This Gun in My Hand
25 episodes
Web <link> from RSS feed:
https://thisguninmyhand.blogspot.com/
Database link:
https://thisguninmyhand.blogspot.com/
RSS Feed:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/thisguninmyhand
Creator: Robert Thomas Northrup
Solo Comedy Serial Audio Drama
Synopsis:
Indomitable hero by virtue of the fact that he carries a gun, Falk Zildjian patrols the streets of Parabellum City in search of injustices to shoot. What would make anyone listen to an old time radio parody with a cast of one? This Gun in My Hand!
Language: English
Format: Audio Drama
Continuity: Serial
Writing: Scripted
Voices: Solo
Genres: Comedy, Old time radio, Satire and Spoof
Maturity: All audience
Content warnings: / Violence
Country of origin: United States
Completion status: Partial
Not tagged: [Framing device] [Creator demographics] [Character demographics] [Transcript]
Click here to update these tags.
Episodes:
No Accounting for Taste - Episode 129
Sun, 4 May 2025 10:18:00 -0700
Can Falk bring down an accounting firm with ties to organized crime? Can math lead to redemption? What’s the Croatian equivalent of “bada boom, bada bing”? Listen to find out!
No Accounting for Taste, episode 129 of This Gun in My Hand, was put in the red and written off by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Sisyphus, Eat Your Heart Out, available in paperback and ebook from Amazon. How do I move data from temporary accounts on an income statement to permanent accounts on a balance sheet? With This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. The absurd street names and Mr. Bellechek’s convoluted plan were inspired by/in homage to/ripped off from the public domain January 31, 1949 episode of Lux Radio Theatre titled “The Street With No Name.” A section of dialog with the boss and mugs repeating his plan were taken almost verbatim from there.
https://archive.org/details/OTRR_Lux_Radio_Theatre_Season_15_Singles/Lux_Radio_Theatre_49-01-31_643_Street_with_No_Name.mp3
2. I have no opinion about the efficacy or personality of any sport team manager ever and intend no satirical commentary on them in this story. It’s up to consumers of stories how to interpret them anyway. Don’t get me started on “The Death of the Author” theory because I will go off. The audio and text of This Gun in My Hand are works of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons or organized crime families, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No managers were harmed in the making of this story.
3. Most of the absurd street names are taken from titles of actual noir films or old songs.
4. Here’s the wikipedia entry on the Five Families who run the Mafia in NYC.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Families
Credits:
The opening music clip was from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Music Title (background for commercial): Clarinet Squawk
Composed by Anton Lada, Yellow Nuņez and Joe Cawley
Performed by Louisiana Five
Recorded 12 September 1919, Edison 50609-R
License: Public Domain
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Louisiana_Five/Edison_Blue_Amberol_3896/Clarinet_squawk/
Sound Effect Title: HARP GLISSANDO DOWN.WAV
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/olver/sounds/505064/
Sound Effect Title: 38 Caliber Gun Shot 5x
Recorded by Mike Koenig
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
http://soundbible.com/375-38-Caliber-Gun-Shot-5x.html
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of the paperback cover of Down and Out by Les Masters, painted by Victor Olson, thought to be public domain.
Image Alt text: Painting of a man in blue suit, white shirt, light blue striped tie, seated behind a desk. He’s smiling slightly with his elbows on the desktop, his hands together in front of him with a lit cigarette. He has dark hair. The desk has a pencil cup and only one paper on it. Beside him is a sliver of window with a view of the nighttime cityscape and a vertical sign just outside the window that reads “ACCOUNT”. Presumably the rest of the word is cut off. Caption in upper right reads “NO ACCOUNTING FOR TASTE.”
Fri, 25 Apr 2025 03:10:00 -0700
Will Falk discover who bombed a residential building in Heck’s Pantry? Can he find someone to punch or shoot for this villainy? What’s the industry standard for radio kissing? Listen to find out!
Lips That Yearn, episode 128 of This Gun in My Hand, was a bomb dropped by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Sisyphus, Eat Your Heart Out, available in paperback and ebook from Amazon. What’s totally useless at pulling out people who are trapped under rubble? This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. For excerpts of testimony from the Haas Unreliable Narrativities Commitee, listen to Episode 72, “Undeniable Narrator.”
https://archive.org/details/tgimh-72-undeniable-narrator
Credits:
The opening music clip was from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950) and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Other music comes from “Journey Into Fear,” the June 9, 1946 episode of the public domain radio show Hour of Mystery. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Sound Effect Title: Foley_Footsteps_ShedWoodenFloor.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/523273/
Sound Effect Title: Footsteps Dress Shoes Wood Floor.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/allrealsound/sounds/161756/
Sound Effect Title: Wood Falling - 4 Drops.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/Manim8/sounds/577452/
Sound Effect Title: Huge Cinematic Explosion.wav by musicace17
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/486551/
Sound Effect Title: Rubble Trouble by magnuswaker
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/758580/
Sound Effect Title: Rocks Falling No-Reverb Edition 16 Bit. Foley Sound by ALLANZ10D
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/323477/
Sound Effect Title: Wood_Creak_02.wav by dheming
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/177779/
Sound Effect Title: S16-06 Light wooden door open & close.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/675878/
Sound Effect Title: Larun_Mountains_Low_QuietWind.aif by nicotep
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/683674/
Sound Effect Title: Creaking Door by eqavox
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/709418/
Sound Effect Title: G28-27-Crowd Fast Walla Applause.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/438387/
Sound Effect Title: Sitcom Laughter with Applause, Small Audience by Kinoton
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/371562/
The image accompanying this episode is a detail of “Collapsed structures after the 1935 Shinchiku-Taichū earthquake” from 《楊肇嘉留真集》, "Yang Zhaojia's Collection of True Pictures."
License for image: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Collapsed_structures_after_the_1935_Shinchiku-Taich%C5%AB_earthquake.jpg
Clash of the Story Boys - Episode 127
Sun, 13 Apr 2025 10:10:00 -0700
Will Exposition Boy expose the backstory of Billy Narrator, boy detective? Can Falk prevent them from destroying the whole episode and the sanity of his listeners? Listen to find out!
Clash of the Story Boys, episode 127 of This Gun in My Hand, was narrated and exposed by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Sisyphus, Eat Your Heart Out, available in paperback and ebook from Amazon. How do I settle creative differences? With This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. Thanks to Pete Larsen for the idea for this episode: “I'd love to see a fight between 'Exposition Boy, the Teen-Sidekick' and 'Billy Narrator Jr.'”
2. If you’re going to take six years to develop an international exposition and build an artificial island for it, maybe open it in an off-year when there isn’t an official world’s fair on the other coast. The Golden Gate International Exposition opened in 1939, competing with the 1939 New York World’s Fair. (Spoilers: they did run out of money and closed early in October 1939, then scrounged up a little more to reopen May-September 1940.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Gate_International_Exposition
3. Billy commandeered the show in episode 113, “Don’t Kid a Kidder,” to do his own show, Billy Narrator, Boy Detective.
https://archive.org/details/tgimh-113-dont-kid-a-kidder
4. The Pope’s Rhinoceros by Lawrence Norfolk establishes a deeper backstory than any other novel I’ve read. The first four pages describe glacial and geologic activity that form the lake where protagonists finally come into the story on the fifth page. Literally a glacial age of backstory.
