Showing results by author "Entertainment Radio" in All Categories

Ah, Fibber McGee and Molly! A classic radio comedy duo that kept America laughing for over two decades. From 1935 to 1959, their hilarious misadventures in their cramped apartment at 222 Wistful Vista filled the airwaves with wit and warmth.Meet the McGees:Fibber McGee: A lovable, bumbling salesman with a knack for getting into trouble. He's always dreaming up harebrained schemes, much to the exasperation of his wife, Molly.Their World: 222 Wistful Vista: The McGees' iconic apartment, always abuzz with activity. From the creaky stairs and the ever-present closet door to the trusty old ...

The Golden Era of Radio Drama: A Journey Through Iconic ShowsThe golden age of radio drama was a time when the airwaves were filled with compelling narratives, unforgettable characters, and top-notch performances. Some of the best shows ever produced during this era took listeners on extraordinary adventures, transported them to different eras, and explored profound human emotions. Let’s revisit some of these iconic titles that left an indelible mark on the world of radio drama.### Epic Adventures and Timeless Classics**“20000 Leagues Under the Sea” and “Around the World in 80 Days”*...

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 ...

"Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders" was a popular American old-time radio juvenile Western adventure program. It's considered one of the earliest juvenile radio programs.Here's a quick overview:Broadcast History: The show had two main runs:On CBS from October 17, 1932, to December 11, 1936 (initially as "Bobby Benson's Adventures" or "The H-Bar-O Rangers" due to sponsorship by Hecker H-O Company cereals).On Mutual from June 21, 1949, to June 17, 1955.Premise: The story centered around 12-year-old orphan Bobby Benson, who inherits the B-Bar-B Ranch in Big Bend, Texas. He and his ranch hands (...

"Blondie" was radio situation comedy, adapted from Chic Young's long-running comic strip, indeed had a substantial run on several networks from 1939 to 1950.The show primarily starred Arthur Lake as Dagwood Bumstead and, for most of its run, Penny Singleton as Blondie Bumstead, reprising their roles from the successful film series.Over its eleven-year run, the program aired on multiple networks, including:CBS (1939-1948)NBC Blue (1944)NBC (1948-1949)ABC (1949-1950)The radio series often featured the comical mishaps and daily life of the Bumstead family, including their children Alexander (...

The "Burns and Allen Show" was a highly popular and influential American radio comedy series that entertained audiences from the 1930s through the 1950s. It starred the real-life married comedy duo, George Burns and Gracie Allen.Here's a breakdown of the show:History and Broadcast:Early Beginnings: Burns and Allen first performed on radio in London on the BBC in 1929. They then appeared on "The Guy Lombardo Show" in the U.S. starting in 1932.Their Own Show: Their own 30-minute radio show debuted on CBS on September 19, 1934, initially titled "The Adventures of Gracie." It was retitled "The ...

"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 ...

The "Mysterious Circumstances" BBC Radio Plays are a collection of 26 half-hour thriller radio dramas, primarily distributed by the BBC Transcription Service. These plays were recorded between 1958 and 1989 and showcase a variety of authors, including well-known names like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens, M.R. James, and W.W. Jacobs.Key characteristics:Genre: Thriller and mystery.Duration: Each play is approximately 30 minutes long.Origin: Produced by the BBC, with some plays specifically made for the Transcription Service, meaning they might not have been broadcast domestically within...

The Avengers was most certainly not a household name in South Africa prior to the radio series. With no national television service until 1976, the mechanism simply was not present in the country to show television programmes to mass audiences. While many other countries revelled in the filmed adventures of John Steed and co., South Africa was not equipped to join in the fun. The series took Britain by storm and also made a major impression in the American markets, being that greatest of rarities, a British series given a network transmission slot. However, as a filmed series (rather than a ...

"Father Knows Best" was a popular American radio sitcom that ran from 1949 to 1954. It was created by Ed James and starred Robert Young as Jim Anderson, a wise and understanding father who always seemed to know how to solve his family's problems. The show was set in the fictional town of Springfield and followed the lives of the Andersons, a middle-class family with three children: Betty, Bud, and Kathy.The radio show was very successful, and it was eventually adapted into a television series that ran from 1954 to 1962. The television show was even more popular than the radio show, and it made...

