The Stories
Serials
Serials
The serialized and ongoing shows of the TBC run the gamut from sitcom to thriller, from mystery to romantic-comedy. All of these shows, regardless of genre, are tied to the fictional locale of Tesla City. That’s part of what makes the output of the TBC so unique and sought-after by historians and collectors.
The Off-key Life of Viola Harper
A sitcom detailing the travails of a hapless, would-be Broadway chanteuse. Viola’s a small town girl in the big city trying to make her show biz dreams come true. She’s got a lot of what it takes to make it – a positive attitude, a never-say-die spirit, a supportive sister, a good-hearted boyfriend and a dogged, if eccentric, manager. The only thing she hasn’t got? Talent!
The Off-key Life of Viola Harper
A sitcom detailing the travails of a hapless, would-be Broadway chanteuse. Viola’s a small town girl in the big city trying to make her show biz dreams come true. She’s got a lot of what it takes to make it – a positive attitude, a never-say-die spirit, a supportive sister, a good-hearted boyfriend and a dogged, if eccentric, manager. The only thing she hasn’t got? Talent!
The Wilde Card Mysteries
A detective show featuring affable, nearly always broke P.I. Jack Wilde. He’s a decent gumshoe with a silver tongue and an incurable itch for gambling; in fact it’s a toss-up which has caused more trouble for Jack – the cards or his mouth. But, no matter what hand he’s dealt, Jack gets the job done, often to the surprise of his old friend and sometime nemesis, TCPD captain “Dusty” Mankowitz.
The Wilde Carde Mysteries
A detective show featuring affable, nearly always broke P.I. Jack Wilde. He’s a decent gumshoe with a silver tongue and an incurable itch for gambling; in fact it’s a toss-up which has caused more trouble for Jack – the cards or his mouth. But, no matter what hand he’s dealt, Jack gets the job done, often to the surprise of his old friend and sometime nemesis, TCPD captain “Dusty” Mankowitz.
Blevins to Betsy
A romantic-comedy set in the world of radio. He’s Blevins DeBell, America’s favorite radio star. She’s Betsy Harper, small town girl and production assistant at the TBC. Their fortunes and hearts become entangled when Betsy steps into the figurative shoes of Blevins’s former co-star and wife, Joan DeBell. It’s a part neither of them expected to play, but the show must go on!
Blevins to Betsy
A romantic-comedy set in the world of radio. He’s Blevins DeBell, America’s favorite radio star. She’s Betsy Harper, small town girl and production assistant at the TBC. Their fortunes and hearts become entangled when Betsy steps into the figurative shoes of Blevins’s former co-star and wife, Joan DeBell. It’s a part neither of them expected to play, but the show must go on!
The Wraith
A crime-thriller with a supernatural twist. After being murdered on an archeological dig in Egypt, Lazarus St. George is returned to the land of the living by Anubis, god of the Afterlife, to serve as his agent on Earth. With eerie occult powers at his command, and with the aid of his loyal Egyptian friend Bobek, St. George haunts the evildoers of Tesla City as the half-dead avenger, The Wraith.
Blevins to Betsy
A crime-thriller with a supernatural twist. After being murdered on an archeological dig in Egypt, Lazarus St. George is returned to the land of the living by Anubis, god of the Afterlife, to serve as his agent on Earth. With eerie occult powers at his command, and with the aid of his loyal Egyptian friend Bobek, St. George haunts the evildoers of Tesla City as the half-dead avenger, The Wraith.
Nightingale of the Broken Heart
Follow the days of nurse Myra Nightingale as her life entwines with those of the staff and patients of Tesla City’s Blessed Heart Hospital, colloquially known by locals as “the Broken Heart.” The TBC’s daily afternoon soap ran in short, 10-15 minute segments during weekdays. We have been presenting the show in monthly installments. Since there are no episode titles, you can listen to them in show date order.
Nightingale of the Broken Heart
Follow the days of nurse Myra Nightingale as her life entwines with those of the staff and patients of Tesla City’s Blessed Heart Hospital, colloquially known by locals as “the Broken Heart.” The TBC’s daily afternoon soap ran in short, 10-15 minute segments during weekdays. We have been presenting the show in monthly installments. Since there are no episode titles, you can listen to them in show date order.
One-offs
One-offs
The Tesla Broadcasting Company also had many “one-off” or non-serialized standalone episodes. We have rescued many of these and are proud to present them once again.
Shepherd’s Trail
A western anthology following the travels of the titular hero. He’s a man with a mysterious past and an uncertain future, but he knows the trails of the frontier like the back of his hand. He’s got a lightning draw and an uncanny sense of truth and untruth. The honest, good folk of that rough time can always count on the man called Judas Shepherd to lead them home.
Shepherd’s Trail
A western anthology following the travels of the titular hero. He’s a man with a mysterious past and an uncertain future, but he knows the trails of the frontier like the back of his hand. He’s got a lightning draw and an uncanny sense of truth and untruth. The honest, good folk of that rough time can always count on the man called Judas Shepherd to lead them home.
Other Worlds
A western anthology following the travels of the titular hero. He’s a man with a mysterious past and an uncertain future, but he knows the trails of the frontier like the back of his hand. He’s got a lightning draw and an uncanny sense of truth and untruth. The honest, good folk of that rough time can always count on the man called Judas Shepherd to lead them home.
*When this material (i.e. the TBC scripts) was uncovered, there was no accompanying documentation. The typewritten transcripts on faded mimeograph paper included no original air dates or cast lists. All that we can be relatively certain of is these shows were written, produced and aired sometime between April 1943 and November 1945.
THE TESLA CITY STORIES
3439 NE Sandy BLVD. #317
Portland, Oregon 97232
ph: 503.877.3341
Original Vintage Radio Theater Live & Direct From 1944!
A production of Raygun Gothic LLC • ©2014 Tesla City Stories - All Rights Reserved.
THE TESLA CITY STORIES
3439 NE Sandy BLVD. #317
Portland, Oregon 97232
ph: 503.877.3341
Original Vintage Radio Theater Live & Direct From 1944!
A production of Raygun Gothic LLC • ©2014 Tesla City Stories - All Rights Reserved.