Credits:
The opening music clip was from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Exposition Boy’s storytelling music was from “Journey Into Fear,” the June 9, 1946 episode of the public domain radio show Hour of Mystery. Music from the second commercial was from the public domain film Death Machines (1976). Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Sound Effect Title: Traffic mel 1.wav
By malupeeters
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/people/malupeeters/sounds/191350/
Sound Effect Title: Park ambience - mostly birds
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/Mafon2/sounds/274175/#
Music Title: Kitten on the Keys
Composed and Performed by Zez Confrey and His Orchestra
Recorded May 4, 1922
License: Public Domain
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Antique_Phonograph_Music_Program_Various_Artists/Antique_Phonograph_Music_Program_05052009/Kitten_on_the_Keys/
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of one panel from the April 28, 1929 public domain comic strip Just Kids by Ad Carter. The title of the comic strip changed to Mush Stebbins and His Sister in 1950.
A Song of Brass and Ash - Episode 126
Sun, 23 Mar 2025 07:23:00 -0700
Have beings from outer space landed in Heck’s Pantry? Will Falk stop the inhuman aural assault on Parabellum City? How come I don’t get no bassoon solo in the commercial? Listen to find out!
A Song of Brass and Ash, episode 126 of This Gun in My Hand, was blown until it was windy by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Sisyphus, Eat Your Heart Out, available in paperback and ebook from Amazon. How do I get to Carnegie Hall? This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. When searching for a sad trombone sound on freesound dot org, I found this cache of 91 twisted and screwed public domain trombone sounds by user PhonosUPF, most of them sounding nothing like a trombone. I’m not using all of them here, but they inspired this episode.
https://freesound.org/search/?q=phonosupf+trombone
2. The Hall of Justice shown in the 1970s Super Friends cartoon was based on the design of Cincinnati Union Terminal.
3. I can’t tell if the Zurich Baroque Ensemble’s recording of Marcello’s Oboe Concerto in F Minor includes bassoon as Jojo claims.
4. Young James Marshall Hendrix carried his guitar with him everywhere he could, to school and to friends’ houses, practicing all day.
5. This Gun in My Hand podcast has existed longer than the Confederate States of America.
Credits:
The opening music clip was from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
The nineteen sound effects named below were created by PhonosUPF.
https://freesound.org/search/?q=phonosupf+trombone
In order of appearance in this episode, they were:
1. Trombone grave (501269)
2. Trombone grave 3
3. Trombone grave 2
4. Trombone metal 2
5. Trombone grave (490995)
6. Trombone stretching 13
7. Trombone signal 13
8. Trombone sequence
9. Trombone stretching 6
10. Trombone percussion
11. Trombone blow 2
12. Trombone set
13. Trombone blow
14. Trombone signal 14
15. Trombone grave 5
16. Wagnerian trombones
17? Trombone melody
18. Trombone glissandi
19. Trombone metal 5
Sound Effect Title: footsteps cellar.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/545030/
Sound Effect Title: R10-56-Footsteps on Metal Staircase.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/480641/
Sound Effect Title: muted cornet 2.wav by thatjeffcarter
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/185435/
Sound Effect Title: tuba frullato by PhonosUPF
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/501504/
Music Title: Oboe Concerto in F Minor
Composed by Alessandro Marcello
Performed by The Zurich Baroque Ensemble
Composition and recording are in public domain.
https://musopen.org/music/45546-concerto-for-oboe-orchestra/
Sound Effect Title: Clarinet- ORTF Stereo Pair (NT-5's)-01.wav by debudding
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/44361/
Sound Effect Title: Banging Metal Lid by wolfdoctor
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/520074/
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of the public domain cover of the 1951 novel Blues for the Prince written by Bart Spicer, artist unknown.
This Hun in My Gland - Episode 125
Mon, 3 Mar 2025 14:39:00 -0800
Upset stomach? Feeling liverish? Is something obstructing you from your normal functions? It might be a microscopic Nazi U-boat exploring your nether regions. How will you survive? Listen to find out!
This Hun in My Gland, episode 125 of This Gun in My Hand, was forcefully expelled from the lips of Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Sisyphus, Eat Your Heart Out, available in paperback and ebook from Amazon. What folk remedy settles an upset stomach? This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. Doktor Goren’s surname is taken from a minor character from the Springbok Radio drama Vale of Darkness, written by Ron Evans. I can’t find info about when it was originally broadcast, but you can listen to the series from the Internet Archive or other sources on the web.
https://archive.org/details/vale-of-darkness-19xx-xx-xx-26/Vale_of_Darkness_19xx-xx-xx_01.mp3
2. For the purposes of crossover with Melinda’s stories about fairy munchkins, hamquatches, reptilibugs and the pets of our extended family, let’s assume Fritz is actually my sister-in-law’s dog playing the trombone. He’s not a Nazi, just playing a part.
3. When I was searching for a “sad trombone” on freesound dot org, I found 91 sound trombone samples stretched and modified by user PhonosUPF. The weird dramatic sound near the end of the episode is actually two of those trombone sounds combined.
Credits:
The opening music clip was from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950) and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Sound Effect Title: Sad Trombone.wav
by Benboncan
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/73581/
Sound Effect Title: descent.wav by Dguil
License: Creative Commons Sampling+
https://freesound.org/s/85212/
Eatmore Meats commercial jingle by Allied Radio Artists.
License: Public Domain
https://www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com/commercials/allied-radio-artists-radio-jingles/eatmore-meat-products-195x-xx-xx
Sound Effect Title: 60Hz_Tube_Radio_Hum.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/hetanoyokozuki/sounds/541812/
Sound Effect Title: G45-18-Submarine Motor Stop.wav by craigsmith
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/438720/
Sound Effect Title: R18-31-Old Car Ahooga Horn.wav by craigsmith
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/480002/
Sound Effect Title: Pouring Soup in a Metal Pan - Quick,Short,Gross
by Hitrison
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/251410/
Sound Effect Title: trombone melody 3 by PhonosUPF
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/501272/
Sound Effect Title: trombone blow by PhonosUPF
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/491015/
Sound Effect Title: Charlie Brown Style Teacher by crashoverride6
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/146933/
The image accompanying this episode is a collage including details from Detective Fiction Weekly, February 12, 1938 (public domain painting by V. E. Pyles) and a panel from the public domain National Comics Number 36, October 1943 (pencils and inks by Jon Blummer).
I Have Her MAC-10 - Episode 124
Wed, 19 Feb 2025 05:11:00 -0800
Can Falk shut down the villains who are copying his radio show? Is it a warning of horrible events to come or a plot to bring about horrible events? How does it hold up against nitroglycerin? Listen to find out!
I Have Her MAC-10, episode 124 of This Gun in My Hand, was dry-fired by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Sisyphus, Eat Your Heart Out, available in paperback and ebook from Amazon. What ends a story more subtly than an explosion? This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. Falk doesn't seem to realize the music used for his show is in public domain. He couldn’t sue anyone else who wanted to use it.
