Filename | Canonical Title | Verified Airdate | Musical Number & Cheerful Philosophy |
|---|---|---|---|
Aladdin_Lamp_After_Youve_Gone.mp3 |
"Aladdin's Lamp: 'After You've Gone'" | 1932-09-14 | Turner Layton's standard sung with lively piano stride. |
Aladdin_Lamp_Say_It_Again.mp3 |
"Aladdin's Lamp: 'Say It Again'" | 1932-09-28 | Sweet romantic ballad and conversational commentary. |
Aladdin_Lamp_Rain_With_Sunshine.mp3 |
"Aladdin's Lamp: 'It Takes a Little Rain with the Sunshine'" | 1932-10-12 | Uplifting Depression-era encouragement and song. |
Aladdin_Lamp_My_Best_Girl.mp3 |
"Aladdin's Lamp: 'My Best Girl'" | 1932-10-26 | Walter Donaldson tune performed with warmth and wit. |
Aladdin_Lamp_Carolina_In_Morning.mp3 |
"Aladdin's Lamp: 'Carolina in the Morning'" | 1932-11-09 | Walter Donaldson & Gus Kahn dixie melody. |
Aladdin_Lamp_Painting_Clouds.mp3 |
"Aladdin's Lamp: 'Painting the Clouds with Sunshine'" | 1932-11-23 | Cheerful 1929 movie theme arranged for piano and voice. |
Aladdin_Lamp_Sunny_Honey.mp3 |
"Aladdin's Lamp: 'Every Day Would Be Sunny Honey with You'" | 1932-12-07 | Nostalgic acoustic harmony and storytelling. |
Aladdin_Lamp_Mexicali_Rose.mp3 |
"Aladdin's Lamp: 'Mexicali Rose'" | 1932-12-21 | Jack Tenney western waltz classic. |