# Classic Radio 04-18-26 - Painted Smile, Scarbone Clauson, and the Burmese Goddess

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/classic-radio-theater-with-wyatt-cox-4652529/classic-radio-04-18-26-painted-smile-scarbone-clauson-and-the-burmese-goddess
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/classic-radio-theater-with-wyatt-cox-4652529/classic-radio-04-18-26-painted-smile-scarbone-clauson-and-the-burmese-goddess.md
Podcast: [Classic Radio Theater with Wyatt Cox](https://stenobird.com/podcast/classic-radio-theater-with-wyatt-cox-4652529)
Published: 2026-04-18T21:53:17+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/classic-radio-04-18-26-painted-smile-scarbone-clauson-and-the-burmese-goddess--71443177
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/71443177/classic_radio_04_18_26_painted_smile_scarbone_clauson_and_the_burmese_goddess.mp3
Processing state: processed
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/classic-radio-theater-with-wyatt-cox-4652529/episodes/classic-radio-04-18-26-painted-smile-scarbone-clauson-and-the-burmese-goddess
Duration seconds: 8849

## Resource

A curated journey through golden age radio featuring Orson Welles and Sherlock Holmes. This episode traverses crime noir, western adventures, and classic comedy through archival broadcasts.

## Highlights
- Main idea: A historical retrospective of April 18th broadcasts spanning the 1940s and 50s
- Main idea: Orson Welles stars in a prequel-style noir drama set in a Sicilian circus
- Practical takeaway: Experience the evolution of radio tropes from gritty outlaws to detective mysteries
- Failure mode: The tension of the 'Burmese Goddess' legend illustrates how superstition drives classic pulp plots
- Main idea: A transition from high-stakes espionage and crime to the domestic comedy of the mid-century

## Topics

Classic Radio, Orson Welles, Sherlock Holmes, Film Noir, Westerns, Golden Age Radio, Crime Drama, Vintage Comedy

## Chapters
- 1:00 — This Day in History: A look back at the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and other historical milestones from April 18th.
- 13:10 — The Lives of Harry Lime: Orson Welles stars in 'The Painted Smile,' a noir tale involving a Sicilian circus and a beautiful clown's wife.
- 35:40 — The Adventures of Red Ryder: A western showdown featuring the notorious outlaw Scarbone Clauson in Devil's Hole.
- 1:22:10 — The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: Holmes investigates the mysterious and deadly legend of the Burmese Goddess.
- 1:44:10 — Counterspy: A high-stakes espionage drama involving a scientist and the theft of a secret formula.
- 2:16:20 — Fibber McGee and Molly: A lighthearted domestic comedy centered around a much-needed window washing.

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## Transcript

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