Series (Mercury Theater on The Air)

Many years ago, before there was television, people relied on their radio to get their entertainment and news. However on Oct 30th 1938, a young man named Orson Welles shocked everyone under false pretenses.

By a slow, but deliberate manipulation of the airwaves, he “broke the news” from an observatory that they had seen flashes on the surface of mars. The scientists even did a breaking news bulletin to announce the event. This particular night was a slow night on the other stations, so some people tuned into this broadcast after the beginning. They had no idea that this was just a radio drama.

To increase the tension, Orson Welles played “fake” music until he could “Break in” with the astounding news. Over time, you hear announcers on the radio watching fantastic events using play-by-play analysis we are all used to hearing. The sound engineers even listened to the hindenburg crash so they could imitate the announcements and mimic the sounds and explosions.

I know a person who was in New Jersey at the time and he told me his family hid under a bridge during this broadcast. Lucky for him and his family, this was just a hoax.

Download MP3 Story (here)
Read the entire story on Wikipedia (here)
Listen to RadioLabs explanation of how and why people were fooled (here)

Series (Theater Five)

This episode is dedicated to A.H. who is listening to these MP3 Story Daily shows whenever they come out. A.H is blind and this episode is dedicated to him.

I have always loved this story. I am a fan of conspiracy stories and this one is quite good. A young couple answer an advertisement in the paper that is advertising a painting.  Since this painting is by a famous painter (I looked in wikipedia, there is no such painter) the price seems way too low for the buyer and proceeds to take advantage of the seller.

In this show, the seller happens to be blind. This is unfortunate for him, but also unfortunate for his grandson who is helping take care of his grandfather. The people at the door are an unwelcome sight and the grandson sends them away.

Lucky for us, the blind grandfather overhears the conversation and invites the couple into the house.

Original Photo (here)
Taken From szlea’s Photostream (here)
Download MP3 Story (here)

Series (Theater Five)

In this episode, a scientist and biological researcher begins to converse with dolphins. Of course there is a scientist who does not believe what he is saying and he takes drastic measures to make sure the dolphins do not make headlines. This includes silencing the dolphins or silencing the researcher who can hear the dolphins talk. 

While the premise is outstanding and the acting is pretty good, I would listen to this episode in it’s entirety before letting my kids hear it. (Involves a dying dolphin + more)

Original Image (here)
Taken from Just Taken Pics’ photostream (here)

Download MP3 Story (here)

Series (CBSRMT)

A scientist uses his intelligence to modify a rat. He and his wife are moving towards a divorce and he is very bitter. That’s where the rat comes in. This one is not for the squeamish.

Original Image (here)
Taken from RatRanch’s photostream (here)

Download MP3 Story (here)

Series (Tales of Tomorrow)

A man and his wife are driving down the highway and there is an accident. One of them dies and the remorse carries past space and time. This is told through the eyes of a bystander who leaves the story locked in his safe deposit box to be told after his own death.

Original Image (here)
Image taken from Marc_Smith’s photostream (here)

Download MP3 Story (here)

I’m not sure how many have seen the original movie Alien. But I read the book when I was in 6th grade and convinced my dad to take me to a “Rated R” movie when I was certainly less than 17 years old. After the movie, he told me he regretted taking me to see it.

I knew all the plot points, I just didn’t know how graphic it would be. It is one of my most treasured memories of me and my dad “bonding”. “In Space, No One Can Hear You Scream”

For those interested in hearing the soundtrack and effects in their true form, rent the movie. This copy is in mono.

[WARNING: There is harsh and foul language in this MP3 so it is NSFLE - Not Safe for Little Ears]

Alien Movie Audio only Download MP3 (here)

Series (Cloak And Dagger)

True stories from WWII. In this one, a man and a German patriot parachute from an American plane into Germany. Their plan is to help direct American bombers during the war. Since the German patriot can speak the language, he fits in well into the environment. Their plan is to radio the warplanes about where the allied targets are.

Original Photo (here)
Taken from Dave Hamster’s photostream (here)
[Story Connection: Allied Bombers called B127’s flew the skys back then]

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Series (Lights Out)

A conversation between the first astronauts on the moon. There seems to be some sort of dispute between the use of atomic weapons and the craters on the moon. This is a sci-fi show from the normally scary series “Lights Out”.

On their trip home, they seem to be a little confused in which direction they are going. But, as you listen, you will hear why this story was told on the series “Lights Out”.

Original Image (here)
Taken from SqueakyMarmot’s photostream (here)
[story connection: Rockets in the future carry astronauts into space]

Download MP3 story (here)

Series (CBSRMT)

A man meets a scientist who can display images of a persons past. “Dual Entropy” is mentioned as a method to accomplish this. Viewing images of your past can have a haunting effect on the viewer. In this case there aren’t films or CD/DVDs. Eventually, we discover that the scientist is forbidden to take life, but in this case, there was a concerted effort by an alien intervention crew to prevent from someone from being born. Once that happened, they wanted to erase his brain so he wouldn’t remember. Classic sci-fi at its best. 

Original photo (here)
Photo from Bombardier’s photostream (here)

Download MP3 Story (here)

Commercials = Yes
News = No
Audio Quality = Excellent

Series (X Minus One)

Kids all around the country start playing a children’s game with a creature named “Drill”. The game is called “Invasion” and the creature lives in the rose bushes in the back yard. The parents, encourage the game and realize it is helping with their creativity and imagination. There is some pretty harsh language used by the children in reference to the game, but the parents don’t seem to mind. Based on a story by Ray Bradbury.

[Story Connection: Is an imaginary friend a good thing or a bad thing?]

Download MP3 Story (here)