2. In our world, the US agreed in a 1977 treaty to gradually give control of the canal to the nation of Panama, planning the handoff to be complete in 1999.
3. Kids These Days might not be aware that until the end of the Twentieth Century, every American city and town and village had a directory called a “phone book” which was distributed to the public and which doxxed everyone who had a phone, listing their phone number and address. You could pay the phone company to be "unlisted," to exclude your name, number or address from the phone book. This was not considered a bribe or extortion because people had not yet reached a consensus that too many people had been stalked or killed over the decades. The introduction of cell phones seems to have changed that paradigm. I hope.
Credits:
The opening and transitional music clips were from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
"Kelvar" commercial music taken from Crestablanca radio commercial.
https://www.oldradioworld.com/media/Vintage%20Commercials%20Crestablanca.mp3
Sound Effect Title: Car_motor_Sound.m4a
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/Blizzard123/sounds/504633/#
Sound Effect Title: 60Hz_Tube_Radio_Hum.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/hetanoyokozuki/sounds/541812/
Sound Effect Title: Radio tuning-static-interference
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/quantumriver/sounds/552160/
Sound Effect Title: S15-03 Good general walla with some dishes; cheer.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/675070/
Sound Effect Title: G28-27-Crowd Fast Walla Applause.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/438387/
Sound Effect Title: R02-06-Medium Crowd Applause.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/480682/
Sound Effect Title: R28-44-Women Screaming and Rapid Talking.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/479894/
Sound Effect Title: Casio AS-51R Cassette Player Tape/Radio Switch by OneKellyOrdered
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/624638/
Sound Effect Title: Squeaky Car Door
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/coltures/sounds/262325/#
Sound Effect Title: Footsteps on gravel
By Joozz
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/people/Joozz/sounds/531952/
Sound Effect Title: House Front Door Inside 3.wav
License: Public domain
https://freesound.org/people/saturdaysoundguy/sounds/388027/#
Sound Effect Title: Floorboard Creak 2
by Soundbysimmons
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/717231/
Sound Effect Title: Hiss of a Tilley pressurised paraffin (kerosene) lamp
by odilonmarcenaro
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/275999/
Sound Effect Title: S18-13 Explosion with falling debris.wav by craigsmith
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/674889/
Sound Effect Title: R12-02-Large Explosions.wav by craigsmith
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/486018/
The image accompanying this episode includes modified details from the public domain comic book Our Presidents From Washington to Eisenhower (circa 1950s, artist unknown) and the cover of the public domain magazine Phantom Detective, Volume 40, Number 1, October 1942, art by Rudolph Belarski.
Sun, 16 Feb 2025 14:01:00 -0800
If you're curious about This Gun in My Hand but aren't sure about going back to listen to 123 episodes in order beginning with Episode One, Skee-Ball Racket, I don't blame you. There are tons of call-backs to earlier episodes and inside jokes, but also unrelated jokes so you can jump in anywhere and get up to speed.
So if you don't want to start with Episode One or with the latest episode, what others might be good introductions? Here are some episodes that stand alone, and a few that I'm more proud of than others.
1. Skee-Ball Racket - Still the best introduction of Falk Zildjian and his shtick.
3. Not So Heroic - The mother and daughter from a 1980s feminine hygiene commercial shill guns, as their commercial takes over the whole episode.
7. The Only Thing That Stops a Few Bad Apples - Officer Goodman is unsure how to racially profile a driver with a broken tail-light, because it's not a visual medium. Later he joins Detective Badcopowitz to interrogate Falk Zildjian about his powers.
15. Gun Buyback - Why would the National Rifle Manufacturers Association host a gun buyback event? And why would the G.I. Jake team, ICE, Seal Team Six, C.O.B.R.A., robots and ponies show up to sell their guns?
16. How Many - WPBC headlines, this just in: a bullet. In my spleen. Gunman here in the studio. In just a moment we’ll bring you back to the top story about the school shooting and the capitol shooting. Will I live?
20. Infern-O-Scope - What in the Hell is going on here? Yes, that’s one way to view it. What will Falk & Castro see when they peer through the Infern-O-scope?
32. The Highwayman - Will Falk get a chance to take down the highway robber before bystanders talk his ear off? Is she making a fair analogy to the relationship between capitalist and worker?
34. 2 Fast 2 Boggan - Has this gang of young daredevils decided the most exciting sport is breaking the law? Or are they just sledding?
37. Strikeforce Shakespeare - What if G.I. Joe ran out of ideas for a new wave of action figures so they gave codenames based on the military and Shakespeare?
48. All Fashion Police Are Fabulous - How will Falk escape from the Fashion Police? What conglomerate of villains threatens the tri-state area and beyond? What is the deeper code in Little Orphan Ayn’s decoder rings?
54. Look Out, Moon (featuring Captain Rogers) - Falk sets his sights on Buck Rogers, Mr. Rogers and Star Trek's idiotic Prime Directive.
60. Hush, Sweet Zildjian - Falk tries to stay awake while confronting Autonomous Sensory Mind Rendition, or ASMR.
69. Heck's Pantry for the Holidays - A Hallmark Christmas Romance with organized crime, meat cleavers and guns.
70. Domestic Harmony - Falk makes a guest appearance on his friends' radio sitcom, "Information Wants to Be Free, But For You It's Two Bits."
83. Multitracks of Madness - In the only stereophonic episode of This Gun in My Hand, Falk seeks help from a strange doctor to pass through the doors of perception on the trail of a French killer! Will he return from the sixth dimension with his dangerous quarry? Will he return at all?
98. Do Androids Dream of His Girl Friday? - What happens when Falk gets stuck in a screwball comedy? Can Falk weed out the humans from the androids? Uses dialog from the 1940 public domain film His Girl Friday.
102. Fievel Getcha Ten - A morality play about a boy stumbling into the world of vice, from penny-pitching to billiards to pinball.
108. Zildjian's Away to Shropshire - In gratitude for his assistance, Lord and Lady Pelennor invite Falk to visit their estate. Is there no end to their generosity? Is there no escape? Is chili better than rashers for your supper? Listen to find out!
111. Cut Down in His Prime - New radio show called The Loner about a drifter who finds bodies and solves crimes. So many bodies.
113. Don't Kid a Kidder - For two bits per day plus expenses, you can hire Billy Narrator, boy detective to solve your mysteries. Where’s my missing cat? Does Georgia like me? Where’d that corpse come from? Listen to find out!
As you can see, it's hard for me to pick out only a few because they all sound good. Are you sure you don't want to start with episode one and listen to every one? Maybe after you try a few you'll come back for more.
Fri, 7 Feb 2025 03:44:00 -0800
Medical help for Falk's wound is right around the corner, but how will he get past The Health Access Facilitator? Will corporate bureaucracy spell his doom? You're gonna use an Allen wrench on a pipe fitting? Listen to find out!
