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One Man'sFamily - Book 71, Chapter 1: Reintroducing the Barbers (retro488)
A farewell to Superman, at least for a little while. A Mystery For Superman 5 episodes, Complete. )retro487)
39-03-12 (RV27 retro485) Carmichael the Polar Bear is Sick
(RV026 48-05-26 retro484) The Deadly Snowflake
381205 (retro483) Ezra Holten's Claim
41-12-10 (retro481) The Museum Mystery
Taking a humorous look at where you may not want to spend Christmas.
54-01-01 (retro479) Phil Gives Up Smoking for the New Year
38-12-25 (RV026 retro478) Jack's Christmas Party
49-05-15 (RV025 retro476) Friday the 13th Mixup
46-02-12 (RV024 retro474)eeting Strangers
54-08-28 ep100 Shipment to Tiranna
Another glimpse at our first podcast season, with a briewf discussion Keith had with his sonn, Chris.
350531 (RV22 retro470) Hire Grandpap to Play Piano.
Keith makes comments and observations of the early dramatic style. Playing scenes to demonstrate.
A rambling comparrisn between the comedy styles of Jack Paar and Jack Benny.
Keith shares a few observations about story elements in this episode. Somethat recur, and some that don't. Letters from listeners are also shared.
35-05-30 (RV021 retro468)Cotton Warehouse For Theater
42-10-06 Pretending To Be Single (retro467)
35-05-29 (RV020 retro465) How To Operate A Picture Show
Comments and observations on this little known, and short run soap opera.
49-03-10 (retro464) The Scene of the Crime
35-05-28 (RV019 Lum Returns retro463)
2-05-26 ep34 Impressing Others
54-05-12 ep44 (retro461) The Dollar.
Join Keith, and guest Jimbo Mason, as they talk about the plan Uncle Fletcher has for doorstops.
(RV018 retro459) 35-05-27 Lum Disappears
43-04-04 (retro458) - Texaco Star Theater - Looking For Umbriago, with Jimmy Durante.
(RV017 retro457) 38-02-13 Robert Taylor Plays Cello
(retro456) 42-01-27 The Missing Paper, and 42-01-29 Judge Parkers Letter
43-11-18 (RV016 retro455) lucille ball's nylons
(RV015 retro452) Jack Benny 38-01-30 Hurricaine
RV14, retro451 The Trouble with Robots
43-05-16 Texaco Star Theater - Chile, Frank Sinatra. Writers-Fred Allen, Harry Tugend, Nat Hiken
36-04-20 (RV12 retro447) Streetcar Motorman
37-03-14 (RV011 retro445) In New York With Fred Allen.
37-03-10 (RV010 retro444) Town Hall Tonight, Amateur Night.
43-02-14 (retro443) From Toronto Canada.
43-03-07 (retro442) Guest, JudyCanova.
Jack Benny - In New York With Stewart Cannon 37-03-07 (RV009 retro441)
40-04-15 (retro440) Milton's Dirt in Fruit Jars
37-02-28 RV008 retro438 The Bee is Finally Played
35-01-25 (RV007, retro 436) Abner Meets Hortense At The Depot
35-01-24 Abner Receives A Telegram From Hortence Kelley (RV006 retro434)
Retro Vault 005 Lum and Abner 35-01-23 Matrimonial Bureau To Move Into The Store
48-03-18 Murder In Black And White.
450716 Blackies Car Kills A Woman. (retro430)
43-03-23 The Man Who Found A Continent
35-01-22 Reading Matrimonial Bureau Mail. (retro427)
35-01-21 Matrimonial Bureau is Swamped with Mail, episode 33 from the Retro Vault
35-01-18 Operating the Matrimonial Bureau
50-07-13 Dan Malloys Peptic Ulcer.
First podcast from the Retro Vault, with Lum and Abner.
37-02-15 - Sade Volunteers Rush for a Pageant
51-04-20 Rowdy Dowser Case
Phil Harris - Harris Hotel 52-10-05 (retro417)
The Hermit's Cave - It Happened On Sunday, 1940 (retro416)
A Retro Radio Salute to Jack Benny and his Birthday.
A discussion of favorite episodes, with adio clips.
The fifth and final installment of Christmas songs from the Retro Radio Podcast, 2012
1949 Gene Autry's Christmas Party. Western music, drama, and fun.
Family Theater - A Substitute Santa (retro406)
411123 Alice Faye Visits for Thanksgiving
father knows best - New Girlfriend. 500928. (retro398)
Duffy's Tavern - Guests Joan Davis & Dinah Shore (12-14-43)
Bergen McCarthy - Barbara Stanwyck. 43-05-02
Jack Benny - What If Jack Benny Was Never Born. 47-02-02
Big Band Serenade 11 - Henry Busse Program 1935
Suspense - Search for Isabelle, Red Skelton. 49-11-03. A mild mannered bank employee gets tied up with gangsters.
Suspense - Double Entry, Eddie Cantor. 49-12-22. Eddie is an accountant who is tempted, and has to make some choices.
On this final available episode in this series, our heros return to the surface. But there's still dangers ahead when the Mechanical Mole encounters an obstacle. Bonus Tracks: Jack Benny. 1949. Jack and Ronald Coleman change places. Abbott and Costello. A
Lum and Abner - Mysterious Military Surplus - Triple Feature. 1953. (retro343). Abner has accidentally bought a mystery machine, but with the help of Squire he figures out what it is. Now he just needs to figure out what it does. As Lum helps him assemble
The husband and wife team of Cathy and Elliot Lewis are the driving tallent behind this romantic comedy of a failing broducer, and the fresh new star he has just hired. A strange turn of events takes place though when the rising star brings success to the
While taking care of business as usual, Judy takes care of joking about chasing guys, beauty aids, and she tries to pass a screen test. Along the way she runs into Eddie Cantor, who is running for president. Enjoy the jokes about the campaign, and promise
A Double feature of two classic patriot songs from the American Revolution period including the national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner, and Yankee Doodle Facts are mostly accurate, but a little legend has been mixed in for dramatic affect. Listen and learn
An evening of music and fun with some of Eddie's closes friends in the entertainment world. Though she doesn't appear on stage, It's all to salute the long marriage of Eddie and ida Cantor. Features the comedy of George and Gracie, Groucho, Jack Benny, and Bu
Broadway joins a friend who is desperate to break into the horse racing business, and win the kentucky Derby. The adventure winds its way through romantic interests, taking their horse on a road trip, and winning both the girl and the race. Bonus track: Sorry
Looking to make a career change, Irma gets the idea to become an author. She becomes wrappe up in writing her memoirs, but does she have tallent? Her friends try to support her as they joke their way through. Will Irma actually be a sucessful writer? Or will
The life story of one of Baseball's greats. Though some of the events may simply be repeating some legends of the famous ball player, the general storyline is factual, and it even features the Babe himself to add commentary during the breaks between the acts.