"Gang Busters" was a popular old-time radio show that aired from 1936 to 1957. Created by Phillips H. Lord, it was known for its dramatic reenactments of real-life crime stories, often in collaboration with law enforcement agencies like the FBI. The show was famous for its opening, which featured loud sound effects like sirens and gunshots, setting the stage for the thrilling stories to follow.Episodes of "Gang Busters" often focused on notorious criminals and the efforts to capture them, providing listeners with a mix of suspense and action. The show was so influential that it even inspired a...

"Gasoline Alley" was a popular American radio sitcom that aired from 1931 to 1949. It was based on the comic strip of the same name by Frank King. The show initially aired under the name "Uncle Walt and Skeezix" before being renamed "Gasoline Alley" in 1941. The episodes were 15 minutes long and followed the daily lives of the characters, particularly focusing on Skeezix, who ran a gas station and garage with his partner, Wilmer Bobble.The show featured a cast including Bill Idelson, Jimmy McCallion, Janice Gilbert, and Cliff Soubier. It was known for its literal adaptation of the comic ...

The "Five Minute Mysteries" radio shows offer a delightful throwback to the golden age of radio, providing listeners with a quick dose of suspense and entertainment. These short programs, typically around five minutes in length, were designed to engage and captivate audiences with a complete mystery story, including the setup, a twist, and a satisfying conclusion, all within a remarkably brief time frame.The format proved to be incredibly popular, as it catered to the busy lifestyles of listeners without compromising on the quality of storytelling. Each episode presented a new puzzle, often ...

"Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons" was a pioneering radio detective series that aired from 1937 to 1955.- The show was based on the 1906 novel "The Tracer of Lost Persons" by Robert W. Chambers.- It featured the titular character, Mr. Keen, a kind and persistent detective who solved various mysterious cases with his assistant, Mike Clancy.- With over 1,690 nationwide broadcasts, Mr. Keen was one of the most enduring private detectives on radio, outlasting many competitors.- Only 59 of the original episodes are known to survive, but they continue to captivate audiences with their classic charm ...

Step into a Winter Wonderland with Old-Time Christmas Radio ShowsThe holiday season is upon us, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than by revisiting the golden age of radio? Old-time Christmas radio shows offer a unique window into the past, a time when families would gather around the radio for entertainment, much like we do today with our streaming services.These vintage broadcasts bring back the simplicity and warmth of the holiday season from decades ago. You can expect to hear heartwarming tales of Christmas miracles, laugh-out-loud comedies featuring your favorite ...

The Railroad Hour was a delightful radio series that aired musical dramas and comedies from the late 1940s to the mid-1950s. Sponsored by the Association of American Railroads, the show condensed beloved musicals and operettas into shorter formats, focusing on works written before 1943. Here are some highlights:Host and Leading Man: The talented Gordon MacRae hosted each episode and played the leading male roles. His leading ladies came from both radio and the Metropolitan Opera.Musical Selections: The show featured excerpts from classic musicals such as:No, No, Nanette (with co-star ...

The Mercury Theatre on the Air was a captivating radio series created and hosted by Orson Welles. This weekly hour-long show featured live radio dramas performed by Welles’s celebrated Mercury Theatre repertory company. They presented classic literary works, accompanied by music composed or arranged by Bernard Herrmann.The series began in July 1938 and aired on the CBS Radio network. Notably, their broadcast of “The War of the Worlds” on October 30 caused quite a stir, allegedly leading to panic among listeners. After this memorable episode, the Campbell Soup Company became the show’s ...

Going on-air from 1952 to 1953, the Best Plays was an NBC Radio program that featured some of the most excellent theatric plays ever created. Some of the best ones featured were dramatic or comedic plays. John Chapman, New York Daily News' drama critic, served as the program's host.Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio https://link.radioking.com/otradioListen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/Entertainment Radio | Broadcasting Classic Radio Shows | PatreonRemember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s ...

"Cavalcade of America" was a historic radio anthology show sponsored by the DuPont Company, celebrating American history and pioneering achievements.- The show aired from 1935 to 1953 on radio, and later transitioned to television from 1952 to 1957.- It was known for its dramatic reenactments of significant events in American history, highlighting individual courage and innovation.- The series initially broadcasted on CBS and later moved to NBC, becoming a staple of old-time radio programming.- Episodes often focused on technological advancements and their positive impact on society, aligning ...