goldie

Free old time radio — transcripts, sponsor breaks intact, open catalog for listeners and builders.

Listen

  • Shows
  • Calendar
  • Search
  • Halloween
  • Genres
  • Moods
  • Themes
  • People
  • Sponsors
  • Upcoming series

Builders

  • Developers
  • Goldie for AI (MCP)
  • api.goldie.fm
  • mcp.goldie.fm
  • llms.txt

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Goldie Pro

Audio from Internet Archive · Logs from the Old Time Radio Researchers. Goldie does not own the recordings.

Privacy · Terms · Contact · Developers · Catalog API api.goldie.fm · MCP mcp.goldie.fm · AI / MCP docs

goldie
ShowsCalendarAIPro
  1. Home
  2. /Shows
  3. /Cavalcade of America
  4. /The Port of Missing Men
← All Cavalcade of America episodes

The DuPont Company of Bloomington, Delaware, makers of better things or better living through chemistry, presents the Cavalcade of America. Tonight's star, Loretta Young. Tonight's story, The Port of Missing Men. In 1943, the Maritime Commission named a liberty ship in honor of a woman named Janet Lord Roper. But unless you're of the sea, chances are you've never heard of her. What did she do? Who was she? Well, it all started a long time ago. The place, Calcutta. A year, 18…

Transcript

Loading transcript…

Synopsis

In The Port of Missing Men, we are introduced to Janet Lord Roper, a young woman with a heart full of compassion for the sailors who frequent the docks of Boston. The story begins in 1885, where Janet is deeply affected by the plight of missing sailors, particularly when she learns about Bobby Mills, a laborer who has vanished from his ship. The indifference of the shipping crew towards Mills' disappearance highlights the harsh realities of maritime life, where men are often seen as mere names on a list, easily replaced when lost.

Featured in playlists›

Goldie Originals that include this night

Bedtime Half-Hours

One episode. One lamp. Then lights out.

24 episodes

You might also like

Shared stars, moods, and themes across the catalog

Suspense

Sorry, Wrong Number

An invalid woman overhears a chilling conversation about a planned murder while struggling with a malfunctioning telephone. As she fights to alert the authorities, the stakes rise with each passing moment.

Ep 43 · Tuesday, May 25, 1943 · 29:38

The Lone Ranger

The Origin Of Silver

The Lone Ranger recounts the legendary origin of his famous white horse, Silver, revealing how he transitioned from riding Dusty to finding the magnificent stallion. The tale intertwines themes of adventure, courage, and the bond between man and horse.

Ep 916 · Friday, December 9, 1938 · 29:49

Dr. Kildare

Robert Lane, Intern, Shirks Duties

Dr. Kildare faces a crisis when an intern, Robert Lane, shirks his duties, putting a patient's life at risk. Kildare must navigate hospital politics and personal responsibility to ensure the intern's future and the patient's safety.

Ep 79 · Friday, July 27, 1951 · 27:01

Claudia

The Land Across The Road

Claudia and David discuss the land across the road, contemplating its ownership and the possibility of buying it. Their neighbor, Mr. Tucker, brings troubling news about a housing development that threatens the area.

Ep 367 · Tuesday, February 22, 1949 · 14:18

Academy Award Theater

If I Were King

In If I Were King, poet Francois Villon navigates the treacherous streets of besieged Paris, where desperation drives honest men to crime. As tensions rise, Villon finds himself entangled in political intrigue and the whims of royalty.

Ep 7 · Saturday, May 11, 1946

Melancholy›

Same mood, other nights on the dial

Ports of Call

Scotland

The episode explores the rich history and culture of Scotland as the ship arrives in Glasgow, highlighting significant events and figures like Robert Bruce and Robert Burns. The narrative captures the beauty of the Scottish landscape and its historical significance.

Ep 8760 · Tuesday, November 14, 2102 · 28:47

The Devil and Mr O

Where Are You

A young couple on their honeymoon in New York City experiences a day filled with wonder and existential reflection atop the Empire State Building. As they navigate their love amidst the backdrop of a world at war, they ponder the future and the possibility of starting anew.

Ep 4 · Friday, October 8, 1971 · 29:52

Gunsmoke

Little Girl

After a tragic fire claims her step-father's life, young Charity is brought to Dodge City by Marshal Dillon, who must figure out her future amidst the chaos of her loss.

Ep 430 · Sunday, July 3, 1960 · 24:48

Ranger Bill

Henry's Miracle

Ranger Bill recounts the inspiring story of Henry Scott, a young boy who overcomes a severe spinal injury with the help of his father's love and faith. As Henry faces the challenges of his condition, the stakes rise when his father's health deteriorates.

Ep 153 · Wednesday, November 19, 1958 · 29:28

X Minus One

Saucer of Loneliness

A newspaper reporter discovers a woman who has received a mysterious message from a flying saucer, but she refuses to reveal its contents. As he tries to understand her loneliness, he realizes their connection runs deeper than he expected.

Ep 83 · Wednesday, January 9, 1957 · 28:52

Fort Laramie

Army Wife

An army wife reflects on her life after the sudden death of her husband, a beloved officer, as she contemplates her future and the changes ahead.

Ep 40 · Sunday, October 28, 1956 · 24:41

Survival›

More stories in this vein

Suspense

The Most Dangerous Game

Sanger Rainsford finds himself stranded on a mysterious island after a shipwreck, where he becomes the prey in a deadly game orchestrated by the enigmatic General Zaroff.

Ep 59 · Thursday, September 23, 1943 · 29:57

The Lone Ranger

Cold Spring Showdown (Last Original 'Live' Broadcast)

The Lone Ranger and Tonto prepare to defend Cold Spring against a band of outlaws led by Red Eagle, who are intent on stealing a chest of gold. Tensions rise as the outlaws launch their attack on the stagecoach station.