A cute story, based on a children's book abut talking cars and animals. Wilbur is a wreck of a car who has to deal with his identity crisis, and tries to work it out with the help of his barnyard friends. Though things look bad, Wilbur makes a heroic comeback
A futuristic look at a Martian war, and the emotional adjustments that must be made for each of the family members. Recovering from the shock and trauma of wartime experience is something that everyone needs help with, and needs to do their part to make it a
Join host, Robert Taylor, and singers galore including the King Sisters and Nelson Eddie. Spend a few comic moments with Lum and Abner as we salute the troops and all they do. Bonus Track: Abbott and Costello. 1944. A Horse Mudder withfFour Feet.PS: For more
A western adventure full of Texas horse thieves, indian uprisings against the army, and it's going to be up to Lightning Jim Wipple, and his friends to stand in the gap. Get ready for horse chasing, gunfighting, exciting good fun. Bonus Track: Hillbilly Boys.
A Halloween episode full of scary things. Charlie has a toothache, and fears a trip to the dentist. Mortimer plans a Halloween party, and Fred Allen is featured as the dentist, and the devil in Charlies crazy dream. Bonus Tracks: Phil Harris. 1950. The Thing.
Here's something different, still comedy in a way, it's the casual commentary of Jerome "Dizzy" Dean as he talks about baseball, sings songs, and answers fan letters. Bonus Tracks: Falstaff. 1945. Poetry Week. Tex Ritter. 1948. The Bowl Weevil Song. Dorothy S
Lum and Abner have split the store, and both are running business the way they like. While Lum maintains the store as usual, Abner barters for anything people can give him. Word comes in from Cedric that a circus has come to town, and looking for a credit lin
Alan Young is facing a financial crunch when his rent is due. To raise the money he decides to enter a radio contest. Though it's for married couples, Alan does his research and tries to crash the quiz show. Bonus Track: Tommy Dorsey. Yes Indeed. PS: for more
Ann Southard is macie, and is in the dumps after catching her playboy boyfriend out with a rival. When Eddie comes back into her life, so does Macie's rival, but misunderstandings almost ruin the whole relationship. Bonus Track: Buddy Clark. 1948. I'll Dance
Art Linkletter polls the audience for tourists to volunteer for the stunts on the show tonight. Audience volunteer, Eric Right gets a tough question but answers it right anyway. Eric is an instructor in aeronautics in Louisianna, and Art talks to him about Income Tax, and the new operation that the IRS has been doing lately to go door to dor to make sure people have paid their tax. To see how many folks in the neighborhood agree with the National polls, Art sends the man out with a special offer. He is to ask to see how many people are against the new operation, and to see if they would be interested in buying a sign that might help. He isn't supposed to sell any signs, but just to see if anyone will be willing to buy one of the quarrantine signs. Eric leaves, and has all the details, except that one house in the neighborhood has an IRS agent living there. Next is Mr slater who appears without his wife, and talks to Art about his job back in Illinois. He has a travelling companion who is an old Army buddy from the war. They are such close friends that they would do anything for each other. How far would they go to lie for each other? Mr Slater's friend gets to sit over a tank of water, and as soon as the first true statement is made, into the tank he goes. Mrs Slater comes out, and Mr Slater has to tell lies to his wife to keep his friend dry. Art asks the couple about their married life, if they ever have fights, and what kind of good or bad habits they have. So far so good, but Art persists. Finally a lie that is such a whopper that the love test is put to it's limit. Let's just say the friend goes swimming. For being good sports, the friends and wife all get a nice prize. Another tourist is a Reserve Air Force officer. As Art interviews him, they talk about dogs. He is going to return home after being away for a few years, and he will have a special job when he gets home. Art tells about a special doggie contest for those who have recently adopted a dog. Our audience volunteer will return home to judge the contest. The suspense is broken, and the home town in question is revealed. Anybody who has adopted a dog in the last week in Salt Lake City, is eligible for this contest. Art gets back to the man with the quarrantine signs. After checking about 9 houses, and with varying results where some people were against the IRS invasion, but didn't want the signs, and some even using language that can't be repeated on radio. Finally he tells of his interesting visit with the IRS agent. Art gives him a nice prize for his efforts and warns that winnings are taxable income. Bonus Tracks: George Burns, Gracie Allen, and Gregory Peck. 1949. Gracie's Dream Man. Glenn Miller. 1944. A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening. PS: For more classic old time radio, make sure to visit the home page at: http://retro-otr.com And for a few classic music tracks, see what Keith is listening to at the Bonus Audio page: http://retro-otr.com/resources/bonus-audio
The cast members all sit around to complain about Andy's latest failed attempt at marriage. No steady job, no prospects, always chasing after several girls at once. Later in the lodge hall, Andy talks with Kingfish about his failed attempt at getting married. Particularly with his relationship with Madam Queen. What ever happened to old Madam Queen anyway? Andy doesn't care much, his main concern is getting a job as he reads the classifieds with Kingfish. Elsewhere, a well to do man talks with his woman about leaving town, and the need to hire a driver for her while he's gone. Guess who? It's Madam Queen with her new man. I have a feeling that some paths are about to recross. The man stops in to talk to Andy, but Kingfish is on hand to help handle the business management of his friend. What is needed is a man who is going to be unappealing, and keep Madam Queen from having a roving ye. After seeing Andy, the man is satisfied. Later, Andy drives up in the fancy new Cadillac. Andy begins to get a feeling of deja vu when he recognizes a hint of perfume in the car. Kingfish finds a wallet, and the two go through it and learn that Andy's charge is to be Madam Queen. Can he get out of the deal? When Madam Queen sees Andy, she isn't any more pleased to see him either. The boyfriend, Rocky, still has doubts, and to keep watch, he phones a friend to keep an eye on Andy. Kingfish is approached by a friend, Calhoun, who is worried, and upset. He claims that Andy is going to be killed. He learned at the pool hall about the man who is to watch Andy, to make sure Andy doesn't get too close to Madam Queen. Elsewhere, Andy drives Madam Queen and the two talk about old time. Good times, bad times, but Andy behaves and sticks to his driving. Although, he notices that they're being followed. Still, there was enough compromising behavior that a bad report ha reached Rocky. Rocky believes the report, and though Andy goes into hiding, he tracks him down. What will happen when the two meet again? What will the jealous Rocky do? Bonus Track: Spike Jones. 1948. In the Mood for Love. PS: Don't forget, you can get even more classic old time radio when you visit the home page. http://retro-otr.com
