Podcasts by Old Time Radio Blog
Further podcasts by Greg Lauer
Podcast on the topic Darstellende Kunst
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Box 13 - Ep. 01 - The First Letter - 08-22-1948 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Box 13 was a syndicated show starring Alan Ladd (famous for the movie "Shane") as Dan Holiday. The basic premise is that Holiday is an author looking for story ideas, so he posts an ad in his local...
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Fibber McGee & Molly, Dining Out to Celebrate, Jan 25, 1944 from 2015-01-26T03:08:10
Fibber McGee and Molly was a long running situation comedy...in fact, they are often credited with creating the sitcom. The show also featured a singer and a cast of characters that both stand alon...
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Box 13, Three to Die, Jan 23, 1949 from 2015-01-26T02:43:40
Alan Ladd, probably best known for his title role in the move "Shane," played Dan Holiday in this wonderfully well produced radio series. The basic premise is that Dan was an author who needs story...
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Great Gildersleeve, Dancing School, Jan 22, 1947 from 2015-01-21T05:48:55
The Great Gildersleeve, with his distinctive laugh, was a character originally created by Harold Peary while on the Fibber McGee and Molly show. On that show, the character had a pretty loose biogr...
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Jack Benny, Ice Skating in Central Park, Jan 21, 1945 from 2015-01-21T05:45:44
Jack Benny made a living and became a comedy legend by making sure his castmates got the bigger laughs. I hope you'll agree that much of Jack's humor is timeless.
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Fred Allen Show, George Jessel Guests, Jan 20, 1946 from 2015-01-21T05:40:35
Fred Allen's show was not very typical of his time. He tended to avoid the standard variety format in favor of topical humor approached from several directions within the half-hour. Over the years,...
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Rocky Fortune, The Museum Murder, Jan 19, 1954 from 2015-01-20T04:06:01
NBC ran the Rocky Fortune series for 25 episodes beginning in October 1953. This show was a "sustaining series," which means the network paid for all production costs so they could take care of Fra...
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Fibber McGee & Molly, Molly Gets Flowers, Jan 18, 1944 from 2015-01-19T05:34:15
Fibber McGee and Molly was a long running situation comedy...in fact, they are often credited with creating the sitcom. The show also featured a singer and a cast of characters that both stand alon...
Listen
Gunsmoke, Paid Killer, Jan 17, 1953 from 2015-01-18T08:16:21
This is Episode 39 of what is often regarded as the best show from the Old Time Radio era. Gunsmoke set the standard in many ways including the quality of the scripts, exceptional acting, and produ...
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Our Miss Brooks, Cure That Habit, Jan 15, 1950 from 2015-01-16T05:14:28
Our Miss Brooks was a series that aired first on radio and then both on TV and radio. Unlike many of the co-media series of the day, however, the Our Miss Brooks radio show was simply the audio fro...
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Dimension X, Martian Death March, Jan 14, 1951 from 2015-01-15T07:58:48
Science fiction shows in the 1950s seemed to be centered on the same basic themes: robots and Martians. In this episode of Dimension X (later brought back as X Minus One) we are treated to both an ...
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Great Gildersleeve, Ben Sells Life Insurance, Jan 13, 1946 from 2015-01-14T03:44:50
The Great Gildersleeve, with his distinctive laugh, was a character originally created by Harold Peary while on the Fibber McGee and Molly show. On that show, the character had a pretty loose biogr...
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Rocky Fortune, Rodeo Murder, Jan 12, 1954 from 2015-01-14T03:37:26
NBC ran the Rocky Fortune series for 25 episodes beginning in October 1953. This show was a "sustaining series," which means the network paid for all production costs so they could take care of Fra...
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Fibber McGee & Molly, Fibber Does His Income Tax, Jan 11, 1944 from 2015-01-12T05:35:21
As most of us in America know, the beginning of the year marks the beginning of "tax season." One thing I love about this episode is the historical mention of Fibber's tax return not being due unti...
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Gunsmoke, Word of Honor, Jan 10, 1953 from 2015-01-11T07:48:32
This is Episode 38 of what is often regarded as the best show from the Old Time Radio era. Gunsmoke set the standard in many ways including the quality of the scripts, exceptional acting, and produ...
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X Minus One, Saucer of Loneliness, Jan 9, 1957 from 2015-01-10T07:23:27
X Minus One was one of the better science fiction anthology series that aired during the late 1950's. The series frequently featured stories by writers who eventually became legends in the genre an...
