Who Killed The Hula Hula Dancer

Step into the smoke-filled studios of NBC as Fred Allen weaves a tale of tropical mystery and big-city intrigue that will keep you guessing right up until the final punchline. When a Honolulu hula dancer turns up dead—or does she?—Fred and his resident detective, the incomparable Portland Hoffa, stumble headlong into a case full of red herrings, mistaken identities, and the kind of razor-sharp satirical humor that made Allen the sharpest wit on the airwaves. From suspicious nightclub owners to dubious alibis, this episode showcases Allen's genius for layering murder-mystery theatrics with his trademark commentary on contemporary American life. The supporting cast of Allen's celebrated stock characters—each voice a masterpiece of comedic timing—brings the shadowy world of Waikiki nightlife to vivid, hilarious life.

By 1938, Fred Allen had firmly established himself as radio's premier comic intellect, a writer and performer unafraid to skewer sponsors, network executives, and American pretension with equal enthusiasm. Unlike the genteel humor of some contemporaries, Allen's comedy cut deep, combining sketch comedy, clever wordplay, and sustained satirical bits that rewarded careful listening. His feud with Jack Benny, playing out weekly across the airwaves, had captured the nation's imagination and made The Fred Allen Show must-listen radio. This particular episode exemplifies why critics have called Allen the "thinking person's comedian"—even when he's solving murders in Hawaii, there's intelligence and observation beneath every gag.

Don your earphones and prepare for an evening of mystery, mirth, and Allen's inimitable comic genius. Who killed the hula hula dancer? Tune in to find out—and enjoy the journey along the way.