Go to Health, episode 123 of This Gun in My Hand, was doctored by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Sisyphus, Eat Your Heart Out, available in paperback and ebook from Amazon. How do I ensure every episode goes out with a bang? This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. The President of the United States depicted in this episode is fictional, not meant to represent the president you’re thinking of. Any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
2. I thought it would make the nurse sound uninformed about plumbing if she thought an Allen wrench would help tighten a loose pipe fitting, but maybe one of those hose clamps with the bolt that tightens it could have an Allen bolt? Slightly autobiographical scene – even when I understand what tools and parts need to be used for a plumbing repair, my trouble is usually trying to fit the wrench into a tight and awkward position.
Credits:
The opening music clip was from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Music Title: Impact Allegretto
by Kevin MacLeod
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 International
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Impact/Impact_Allegretto_1100/
"Gun Doctor" music and hoofbeats taken from the September 2, 1954 episode of the radio show Dr. Sixgun.
License: Public Domain
https://archive.org/details/otr_drsixgun
Sound Effect Title: laser gun blasts #2
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/377971/
Sound Effect Title: Laser Machine Gun
By Mike Koenig
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
https://soundbible.com/1774-Laser-Machine-Gun.html
Sound Effect Title: Laser Machine Gun
by sonically_sound
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/612875/
Sound Effect Title: S18-25 Rifle shots battle.wav
by craigsmith
License: Publid Domain
https://freesound.org/s/675666/
Sound Effect Title: distant rumbling thunderstorm, ambience
by greyfeather
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/712914/
Sound Effect Title: Rumble of the rain in Africa during the rain season
by felix.blume
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/190139/
Sound Effect Title: S18-13 Explosion with falling debris.wav by craigsmith
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/674889/
Sound Effect Title: R12-02-Large Explosions.wav by craigsmith
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/486018/
The image accompanying this episode includes modified details of panels from the public domain comics Robotmen of The Lost Planet Number 1 (1952), art by Gene Fawcette, and General Electric’s Adventures in Electronics (1955), art by George Roussous.
Certainly No Angels - Episode 122
Mon, 27 Jan 2025 13:35:00 -0800
Can Falk persuade a string of villains to change their ways? How can you avoid entanglements with your secretary? Would you like to wrestle now? Listen to find out!
Certainly No Angels, episode 122 of This Gun in My Hand, was certified angular by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Sisyphus, Eat Your Heart Out, available in paperback and ebook from Amazon. What do I use to put the boom in the boiler room? This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. Would a gray-on-gray costume fit with a “summer” seasonal color palette? It’s possible that Writer’s Brick doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
Credits:
The opening and some transitional music was from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Transitional music around the commercial and the “Writer’s Brick” musical sting were from the June 9, 1946 episode of the public domain radio show US Steel Hour of Mystery. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Music Title: Lobby Time
By Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lobby_Time_(ISRC_USUAN1600054).mp3
Sound Effect Title: footsteps cellar.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/545030/
Sound Effect Title: Gun Fire
By GoodSoundForYou
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
http://soundbible.com/1998-Gun-Fire.html
Sound Effect Title: mechanical alarm clock
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/522119/
Sound Effect Title: S18-13 Explosion with falling debris.wav by craigsmith
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/674889/
Sound Effect Title: R12-02-Large Explosions.wav by craigsmith
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/486018/
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of the inside cover of the public domain comic book Police Lineup Number 1 (August 1951), art by Wally Wood.
Uniquely Heroic Americans - Episode 121
Fri, 10 Jan 2025 09:53:00 -0800
What are the mysterious objects seen flying over Santopolis? Can Falk stop them with the help of a new paramilitary force made up of old familiar faces? How do you feel about cilantro? Listen to find out!
Uniquely Heroic Americans, episode 121 of This Gun in My Hand, was seasoned and lorded over by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Sisyphus, Eat Your Heart Out, available in paperback and ebook from Amazon. What makes my chili taste uniquely American? This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. Is this the first episode to quote Dead Kennedys lyrics? Maybe.
2. Darn, I should have started the ad with “speaking of motherships…”
3. Robert Thomas Northrup’s mother did not rewrite the ad text in this episode. Some unnamed fictional character who wrote the ad might have solicited notes and rewrites from their mother, or might have been lying. Many statements made by characters in This Gun in My Hand are lies or mistakes. That’s for you to determine because your interpretation is more important than the actual author’s intent. See “The Death of the Author,” an essay by Roland Barthes.
https://web.archive.org/web/20200419132326/http://www.ubu.com/aspen/aspen5and6/threeEssays.html#barthes
4. “In the Western world, Persia (or its cognates) was historically the common name for Iran. In 1935, Reza Shah asked foreign delegates and League of Nations to use the term Iran (‘Land of the Aryans’), the endonym of the country, used by its native people, in formal correspondence.” - “Reza Shah,” Wikipedia, 2 January 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reza_Shah#Replacement_of_Persia_with_Iran
Credits:
The opening music was from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Transitional music around the commercial was from the June 9, 1946 episode of the public domain radio show US Steel Hour of Mystery. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Sound Effect Title: tug boat horn - sound effect.wav
By komal22moiz
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
https://freesound.org/people/komal22moiz/sounds/380825/
Sound Effect Title: R11-19-Army Marching Steadily.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/480434/
(another marching sound to layer with above)
Sound Effect Title: Chân Lính
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/546791/
Sound Effect Title: Stomach Rumble
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/yrdn/sounds/473989/
Sound Effect Title: groaning1.flac
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/borygmi/sounds/414975/
Sound Effect Title: 38 Caliber Gun Shot 5x
Recorded by Mike Koenig
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
http://soundbible.com/375-38-Caliber-Gun-Shot-5x.html
Sound Effect Title: Kimmokkeita / Ricochets
By YleArkisto
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/people/YleArkisto/sounds/401921/
Sound Effect Title: A slap or smack in the face
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/522596/
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of the cover of the public domain comic book Fightin’ Marines Number 14 (May 1955), artist unknown.
https://digitalcomicmuseum.com/index.php?dlid=21270
Journey Into Fiasco - Episode 120
Thu, 2 Jan 2025 05:10:00 -0800
Can David Graham, a torpedo engineer vital to the war effort, escape from German spies? Can Falk protect him? Is that supposed to be a Greek accent? Listen to find out!
Journey Into Fiasco, episode 120 of This Gun in My Hand, was driven and engineered by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Sisyphus, Eat Your Heart Out, available in paperback and ebook from Amazon. What makes torpedoes move faster? This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. This episode was inspired by “Journey Into Fear,” an episode of The US Steel Hour of Mystery starring Lawrence Olivier and broadcast on June 9, 1946, which was adapted from the 1940 novel by Eric Ambler.
https://www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com/thriller/the-hour-of-mystery/journey-into-fear-1946-06-09
2. No, it's not my impression of a Greek accent. The lines from Mithrodopolis in this episode are my impression of the guy from that 1946 broadcast of Journey Into Fear, doing an unidentifiable accent that's all over the place. I actually tried to sound like David Lander's character from On the Air, a 1992 David Lynch tv comedy that only aired 3 episodes in the US.