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Our Miss Brooks, School on Saturday, Jan 8, 1956 from 2015-01-09T02:34:31
Our Miss Brooks was a series that aired first on radio and then both on TV and radio. Unlike many of the co-media series of the day, however, the Our Miss Brooks radio show was simply the audio fro...
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The Mel Blanc Show, The Broken Caruso Record, Jan 7, 1947 from 2015-01-08T05:42:03
When Mel Blanc got his own radio show, he had already become world famous for being the voice of Bugs Bunny (among many others). While this series was funny on its own merits, you can't help but re...
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Fred Allen Show, Take It or Leave It, Jan 6, 1946 from 2015-01-07T08:56:53
Fred Allen's show was not very typical of his time. He tended to avoid the standard variety format in favor of topical humor approached from several directions within the half-hour. Over the years,...
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Rocky Fortune, On the Trail of a Killer, Jan 5, 1954 from 2015-01-06T05:49:14
NBC ran the Rocky Fortune series for 25 episodes beginning in October 1953. This show was a "sustaining series," which means the network paid for all production costs so they could take care of Fra...
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Fibber McGee and Molly, Jan 4, 1949 from 2015-01-05T06:25:01
As one of the original radio sitcoms, Fibber McGee and Molly holds a special place in radio history. This episode features the regular cast of characters paying their regular visits, all wrapped ar...
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Gunsmoke, Trojan War, Jan 3, 1960 from 2015-01-04T06:47:57
This is Episode 404 of what is often regarded as the best show from the Old Time Radio era. Gunsmoke set the standard in many ways including the quality of the scripts, exceptional acting, and prod...
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X Minus One, Prime Difference, Jan 2, 1958 from 2015-01-03T04:13:33
X Minus One was one of the better science fiction anthology series that aired during the late 1950's. The series frequently featured stories by writers who eventually became legends in the genre an...
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Jack Benny, Goodbye 1938, Jan 1, 1939 from 2015-01-01T22:18:05
This episode seems to be from the time when Jack and the gang were in the zone. They're loose and having fun together, just kind of riffing off each other, ribbing on all their standard things. The...
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Mel Blanc Show, Zebra of the Year, Dec 31, 2014 from 2015-01-01T06:00:14
When Mel Blanc got his own radio show, he had already become world famous for being the voice of Bugs Bunny (among many others). While this series was funny on its own merits, you can't help but re...
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Great Gildersleeve, New Years at Home, Dec 30, 1945 from 2014-12-31T06:42:09
The Great Gildersleeve, with his distinctive laugh, was a character originally created by Harold Peary while on the Fibber McGee and Molly show. On that show, the character had a pretty loose biogr...
Listen
Rocky Fortune, Prize Fight Setup, Dec 29, 1953 from 2014-12-30T04:26:31
NBC ran the Rocky Fortune series for 25 episodes beginning in October 1953. This show was a "sustaining series," which means the network paid for all production costs so they could take care of Fra...
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You Bet Your Life, Secret Word Table, Dec 28, 1955 from 2014-12-29T04:35:33
In theory, You Bet Your Life was a quiz show. In reality, it was a half-hour of Groucho Marx ad libbing off the contestants answers to his ice breaking questions. If you can listen to this show and...
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Gunsmoke, The Cabin, Dec 27, 1952 from 2014-12-27T22:43:17
This is Episode 36 of what is often regarded as the best show from the Old Time Radio era. Gunsmoke set the standard in many ways including the quality of the scripts, exceptional acting, and produ...
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Fibber McGee and Molly, Dec 26, 1946 from 2014-12-27T06:27:59
As one of the original radio sitcoms, Fibber McGee and Molly holds a special place in radio history. This episode features a visit by the McGee's war worker friend/lessee and their part time maid B...
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The Henry Morgan Show, The Christmas Story, Dec 25, 1946 from 2014-12-25T22:47:16
Henry was sometimes just a little too clever for his own good. Some very good examples on this episode. In my opinion, it's a shame there aren't more of his shows available.
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The Mel Blanc Show, Mel Plays Santa Claus, Dec 24, 1946 from 2014-12-25T06:03:07
When Mel Blanc got his own radio show, he had already become world famous for being the voice of Bugs Bunny (among many others). While this series was funny on its own merits, you can't help but re...
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Great Gildersleeve, Christmas at Home, Dec 23, 1945 from 2014-12-24T09:19:11
The Great Gildersleeve, with his distinctive laugh, was a character originally created by Harold Peary while on the Fibber McGee and Molly show. On that show, the character had a pretty loose biogr...
Listen
Rocky Fortune, Plot to Kill Santa Claus, Dec 22, 1953 from 2014-12-23T02:48:16
NBC ran the Rocky Fortune series for 25 episodes beginning in October 1953. This show was a "sustaining series," which means the network paid for all production costs so they could take care of Fra...
