Historic Voices: Global History and Culture

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Orson Wells, Lionel Barrymore: A Christmas Carol radio show Dec 18, 2021

Show notes

S03-E22 We feature the voices of Orson Wells, Lionel Barrymore, and the rest of the and for the dramatization of Charles Dicken's classic, A Christmas Carol. We hear several distinguished actors of radio, film, and television: Orson Wells who is acclaimed to be one of the greatest and most influential actors, writers, and directors in radio, film, and television. He will serve as the narrator. Lionel Barrymore will serve the role of Scourge. To many of you, he played the role of Mr. Potter in Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life. Mr. Barrymore is also a heralded actor of radio, film, and television. I include a biography of Charles Dickens who is the author of A Christmas Carol and so many other influential stories. If you want to dig deeper into the social commentary of Mr. Dickens about the disparity of life in England at the time when the story was first published, read the article that is provided. A Christmas Carol has been a popular story for a variety of Hollywood films. Too many of the recent ones overlook the gritty critique of inequality for the masses who toiled during the industrial revolution. I could say more, but that is best explored in other podcast episodes I have produced.

In addition to this audio episode, I also provide several PDF documents: first, a biography of Orson Wells, second, a biography of Lionel Barrymore, third, a biography of Charles Dickens, and finally, an overview of "A Christmas Carol", one of the best known of Mr. Dicken's publications.

This audio recordings comes from the Internet Archive online database. It is a non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, audio recordings, software, music, and more. Its purpose is to offer permanent access to historical digital collections. Checkout the website at http://archive.org

The following links allow you to subscribe: iTunes and Apple Podcast, Amazon Music/Audible, Castbox.fm, Deezer, Facebook, Gaana, Google Podcast, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, Radio Public, Samsung Listen, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Twitter. and Vurbl. Automatically available through these podcast apps: Castamatic, iCatcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RSSRadio, and more.

Please post comments to the individual episodes at http://historicvoices.org, podcast review and rating section within iTunes and other apps, or email to me, arendale@umn.edu You can also check out my other four podcasts and other social media at www.davidmedia.org

(Bonus) Golden Age of Radio Programs Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

(Bonus) The Golden Age of Radio, also known as the old-time radio (OTR) era, was an era of radio in the United States where it was the dominant electronic home entertainment medium. It began with the birth of commercial radio broadcasting in the early 1920s and lasted through the 1950s, when TV gradually superseded radio as the medium of choice for scripted programming, variety and dramatic shows.

Radio was the first broadcast medium, and during this period people regularly tuned in to their favorite radio programs, and families gathered to listen to the home radio in the evening. According to a 1947 C. E. Hooper survey, 82 out of 100 Americans were found to be radio listeners. A variety of new entertainment formats and genres were created for the new medium, many of which later migrated to television: radio plays, mystery serials, soap operas, quiz shows, talent shows, daytime and evening variety hours, situation comedies, play-by-play sports, children's shows, cooking shows, and more.

(Bonus) Jack Benny Radio and TV Shows Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

(Bonus) The Jack Benny Program, starring Jack Benny, is a radio-TV comedy series that ran for more than three decades and is generally regarded as a high-water mark in 20th century American comedy. He played one role throughout his radio and television careers, a caricature of himself as a minimally talented musician and penny pincher who was the butt of all the jokes. The format of The Jack Benny Program used a loose show-within-a-show format, wherein the main characters were playing versions of themselves. The show often broke the fourth wall, with the characters interacting with the audience and commenting on the program and its advertisements. The show usually opened with a song by the orchestra or banter between Benny and Don Wilson. Then banter between Benny and the regulars about the news of the day or about one of the running jokes on the program, such as Benny's age, Day's stupidity, or Mary's letters from her mother. Then, a song by the tenor was followed by situation comedy involving an event of the week, a miniplay, or a satire of a current movie. Some shows were entire domestic sitcoms revolving around some aspect of life.