Ep 3377 · Friday, September 3, 1954 · 23:25

X Minus One

At the Post

A race track tout struggles to save his wife, who has fallen into a catatonic state, believing she is being controlled by aliens. He uses his knowledge of horse racing to uncover the truth behind her condition and the impending doom of mankind.

Ep 94 · Wednesday, March 27, 1957 · 22:03

Dimension X

The Outer Limit

In The Outer Limit, a test pilot prepares for a groundbreaking space mission while grappling with personal anxieties about impending fatherhood. As he launches into the unknown, the stakes rise with the potential for disaster looming over the mission.

Ep 1 · Saturday, April 8, 1950 · 30:11

The Devil and Mr O

Rocket from Manhattan

In Rocket from Manhattan, a group of astronauts returns from the moon, but their journey takes a dark turn as they face a dire situation in space. Tensions rise as they confront the consequences of their mission and the implications of their discoveries.

Ep 22 · Friday, February 11, 1972 · 28:36

← PreviousA Prisoner Named BrownNext →As If a Door Were Opening

Credits

  • Audio from Internet Archive (OTRR_Cavalcade_of_America_Singles). Curated by OTRR. Goldie does not claim ownership of this broadcast.
  • Historical context from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).

CALV_520115_727_The_Port_of_Missing_Men.mp3

Cavalcade of America, Episode 727

The Port of Missing Men

Tuesday, January 15, 1952 · 26:19

Cavalcade of America, Episode 727

The Port of Missing Men

Tuesday, January 15, 1952 · 26:19

Summary

In The Port of Missing Men, Janet Lord Roper dedicates her life to helping sailors and their families during the tumultuous times of the late 19th century. As she seeks to reunite missing men with their loved ones, she faces the harsh realities of the maritime world.

  • Melancholy
  • Survival
  • Crime
  • Psychological
  • Drama
  • Mystery

Chapters

Sponsor breaks

Detective Desk

Private eyes, hardboiled and soft.

24 episodes

Hardboiled Classics

Noir voices and cigarette-smoke cases.

24 episodes

Must-Hear Mysteries

Whodunits that still hold the room.

24 episodes

Rainy Afternoon

Long-form comfort for gray windows.

24 episodes

Drama Desk

Character, craft, and living-room stage plays.

24 episodes

Crime Wave

Cops, crooks, and the gray between.

24 episodes

Melancholy After Midnight

Soft rain on the window.

24 episodes

Little Orphan Annie

Joe And Annie's Plan

Annie and Joe take on a new responsibility by helping out at Jake's Emporium after school. Their commitment to the store comes at a time when Jake is ill and needs assistance.

Ep 920 · Friday, October 25, 1935 · 14:02

Bright Star

George Coaches the Hillsdale High Football Team

George takes on the role of coach for the Hillsdale High football team, facing the challenge of turning their losing streak around while dealing with the pressures of the community and his own insecurities.

Ep 18 · Thursday, February 19, 1953 · 27:58

The Mel Blanc Show

Foreign Relatives

Mel pretends to be a rich foreign relative to help Mr. Colby secure a bank loan, but his acting skills are put to the test when the banker arrives.

Ep 21 · Tuesday, January 21, 1947 · 22:52

Cavalcade of America

Transcontinental Journeys

In Transcontinental Journeys, the Cavalcade of America explores the evolution of transportation in the United States through the eyes of a spirited elderly woman reflecting on her past journey in a covered wagon.

Ep 56 · Wednesday, November 11, 1936 · 29:49

Cavalcade of America

Abraham Lincoln

This episode of Cavalcade of America celebrates the life of Abraham Lincoln, highlighting his rise from poverty and his dedication to knowledge and leadership amidst numerous challenges.

Ep 19 · Wednesday, February 12, 1936 · 30:31

Dragnet

The Big Little Jesus

A statue of the Child Jesus is stolen from a Los Angeles mission on Christmas Eve, prompting detectives to investigate its whereabouts. The case takes a heartwarming turn as they uncover the story behind the theft.

Ep 227 · Tuesday, December 22, 1953 · 29:19

The Six Shooter

Britt Ponset's Christmas Carol

Britt Ponset encounters a boy named Johnny who despises Christmas, prompting Britt to recount a story about a miserly man named Ebon who also hated the holiday. As they converse, the stakes of understanding the true spirit of Christmas unfold.

Ep 14 · Sunday, December 20, 1953 · 28:58

The Six Shooter

Jenny

The Six Shooter encounters a young man injured in a gully and helps him reach safety, only to find himself in a tense situation with a mysterious woman at a nearby cabin.

Ep 1 · Sunday, September 20, 1953 · 28:24

Escape

Sire De Maletroit's Door

In 1429 Paris, a young cavalier finds himself lost and pursued by soldiers, leading him to a mysterious house where he encounters the enigmatic Sire de Maltois and a beautiful woman named Blanche. The stakes rise as he navigates the dangers of love and honor amidst the chaos of war.

Ep 5 · Monday, August 4, 1947 · 29:33

Mystery House

A Short Life for Mary

A young woman named Mary faces a dire situation that threatens her life as she navigates the eerie atmosphere of the Mystery House.

Ep 81 · Sunday, September 2, 1945 · 26:16

That night in history

Headlines

  • 1952 — NBC's long-running morning news program Today debuts, with host Dave Garroway.

On the air that night›

  1. Cavalcade of AmericaThe Port of Missing MenCurrently listeningEpisode 727
  2. Fibber McGee and MollyRummage SaleEpisode 681
  3. The Black MuseumThe Bath TubEpisode 3