Fibber talks to Molly about a car, but is shortly interupted by the mailman, Gale Gordon. A guy who takes the liberty to filter through the junk mail, and read over Fibber's shoulder. A letter from city hall says that Fibber needs a new dog license. To ignore the law puts Fibber in position to face a stiff penalty. He is indignant and phones, but gets Mirt the Phone Operator instead. There's a couple political jokes in the mix that poke fun at the Postmaster General, and the President of the time, FDR. There's just one problem that Fibber needs to make plain to City Hall, he doesn't even own a dog. Should be a simple chore, right? On the way, Fibber meets up with Teeny. She tries to comfort the disgruntled Fibber, and get talking about her easter rabbit. Billy Mills transitions into Harlow Wilcox delivering a commercial break. Old Timer jokes around about Fibber's license trouble. He somehow ends up talking about Bob Hope, and dentists. He points Fibber to the right office in City Hall. Will Fibber be able to keep his temper? Will Fibber be able to convince the bureaucrats that he doesn't even own a dog? As Fibber and Molly try to find someone to help, they talk with Nick Deppoppolos about their dog dilemma. The Kingsmen sing, Old King Cole. It's looking like Fibber is facing a jail sentence for not having his dog license, but Molly promises to stick by him. They run into Abigail Uppington, and try to explain why Fibber seems so disturbed. Next, Gildersleeves runs into our heros to antagonize Fibber. All the childish disputes aren't geting anywhere about the license. Finally, Fibber gets to talk to the Mayor about his problem, but when things look futile, Fibber makes a break for it. What else can he do? If he's forced to buy a license for a dog that he doesn't have, he just goes and buys a dog to fit the license. I suppose that's one way to do it. Although in the end, Fibber has a different solution. Bonus Tracks: Hillbilly Boys. 1939. Who's Sorry Now. PS: Take part in my new promotion to get the word out about the podcast. Listen to today's show to hear all about it. It's as easy as telling 20 of your friends about the podcast. A special dedication podcast will be in store for the folks who get 20 referrals or more. Use the email form, or any of the comment fields for show notes located at: http://retro-otr.com Still confused? Just email me to learn all about it.
Though he may be the water commissioner, Gildersleeves has had trouble with Birdie over a leaky water faucet. Finally the drip, and Birdie, has annoyed him long enough, and there's no more hiding from it. Gildy goes poking around the musty, cluttered basement, and gets distracted by some of the old things stored there. All those distractions wear him out, and he dozes, dreaming of times and fashions gone by in the year of 1903. Gildy is all duded up in his white linen suit, Leroy in his buster brown suit, and Marjorie in a bustle and listening to that new fangled ragtime music. What are kids coming to these days. Gildy goes to watch the train come in, which is bringing the new school teacher to town. Along the way he stops in to talk to Peavey before heading down to the station. That practical, sly, old Peavey gets Gildy to buy more stuff than the judge did. Then Gildy parts ways with a quick joke about the president. At the station, the judge and Gildersleeves argue over the teacher, but Gildy wins out with his high tech, horseless carriage. When the car breaks down, with sound affects resembling Fibber's closet, the Judge rescues the school teacher in his horse drawn buggy. After the mid show commercial, Gildersleeve's dreaming continues. He makes his way to Floyd's barber shop where the anticipated picnic is described in tantalizing detail. With some inside scoop, Gildersleeves gets an edge on getting in close to the new teacher. (Side note: If you pay attention, you'll learn what Peavey's full name is when he is called on to deliver a limerick.) The Jolly Boys sing a gay 90's barbershop tune, Rosy You are My Posey. Followed by the big picnic basket auction. Nobody knows who the baskets were made by except the ladies, and the auctioneer. Well, nobody but them and the man with the highest bribe. Despite missing out on dining with the new teacher, she goes on a canoe ride on the lake with Gildersleeves. Gildy croons to her with a ukeleli, and sings, On Moonlight Bay. Just when things are getting steamy in his dream, the canoe tips, and Gildy wakens to the harsh reality of being drenched by that leaky dripping faucet. Maybe he'll get it fixed. One of these days. Bonus Tracks: Billy Murray. 1903. In the Good Old Summertime. PS: Don't forget, for a lot more great old time radio, visit the home page located at: http://retro-otr.com
Saluting the opening of the New York theater season with a salute to Broadway. Announced by Mr Gallop, Milton Berle comes out with the snappy one liners. He talks about flops that he has been in. The humiliation of small audiences, being snubbed, and general lack of respect. Milton gets teased about his time with the Ziegfield Follies. The salute begins in earnest by honoring the backers of the theaters. A brief drama is presented where a young Milton gets funding for his early projects that consistently flopped. Milton shares some golden memories of his vaudeville days with Cynthia. After poking a little fun at Ray Noble, Milton takes questions from the floor. Wacky audience members include a man claiming to have an elephant for a father, a man named Cynthia, a man with a question about his dress, and a housewife whose husband is stuck in the past with vaudeville and burlesque shows. Next, Otis Finster, Shakespearean acting coach, offers advice for the budding actors. Dick Varney sings, You Do. The chatter about the theater continues with another drama. This time Milt and his family take a trip to Broadway where Milton sees the stars, but they don't seem to recognize him. Milt is stuck in the ticket line behind a man who is indecisive. While in line the show starts, and soon is going into intermission. With all the mix ups, will he ever get in the show? Somehow I doubt it, although he comes close. Bonus Tracks: BBC. 1944 Interview with Maj. Glenn Miller. Glenn Miller. 1944. Kalamazoo. PS: To check on how things are going with the download page, and get some cool retro music, visit: http://retro-otr.com/resources/bonus-audio And as always, if you just want more classic old time radio, make sure to visit: http://retro-otr.com
I know this is a little out of season, a Christmas program, but what caught my eye was that it is a Bob Hope episode, and it has Jack Benny on it. It's a show that doesn't tell much of a story, although there's a shopping scene, and a run in with Santa. The rest is just a lot of joking around from some truly great comedians. Bob jokes about his recent visit to Texas, which includes jokes about oil, football, and more. Les Brown and his band of Reknown back up as Bob and Doris Day sing, Lucky Us. Bob goes to the bank for some money for his Christmas shopping. He eventually makes it to the teller window, and marvels at the money. Next, Bob and Doris go to the department store to shop. They talk about celebrity themed dolls. They get a visit from Irene Ryan, who tells about a few mishaps of her own while doing her shopping. Later, Bob and Doris encounter a grumpy bell ringing Santa. He grumbles to Bob about his wife, and housing situation. Jack Benny gets a hard time from the parking lot attendant when he tries to re-enter the NBC lot, after his show has left for CBS nearly a year ago. Jack makes running comments to himself as he checks out the studio. Bob arrives to get Jack through security. After a little small talk, and random jokes, Bob and Jack go to the dressing room. Jack plugs Bob's latest movie, and now wants a little compensation for himself since he was also in the film. Jack and Bob adlib a little, then talk about Jack's age. Jack gives a little violin demonstration, and plays 1000 Violins. Bob wraps up with a few words of thanks, and Christmas greetings. Bonus Tracks: Peggy Lee. I Can't Give You Anything but Love. Tiny Bradshaw. 1944. A Chicken Ain't Nothing but a Bird. PS: Don't forget to tell a friend about the podcast, and have your friend send Keith an email when they sign on to the podcast. Get all the free old time radio classics you want at: http://retro-otr.com