3. “Mon petit chou” was an expression I heard not in high school French class, but from my mother. She had learned it from her father who landed at Normandy three to six days after D-Day. He drove a refrigerated supply truck. I wonder in what context he learned “mon petit chou” from the locals?
Credits:
The opening and middle transitional music clips were from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Other music comes from “Journey Into Fear,” the June 9, 1946 episode of the public domain radio show Hour of Mystery. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Sound Effect Title: chugging diesel (bus) and rev.MP3
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/CraftyIndividual/sounds/418436/
Sound Effect Title: bus coach ext pull up brake air release idle.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/kyles/sounds/454420/
Sound Effect Title: Bus Closing Door
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/am7/sounds/520753/
Sound Effect Title: bustle in the pub
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/organicmanpl/sounds/403285/
Sound Effect Title: Footsteps Dress Shoes Wood Floor.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/allrealsound/sounds/161756/
Sound Effect Title: Slam door.MP3
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/SoundsForHim/sounds/395653/
Sound Effect Title: S16-06 Light wooden door open & close.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/675878/
Sound Effect Title: Shotgun Reload Pump
Recorded by RA The Sun God
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
http://soundbible.com/1959-Shotgun-Reload-Pump.html
Sound Effect Title: 1911 Pistol Cocking
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/J.Anthracite/sounds/465488/
Sound Effect Title: Glock 19 Handgun Pistol Slide Cocking Sounds
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/jackmurrayofficial/sounds/393734/
Sound Effect Title: AR15 M4 Gun Hardware Magazine Movement Sounds
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/jackmurrayofficial/sounds/393732/
Sound Effect Title: Gun Cocking Sound.mp3
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/545958/
Sound Effect Title: Pump Action Shotgun Cycle
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/370344/
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of a panel from the public domain Greyhound promotional comic book Driving Like a Pro (1958), artist unknown.
https://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=31501
The Hapless Hack of Gazpacho Gulch - Episode 119
Mon, 23 Dec 2024 05:58:00 -0800
Is it wrong to make up stories about silly gunfights fifty years ago while authoritarian figures are taking power and civilians are getting massacred as we speak? That’s the dilemma Falk has to solve, in the middle of a gunfight!
The Hapless Hack of Gazpacho Gulch, episode 119 of This Gun in My Hand, was rustled up and branded with innuendo by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Sisyphus, Eat Your Heart Out, available in paperback and ebook from Amazon. (But wait until the strike's over to order it.) What helps me escape from my neighbor’s basement? This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. Getting a story accepted by an editor who was then fired, and getting it rejected by his replacement, was based on something that happened to my favorite creative writing professor, the late Dr. Gilbert Cross. The editor who liked his stuff published three of his spy novels under the name “Jon Winters” in the late 70s and early 80s, before getting replaced by an editor who didn’t like them.
Credits:
The opening music was from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Sound Effect Title: 38 Caliber Gun Shot 5x
Recorded by Mike Koenig
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
http://soundbible.com/375-38-Caliber-Gun-Shot-5x.html
Sound Effect Title: Real Colt 45 M1911 (shot)
By Carmelomike
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
https://freesound.org/people/Carmelomike/sounds/255216/
Sound Effect Title: Gun Fire
By GoodSoundForYou
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
http://soundbible.com/1998-Gun-Fire.html
Sound Effect Title: footsteps cellar.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/545030/
Sound Effect Title: Kicking/Forcing/Breaking Wooden Door
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/qubodup/sounds/160213/
Sound Effect Title: Plywood_Prying_01.wav
By dheming
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/128408/
Sound Effect Title: door wood hit +window rattle slam bang various.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/452595/
Sound Effect Title: Crash
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/512246/
Sound Effect Title: S10-19 Falling wooden beam; big interior crash; house collapses; long.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/675967/
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of an interior illustration from Street & Smith’s Western Story Magazine, Vol. CLXXIV No. 2 (June 3, 1939), public domain, artist unknown.
Scrapping at the Escarpment - Episode 118
Thu, 12 Dec 2024 07:33:00 -0800
How will Falk escape this scrape with The Scrapper? Will he have to climb over or down the escarpment? Will she throw the book at him? Where did I put those stickers with the flowers? Listen to find out!
Scrapping at the Escarpment, episode 118 of This Gun in My Hand, was scraped together and later scuppered by Rob Northrup, with special guest Melinda Flicka as the hamster-monger. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Sisyphus, Eat Your Heart Out. That’s right, my new novella Sisyphus, Eat Your Heart Out is now available in paperback and ebook from Amazon. I’ll post readings of the first two chapters soon. Buy it today! If you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read the ebook for free and I still get two bits kickback for it, possibly more. And you can still buy Little Heist in the Big Woods and Other Revisionist Atrocities. In fact that’s only been in ebook format so far, now available for the first time in paperback. How did I get through the locked door of your apartment? With This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. Santa Rosita is where the treasure was buried in [spoilers] It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963).
Credits:
Transitional music clips were taken from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), The Scar (aka Hollow Triumph, 1948) and Killer Bait (1949), films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Sound Effect Title: Traffic mel 1.wav
By malupeeters
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/people/malupeeters/sounds/191350/
Sound Effect Title: S16-06 Light wooden door open & close.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/675878/
Sound Effect Title: Footsteps Dress Shoes Wood Floor.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/allrealsound/sounds/161756/
Sound Effect Title: Cutlery drawer
License: Public Domain
http://soundbible.com/591-Cutlery-Drawer.html
Sound Effect Title: Glass Bottle Breaking
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/IENBA/sounds/607910/
Sound Effect Title: Mount Moganshan Insect Chorus
By: RTB45
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
https://freesound.org/people/RTB45/sounds/325321/
Insect chorus recorded one summer evening, Mount Moganshan, Zhejiang Provence, People's Republic of China
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of the public domain comic book cover from Monte Hale Western Number 50 (July 1950), pencils and inks by Edmond Good.
The Chilling Horror That Grinds and Wiggles - Episode 117
Sun, 24 Nov 2024 05:07:00 -0800
Sat, 16 Nov 2024 14:46:00 -0800
The Assassination of Yip Harburg by the Coward Fan Mail - Episode 115
Fri, 8 Nov 2024 15:48:00 -0800
Can Falk prevent the murder of beloved songwriter E. Y. “Yip” Harburg? Why would a fan want to kill him? Will everyone come out of it with their childhood memories intact? Listen to find out!
The Assassination of Yip Harburg by the Coward Fan Mail, episode 115 of This Gun in My Hand, was written, edited and a sung-a on the tongue-a by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Little Heist in the Big Woods and Other Revisionist Atrocities. What physical object represents my heart and brain and courage and love of home? This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. Watch excerpts from the 1936 Merrie Melodies cartoon “I Love to Singa” starring Owl Jolson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y6CNuffBi0
2. Orson Welles produced a successful version of Macbeth with an all-Black cast in 1936.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voodoo_Macbeth
3. Judy Garland led a revised cast in Lux Radio Theater’s one-hour radio adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, broadcast December 25, 1950.
https://www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com/drama/lux/lux-radio-theater-50-12-25-726-the-wizard-of-oz
4. Wikipedia has an entry on Political interpretations of The Wizard of Oz. Wild stuff. I cribbed some of their ideas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_interpretations_of_The_Wonderful_Wizard_of_Oz
Credits:
The opening music clip was from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Music Title: Theme to Kolchak: Night Stalker
Composed by Gil Mellé
Whistled by Rob
Fair use excerpt, I hope.