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You Bet Your Life, Secret Word Chair, Dec 21, 1949 from 2014-12-22T02:00:18
In theory, You Bet Your Life was a quiz show. In reality, it was a half-hour of Groucho Marx ad libbing off the contestants answers to his ice breaking questions. If you can listen to this show and...
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Command Performance, Dec 20, 1943 from 2014-12-21T09:46:31
During World War II, most of America's best and brightest entertainers got together each week and put out a show specifically for the fighting men overseas. The show's motto: Presented once a week,...
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Our Miss Brooks, Magic Christmas Tree, Dec 19, 1948 from 2014-12-20T06:35:22
Our Miss Brooks was a series that aired first on radio and then both on TV and radio. Unlike many of the co-media series of the day, however, the Our Miss Brooks radio show was simply the audio fro...
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Gunsmoke, Hero's Departure, Dec 18, 1960 from 2014-12-19T06:41:54
This is Episode 454 of what is often regarded as the best show from the Old Time Radio era. Gunsmoke set the standard in many ways including the quality of the scripts, exceptional acting, and prod...
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The Mel Blanc Show, Christmas Shopping, Dec 17, 1946 from 2014-12-18T06:51:51
When Mel Blanc got his own radio show, he had already become world famous for being the voice of Bugs Bunny (among many others). While this series was funny on its own merits, you can't help but re...
Listen
Fibber McGee and Molly, Dec 16, 1947 from 2014-12-17T05:46:03
As one of the original radio sitcoms, Fibber McGee and Molly holds a special place in radio history. This episode features quite an interesting session with Bill Thompson (as the Old Timer) who was...
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Rocky Fortune, Companion to a Chimp, Dec 15, 1953 from 2014-12-16T05:54:40
NBC ran the Rocky Fortune series for 25 episodes beginning in October 1953. This show was a "sustaining series," which means the network paid for all production costs so they could take care of Fra...
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You Bet Your Life, Secret Word Hair, Dec 14, 1949 from 2014-12-15T00:17:57
In theory, You Bet Your Life was a quiz show. In reality, it was a half-hour of Groucho Marx ad libbing off the contestants answers to his ice breaking questions. If you can listen to this show and...
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The Six Shooter, More Than Kin, Dec 13, 1953 from 2014-12-14T05:35:44
The Six Shooter was an unusual western series starring James Stewart as Brit Ponsit. Ponsit had a reputation for wielding his pearl handled six shooter like no other. In the series, Ponsit's wit wa...
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Martin and Lewis Christmas Show, Dec 12, 1949 from 2014-12-13T06:10:32
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis became one of America's best entertainment partnerships basically by accident. Meeting at the club they were both playing, they were told there wasn't enough time for bo...
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Gunsmoke, The Cook, Dec 11, 1960 from 2014-12-12T07:03:36
This is Episode 453 of what is often regarded as the best show from the Old Time Radio era. Gunsmoke set the standard in many ways including the quality of the scripts, exceptional acting, and prod...
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Mel Blanc Show, Christmas Presents, Dec 10, 1946 from 2014-12-11T09:11:01
When Mel Blanc got his own radio show, he had already become world famous for being the voice of Bugs Bunny (among many others). While this series was funny on its own merits, you can't help but re...
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Fibber McGee and Molly, 40 Percent Off, Dec 9, 1941 from 2014-12-11T06:21:52
As one of the original radio sitcoms, Fibber McGee and Molly holds a special place in radio history. This episode was originally broadcast just two days after the Pearl Harbor attack and the US was...
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Rocky Fortune, Carnival One Way, Dec 8, 1953 from 2014-12-09T06:12:32
NBC ran the Rocky Fortune series for 25 episodes beginning in October 1953. This show was a "sustaining series," which means the network paid for all production costs so they could take care of Fra...
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You Bet Your Life, Secret Word Dust, Dec 7, 1949 from 2014-12-08T05:54:41
In theory, You Bet Your Life was a quiz show. In reality, it was a half-hour of Groucho Marx ad libbing off the contestants answers to his ice breaking questions. If you can listen to this show and...
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The Six Shooter, A Pressing Engagement, Dec 6, 1953 from 2014-12-07T07:14:09
The Six Shooter was an unusual western series starring James Stewart as Brit Ponsit. Ponsit had a reputation for wielding his pearl handled six shooter like no other. In the series, Ponsit's wit wa...