Eddie Cantor talks about his friends in show business. He first talks about his early days working with Jimmy Durante back in 1923. Eddie tells some secrets, anecdotes, and in general gives honors to Jimmy. He plays a clip of Jimmy with Helen Travo singing, It's Gotta Come from the Heart. Recently Eddie ad been ill, and in the hospital, and tells how he was visited by Jack Benny. Also reflections of his earliest days in radio. Eddie sings, Now's the Time to Fall in Love. Eddie then remembers Jack from his vaudeville days in 1919, and Jack's ability to adlib despite Jack's famous reliance on his writers. He also bursts the myth that Jack is as stingy as his character lets on. A clip from the Jack Benny show is palyed where Rochester is trimming Jack's hair. Jack talks about his rigorous schedule. Eddie shares a few words about his old friend, Groucho. Which leads to a star they both admire, Al Jolson. Eddie then plays a recording of Al singing, Sonny Boy. Afterward, he talks about two child singers who hit the big time in 1936, namely that of Judy Garland and Deanna Durbin. Eddie tells a secret about Judy wen she was in school, and some behind the scene observances. He plays a clip of Judy singing, You Made Me Love You. On a parting word, Eddie shares a public service announcement to be a safe driver. Bonus Track: SpiderBruce430726AFastBull PS: If you still can't get enough classic old time radio, just stop by the home page located at: http://retro-otr.com
Something a little different. After the comic book became popular, the next step was to create a radio series, and of course to sell the idea, an audition was needed. In these four auditions that were produced, you'll notice the story line that kicked off the series for real. With some change ups in the actors, and minor script changes, the first two shows became the first appearances of Superman over the airwaves. The other two auditions, to my knowledge were never used in the series, but I could very well be mistaken. The Origin of Superman, Audition Part 1 Attention boys and girls, introducing a new kind of hero, a superhero. Superman, the size of an ordinary man, but possessing powers beyond any normal man. Sworn to devote his existence on earth to help mankind. Journey now to a planet, millions of miles from earth to a planet of supermen. the Planet Krypton. Jorel, Kryptons leading man of science addresses a gathering of government officials to warn of the impending doom of the planet. The officials refuse to believe the scientific calculations. With time, the entire population might be transported to earth in the new rocket ship that is being developed. Laugh if you must, but Jorel is prepared to launch himself, wife, and infant son when the time comes. Jorel teaches his wife all about how to launch the miniature spaceship. The earthquakes become worse, the danger grows too great, and the rocket that was to be built to transport the family isn't ready. Baby Kalel is placed in the rocket. In their last act, the ship is launched. Will it find its mark? I think you know. The Origin of Superman, Audition Part 2 Previously we saw how the baby was placed into the rocket and launched. As the ship traveled, the baby has grown to a man. Superman is somewhere in rural Indiana, flying over the countryside. Unseen below him are a man and his son, who are suddenly locked into a run away trolley car. It starts rolling, but suddenly the strange man flys from the sky, grabbing them and flying them to safety, just before the train car crashes. There is nothing strange to the man about flying through the sky. He does ask the man and boy to keep his presence secret. The man and son agree, and send the stranger to get a job at a news paper so he can learn the ways of men on this planet. Elsewhere, Perry White is sitting on the biggest story of his life, but he's short handed. Clark Kent enters to ask to become a reporter. All he asks is the chance to prove himself. Clark promises he can deliver on the big story that has just broke. Perry gives Clark the chance to get the job, but he has to get to the West coast, 2000 miles away, and he has to be there now. Planes are grounded, but Clark can't wait, so when no one is watching, he flies out the window. Will he be in time? At the least his aledged fall from the 20 story building creates a stir in the newspaper office. 390000 ep0 The Shark, Audition Part 1 Superman, helper of the weak and helpless. In the offices of the Daily Planet, Perry White talks to Clark Kent. The man whose identity is unknown to anybody except the radio listening audience. Perry tells about a missing reporter who was getting a story with the Navy. There is to be secret Y-boats, American submarines to be built, but the evil mastermind, the Shark stands in the way. The story turns into a dramatization of the last moments of the missing reporter at the Y-boat secret area. Who is that mysterious figure lurking around? Could it be the Shark? It's up to Clark Kent to find that report, and stop the Shark. Sure enough, Superman is on the way, and dives under the water to spy on the activities. Will Superman arrive in time to prevent disaster at the Y-boat launching? The Shark, Audition Part 2 Yesterday Superman was in dire straits. He had just rescued the Navy Commander, and they are flying to the site of the launch. Superman shares his plan with the Commander how he will defeat the evil plans. They land and swim to their target. What is the Shark up to, what is his plan? Will Superman be too late to stop the explosion? It will take the superpowers of Superman to manage to do the job. Will he be able to save the day? The show ends in a suspensful cliffhanger with the promise of continuing. Bonus Tracks: None today. PS: If you want to get a daily dose of Superman, and other Adventure shows, be sure to visit the home page at: http://retro-otr.com
The year 2370, and travel by spaceship is no longer the realm of scientists. It is now commonplace for families to take an excursion into space. Today, a space cruise ship, the Golden Star, is to blast off with it's variety of passengers for a luxury cruise on it's maiden voyage. Passengers talk about their expectations and facts about travel into space. They talk about the unique experience of being strapped in for lift off. All in all, the scenes portrayed are not too far off from a typical cruise on a se going ship. Suddenly, disaster strikes. There may not be any icebergs floating around in space to worry about, but there is meteorites that will cause the same kind of damage. When a meteor strikes the spaceship, most of the on duty crew is dead. The captain, and a handful of passengers are all that remain. Automatic damage control has locked down the ruined parts of the ship, and the survivors try to come to grips with their fate. Human emotions run high, and the fears of the passengers are much the same as they might be on a sea going vessel. When survivors are spotted drifting in space, heroic measures are taken to get them back to the safety of the undamaged parts of the ship. Will the space walk work? How long will the survivors be able to hold out? The master ship in the travel line makes an appearance, and rescues the survivors. The story is shared of how they were found, and added details behind the crash that were previously unknown to the crew. Bonus Track: Buchanan Goodman. 1956. Flying SaucerPt 1 and 2 Note: I think the retrobots got it a little wrong in the show description in the podcast. It is announced that the air date was July 8, when it is actually July 5, 1950. I think Tom just got David a little flustered. PS: If you still can't get enough old time radio, stop by the main home page for a daily dose of a range of different shows. http://retro-otr.com
