"The Iron Duke," one of L. Ron Hubbard's 153 captivating pulp fiction stories from the 1930s and '40s, was read live last Saturday at the L. Ron Hubbard Gallery in Hollywood.

Professional actors, accompanied by Foley sound effects and live piano, sat on tall chairs behind old-fashioned radio microphones and - with opened scripts in their laps - performed the various characters in this exciting adventure story.

(See photos: click on each to enlarge.)

Blacky Lee, an American arms merchant, is wanted by nearly every government in Europe - including the Nazis - for selling dud weapons. While hiding in Aldoria, Blacky brazenly impersonates its reclusive leader, Prince Phillip.

Things go surprisingly well until the real prince appears. Our hero soon finds himself in the middle of crossfire, and seconds before the lights dim, he is hit. Slowly he sinks to the floor ...

Tait Ruppert narrated the story in a rich voice reminiscent of old-time radio broadcasts.

John Mariano was the suave and assured Blacky Lee, performing not only when he spoke dialogue, but in reaction to other characters and the narration.

Michael Yurchak, a young man with a score of delightful facial expressions, humorously performed Blacky's business partner, Stuffy Doyle, but used a stern demeanor for various military personnel.

Beautiful Rajia Baroudi read several sly and sophisticated female parts.

Phil Proctor, co-founder of the Firesign Theater - was the intoxicated Prince Phillip, as well as several sinister characters, including a Communist commandant.

The live theatrical readings are presented by Author Services Inc. on a wide, spotlighted stage in a plush theater setting. Non-alcoholic beverages are available to viewers before and during the performance, and lush refreshments are served at the conclusion.

The book featured that evening is available for purchase after the performance, either in paperback form or as a multi-cast audio book on CD.

If you'd like to attend these monthly "live" theatrical readings, call Joni Labaqui at 323-466-3310 or e-mail her at jonil@authorservicesinc.com.

For details about the stories to be performed in the next three months, visit www.goldenagestories.com/html/theater.php.

Doors open at 7 p.m and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door and there is free inside parking.

The Christmas open house on Dec. 20 is free.

The gallery is located at 7051 Hollywood Blvd., in Hollywood.

These readings, by a long list of talented actors, are offered to promote the release of a new line of books by master storyteller L. Ron Hubbard, featuring his many pulp fiction adventures from the 1930s and 1940s.

The stories (originally printed in "pulp" magazines, named for their rough-cut, pulpwood paper, as opposed to the higher-class "slick" magazines), were "driven by plot and character, with grand heroes, terrible villains, beautiful damsels (often in distress), diabolical plots, amazing places and breathless romances."

Categories include detective/mystery, air and sea adventures, tales from the Orient, science fiction, fantasy, westerns and far-flung adventures, such as "The Iron Duke."

There will eventually be 80 paperback books and 80 multi-cast audio books available through enrollment in the Stories from the Golden Age Club. Featured books are mailed out monthly for a special membership price of $9.95 (either print or audio book) with freeshipping and handling.

For information about the book club, call 877-842-5299 or go online to www.goldenagestories.com.