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X Minus One, There Will Come Soft Rains, Dec 5, 1956 from 2014-12-06T06:15:31
In the 1950s, science fiction was all the rage and X Minus One rode that wave by bringing stories from Galaxy magazine to the airwaves. Well written, well produced, these shows are great, in my opi...
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Our Miss Brooks, Musical Festival, Dec 03, 1950 from 2014-12-04T06:29:29
Our Miss Brooks was a series that aired first on radio and then both on TV and radio. Unlike many of the co-media series of the day, however, the Our Miss Brooks radio show was simply the audio fro...
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Fibber McGee & Molly, The Mustache, Dec 2, 1941 from 2014-12-03T06:55:49
It's a little eerie to listen to this episode and think that only a few short days after this show aired, Pearl Harbor would be bombed. In this show, Fibber is growing a mustache and then seems to ...
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Rocky Fortune, Murder Among the Statues, Dec 1, 1953 from 2014-12-02T07:00:07
NBC ran the Rocky Fortune series for 25 episodes beginning in October 1953. This show was a "sustaining series," which means the network paid for all production costs so they could take care of Fra...
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You Bet Your Life, Nov 30, 1949 from 2014-12-01T03:16:07
In theory, You Bet Your Life was a quiz show. In reality, it was a half-hour of Groucho Marx ad libbing off the contestants answers to his ice breaking questions. If you can listen to this show and...
Listen
The Six Shooter, Sheriff Billy, Nov 29, 1953 from 2014-11-30T06:45:06
The Six Shooter was an unusual western series starring James Stewart as Brit Ponsit. Ponsit had a reputation for wielding his pearl handled six shooter like no other. In the series, Ponsit's wit wa...
Listen
X Minus One, Shock Troop, Nov 28, 1957 from 2014-11-29T11:08:08
In the 1950s, science fiction was all the rage and X Minus One rode that wave by bringing stories from Galaxy magazine to the airwaves. Well written, well produced, these shows are great, in my opi...
Listen
Suspense, Episode 881, Nov 27, 1960 from 2014-11-28T06:06:29
Suspense was one of the longest running series ever, clocking in nearly 1,000 episodes with very few re-used scripts. This series often features big stars of the day in roles that broke out of thei...
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Mel Blanc Show, Thanksgiving Party, Nov 26, 1946 from 2014-11-27T06:26:34
When Mel Blanc got his own radio show, he had already become world famous for being the voice of Bugs Bunny (among many others). While this series was funny on its own merits, you can't help but re...
Listen
Gunsmoke, Tail to the Wind, Nov 25, 1956 from 2014-11-26T05:19:47
Often regarded as the best show from the Old Time Radio era, Gunsmoke set the standard in many ways. The quality of the scripts, the exceptional acting, the production quality second-to-none, every...
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Rocky Fortune, Murder on the Isle, Nov 24, 1953 from 2014-11-25T06:30:35
NBC ran the Rocky Fortune series for 25 episodes beginning in October 1953. This show was a "sustaining series," which means the network paid for all production costs so they could take care of Fra...
Listen
You Bet Your Life, Secret Word Sky, Nov 23, 1949 from 2014-11-23T22:50:51
Groucho Marx was chosen to be the host and quizmaster of this early radio quiz show...not because of his extensive knowledge of practically everything. No, he was chosen because he could make the s...
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Have Gun, Will Travel - Fair Fugitive, Nov 22, 1959 from 2014-11-23T22:46:07
Paladin, the first class gentleman, former Confederate officer, man who takes care of those who can't take care of themselves. His catch phrase: have gun, will travel.
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X Minus One, The Coffin Cure, Nov 21, 1957 from 2014-11-22T05:44:09
If you enjoy science fiction, you'll love X Minus One. Take one part good writing, add a generous helping of great production value and you make a great old time radio show.
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Fibber McGee & Molly, Nov 20, 1945 from 2014-11-21T06:56:43
Fibber McGee & Molly was a long-running situation comedy / variety show. One of my favorite things about this series is the cast of loony characters that somehow end up in almost every episode.
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Jack Benny, Thanksgiving Ostrich, Nov 19, 1939 from 2014-11-20T09:04:53
Jack Benny and his cast of characters created a special kind of magic when they were on the air. No, Jack was not a horrendous cheapskate in real life. Yes, Jack and Mary were real life husband-and...
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Gunsmoke, Brother Whelp, Nov 18, 1956 from 2014-11-19T04:44:11
Often regarded as the best show from the Old Time Radio era, Gunsmoke set the standard in many ways. The quality of the scripts, the exceptional acting, the production quality second-to-none, every...