Outside the Anderson home, dad and Bud give the family car a going over. Although the kids all comment that it is becoming old and worn down. Trying to prove its durability, dad accedentally knocks off a fender. After a quick fix with a little bailing wire, the family set out for a picnic. When the car won't start, and drama queen Bettypushes the issue, dad caves in and lets her go with some friends. Besides, there is to be a drawing for a new car at the community picnic. After a host of ordeals with nursing the car into motion, the family get to the picnic. Even dad's patience is tried by the car troubles. Wen Kathy runs up with news that they won, dad lets her and Bud take out some frustrations on the troublesome fender. What a dad, he should know better. There's more than one prize to win at the raffle, and their prize wasn't the car. After the commercial, dad takes the car to the repair shop, with the family in tow. They all drop hints that it's time for a new car, but dad is more economical minded, and holds out for a few repairs. Mom and the kids distract the kids by looking at the cars on the lot. Dad wants the works, and fix the car right. I'll bet that he'll find the extent of the repairs will be more than a new car. Dad is still determined to keep his old chariot, but it's kind of hard to do that when it falls to pieces in the car lot, making noises like Fibber McGee just opened his closet. . The show wraps up with a commercial, and a plug for teenagers to commit to be safe drivers. Bonus Tracks: Kay Kaiser and Rochester. 1943. Talks about Jack Benny. Rochester, Lena Horne. 1943. Consequences. Can't get enough old time radio? Make sure to visit: http://retro-otr.com
Today's episode is a short one, so there's a few added bonus tracks to round things out. Watch the home page for more of Blair, and his adventures on the Royal Mounted Police Force. I'll run the whole series on the dates they actually appeared way back in 1938. In this first episode, a wealthy Brittish woman has a dream about her son being kidnapped, and an image of where he might be. She goes to Canada to Blair with her story. The indian assistant, Joe, warns it off as a bad place. After giving him a hard time, Joe takes Blair there. The local indians believed that a sacrifice of a white man would appease the bad spirits. Blair, and the help of a local indian maid rescue the kidnapped man just in time. Bonus Tracks: Incredible but True. Water Water Everywhere. A story about a shipboard fire, abandoning shipand a mysterious supply of fresh water. Charles King. 1929. Happy Days are Here Again. Don't forget! If you can't get enough old time radio, stop in at the main home page for more. You can even subscribe to the newsletter, or rss feed. http://retro-otr.com
Connie Brooks talks about her let down over her New Years Eve celebrations. As she remembers, and goes into flashback, she talks with Mrs Davis. Mrs Davis is to visit her absent minded sister, Angela. Connie makes plans to go out with Mr Boynton. Minirva, the cat gets in on the absent minded fun. The French teacher pops in. He wants to include Connie with the party that he and his wife are planning. The admission will only be a few old clothes to donate to help needy people in France continue to recover after the war. Through it all, Mr Monet tries out his EnglishConnie phones Mr Boynton on her party line to invite him to the party as well. Oh, the joys of having a party line. I wonder why Lum and Abner never had trouble like Connie does? Eventually, after some butting in, Connie asks Boynton out, but he doesn't quite get all the details. As Connie gets ready, Mrs Davis tells her that the closet was already cleaned out for Goodwill. So now Connie is off to the Conklins where Harriot and Walter are. The two favorite teens help Connie try to collect old clothes from the Conklins. They gave away most of their old things to the Salvation Army, but Harriot finds an old tux of her dad's. I have a feeling he may be needing that before the show is over. Back at Connie's apartment, she and Mr Boynton get ready, and iron out the details of their evening. Boynton changes into the borrowed tux while Connie fixes her hair. Mr Conclin has a hypertensive moment when he comes over and discovers Boynton in hjis tux. The details manage to work themselves out, and Connie has a nice time at the party, although without Mr Boynton. As an epilog, she tells about her date the following day at the zoo. Bonus Track. Fats Waller, 1943. Feet's Too Big. Don’t Forget! If you like old time radio, and can’t get enough, drop by the main web site of the Retro Radio Podcast at: http://retro-otr.com
Fibber gets a letter from the Postmaster General. It seems that the government wants a questionaire returned to tell how the mail service is performing in Wistful Vista. Fibber's first responce is to complain, but Molly talks sense to him, and to tell that things are fine. The Old Timer visits, and he agrees with Molly that the US Postal Service is doing a fine job. He tells about his father, and his picture that hung in the Post Office. A public service announcement proclaims the merits of stamping out bigotry, and promoting diversity. Fibber keeps trying to find fault with the quality of the postal service. As Molly leaves the room to take care of a household chore, Teeny visits. Hey, how come Teeny always visits when Molly leaves anyway? Fibber talks with Teeny about the mail service, still trying to find points to complain about. . Doc Gamble visits, and Fibber picks his brain about trying to find any problems with their mail delivery. Doc gets a kick out of Fibber having to break down and write something nice. Finally though, Fibber does get his complaint when Doc Gamble points out the date the letter was sent. Bonus Tracks: Lulu Belle and Scoty. Down By The Railroad Track. Cab Calloway. 1947. Just 2 Blocksdown, Turn Left. Bob Hope and Judy Garland. 1943. A comedy bit about Judy's ideal of a boyfriend. PS: The show is a bit short, probably due to being from an AFRS recording. The AFRS didn't, and still doesn't allow commercials and they had to be cut. In their place, Public Service announcements are inserted. In today's show, the open and closing credits have also been snipped short. All contributing for a short show, so the Retrobots have had a chance to play a little bit. For more great Old Time Radio visit the home page at: http://retro-otr.com
