Murder At The Zoo

When the lights dim and Fred Allen's distinctive nasal voice crackles through your speaker, you'll find yourself transported to the gates of the city zoo on a moonless night in 1938—where a most peculiar murder has just taken place. Is the culprit the mysterious night watchman? A disgruntled zookeeper? Or perhaps one of the animals has escaped its cage? What unfolds is a brilliantly absurd mystery, thick with Allen's razor-sharp wit and the rapid-fire wisecracks that made audiences roar with laughter even as they waited breathlessly for the truth. The supporting cast—from Allen's wife Portland Hoffa as the sharp-tongued femme fatale to the parade of eccentric suspects who wander through the zoo—brings colorful chaos to every scene. You can practically hear the rustling of the studio audience, their gasps and guffaws mixing with squeaking sound effects and the creaking gates of the zoo's entrance.

The Fred Allen Show was the comedic powerhouse of American radio, a variety hour that balanced vaudeville-style sketches with topical humor that made listeners feel like they were eavesdropping on the cleverest minds in entertainment. Allen himself was a comedic legend—a man who'd honed his craft in burlesque and Broadway before bringing his irreverent, intelligent brand of humor to the masses. Episodes like "Murder At The Zoo" showcase why the show commanded loyal audiences for nearly two decades and why radio historians still regard it as the gold standard of comedy programming.

Don't miss your chance to experience one of radio's greatest comedians at the height of his powers. Tune in to "Murder At The Zoo" and discover why Fred Allen's words still make us laugh across the decades.