Back in the 1970’s my family was camping at Eighth Lake in the Adirondacks.  Being there wasn’t much to do at night, except stare at the fire, I was playing with a AM radio and came across an old time radio murder/mystery that was broadcasting from a station in Boston.  It was an hour long program that we all intently listened to for the rest of the week.  I can see why people found this programming interesting before TV.  It certainly keep us entertained.