Trivia alert: Normally I put any alerts, or notes at the bottom of the show notes, but I wanted to post this right at the top. The answer will follow at the bottom. In my bonus track, did you notice that both Tony Martin and Phil Harris are featured in this song? Do you know what significance this represents? Art Linkletter searches the audience for the oldest father with a child under a year of age. A 62 year old man with a goatee turns up. He is a man who married into a circus family. He's a tattoo artist, and married to the fat lady. although Most women gain weight while they are in the family way, his wife lost 125 pounds to have her baby. Just for appearing, he wins Pilsbury flour, toiletry items for himself and baby supplies for the baby. Mrs Meyers, a self proclaimed good cook, who has been baking for 30 years is interviewed about baking a cake. After 30 years, she has switched her ways, and just recently started using Pilsbury, and with great results. She wins a waffle iron, just for appearing. A handful of students from a local grade school appear. The 11 year old boy impersonates Peter Lorre. Next, he gives Humphrey Bogart, and Jimmy Steweart a try. The next is a girl who is 10, and talks with Art about helping around the house, and making friends. Her lifelong dream is to get married to a man who doesn't call her short stuff, or peanut. The next boy is something of a businessman. He sells news papers on the street corner. He shares the secret that men are big tippers, but women have the right change. A 10 year old girl tells about her dad, who is a Good Humor man. She wants to be an actress, and Art lets her cut loose with a dramatic line. Another boy talks about his name, and where he came from. They all get a table model radio, and a color camera. For the commercial spot, the announcer, Jack Slattery, shows how easy it is to mix up a cake. He even does it blind folded. Hey, I can do that! The next man is the head of the Better Business Bureau, and offers the latest protection to guard against racketeers, and swindlers. They go door to door under the guise of taking a survey, but are really just casing the house to see when you aren't home. What should be done? Ask for credentials from a legitimate survey company. Still good advice for today, whether it's at home, in email, or on the Internet. Ask for credentials. An Army Sergeant asks Bob, the Better Business Bureau man, about people who have been asking to put his daughter into movies. Bob explains how that scam works, and why it has such a low likelyhood of getting a person into TV. A lady asks about lonely hearts clubs. Not recommended. It is often used as a confidence scam. Lonely hearts clubs aren't illegal, and some may be legitimate, but try to find out about their credentials. Another good bit of advice that's still valid today for Internet dating or social networking sites. A Navy officer asks about insurance from out of state. The advice is to buy insurance that is in the state where you live. To get a claim you may need to travel, and the insurance company isn't bound to pay for claims out of their area. It's still that way today. Insurance companies are highly regional, and are limited to only covering within a state, or even just a region within the state. A college student asks about rules concerning renting a house. The advice is that the initial deposit is non refundable, but the agencies are notorious for doing just enough to string along more payments for acting as a rental agent. Wow, another good piece of advice that is still good, and even applies to those acting agencies mentioned above. A drawing is done to award a prize for one of the audience panel After another commercial, the time runs out, and Art closes the show. Bonus Track: Tony Martin, Betty Hutton, Dinah Shore, and Phil Harris. The Music. Trivia Answer: Both Tony Martin and Phil Harris were married to Alice Faye. Bonus trivia: Betty Hutton, singer and actress was sister to Glenn Miller's lead female vocalist, Marian Hutton. Dinah Shore was married to actor George Montgomery. Can't get enough old time radio shows? Do you feel that there just isn't enough posted here? Visitthe main Retro Radio Podcast located at: http://retro-otr.com
Late in the evening and Gracie is trying to put Herman the Duck to bed. He's too excited about Christmas to sleep, so Gracie tells him a bedtime story. It's a story about a wicked witch, Prince George, and Princess Gracie. As Herman and Gracie begin to doze, thoughts of magic carpets run through her mind. As Gracie dreams, she sings to Herman as they fly on their magic carpet, on their way to the North Pole. They arrive at the North Pole and meet Arthur Q Brian as Santa. Santa is upset because all his toys were stolen by a wicked witch. Bill Goodwin, playing Aladdin, had his magic lamp stolen by the witch, so he can't call on it to do his bidding. He at least gets to plug the sponsor, Swan Soap. It's up to Gracie and Herman to use their magic carpet and find the witch. They spot a hitch hiker, George, and give him a lift. George has a conversation about vaudeville that seems familiar to Gracie. They encounter Tommy Tucker, actually Jimmy Cash, who sings for Gracie, Beautiful Dreamer. Gracie comes face to face with the witch. Can she get Santa's toys back? Will Gracie survive the trap that the witch has lain for her? Now that Herman is missing, Gracie and George get the help of Humpty Dumpty and he join their travels. The band plays some travelling music in the form of a swinging Christmas medley. At the witches castle, Herman is found, and sent for Santa. Gracie has a chat with the butler, a skeleton. They wait for the witch in the torture room. Through their womanly chit chat, Gracie learns the secret behind the witch's evil nature. As Gracie causes the witch to reform, she is awakened by George. The show ends on a happy note, and with the band to play us out to a final commercial by Bill Goodwin. Bonus Track: Erskine Hawkins, with vocalist Ida James. 1943. Come On and Knock Me a Kiss. PS: Sorry about the technical difficulty that i've been experiencing. It seems to only hit on the past two weekends. If you want more old time radio, make sure to visit: http://retro-otr.com
Burns and Allen - Santa and the Wicked Pirate. 421222Opens with the Four Hits and a Miss singing, Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Gracie is worried when her little duck, Herman hasn't come home yet. When he does come home, he has a disgruntled neighbor after him. When the situation gets under control, Gracie lays down and dreams a Christmas dream. You know it's a dream, when George is actually nice to Herman. They fly to the North Pole on Herman's back and visit Santa, Arthur Q Brian. Santa is upset because a wicked pirate stole all his toys. Bill Goodwin, or is it Irving Kringle? Sings a boogie woogie style song to promote the sponsor, accompanied by Santa. George, Gracie, and Santa take to the skies in the sleigh to lWhen the pirates are spotted, a battle, with all guns blazing, breaks out. The sleigh is shot down and lands on the deck of the pirate ship for a face to face confrontation. The pirate casts a spell over George's voice, and he can sing just fine. Wow, he sounds just like Jimmy Cash when he sings, Lovely lady. The pirate says he'll return the Christmas toys if Gracie will make love to him. Which of course, in 1942 meant something a little more mild than what one might think in our century. Still, something that Gracie finds offensive, and won't do. As a distraction, Gracie plays with some of the toys, and gets a commercial from Bill Goodwin. Gracie delivers a motivational speech to support the war effort by saving metal and rubber, and in buying war bonds. Just when the pirate sees the error of his ways, she wakes up. Bonus Track: Connie Haines. 1944. Besa Me Mu ho.
