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Damen Runyon was a well known newspaper writer who also wrote short stories. Many of his stories later became radio programs, and often were combined to make full length movies for Hollywood. His characters came to epitomize the classic gangsters and street thugs that have become standard in Hollywood. Though shady, tough, and streetwise, they spoke in only present tense English, and avoided the use of contractions like the plague. An affect that gave them a stiff manner of speech.
In today’s story, Broadway tells about his friend Alfie down in Miami who has some woman troubles with his gal, Beulah. Alfie is also having some financial trouble as he tries to groom racehorses for the Kentucky Derby. Though Broadway’s friend, Alfie seems to be down on his luck, he is sure that things will come up mud for him, and his horse will someday be the winner.
Things get worse before they get better. Beulah is being won away from Alfie by another man who has a job, and can support her. Can it get worse? Alphie is strongly encouraged to leave town.
The cops approach Alfie, and impress on him the need to leave town. What’s the use? It’s another tough break, but Alfie is determined to take his horse, Last Hope, to the Kentucky Derby and be the big winner. Without a nickel to his name, Alfie just rides his horse out of town, and is last seen heading straight for Kentucky.
Broadway and Alfie ride their horses through Georgia, the home state of Alfies true love. The two gents stop in for a rest, and to visit the Simpson estate. Beullah tells about her breakup with Alfie’s rival. Might things be looking up for him?
With the exercise of the long walk, and some working out on the Georgia plantation, the racehorse is shaping up fairly well. When rain clouds darken the sky, it looks like things are getting brighter for Alfie and he gets another big break for his horse.
Things take a wrong turn for Alfie’s horse, but he manages to win the gal anyway. Broadway goes back to New York, but wait. The story isn’t over, and Broadway will tell you about it in the final act of the story when he again meets up with Alfie. If you also want to know what happens with good old Alphie, just listen in for all the dramatic details.
Bonus track:
Sorry, none today. Keith is too long winded, but there are some important, and cool developments in the world of OTR, and happenings with the home page.
Fans of Lum and Abner will enjoy the new comic strip, produced by Donald Pitchford. You can enjoy the comic strip, and even the audio clip that presents the comic in dramatic style, complete with sound affects and background music.
If you like the new comic strip, make sure you leave a comment on the First Arkansas News page, write to Donald Pitchford, and tell him you heard about his comic from the Retro Radio Podcast.
Note: Since the original post, links have changed. Search the web for the Lum and Abner comic, and no matter where you may find it, enjoy, and let uncle Donnie know you heard about from here.