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Lights Out, Little Old Lady, Nov 17, 1937 from 2014-11-19T04:35:14
Once Arch Oboler took over the Lights Out anthology series, his imagination took the show into a fantastic direction where the unimaginable became reality, at least for 30 minutes. Add good writing...
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You Bet Your Life, Secret Word Grass, Nov 16, 1949 from 2014-11-17T03:40:40
Groucho Marx was a master at ad libbing, which is why he was chosen to host the game show You Bet Your Life. While the quiz show aspect was pretty minimal, the laughs abounded as Groucho simply pla...
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Jack Benny, Buck Benny, Nov 15, 1936 from 2014-11-16T07:06:33
Jack Benny was, and still remains, one of the funniest men alive. He built a career on pretending to be the cheapest man alive, but in reality was one of the most generous, especially with the show...
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Martin and Lewis, Money Troubles, Nov 14, 1949 from 2014-11-15T07:48:13
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were an amazing team in the late 1940's and into the early and mid 1950's. Their nightclub act, which turned into a radio show, which led to movies and TV, was a huge hi...
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Our Miss Brooks, Nov 13, 1949 from 2014-11-14T07:15:53
Our Miss Brooks was a series that aired first on radio and then both on TV and radio. Unlike many of the co-media series of the day, however, the Our Miss Brooks radio show was simply the audio fro...
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Fibber McGee & Molly, Fibber's Black Eye, Nov 12, 1940 from 2014-11-13T08:35:47
Jim and Marion Jordan brought Fibber McGee and Molly to life every week for their sponsors Johnson Wax. In this episode, Fibber accidentally gives himself a black eye and nobody believes the real s...
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Fred Allen, Guest Monty Woolley, Nov 11, 1945 from 2014-11-12T07:04:09
Fred Allen's show was not very typical of his time. He tended to avoid the standard variety format in favor of topical humor approached from several directions within the half-hour. Over the years,...
Listen
X Minus One, Dwellers in Silence, Nov 10, 1955 from 2014-11-11T07:41:09
X Minus One was one of the better science fiction anthology series on the air in the 1950s. This episode is adapted from a Ray Bradbury story, called "The Long Years" in its first print publication.
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Gunsmoke, Target Chester, Nov 9, 1958 from 2014-11-10T07:50:57
Gunsmoke was a long-running radio series and also a TV series that ran for two decades. Each series had its own cast and frankly, I like the radio cast much better. In this episode (the 344th of al...
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Burns and Allen, Nov 8, 1941 from 2014-11-09T07:07:38
George Burns and Gracie Allen started their married lives as a vaudeville act where Gracie was the "straight man" and George delivered the punchlines. They very soon realized it was MUCH better the...
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Martin and Lewis, Nov 7, 1949 from 2014-11-08T07:03:20
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis...the perfect team for a while in the 1940's and 1950's. Their radio show eventually started featuring several contributors, as the months unfolded. Just try to keep tra...
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Have Gun Will Travel, Nov 6, 1960 from 2014-11-07T04:54:40
Have Gun Will Travel was a series on both radio and TV, with a different cast for both (just like Gunsmoke). Frankly, I like the radio version much better. The production quality, writing, and acti...
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The Henry Morgan Show from Nov 5, 1947 from 2014-11-06T09:04:32
Henry was sometimes just a little too clever for his own good. Some very good examples on this episode. In my opinion, it's a shame there aren't more of his shows available.
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Suspense from Nov 4, 1954 from 2014-11-05T07:27:27
This episode from the long running anthology series features John Dehner narrating "The Last Letter of Dr. Bronson." Suspense always featured top-notch acting, writing, and production values.
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Fibber McGee & Molly, Duck Hunting, Nov 3, 1942 from 2014-11-04T03:44:42
Fibber McGee & Molly was a long-running situation comedy / variety show. One of my favorite things about this series is the cast of loony characters that somehow end up in almost every episode. Thi...
Listen
Groucho Marx hosts You Bet Your Life, Nov 2, 1949 from 2014-11-03T05:16:44
You Bet Your Life was a quiz show in the late 1940's and early 1950's, starting on radio and then moving to TV over time. Although the show was billed as a quiz show, it was really just a vehicle f...
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James Stewart is The Six Shooter, Nov 1, 1953 from 2014-11-02T06:07:47
This show, starring James Stewart as Britt Ponsit, only ran for one season and featured a totally different approach to the western yarn. Supposedly a gunman, Britt almost never actually draws his ...
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X Minus One, Lulu, Oct 31, 1957 from 2014-11-01T06:22:35
If there's one thing I love on a Halloween, it's a clever sci-fi episode. And that's exactly what this is. Lulu is a machine that was made to control a rocket on its intergalactic trips. Somewhere ...