Sound Effect Title: S15-03 Good general walla with some dishes; cheer.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/675070/
Sound Effect Title: G28-27-Crowd Fast Walla Applause.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/438387/
Sound Effect Title: R02-06-Medium Crowd Applause.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/480682/
Sound Effect Title: Gun Fire
By GoodSoundForYou
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
http://soundbible.com/1998-Gun-Fire.html
Sound Effect Title: Real Colt 45 M1911 (shot)
By Carmelomike
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
https://freesound.org/people/Carmelomike/sounds/255216/
Sound Effect Title: House Front Door Inside 3.wav
License: Public domain
https://freesound.org/people/saturdaysoundguy/sounds/388027/#
Sound Effect Title: R28-44-Women Screaming and Rapid Talking.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/479894/
Sound Effect Title: Footsteps Dress Shoes Wood Floor.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/allrealsound/sounds/161756/
Sound Effect Title: S41-25 Car backfires; reverberant.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/675723/
Sound Effect Title: footsteps cellar.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/545030/
Sound Effect Title: Taurus G2c Dry Trigger Pull
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/NoonerBear/sounds/589848/
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of the back cover of the public domain comic book Dell Junior Treasury, Number 5 (July 1956), painted by Mel Crawford.
The PunGent Cleans up - Episode 114
Fri, 8 Nov 2024 15:43:00 -0800
The PunGent turns over a new leaf! The slug beneath that leaf slithers away from the smell as quickly as it can. Will he solve a murder? Will he detour beneath the Earth? How you gonna keep ‘em down on the farm? Listen to find out!
The PunGent Cleans Up, episode 114 of This Gun in My Hand, was convoluted by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Little Heist in the Big Woods and Other Revisionist Atrocities. How do I unravel convoluted tales? With This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. For previous appearances or mentions of The PunGent, Alan, CHUFFs, CHOUFs and Mole Men, see the subject index.
https://thisguninmyhand.blogspot.com/2022/02/subject-index.html
2. The charred ruins of Google claims that Brits pronounce “bons mots” as “baanz mahts,” which does not seem to reflect the consensus of dictionary websites.
Credits:
The opening and a later transitional music clip were from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950); the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949); and a brief piece of music at the end of the last commercial is from The Scar (1948, aka Hollow Triumph), all films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Sound Effect Title: R12-43-Old Car Horns.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/479995/
Sound Effect Title: Car_motor_Sound.m4a
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/Blizzard123/sounds/504633/#
Sound Effect Title: Car_Stop_Breaks_Screech_Engine-Rev_by-monnie101.mp4.WAV
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/monnie101/sounds/58150/
Sound Effect Title: TUBE POP.wav
By sandyrb
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/102540/
Music Title from “Regrets” commercials: 'Le Regret, Op. 332’
Composed by Charles Mayer.
Incorrectly attributed to Chopin for many years under the title 'Valse mélancolique in F-sharp minor' A1/7.
Performed by Olga Gurevich
Composition and Performance License: Public Domain
https://musopen.org/music/12481-valse-melancolique-le-regret-op-332/
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of a public domain drawing by Duplessis, “Man in suit, Paris, France, 1900.”
Episode 115, available on Youtube
Sat, 2 Nov 2024 07:26:00 -0700
Can Falk prevent the murder of beloved songwriter E. Y. “Yip” Harburg? Why would a fan want to kill him? Will everyone come out of it with their childhood memories intact? Listen to find out!
“The Assassination of Yip Harburg by the Coward Fan Mail,” episode 115 of This Gun in My Hand, was written, edited and a sung-a on the tongue-a by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Little Heist in the Big Woods and Other Revisionist Atrocities. What physical object represents my heart and brain and courage and love of home? This Gun in My Hand!
Since I'm unable to post podcast episodes of This Gun in My Hand to archive dot org, I can't link them in my feed here. Until that's fully restored, your alternative for listening to new episodes is the version on Youtube. I'll post the audio version as soon as I can with full credits on the blog, which will show up in rss feed.
Episode 114, The PunGent Cleans Up, available on Youtube
Sun, 20 Oct 2024 04:29:00 -0700
The Internet Archive has been down for a few days so I haven't been able to upload the latest episode of This Gun in My Hand there, which means I can't make it available as part of my podcast feed. I'll post it as soon as I can. In the meantime, you can hear or view the episode on Youtube.
Don't Kid a Kidder - Episode 113
Sun, 15 Sep 2024 12:22:00 -0700
For two bits per day plus expenses, you can hire Billy Narrator, boy detective to solve your mysteries. Where’s my missing cat? Does Georgia like me? Where’d that corpse come from? Listen to find out!
Don’t Kid a Kidder, episode 113 of This Gun in My Hand, was popped off by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy Rob’s books, such as Little Heist in the Big Woods and Other Revisionist Atrocities. What’s the best toy in the backyard or the schoolyard? This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. The Clutching Hand was a 1936 cliffhanger serial. Band of the Hand was a 1986 action film executive produced by Michael Mann.
https://archive.org/details/clutching_hand_ep1
2. A few of Francis’ lines were shamelessly stolen from my memory of “Pinch Singer,” a 1936 Little Rascals short of which, sadly, I can’t find a free version on the web.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pinch_Singer
Credits:
The opening and middle transitional music clips were from public domain film The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950). Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Sound Effect Title: G39-09-Boxing Fight Bell.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/438626/
Sound Effect Title: 22lr Caliber Rifle Shots and Reloading
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/717133/
Sound Effect Title: Gun Fire
By GoodSoundForYou
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
http://soundbible.com/1998-Gun-Fire.html
Sound Effect Title: TUBE POP.wav
By sandyrb
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/102540/
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of an ad from Mechanix Illustrated, presumed to be public domain.
It Was a Dark and Stormy Reading of the Will - Episode 112
Sun, 8 Sep 2024 11:17:00 -0700
Will a mansion full of monsters and ghouls scare Falk Zildjian away from doing his duty? Will hearts be torn out or tamed? Is there anyone here besides us chickens? Listen to find out!
It Was a Dark and Stormy Reading of the Will, episode 112 of This Gun in My Hand, was carried out according to the final instructions of Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Little Heist in the Big Woods and Other Revisionist Atrocities. What ensures that I get good deals at thrift stores? This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. Watching The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966), The Bat (1959) or House on Haunted Hill (1959) will not necessarily prepare you for this episode, but it’d be a good excuse to put off listening to this episode.