Paul Whiteman with the Swan Quartet singing, Gay Ranchero, opens the show. Gracie is in the kitchen, talking to Martha the cook. Their conversation is interupted by a phone call for Gracie. She talks to Bessy about George, and Christmas gifts. Next, she has to deal with Herman the Duck about eating his veggies, and growing big muscles. Bill Goodwin and Jimmy Cash stop in on their way to mail some Christmas packags. Herman is still poking around his lunch, and gets sent to his room. When George comes in, Gracie tells him about the new maid, and has the same trouble as Herman when it comes to eating lunch. Jimmy Cash sings, My Foolish Heart and I. George and Gracie stand in line at the Post Office to mail some Christmas packages. Hey, maybe another line might move faster? George keeps moving to the back of the line as Gracie finds the supervisor. In her quest, Gracie puts in a plug to buy War bonds. As Gracie and Bill try to help, George keeps finding himself at the back of the lines. Paul Whiteman plays a nice dance tune. After the big adventure, George and Gracie are back home. Gracie would give his muscles a rub down, if she could find them. They get visited by a couple of odd neighbors, and George finds out why those Christmas packages were so heavy. Bonus Tracks: Joe Cohen. March of Santa Claus. Jimmy Durante. Frosty the Snowman
The show begins with an opening number by the orchestra, My Sugar Takes Me with a Grain of Salt. George and Gracie talk with each other, and the cast about presents to give for Christmas. Gracie gets a phone call, and chats with her mom. Tony Martin talks with Gracie about his films, and the love scenes he is in. At this time, Tony was married to Alice Faye. Tony sings, Lazy River. George and Gracie talk about their upcoming plans for Christmas. They recruit Tony into helping out with their Christmas play, based on the Christmas Carol. It starts right after Tony sings, Where Have You Been All My Life. Followed by an instrumental rumba. As George plays Scrooge, the mean old miser of the airways, he is to be visited by the ghosts of radio. He has to face up to stealing all the jokes from the other radio comedians. They may not have the actual radio comedians, but they do have someone trying to do impersonations of them. To wrap up the show Gracie sings, I Love You from Coast to Coast. Bonus Tracks: Fibber McGee, Molly, and Teeny. 1942. The Night Before Christmas Medley. Andrews Sisters. I'd Like to Hitch a Ride with Santa Claus.
The exact title of this show is unknown, at least to me. The show is most likely, Christmas Plays, Wonders to Perform. And the episode title is probably, Learning a Lesson. Or Christmas Lesson. In the big city, George works at his typewriter, cranking out his next creation. Dorothy Lamour is the big time, popular actress. Work has driven their personal lives apart, but she wants to do something as a family for Christmas. When her agent has her booked for an event, she is forced to send a letter to the boarding school to tell her daughter, Sally, that She'll have to stay at school for the holiday. Naturally, the girl is upset, and is determined to get home, even if she has to travel alone. Troubles are piled on when a huge snow storm brings travel to a crawl, if not to a stop. Even phone lines are down. The equally determined mom decides to go get her daughter despite the work obligations, and storm. The problem is that the girl has already left. Is there hope that Sally can be found? How will they know if she made it to the bus or train terminal? Once Sally has been found and is beginning to recover, mom and dad plan for a big Cjhristmas party for all the kids who couldn't make it home. Mom has learned her lesson, and resolves to change her priority on her family life. Bonus Tracks: Dean Martin. An Arrangement of Christmas Classics. Dick Robertson. 1937. I Just Want You for Christmas.