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Gunsmoke: The Patsy, Oct 30, 1954 from 2014-10-31T07:29:25
A long-running "adult western," Gunsmoke is routinely considered to be one of the best shows that ever aired.
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Jack Benny Show, Oct 29, 1944 from 2014-10-30T05:42:23
This episode of Jack Benny's show features quite a few surprises. If you listen closely, you'll hear some news about progress in WW-II. You'll also hear Mel Blanc. And Fred Allen shows up to help J...
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Martin and Lewis, Tickets to South Pacific, Oct 28, 1949 from 2014-10-29T06:45:56
Martin and Lewis met by accident one night as they played at the same club. Knowing a possibly good thing when they saw it, they formed a partnership that still amuses and amazes today. This episod...
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Frank Sinatra is Rocky Fortune, Oct 27, 1953 from 2014-10-28T04:44
NBC ran the Rocky Fortune series for 25 episodes beginning in October 1953. This show was a "sustaining series," which means the network paid for all production costs so they could take care of Fra...
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Fred Allen, Guest Jack Haley, Oct 26, 1947 from 2014-10-27T04:17:46
Fred Allen's variety show included a cast of oddball characters that all lived on Allen's Alley. In general, Fred would ask some sort of topical question and would get a funny answer by characters ...
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James Stewart is The Six Shooter, Oct 25, 1953 from 2014-10-26T03:20:30
This is the sixth episode of a great series featuring James Stewart as a gunfighter that never draws his gun. Relying completely on his reputation and his brains, Britt Ponsit takes care of busines...
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X Minus One, The Light, Oct 24, 1957 from 2014-10-25T06:14:41
Today features another episode from the science fiction series X Minus One. Most often, the shows were adapted from short stories in Galaxy magazine, written by the best sci-fi authors of the day. ...
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Fibber McGee and Molly, Oct 23, 1951 from 2014-10-24T05:16:19
The long running Fibber McGee and Molly program typically included a cast of hilarious characters who somehow always managed to knock on the door and drop by 79 Wistful Vista. The interchanges with...
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Henry Morgan, A Takeoff on the BBC, Oct 22, 1948 from 2014-10-23T08:09:40
Henry Morgan shows usually featured a few different parts. Sometimes, Henry would comically comment on some current events, which actually adds to the historical value of each episode. And Henry wa...
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Gunsmoke, Til Death Do Us Part, Oct 21, 1956 from 2014-10-22T05:33:22
"Gunsmoke" is routinely considered one of the best radio series ever produced. The quality of scripts, acting and production overall rank among the tops. One thing that set this series apart is its...
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Suspense, Sorry Wrong Number, Oct 20, 1957 from 2014-10-21T04:53:52
One of my favorite old time radio episodes of all time, "Sorry Wrong Number" stars Agnes Moorehead as an invalid who accidentally overhears a murder plot and can't get anyone to agree with her that...
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Fred Allen, Guest James Mason, Oct 19, 1947 from 2014-10-20T06:01:20
Fred Allen's show was a variety show similar to others of the day. Fred was one of the best ad libbers of his time and often the best jokes in the show are the ones Fred ad libs after a scripted jo...
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James Stewart as The Six Shooter, Oct 18, 1953 from 2014-10-18T22:56:23
"The Six Shooter" series starred James Stewart as the gunfighter that very rarely ever drew his gun. Usually, he used his brain instead and let his reputation help him avoid the use of force. Any f...
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X Minus One, Point of Departure, Oct 17, 1957 from 2014-10-18T08:21:06
This science fiction series features some of the more imaginative minds in sci-fi history. Typically, the stories had been featured in Galaxy magazine and then dramatized on-air. This story feature...
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Fibber McGee & Molly, Oct 16, 1945 from 2014-10-17T06:40:02
Just a few months out of the war and Fibber McGee and Molly were showing a lightheartedness in this show. There's a place where Doc (played by Arthur Q Bryan, who also voiced Elmer Fudd) makes a mi...
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Our Miss Brooks, The Bookie, Oct 15, 1950 from 2014-10-16T05:41:53
Typically set in Madison High School, "Our Miss Brooks" featured Eve Arden as an English teacher, Richard Crenna as the squeaky voiced Walter Denton, Gale Gordon as the pompous (and eventually LOUD...
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Suspense: Lost, Oct 14, 1954 from 2014-10-15T06:03:10
"Suspense" was one of the longest running series on radio, with 945 episodes produced. Of these, about 900 are known to exist and are available online now in various places. Suspense is considered ...