The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UyPC24qfI4
The Bat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td3OM8jbBJQ
House on Haunted Hill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsnw-RNGKFY
2. This Gun in My Hand is perpetually set in 1939. Patsy Kelly’s next movie after 1939 was released in October 1940, The Hit Parade of 1941, also known as Romance and Rhythm. Her reputation was enough to get her listed on the posters for this film, and pictured on some of them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_Parade_of_1941#/media/File:Hit_Parade_of_1941.jpg
3. The audio and text of This Gun in My Hand are works of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, real organizations, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, organizations, places and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
4. Clacton-on-Sea is east and a little north of London, but it’s not in what they consider East London.
Credits:
The opening and middle transitional music clips were from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Music Title: Let Me Call You Sweetheart (I’m in Love With You)
Music by Leo Friedman, lyrics by Beth Slater Whitson, 1910.
Performed by Carter’s Orchestra, 1924.
License: Public Domain
https://archive.org/details/carters-orchestra-let-me-call-you-sweetheart-brunswick-3541-b
Sound Effect Title: R30-28-Classic Thunder Clap.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/486273/
Sound Effect Title: S23-19 Thunder claps; variation edit of Universal’s “Castle Thunder”.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/675991/
Sound Effect Title: G46-06-Treble-Heavy Thunder Crack.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/438743/
Sound Effect Title: G28-27-Crowd Fast Walla Applause.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/438387/
Sound Effect Title: chugging diesel (bus) and rev.MP3
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/CraftyIndividual/sounds/418436/
Sound Effect Title: bus coach ext pull up brake air release idle.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/kyles/sounds/454420/
Sound Effect Title: Bus Closing Door
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/am7/sounds/520753/
Sound Effect Title: DoorKnockerVarious.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/136544/
Sound Effect Title: Creaking door
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/333929/
Sound Effect Title: Creaking Door
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/709418/
Sound Effect Title: Slam door.MP3
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/SoundsForHim/sounds/395653/
Sound Effect Title: Footsteps Dress Shoes Wood Floor.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/allrealsound/sounds/161756/
Sound Effect Title: Cutlery drawer
License: Public Domain
http://soundbible.com/591-Cutlery-Drawer.html
Sound Effect Title: Glass Bottle Breaking
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/IENBA/sounds/607910/
Sound Effect Title: S10-19 Falling wooden beam; big interior crash; house collapses; long.wav
by craigsmith
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/675967/
Sound Effect Title: Foley_Footsteps_ShedWoodenFloor.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/523273/
Sound Effect Title: 175bpm_classical_running_freak.wav
By giacomelli
License: Creative Commons Sampling+
https://freesound.org/s/95763/
Sound Effect Title: TUBE POP.wav
By sandyrb
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/102540/
Sound Effect Title: R27-20-Small Crowd Gasps.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/480774/
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of the cover of the public domain comic book This Magazine is Haunted, Number 9, February 1953. Artist might be Sheldon Moldoff.
Cut Down in His Prime - Episode 111
Thu, 22 Aug 2024 06:25:00 -0700
Falk misses! Who is The Loner? What are you, some kind of Rambling Man? A Wanderer? You find a dead body there, fella? Every day you find another body? Listen to find out!
This episode was Cut Down in His Prime, episode 111 of This Gun in My Hand, found on the side of a dusty road and dusted off by Rob Northrup. Like all other episodes, this one is available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Little Heist in the Big Woods and Other Revisionist Atrocities. Why are so many people alone in this town? This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. I think it still counts as illegal breaking and/or entering if a door is unlocked, maybe even if the door is ajar. Or maybe that’s vampire rules, entering without an invitation. While we’re debunking legal myths, you can ask an undercover cop if they’re a cop, they are not required by law to tell you. And declaring yourself a “sovereign citizen” is not One Weird Trick to convince cops or prosecutors that their laws don’t apply to you.
Credits:
The opening music clip was from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Sound Effect Title: S31-16 Tommy gun busts; machine gun.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/675603/
Sound Effect Title: Gun Fire
By GoodSoundForYou
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
http://soundbible.com/1998-Gun-Fire.html
Sound Effect Title: Footsteps on gravel
By Joozz
https://freesound.org/people/Joozz/sounds/531952/
Sound Effect Title: Traffic mel 1.wav
By malupeeters
https://freesound.org/people/malupeeters/sounds/191350/
Sound Effect Title: Squeaky Car Door
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/coltures/sounds/262325/#
Sound Effect Title: Car_motor_Sound.m4a
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/Blizzard123/sounds/504633/#
Sound Effect Title: Door knocking
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/altfuture/sounds/174640/
Sound Effect Title: Body fall in grass CLOSE.mp3
By J.Zazvurek
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/73583/
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of the cover of the paperback novel Road Kid by Howard Pease, published in 1953, and I hope the cover is public domain. Artist unknown.
This Gun Is My Hand - Episode 110
Sun, 11 Aug 2024 08:24:00 -0700
After talking to a shady booker for a shortwave station, Falk’s body doesn’t seem to work like it used to. Will Falk’s gun still fire? When did he take off his shirt? Who won the story seed contest? Listen to find out!
This Gun Is My Hand, episode 110 of This Gun in My Hand, was ushered into this world by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Little Heist in the Big Woods and Other Revisionist Atrocities. How can you tell I’ve grown attached to firearms? This Gun is My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. I was confusing Roger Corman (born 1926) with David Cronenberg (born 1943). Corman would have been 14 in 1939. Cronenberg would have been a smile on his mother’s lips and a twinkle in his father’s eye.
2. Ms. Harriet’s lullaby is derived from The Creed of a United States Marine, aka The Rifleman’s Creed.
https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/Frequently-Requested-Topics/Marines-Rifle-Creed/
3. You might appreciate this episode more after watching twelve seasons of the delightful BBC series Call the Midwife. Sadly my local library doesn’t have season thirteen yet so I can’t vouch for that one.
Credits:
The opening and middle transitional music clips were from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Sound Effect Title: NOISE-PINK-10VU.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/mutantra/sounds/571176/
Sound Effect Title: Police Radio Chatter.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/320351/
Sound Effect Title: Real Colt 45 M1911 (shot)
By Carmelomike
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
https://freesound.org/people/Carmelomike/sounds/255216/
Sound Effect Title: Slam door.MP3
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/SoundsForHim/sounds/395653/
Sound Effect Title: 220531 Fly buzzing in window, short, R-07
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/TRP/sounds/717567/
Sound Effect Title: Fly at Window
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/573240/
Sound Effect Title: Pouring Soup in a Metal Pan - Quick,Short,Gross
by Hitrison
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/251410/
Sound Effect Title: Squishing.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/485484/
Sound Effect Title: Burp 8
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/399761/
Sound Effect Title: Broken Egg Squelch
By d.n.audio.uk
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
https://freesound.org/s/461049/
Sound Effect Title: Crying newborn baby child 2.WAV
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/211528/
Sound Effect Title: 1911 Pistol Cocking
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/J.Anthracite/sounds/465488/
Sound Effect Title: Glock 19 Handgun Pistol Slide Cocking Sounds
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/jackmurrayofficial/sounds/393734/
Sound Effect Title: AR15 M4 Gun Hardware Magazine Movement Sounds
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/jackmurrayofficial/sounds/393732/
The image accompanying this episode is a combination of the following public domain artworks:
1. The cover of New Detective magazine, Volume 8, Number 4 (July 1946). Not sure of the artist.
2. The cover of Argosy Weekly, Volume 230, Number 6 (July 2, 1932), art by Robert Graef.
They Can't All Be Bangers - Episode 109
Sat, 3 Aug 2024 04:16:00 -0700
How will Falk track down a grave robbing killer with special guest star Patsy Kelly in tow and his narrator on strike? Listen to find out!
