Donovan's Brain: The Man Who Wouldn't Stay Dead

This week on Ron's Amazing Stories, we journey into one of the most chilling tales from the golden age of radio—Donovan's Brain. Originally written by Curt Siodmak and brought to life on the legendary radio program Suspense, this story explores what happens when science pushes beyond its moral limits.

Starring Orson Welles as Dr. Patrick Cory, this 1944 broadcast was originally presented over two nights. For this episode, Ron has carefully edited the two parts into a single, seamless story—removing original commercials and smoothing the narrative for a more immersive listening experience.

At its core, Donovan's Brain is more than just a horror story. It's a haunting exploration of identity, control, and the consequences of tampering with forces we may not fully understand. And as technology continues to evolve in our modern world, its themes feel more relevant than ever.

So dim the lights, settle in, and prepare yourself… because some minds refuse to stay silent—even after death.

• The origins of Donovan's Brain in pulp fiction and radio drama
• A look at Suspense and its unforgettable adaptation
• Orson Welles' powerful performance as Dr. Patrick Cory
• A fully restored and edited version of the original two-part broadcast
• The moral dilemma behind keeping a human brain alive
• A mid-story discussion on science, ethics, and the nature of consciousness
• Post-story reflections on "what if" the brain had belonged to someone else
• Final thoughts connecting the story to modern technology and AI

Ron's Amazing Stories Is Sponsored by: Audible - You can get a free audiobook and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/ronsamazingstories.

Your Stories: Do you have a story that you would like to share on the podcast or the blog? Head to the main website, click on Story Submission, leave your story, give it a title, and please tell me where you're from. I will read it if I can. Links are below.

Music Used In This Podcast: Most of the music you hear on Ron's Amazing Stories has been composed by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Other pieces are in the public domain. You can find great free music at FreePd.com which is a site owned by Kevin.

Program Info: Ron's Amazing Stories is published each Thursday. You can download it from Apple Podcasts, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

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This week, we're doing something a little different on Ron's Amazing Stories. Ron heads back into the archives, dusting off some classic segments from past episodes and bringing them together for a special throwback edition of the show. If you've been listening for a while, you'll recognize a few familiar favorites—but there are also a few surprises waiting along the way.

From vintage science fiction readings to classic radio mysteries and a thought-provoking tale from Ray Bradbury, this episode is a fun mix of old and new… with just a bit of tampering.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy a journey through the golden age of storytelling—Ron style.

In This Episode

• As Read By - A return to a fan-favorite segment inspired by Librivox, featuring "Gib Takes a Space Test" from a 1957 science fiction collection—where imagination leads the way and the future is anyone's guess.
• Five Minute Mystery - A classic 1940s mini-mystery, complete with Ron's signature humorous interruptions and a sponsor you probably weren't expecting.
• Main Feature – X Minus One: "The Veldt" - A chilling adaptation of a Ray Bradbury story about a fully automated nursery where imagination—and technology—may go too far.
• Story Thoughts - A look at Bradbury's themes of technology, parenting, and whether our modern conveniences are helping us… or quietly taking control.
• A Moment in Time - A nostalgic radio clip from the past, with insight into why it mattered then—and why it still does today.

Ron's Amazing Stories Is Sponsored by: Audible - You can get a free audiobook and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/ronsamazingstories.

Your Stories: Do you have a story that you would like to share on the podcast or the blog? Head to the main website, click on Story Submission, leave your story, give it a title, and please tell me where you're from. I will read it if I can. Links are below.

Music Used In This Podcast: Most of the music you hear on Ron's Amazing Stories has been composed by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Other pieces are in the public domain. You can find great free music at FreePd.com which is a site owned by Kevin.

Program Info: Ron's Amazing Stories is published each Thursday. You can download it from Apple Podcasts, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

Social Links:
Main Podcast Site by LibSyn
The Blog Site by WordPress
Facebook Link
Twitter Link

Contact Links:
Email
Story Submissions
Contact Ron

Tonight's episode is a detective's nightmare—where the problem isn't finding suspects… it's finding someone still alive who knows the truth. We're bringing you a classic old-time radio detective double feature, featuring two gripping cases.

From a client who never gets the chance to explain himself… to a witness who seems to vanish into thin air… these stories remind us that sometimes the most dangerous place to be… is close to the truth. So settle in, dim the lights, and keep your story straight—because tonight, someone is working very hard at silencing the truth.

In This Episode

• A classic detective double feature featuring two legendary radio investigators
• Richard Diamond, Private Detective – "The Evan's Farmer Case" (8/23/1950) - A wealthy client calls for help… but doesn't survive long enough to explain why Diamond must solve a case with nothing but questions—and a body on the pavement
• Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar – "Witness, Witness, Who's Got The Witness" (10/22/1949) - A missing witness turns into a deadly chain of events. Johnny Dollar finds himself in the crosshairs as the truth gets closer
• Ron talks about the connecting theme of silenced voices and missing witnesses
• Commentary and narration that tie both stories into one chilling idea:
  What happens when the truth has no one left to tell it?

Two detectives. Two cases. One unsettling pattern— the truth is out there… but someone is making sure it stays buried.

Ron's Amazing Stories Is Sponsored by: Audible - You can get a free audiobook and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/ronsamazingstories.

Your Stories: Do you have a story that you would like to share on the podcast or the blog? Head to the main website, click on Story Submission, leave your story, give it a title, and please tell me where you're from. I will read it if I can. Links are below.

Music Used In This Podcast: Most of the music you hear on Ron's Amazing Stories has been composed by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Other pieces are in the public domain. You can find great free music at FreePd.com which is a site owned by Kevin.

Program Info: Ron's Amazing Stories is published each Thursday. You can download it from Apple Podcasts, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

Social Links:
Main Podcast Site by LibSyn
The Blog Site by WordPress
Facebook Link
Twitter Link

Contact Links:
Email
Story Submissions
Contact Ron