Showing results by author "Damon Runyon" in All Categories

For gamblers, burlesque queens, murderers and innocents, comedy and tragedy were found in equal measure on the streets of Damon Runyon's Manhattan. Runyon, one of the most popular and widely-read figures of the Golden Age of the American Short Story, found his work was cut to measure for success in the most verbal medium of all: Radio drama. John Brown stars as the glib Broadway, whose scene-setting brings a distinctive unifying touch to these fourteen digitally remastered episodes of the classic Damon Runyon Theatre radio series.

Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author’s brain, their soul and heart. They can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere. A new century dawns, one in which America would become pre-eminent as its industrial might and military power rose above all others. In literature too its authors tackled new forms and new ideas, they shied away from little, immersing themselves and their readers in the promise of a new Century.

The American literary tradition has, in a far shorter span of time than others throughout history, achieved a glowing and glittering reputation. From its transatlantic roots it has absorbed the sons and daughters of other cultures, other lands and made them part of her own. Within this melting pot of styles, genres and wordplay one fact stands out: In the American short story, literary tradition has a strong, vibrant and almost inclusive history, if you know where to look.

From the pen of legendary raconteur Damon Runyon comes tales of a New York that never was but might have been - a world of smooth-talking card sharks, smiling crap-shooters, cheerful con men, and charming rogues. Featuring radio favorite John Brown as your host, Broadway, Damon Runyon Theater brings to vivid life some of the master's finest short stories. They're positively Runyonesque!

Damon Runyon's classic stories of New York City gangsters come to life in this radio series. Broadway, our guide through Runyon's world, introduces us to characters who are often as soft-hearted as they are shady. For gamblers, burlesque queens, murderers, and innocents, comedy and tragedy were found in equal measure on the streets of Damon Runyon's Manhattan.

Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author’s brain, their soul and heart. They can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere. The plains of the American Mid-West are home to some very fine exponents of the literary craft. Throughout this vast landscape stories seem to be everywhere offering their experiences as works just awaiting the final touches and flourishes of these famed authors. They deliver in very talented ways.

Runyon's short stories are almost always told in the first person by a narrator who is never named and whose role is unclear; he knows many gangsters and has no job that can be gleaned from his musings, nor does he admit to any criminal involvement; he’s a bystander, an observer, an average street-corner Joe. Runyon described himself as 'being known to one and all as a guy who is just around'. That line seems to say a lot about Runyon and his life.

Sharp-suited sharpies, slick-talking slicksters, high-rolling gamblers, and habitués of the racetrack - they're all here, and it's all in fun! Straight from the imagination of the legendary Broadway raconteur Damon Runyon, here is another rollicking collection of stories about bets and debts, lovers and losers, con men and wise guys.

Runyon's short stories are almost always told in the first person by a narrator who is never named and whose role is unclear; he knows many gangsters and has no job that can be gleaned from his musings, nor does he admit to any criminal involvement; he’s a bystander, an observer, an average street-corner Joe. Runyon described himself as 'being known to one and all as a guy who is just around'. That line seems to say a lot about Runyon and his life.

Damon Runyon Theater is an American TV program that aired in 1955 and 1956. It presented dramatized versions of Damon Runyon's short stories. In this episode, Hi-C Homer and Broadway find themselves at a barbecue stand during a Florida storm. An ex-wife, two bad guys, and $50,000 in cash make a good barbecue sauce! Starring John Brown and Frank Gallop (announcer).

Runyon's short stories are almost always told in the first person by a narrator who is never named and whose role is unclear; he knows many gangsters and has no job that can be gleaned from his musings, nor does he admit to any criminal involvement; he’s a bystander, an observer, an average street-corner Joe. Runyon described himself as 'being known to one and all as a guy who is just around'. That line seems to say a lot about Runyon and his life.

'Tobias the Terrible' & 'Little Miss Marker' from The Damon Runyon Theatre Hour. Damon Runyon is acknowledged as one of the great writers to come out of 20th-century America. Runyon's short stories are almost always told in the first person by a narrator who is never named and whose role is unclear; he knows many gangsters and has no job that can be gleaned from his musings, nor does he admit to any criminal involvement; he’s a bystander, an observer, an average street-corner Joe.

'A Nice Price' & 'The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown' from The Damon Runyon Theatre Hour. Damon Runyon is acknowledged as one of the great writers to come out of 20th-century America. Runyon's short stories are almost always told in the first person by a narrator who is never named and whose role is unclear; he knows many gangsters and has no job that can be gleaned from his musings, nor does he admit to any criminal involvement; he’s a bystander, an observer, an average street-corner Joe.

Nubsy Taylor, Pete The Beddler, Milk Ear, and Broadway go collegiate! They travel to New Haven to sell some ducats and search for Gigolo Georgie.

'A Story Goes with It' and 'Dark Dolores' from The Damon Runyon Theatre Hour. Damon Runyon is acknowledged as one of the great writers to come out of 20th-century America. Runyon's short stories are almost always told in the first person by a narrator who is never named and whose role is unclear; he knows many gangsters and has no job that can be gleaned from his musings, nor does he admit to any criminal involvement; he’s a bystander, an observer, an average street-corner Joe.

Not every heavyweight folds when the going gets rough.

Damon Runyon Theater is an American TV program that aired in 1955 and 1956. It presented dramatized versions of Damon Runyon's short stories. In this episode, Spider McCoy invites Broadway to travel to Philadelphia, where Pigsfoot Grudy is going to fight Chester Nubs. Along comes a bad appendix and Caswell Fish, also known as "The Leopard Kid".

'Butch Minds the Baby' & 'Breach of Promise' from The Damon Runyon Theatre Hour. Damon Runyon is acknowledged as one of the great writers to come out of 20th-century America. Runyon's short stories are almost always told in the first person by a narrator who is never named and whose role is unclear; he knows many gangsters and has no job that can be gleaned from his musings, nor does he admit to any criminal involvement; he’s a bystander, an observer, an average street-corner Joe.

Damon Runyon Theater is an American TV program that aired in 1955 and 1956. It presented dramatized versions of Damon Runyon's short stories. In this episode, "Broadway" and a pal bring a broken down old horse back to Kentucky. Starring John Brown.

Harry The Horse and Broadway enter Nicely Nicely in an eating contest, but Nicely is engaged - and on a diet!