(Bonus) Jack Benny Biography Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

(Bonus) Benjamin Kubelsky (February 14, 1894 – December 26, 1974), known professionally as Jack Benny, was an American entertainer, who evolved from a modest success playing violin on the vaudeville circuit to one of the leading entertainers of the twentieth century with a highly popular comedic career in radio, television, and film. He was known for his comic timing and the ability to cause laughter with a pregnant pause or a single expression, such as his signature exasperated "Well!"

His radio and television programs, popular from 1932 until his death in 1974, were a major influence on the sitcom genre. Benny often portrayed his character as a miser who obliviously played his violin badly and ridiculously claimed to be 39 years of age, regardless of his actual age.

Jack Benny Christmas Radio Show Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

S03-E21 We feature Jack Benny with one of his Christmas radio shows. Mr. Benny was an American entertainer who began in vaudeville and became a highly popular comedian in radio, television, and film. He was known for his comic timing and the ability to cause laughter with a pregnant pause or a single expression, such as his signature exasperated "Well!" He was influential for comedians down to the present era. I was a big fan of his radio and television shows. Other entertainers of his era include Red Skelton, Bob Hope, and Bing Crosby.

In addition to this audio episode, I also provide several PDF documents: first, a biography of Mr. Benny and second, an overview of the Jack Benny radio and television shows.

This audio recording comes from the Internet Archive online database. It is a non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, audio recordings, software, music, and more. Its purpose is to offer permanent access to historical digital collections. Check out the website at http://archive.org

Please post comments to the individual episodes at http://historicvoices.org, podcast review and rating section within iTunes and other apps, or email to me, arendale@umn.edu You can also check out my other four podcasts and other social media at www.davidmedia.org

(Bonus) Bing Crosby and WWII Involvement Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

(Bonus) After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the House and Senate required that all men in the age range 20 to 44 years inclusive, register for the draft and Crosby, who was then aged 38, duly did so.

(Bonus)) Bing Crosby Radio Show Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

(Bonus) The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield was a 30-minute musical-variety old-time radio program starring entertainer Bing Crosby. The series ran on CBS Radio from 1949–1952. The series was sponsored by Chesterfield cigarettes and was usually recorded in Hollywood or San Francisco. Notable guest stars and appearances on the series included Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Al Jolson, Bob Hope, Mary Martin, The Andrews Sisters, The Bell Sisters, and The John Scott Trotter Orchestra.

(Bonus) Bing Crosby Filmography Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

(Bonus) This is a filmography for the American singer and actor Bing Crosby.

(Bonus) Bing Crosby Biography Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

(Bonus) Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a leader in record sales, radio ratings, and motion picture grosses from 1930 to 1954. He made over 70 feature films and recorded more than 1,600 songs. His early career coincided with recording innovations that allowed him to develop an intimate singing style that influenced many male singers who followed, such as Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Dick Haymes, Elvis Presley,[ and John Lennon.

Bing Crosby, Christmas Radio Show 1950 Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

S03-E20 We feature Bing Crosby and one of the episodes from his long-running radio program that had a Christmas theme. Bing Crosby was a remarkable entertainer that performed on the stage, radio, film, and television during the middle of the 20th century. His singing ranged from traditional pop, to easy listening, to vocal jazz, and country. He had diverse interests including co-ownership of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team during which the team won two World Series in 1960 and 1971. He was a technology pioneer with investing in audio recording equipment following World War Two and using the same with his radio shows. He also had a television production studio as well. Among shows produced through his studio was the popular Hogan's Heroes. For me, I most think about Mr. Crosby and his movies that are often broadcast at this holiday time including Holiday Inn and White Christmas. It is hard to forget his rendition of "It's a White Christmas."

In addition to this audio episode, I also provide several PDF documents: first, a biography of Mr. Crosby, second, a filmography, third, an overview of his radio show, and finally, a description of his radio work supporting the U.S. troops during World War Two.

Please post comments to the individual episodes at http://historicvoices.org, podcast review and rating section within iTunes and other apps, or email to me, arendale@umn.edu You can also checkout my other four podcasts and other social media at www.davidmedia.org

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