They Can’t All Be Bangers, episode 109 of This Gun in My Hand, was banged together by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Little Heist in the Big Woods and Other Revisionist Atrocities. How do I produce consistent bangers? With This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. Anecdote time! My uncle had a sheep named Hajji which butted me to the ground when I was 8 or 10. I don’t know if that’s standard behavior for sheep or if his was just a jerk. Probably named after the hero of the 1954 movie The Adventures of Hajji Baba.
https://youtu.be/VUzig-jpMRU?si=MM5i0B0hWPB2VX8G
2. I was reminded of the “transplanted body part with mind of its own” trope when listening to an episode of the old time radio show Murder at Midnight, episode titled “The Dead Hand,” originally broadcast on September 16, 1946.
https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Murder_at_Midnight_Singles/Murder%20at%20Midnight%2046xxxx%20%28001%29%20The%20Dead%20Hand.mp3
3. The audio and text of This Gun in My Hand are works of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, real cartoonists or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Credits:
The opening and middle transitional music clips were from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Music Title for “Astral Police” bit: Streets of Valencia
Composed and performed by John Bartmann
License: Public Domain
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Bartmann/softly-boldly-with-a-piano/streets-of-valencia/
Sound Effect Title: Traffic mel 1.wav
By malupeeters
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
https://freesound.org/people/malupeeters/sounds/191350/
Sound Effect Title: footsteps cellar.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/545030/
Sound Effect Title: Collision.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/gbnelso/sounds/684443/
Sound Effect Title: Footsteps Dress Shoes Wood Floor.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/allrealsound/sounds/161756/
Sound Effect Title: storm door slam 01.wav
By volivieri
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/161190/
Sound Effect Title: R01-05-Sheep Bleating.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/479648/
Sound Effect Title: Real Colt 45 M1911 (shot)
By Carmelomike
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
https://freesound.org/people/Carmelomike/sounds/255216/
Sound Effect Title: R12-43-Old Car Horns.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/479995/
Sound Effect Title: land.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/kfatehi/sounds/363922/
Sound Effect Title: G28-27-Crowd Fast Walla Applause.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/438387/
Sound Effect Title: R10-56-Footsteps on Metal Staircase.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/480641/
Sound Effect Title: Car_motor_Sound.m4a
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/Blizzard123/sounds/504633/#
Sound Effect Title: Squeaky Car Door
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/coltures/sounds/262325/#
Sound Effect Title: Car_Stop_Breaks_Screech_Engine-Rev_by-monnie101.mp4.WAV
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/monnie101/sounds/58150/
Sound Effect Title: audi a4 b8 20tdi update engine set1 idle acceleration early gear shifting mono.wav
By Soundholder
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
https://freesound.org/people/Soundholder/sounds/425397/
Sound Effect Title: R03-19-Old Auto Tire Skid.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/481668/
Sound Effect Title: 220517 metal garbage can banging falling crashing
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/TRP/sounds/717566/
Sound Effect Title: Door knocking
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/altfuture/sounds/174640/
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of a panel from the public domain comic book Web of Evil, Number 17 (August 1954), penciled by Charles Nicholas.
Zildjian's Away to Shropshire - Episode 108
Thu, 18 Jul 2024 09:33:00 -0700
%20p024%20Jim%20Lavery_mod2000x2000dpi300.jpg "Modified detail of a panel from Stories by Famous Authors Illustrated #1, August 1950, in public domain, pencils and inks by Jim Lavery.")
In gratitude for his assistance, Lord and Lady Pelennor invite Falk to visit their estate. Is there no end to their generosity? Is there no escape? Is chili better than rashers for your supper? Listen to find out!
Zildjian’s Away to Shropshire, episode 108 of This Gun in My Hand, was lorded over by Rob Northrup. This episode and all others are available on Youtube with automatically-generated closed captions of dialog. Visit http://ThisGuninMyHand.blogspot.com for credits, show notes, archives, and to buy my books, such as Little Heist in the Big Woods and Other Revisionist Atrocities. How do I resolve the endless yearning between two hearts and bring them together? With This Gun in My Hand!
Show Notes:
1. This episode is a spin-off from the fake commercial “Henley’s Away to Shropshire” in episode 73, and partly inspired by season one of Sanditon.
2. Another example of rich or middle class Brits taking strange children into their homes is Wuthering Heights. I’m aware of the fan theory that Heathcliff is an illegitimate son of Mr. Earnshaw, which explains why Earnshaw would favor the boy over his own children. But the cover story Earnshaw apparently expects everyone to believe is that he adopted a kid off the street at random. As Eighteenth Century Brits were wont to do, I guess?
3. Lord Pelennor uses the word “arse,” so it’s not cussing by American standards even though they pronounce it exactly the same way as that other word. Not going to mark this episode as having “explicit language.”
Credits:
The opening music was from The Sun Sets at Dawn (1950), and the closing music was from Killer Bait (1949), both films in the public domain. Most of the music and sound effects used in the episode are modified or incomplete versions of the originals.
Song Title: The Fairy Queen, Z. 629
Composed by Henry Purcell, 1692.
Performed by Carl Pini, John Tunnell, Anthony Pini and Harold Lester.
License: Public Domain
https://musopen.org/music/11140-the-fairy-queen-z629/
Song Title: Consolation, Songs Without Words, Op. 30, No. 3, Adagio non troppo (E major)
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by Anonymous
License: Public Domain
https://musopen.org/music/348-songs-without-words-op-30/
Sound Effect Title: Outdoor ambience near a forest with birdsong (Midlands, England)
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/727609/
Sound Effect Title: R22-05-Two Horses on Dirt Road.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/479790/
Sound Effect Title: G52-10-Horse and Buggy.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/437081/
Sound Effect Title: 20070918.galloping.horse.wave
By dobroide
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/41180/
Sound Effect Title: S01-01_Horse trots in on hard dirt; stops; trotting out.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/675422/?
Sound Effect Title: Horse-drawn carriage - Approach and stop.wav
By Sirderf
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/333680/
Sound Effect Title: stomp01.wav
By JanKoehl
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/85600/
Sound Effect Title: G38-03-Horse Gallops Through Leaves.wav
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/437096/
Sound Effect Title: horse snort breathe eat recording
License: Public Domain
https://freesound.org/s/531429/
Sound Effect Title: Horse Whinny 1.wav
By GoodListener
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
https://freesound.org/s/322445/
Sound Effect Title: Fist banging on wood surface.wav
By 221339
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://freesound.org/s/655133/
The image accompanying this episode is a modified detail of a panel from Stories by Famous Authors Illustrated #1, August 1950, in public domain, pencils and inks by Jim Lavery.