Showing results by author "Entertainment Radio" in All Categories

"Duffy's Tavern" was one of the most beloved and enduring American radio sitcoms of the "Golden Age of Radio," running for a full decade from 1941 to 1951.Here's a breakdown of what made it a classic:Premise and Setting: The show was set in a dilapidated, somewhat seedy, but always bustling tavern in a less-than-affluent neighborhood of New York City. The catchphrase of the show, often delivered by its main character, was "Duffy's Tavern, where the elite meet to eat." The humor in this tagline came from the clear contrast between the grand claim and the reality of the establishment. The owner,...

Ah, the thrilling adventures of Jungle Jim! The name itself conjures up images of vine-swinging escapades, fearsome jungle beasts, and daring rescues. But did you know Jungle Jim wasn't just a comic strip hero? He also had a long-running radio show that captivated audiences from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s.Here's a crash course on the Jungle Jim radio show:The Hero and His Helpers:Jungle Jim Bradley: A brave and resourceful adventurer who navigates the treacherous jungles of Asia. He's often described as a modern-day Tarzan, but with a business suit tucked away for his rare trips back to ...

Orson Welles On The Radio - A collection of radio shows that Orson Wells appeared in or produced.

The Old Gold Comedy Theater: A Gleaming Gem in Radio's Golden AgeThe Old Gold ComedyTheater holds a special place in the annals of classic radio entertainment. This series, which aired for a single season from October 29, 1944, to June 10, 1945, was a shining example of the era's ingenuity in adapting visual comedy to the audio-only format of radio. Created as a promotional vehicle for Old Gold cigarettes, the show was produced by the Lennen and Mitchell ad agency and featured adaptations of popular films into a 30-minute radio format.The show was hosted by Harold Lloyd, a silent film icon, ...

The Shadow of Fu Manchu was indeed a captivating adventure radio drama that aired from 1939 to 1940. Let’s delve deeper into this intriguing show:Story and Characters:Based On: The series drew inspiration from the first nine novels by Sax Rohmer, featuring the infamous villain Fu Manchu.Format: Each episode lasted 15 minutes, packed with action, suspense, and thrilling encounters.Main Antagonist: Dr. Fu Manchu (voiced by Harold Huber) was a cunning and evil criminal mastermind, known for his distinctive mustache.Heroes:Sir Denis Nayland Smith (voiced by Hanley Stafford): A ...

"Meet the Meeks" was an 11 am, Saturday Morning, OTR Sitcom, originating from WMAQ Radio, Chicago (NBC 1947-1949). Meet the Meeks was a follow up sitcom for the 1940-1942 program "Meet Mr. Meek."The show starred Forrest Lewis, who played poor old browbeaten Mortimer Meek. Who along with wife Agatha, daughter Peggy, and Uncle Louie made America laugh every Saturday Morning. This great old time radio show wasn't targeted to a younger audience, but this time slot insured that all families could listen together, and enjoy the antics. Meet The Meeks is actually a continuation or spinoff of an ...

"Ma Perkins" was a hugely popular and long-running American radio soap opera, often dubbed "America's Mother of the Air."Here's a breakdown of the show:Premise: It followed the life of Ma Perkins, a benevolent, self-sufficient widow who owned and managed a lumberyard in the fictional town of Rushville Center. Ma was known for her homespun philosophy and her willingness to offer advice to anyone who needed it, including her children Evey, Fay, and John, and her business partner Shuffle Shober.Airing Dates: The show premiered in August 1933 on Cincinnati station WLW. By December 1933, it moved ...

"Big Jon and Sparkie" (sometimes written as "Big John and Sparkie") was a popular children's radio show in the 1950s, created by and starring Jon Arthur.Here are some key facts about the show:Hosts: The show featured "Big Jon" (voiced by Jon Arthur) and "Sparkie," who was portrayed as a "little elf from the land of make-believe" but thought and acted like a real boy. Sparkie's voice was actually Jon Arthur's recorded voice played at a fast speed. Jon Arthur also voiced almost all the other characters in the show.Concept: While intended for children, the show was also popular with adults due ...

The "Buster Brown" character, famous from the comic strip and as the mascot for Brown Shoe Company, also had a popular radio series that aired from 1943.Here's a closer look at the "Buster Brown" radio series:Host: The show was primarily hosted by "Smilin' Ed" McConnell. He was a well-known radio personality, a jovial figure who would often incorporate songs and folksy humor into his programs. McConnell was also known for his ability to adapt his persona for various audiences, including those with religious or agricultural themes.Sponsor: As expected, the show was closely identified with its ...

This series was written by Michael McCabe and was produced in South Africa. It was a replacement for another series McCabe produced, called SF68. That series adapted famous Sci-fi stories to radio, and it seems to have been the place where McCabe honed his craft. The subject matter to Beyond Midnight was more horror oriented, including madness, murder, and supernatural sleuths! What survives today doesn't involve a horror host per se, but a few include framing narration (by someone involved in the plot) while others just start up the story with no announcer or lead-in whatsoever. So it's ...