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Frank Sinatra as Rocky Fortune, Oct 13, 1953 from 2014-10-14T03:43
This is the second of 25 episodes total in this "sustaining" series. That means the network paid the bills to put and keep this show on the air. Why would they do this? Very simply because Frank Si...
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Fibber McGee & Molly, Oct 12, 1943 from 2014-10-13T05:55:54
One of the more interesting shows of this long-running show, this episode essentially amounts to a recruiting commercial for the WACS (Womens Army Corps), which was essential during the WW-2 effort...
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Gunsmoke: Kitty's Quandary, Oct 11, 1959 from 2014-10-12T04:28:42
Often considered one of the best series to have aired on radio, Gunsmoke was billed as an "adult western drama." This was mostly because the characters and situations were very realistic and the si...
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X Minus One: Colony, Oct 10, 1956 from 2014-10-11T07:22:26
The science fiction show X Minus One featured interesting and entertaining stories, mostly adapted from those appearing in Galaxy magazine. Such sci-fi notables as Phillip K. Dick (wrote this episo...
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Suspense: Witness for Death, Oct 9, 1960 from 2014-10-10T03:47:12
"Suspense" was one of the longest running series on radio, with 945 episodes produced. Of these, about 900 are known to exist and are available online now in various places. Suspense is considered ...
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The Devil & Mr O: Where Are You, Oct 8, 1971 from 2014-10-09T05:22:35
In 1971, Arch Oboler hand picked 25 of his favorite episodes from the old Lights Out anthology series. This episode was originally broadcast on Sept 14, 1943 as "The Word." According to one source ...
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Fibber McGee & Molly, Oct 7, 1941 from 2014-10-08T06:34:36
My collection of old time radio shows that aired on Oct 7 is somewhat limited. That said, I did luck out to get a Fibber McGee and Molly episode that really represents how far the stars had brought...
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Rocky Fortune: Series Premiere, Oct 6, 1953 from 2014-10-07T03:40:37
Frank Sinatra starred as Rocky Fortune, a footloose and fancy free private detective. NBC put the show on as a "sustaining" series, meaning they didn't have a particular sponsor but produced the sh...
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Fibber McGee & Molly, Oct 5, 1943 from 2014-10-06T03:09:14
Fibber McGee and Molly was a long-running situation comedy (1935-1954) and is actually often credited with creating the "situation comedy." Oddly enough, there was indeed some sort of situation tha...
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The Six Shooter: The Stampede, Oct 4, 1953 from 2014-10-05T07:44:12
This show, starring James Stewart as Britt Ponsit, only ran for one season and featured a totally different approach to the western yarn. Supposedly a gunman, Britt almost never actually draws his ...
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Box 13: Short Assignment, Oct 3, 1948 from 2014-10-04T09:48:08
Alan Ladd, probably best known for his title role in the move "Shane," played Dan Holiday in this wonderfully well produced radio series. The basic premise is that Dan was an author who needs story...
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Gunsmoke: Matt Gets It, Oct 2, 1954 from 2014-10-03T07:41:52
In this great episode of my favorite old time radio show, Marshall Matt Dillon actually gets outdrawn and is shot when facing a gunfighter. Always well produced, Gunsmoke set a very high standard f...
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Escape: The Most Dangerous Game, Oct 1, 1947 from 2014-10-02T05:29:20
"Escape" was a fairly long-running anthology series that was peculiar in that the network originally didn't give it a fixed timeslot. And the introductory line changed pretty frequently too. But, t...
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You Bet Your Life: Smile, Sept 30, 1953 from 2014-10-01T03:50:11
You Bet Your Life was officially a quiz show, but in reality was more a vehicle for Groucho Marx to ad lib in response to the contestants. Along the way, some absolute hilarity ensues. It's also in...
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Stan Freberg: The Rocket Sled, Sept 29, 1957 from 2014-09-30T04:15:04
Stan Freberg was one of radio comedy's most imaginative writers when he pitched a "spec show" to the network. In other words, he had no sponsorship and was only speculating they would ever get one....
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Life of Riley, Sept 28, 1946 from 2014-09-29T00:36:51
The "Life of Riley" was a radio show in the 1940s, a movie and TV show in the 1950s and even spawned a comic book. In the radio version, William Bendix played Chester Riley, who always had a scheme...
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Have Gun Will Travel: Like Father, Sept 27, 1959 from 2014-09-27T18:55:30
Set in San Francisco in 1875, "Have Gun Will Travel" was available on both radio and TV. Similar to the "Gunsmoke" series, the radio version included one cast and the TV version included a complete...
