Old Time Radio Shows

  World War II was a time that opened up technological advances in machines, weaponry and other equipment. The manpower involved in Europe and the Pacific Theater was incredible in terms of time and money. Ships, tanks, places, guns, uniforms, radios, training, food, and a vast array of other economic expenditures required the money to pay for everything. taxes xcould not be relied upon because a good portion of the country was gone fighting and taxes were being used for domestic issues. So where did the green come from to pay Uncle Sam for maintaining the war necessities? War Bonds. These paper goods put out by the government was an investment into the “now” of the 1940’s with the dividends to become payable later on down the road. Newsreels were a mainstay in getting the word out to Mr and Mrs. America to buy bonds, but not the only means. Old Time Radio played a huge part in reaching people from sea to shining sea (makes me want to break out in song) about the importance in su...

 When most people think about the Second World War, their minds will probably go to films like Saving Private Ryan (1998), The Longest Day (1962), A Bridge Too Far (1977), Inglourious Basterds(2009), or Schindler's List (1993). These were all great films which show a similar message, that the Good Guys would wipe up the floor with the Nazi goons. What they do not convey is that there was just as much importance, just as much bloody fighting, and just as much drama happening on the other side of the world. For many Americans, the War started on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese snuck up on us at Pearl Harbor, and then we proceeded to kick Hitler's butt. Roosevelt and Churchill had agreed on a "Europe First" strategy from the get-go. The Allies would share the fight with the Japanese after things were settled on the continent, but for now, the Pacific Theater would be a "holding action". Unfortunately, the Empire of Japan was not interested in waiting for a ...

  There is a lot more going on than long plotlines capturing the imagination of lonely housewives, the Soaps raised important social issues as well. At the beginning of Commercial Radio, daytime broadcasting was treated like a commercial wasteland with no money to be made. After all, Radio was family entertainment and during the day Dad was at work and the kids were in school. Put the effort into winning the prime-time when the whole family was home to listen to the big stars, just play some music and public service programming during the day. However, it was not very long before someone realized that housewives were at home during the day and they depended upon their radios to keep them company. Not only were housewives a dependable audience, but it also turns out that they did most of the shopping for the family. The first industry to come to grips with this economic reality was the manufacturers of household cleaning and beauty supplies, so the entertainment form that their mark...

Billed as the "Battle of the Century", comedians Jack Benny and Fred Allen began long running faux feud . This is the opening of the on-air brawl, the broadcast of the Jack Benny program from March 14, 1937: On the Red Network (KFI, Los Angeles) and sponsored by Jell-O, this program originates from The Grand Ballroom of The Hotel Pierre, New York City. "Bing" Shlepperman (Sam Hearn) offers to substitute for Kenny Baker, who's back in California and Mary sings! Jack sings the Jell-O commercial, but is interrupted by guest Fred Allen. Jack and Fred start an argument and wind up reminiscing about their days in Vaudeville and then sing a duet.

Fort Laramie Radio dramas of the forties saw the rise of the Hard-Boiled detective . These independent heroes appealed to the returning WWII veteran who might have been craving a return to the excitement he had experienced while serving in the military. The fifties were the time of the Adult Western, perhaps better labeled as "Cowboys and Injuns for Thinking People". The mature-person's Westerns did not replace crime thrillers, but they did provide a choice of entertainment with a little less murder. Thoughtful Westerns reached a high point with the gritty reality of Gunsmoke in 1952. Created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston, the genesis of Gunsmoke was a desire expressed by CBS boss William Paley for a " Philip Marlowe in the Old West". U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon was every bit as hard-boiled as the most noir -ish Private Eye , just with dust and horses instead of urban grime, and many critics consider Gunsmoke to have been a high...

Think ventriloquism needs visuals? Not in the golden age of radio! While you couldn't see Edgar Bergen and his quick-witted dummy Charlie McCarthy, you certainly heard them. Their Sunday night show became a national sensation, proving that a master of voices could create a world of hilarious interactions just through sound. Bergen's secret? Giving Charlie such a distinct voice and personality that listeners completely bought into the illusion. The humor wasn't just in the clever lines; it was in the absurdity of a man seemingly bickering with a block of wood - an absurdity your imagination made even funnier! Besides Edgar Bergen, lesser known radio ventriloquists include: Peter Brough, a British ventriloquist with a hugely popular 1940s and 50s radio show. His radio success prompted a move to TV in 1956, which killed his career when his fans realized you could see his lips moving. A later critic wrote "Ventriloquism on the radio - I could have done that." Th...