"Bright Star," also known as "The Irene Dunne-Fred MacMurray Show," was a 30-minute, 52-episode radio comedy-drama broadcast in 1952-53. It was syndicated by Ziv.The show starred screen veterans Irene Dunne as Susan Armstrong, the editor of the struggling "Hillsdale Morning Star" newspaper, and Fred MacMurray as her idealistic ace reporter, George Harvey. The storyline followed their misadventures as they tried to keep the newspaper afloat despite constant financial difficulties.Despite the popularity and talent of its two stars, the show only ran for one season. It is remembered for its ...

Opening in 1875, the Crime Museum at Scotland Yard is the oldest museum in the world purely for recording crime. The name “Black Museum” was coined in 1877 by a reporter from “The Observer”, a London newspaper, although the museum is still referred to as the Crime Museum. It is this museum that inspired The Black Museum radio series, produced in London by Harry Alan Towers.The Black MuseumFrom Jay Hickerson’s “The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide to All Circulating Shows”, the earliest US broadcast date was January 1, 1952. Thirty-nine shows, from the full ...

"Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator" was a popular detective drama that aired on NBC Radio from October 3, 1951, to June 30, 1955.Here are some key facts about the show:Protagonist: Barrie Craig was a private detective who worked alone from his Madison Avenue office in New York City. Unlike some of the more hard-boiled detectives of the era, Craig was known for his laid-back personality.Starring: William Gargan, who also played a similar role in "Martin Kane, Private Eye," lent his voice to Barrie Craig.Supporting Cast: Ralph Bell played his associate, Lt. Travis Rogers, and Parker ...

"Calling All Cars" was a pioneering old-time radio police drama in the United States, known for being one of the earliest of its genre. It aired from November 29, 1933, to September 8, 1939.Here's a breakdown of key aspects of the series:Format and Plot: The show dramatized actual cases handled by the Los Angeles Police Department. A typical episode would begin by outlining the facts of a crime, introduce individuals involved, follow with a dramatization culminating in an arrest, and conclude with the outcome of a trial. The overarching theme was "crime does not pay," emphasizing that a life ...

Amos 'n' Andy is an American radio and television sitcom set in Harlem, the historic center of Afro-American culture in New York City. The original radio show, which ran from 1928 to 1960, was created, written and voiced by two white actors, Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll, who played Amos Jones (Gosden) and Andrew Hogg Brown (Correll), as well as incidental characters.Listen to our radio station Old Time Radiohttps://link.radioking.com/otradioListen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the ...

The Golden Age of Radio: A Spotlight on the Academy Award Theater Radio ShowThe Academy Award Theater radio show, a gem from the golden age of radio, holds a special place in the annals of broadcasting history. This CBS radio anthology series, which aired from March to December 1946, presented 30-minute adaptations of plays, novels, or films, featuring Hollywood's finest actors and actresses who had been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.The show was a testament to the era's love for drama and storytelling, where radio was the primary source of entertainment for ...

Blackstone, the Magic Detective, otherwise known as Blackstone, the Magician, was based on the life story of Harry Blackstone, who is considered as “the world’s greatest magician.” Ed Jerome starred as Blackstone, alongside Ted Osborne and Fran Carlon as John and Rhoda, respectively.The show’s format was pretty much similar to Orson Welles’ Black Museum, where he picks an object kept in a museum, then explain the crime story about it. In Blackstone, the Magic Detective, the John picks an item at Blackstone’s studio, then Blackstone and Rhoda will tell John their adventure with that...

The Adventures of Horatio Hornblower (1952-1953)Starring: Michael Redgrave as Horatio Hornblower.Production: Produced by Harry Towers through his Towers of London syndicate in England.Broadcast: This 30-minute historical action and adventure series first aired in 1952 on Radio Luxembourg. Despite being produced in England, the BBC wasn't interested, so it was sent to the United States.US Broadcasts: CBS originally broadcast 52 episodes until July 17, 1953. It was later rebroadcast by ABC in 1954 and the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1957.Content: The series followed Hornblower's career from a ...

"All Star Western Theatre" was a popular vintage radio show from the mid-1940s, known for its unique blend of adventure, musical variety, drama, and comedy set in the American West.Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:Broadcast Period: The show premiered in June 1946 on the CBS Pacific Network, originating from KNX in Hollywood, and enjoyed two years of popularity. In 1948, it moved to KHJ and the Mutual Radio Network.Format: "All Star Western Theatre" wasn't just a drama; it incorporated various elements:High-stakes adventures: Gripping narratives set in the Wild West, featuring characters ...

Author's Playhouse was a radio anthology series that aired during the 1940s, showcasing a wide range of dramatic adaptations from classic and contemporary literary works. It was known for its high production values, strong performances, and commitment to bringing compelling storytelling to the airwaves.You might appreciate how Author's Playhouse balanced dramatic depth with engaging narratives. Its episodes often featured well-crafted character studies and emotional arcs that made them memorable. Are you thinking about creating imagery for it, or just exploring its legacy?Listen to our radio ...