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X Minus One: The Mapmakers, Sept 26, 1956 from 2014-09-27T02:10:46
X Minus One is one of my favorite sci-fi radio series. Usually, the episodes were adapted from Galaxy science fiction magazine stories written by such luminaries as Frederik Pohl (one of my favorit...
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Our Miss Brooks, Sept 25, 1949 from 2014-09-26T05:14:44
Our Miss Brooks, starring Eve Arden as English teacher Miss Brooks, Jeff Chandler as the ever-oblivious biology teacher, and one of my favorites from that era - Gale Gordon as dictatorial Principal...
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You Bet Your Life - Secret Word Floor, Sept 24, 1952 from 2014-09-25T06:02:23
You Bet Your Life was officially a game show and unofficially just a way to take advantage of Groucho's ability to ad lib and play off the contestants as they answered his ice breaker questions.
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Fibber McGee & Molly, Sept 23, 1935 from 2014-09-24T07:23:51
Fibber McGee and Molly, a long running situation comedy, has become one of my favorites. I could listen to Fibber telling his tall tales and the cast of characters that popped in to 79 Wistful Vist...
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Dragnet: The Big Slip, Sept 22, 1953 from 2014-09-23T03:36:20
Dragnet was not the original radio detective show, but in my opinion was definitely the best. Jack Webb (who also played Joe Friday) insisted on the absolute maximum realism for the show. I've read...
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Jack Benny: School Days, Sept 21, 1934 from 2014-09-22T02:10:18
Jack Benny has somehow remained timeless, regardless of how many decades pass. With his ability to ad lib (listen to how often everyone else in the cast cracks up) and his willingness to allow his ...
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The Maltese Falcon, Sept 20, 1943 from 2014-09-21T06:35:02
This is a radio version of the infamous movie, featuring Humphrey Bogart in the role he brought to the silver screen. I love this radio version and hope you agree.
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X Minus One: Tsylana Sept 19, 1957 from 2014-09-20T03:30:10
X Minus One featured radio versions of stories that appeared in Galaxy science fiction magazine. Typically, the stories were clever, well-written, well-acted and well-produced. This particular epis...
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Suspense: The Visitor from 2014-09-19T05:26:20
This episode originally aired on September 18, 1947. Suspense is one of my favorite old time radio series. Each 30-minute episode was well-written, well-acted, and well-produced. And in my humble o...
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Gunsmoke - Ep. 479 - Doc's Visitor - 06-11-1961 from 2014-03-11T03:25:04
This was the last original episode in the long running radio show considered by many (including me) to be the best. I've included this one early in my podcast series because this episode too often ...
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Stan Freberg Show - Ep. 01 - 07-14-1957 from 2014-03-06T05:31:56
Stan Freberg had been one of radio comedy's most imaginative writers when he pitched a "spec show" to the network. In other words, he had no sponsorship and was only speculating they would ever get...
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Martin & Lewis - Ep. 000 - Audition Show - 03-24-1949 from 2014-03-02T03:35:47
This show, the Martin and Lewis audition show, featured Bob Hope as their special guest. It's obvious while listening that the producers hadn't quite figured out what to do with the boys yet. But i...
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Mystery in the Air - Crime and Punishment - 09-25-1947 from 2014-02-28T05:29:08
This show, featuring the inimitable Peter Lorre, ran in the late 1940s to generally favorable reviews. This particular episode, a clever and authentic retelling of the classic novel Crime and Punis...
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The Devil and Mr. O - Ep. 01 - Alley Cat - 09-17-1971 from 2014-02-23T05:12:05
The Devil and Mr. O was a revival show of the Lights Out series that originally aired in the 1930s - 1950s. For the revival, Arch Oboler hand-picked his favorite episodes from the original series. ...
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The Six Shooter Audition Show - Ep. 00 - 07-15-1953 from 2014-02-22T05:32:26
This show, starring James Stewart as Britt Ponsit, only ran for one season and featured a totally different approach to the western yarn. Supposedly a gunman, Britt almost never actually draws his ...
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You Bet Your Life - 10-05-1949 from 2014-02-19T04:49:14
This is the debut episode of the Groucho Marx vehicle, You Bet Your Life. Technically this was a game show, but in reality it was more of a platform for Groucho's legendary ad lib skills. Playing o...
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Gunsmoke - Ep. 001 - Billy the Kid - 04-26-1952 from 2014-02-15T18:45:05
This is the first episode of the long-running western radio show, Gunsmoke. Considered by many to be one of the best shows ever produced during the old time radio era, Gunsmoke was geared for an ad...
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