The famous comic strip comes to life as Ken Niles announces. On this nice bright morning, Alexander heads off to school. The doorbell rings with a package that's delivered COD by Mel Blanc. It takes some time for Blondie to rummange through her purse for the cash. What can the package be? It's an item for someone else, but the delivery man leaves before they figure it out. What now? The only thing to do is to deliver it to the rightful owner. After a bit of conversation, she just doesn't want it afterall. Now what? The return to the delivery company can be done, but only if all the redtape, and paperwork is submitted. They could take the table back to the retailer, but it involves a bus ride with the big table to invonvenience everyone. Musical Interlude is Jerry Walls and his orchestra playing, I'm Coming Virginia. Blondie and Dagwood finally make it to the department store where they get the run around. Fed up with the lack of service, Dagwood tries to make a little sale in the store, but ends up being hauled in by the store detective, under suspicion of selling the store property without being an employee of the store. Blondie gives the detective a piece of her mind, and they get off the hook with him. Still, they are left with the Dable, and head home. At least they now have a brand new, sturdy piece of furniture. Although it's not quite Dagwood proof. Bonus Track: Tommy Dorsey. 1942. Marie
A Retro Musical Extravaganza. Presented entirely by the Retrobots, with a little help. A full hour of various collected love songs from the era of old time radio. The original play list was so long, it could have easily filled a second hour. Instead, the audio quality has been boosted a little so this will be a larger file. I hope you enjoy. Please make comments, and let me know what you think about seeing more, or fewer of these kinds of shows. Playlist: 1. When Pa Was Courting Ma. Tex Beneky, Glenn Milller. 1938. 2. Almost Like Being in Love. Mildred Bailey. 3. I Can't Get Started With You. Skinny Ennis, Hal Kemp. 4. Why Doesn't Somebody Tell Me These Things. Marian Hutton, Glenn Miller. 1938. 5. Blues in the Night. Johnny Mercer, Ella May Morris, Pied Pipers. 1944. 6. Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby. Ozzie Nelson. 7. Rainy Day. Leah Raye, Phil Harris. 1933. 8. From the Top of Your Head. Hal Kemp. 9. I Must Have That Man. Ben Selven. 1928. 10. Extraordinary Gal. Phil Harris. 1933. 11. The Lady's In Love With You. Tex Beneky, Glenn Miller. 1939. 12. At Your Beck and Call. Mildred Bailey. 13. All of Me. Paul Whiteman. 14. You Always Keep Me in Hot Water. Caroline Cotton, Bob Wills. 15. You're Driving Me Crazy. Ben Selven. 1930. 16. What Have You Got That Gets Me. Marian Hutton, Glenn Miller. 1938. 17. You're So Darn Charming. Bob Allen, Hal Kemp. 18. I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes. Tex Ann. 19. Let's Put Out the Light and Go to Bed. Paul Whiteman
Charlie talks it up about getting ready to marry tonights guest, Marilyn Monroe. Band leader Ray Noble is jealous. Edgar faces the future without having Charlie in the house. Plenty of marriage jokes go around. Ray plays while his vocalists sing, Underneath the Live Oak Tree. Mortimer Snerd talks with Edgar about his pets, and the latest news about Charlie and Marilyn. Edgar wants Mortimer to take over and fill in for Charlie, but Mortimer has some trouble understanding what he means. The conversation turns to attending the wedding. The big moment draws near, and the gang meet in the chapel. Ray Noble's vocalists sing, Bahiya. As Charlie waits for Marilyn to show up, Edgar tries to give him some last minute advice. Edgar has a hard time with the birds and bees talk. Marilyn gets to the chapel, but will she go through with it? Riots break out in the street. Radio news reports give the tragic news of brokenhearts all over the world. To help keep things quiet, Marilyn suggest they elope and go to Las Vegas. The minister there finally comes up with a good reason to prevent the wedding.
People Are Funny was a show full of crazy stunts that host, Art Linkletter had people do. To get started, a lady wants to raise money, but gets the job of taking something to a pawn shop. What is the crazy twist to this simple task? Art makes it so convenient to include a pawn broker in the studio audience, but will she put her husband into hock? All she has to do is pay back $1100 for a $1000 loan, while the man has to live in the pawn shop window for the week it takes to raise the cash to buy him back. After the commercial, Art goes to the mail bag for the next stunt. Can a woman tell who wrote a love letter, just by smelling it? He lets her off the hook and reads the contents of the love note. Three men of differing ages are provided to choose from, and even ask questions. Can the lady pick the right man? Can you guess? After the commercial, a couple from a previous show return. They had been matched together by the UNIVAC. an early computer. A short movie is shown to see how well they remember details about babies. If they win they stand the chance to gain cash prizes from both last week and this. Getting hitched is entirely up to them. After yet another commercial, It's announced that the UNIVAC couple will return for more challenges. Bonus Tracks: Elvis Presley. 1960. Stuck on You. (possibly an earlier date than 1960).The Diamonds. 1958. She Say Oom Doo Bee Doom.
Luigi writes his mama to tell her about brand names of products. As confusing as life can be, he's just happy to be living here. Pasquali fast talks Luigi and before he knows it he's trapped into marrying Pasquali's fat daughter Rosa. To hasten the deal, and without Luigi's knowledge, Pasquali sent out invitations. Luigi's friends in his English as a Second Language class feel sorry for him and filibuster the wedding. All the speeches are intended to wear everybody down. It begins to work. With guests, and justice of the peace gone, Pasquali calls off the wedding. Bonus Track: Connie Haines. 1944. Why Couldn't It Happen to Us?
Good News was a variety show that presented an hour of entertainment. This show features the usual cast: Jimmy Stewart, Baby Snooks, Frank Morgan. This edition features songs from the recently released musical hit film, Rosalie. The show starts with Jimmy Stewart, who wants to open with an accordian solo. Instead, Meredeth Willson, the bandleader kicks off with his own arrangement. Baby Snooks is up next as she drives her daddy, Hanly Stafford nuts. Snooks tries on hats. You just gotta love those crazy hat styles from back in the 1930's and 40's. Jimmy acts as Emcee to a Rosalie party with folks from MGM. Louie B Mayer has a few words to express gratitude for movie fans. He introduces that great barritone, Nelson Eddie to sing a medley of the Army and Navy fight songs: When the Kaisons Go Marching Along, and Anchors Aweigh. Fannie Brice, as Baby Snooks, wants Louie Mayer to read her a story. He summarizes the story of Rosalie. She gives him a hard time over who Santa Claus is. Laura Mathau is introduced to sing, In the Still of the Night. Next, Louie bringsout a singer, dancer, comedian who chats with Jimmy Stewart and Frank Morgan. about people they know, tlepathy, and eerie coincidences. Louie next brings out Eleanor Powell to sing, Rhythm in My Heart. In the second half of the show: Baby Snooks gives Louie Mayer a hard time about wanting to be in the movies, then Nelson Eddie is back to sing, Who Knows. Jimmy is still bent on wanting to play his accordian, and talks with Frank Morgan about it. Hanley Stafford joins the conversation to talk about investments. The stock market ticker ticks away. Hanley keeps Frank updated with his losses as the points plummet. Of course, once he sells, the ticker rises again. It's a back and forth roller coaster ride of investment adventure. Nelson Eddie is back to sing, Rosalie. Eleanor joins him for the chorus. As he sings, she accompanies with a tap dance. As a fitting conclusion for a Christmas program, Meredeth Willson performs, Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. Bonus Tracks: None Today. There's plenty to enjoy in this hour llong show.
Enjoy another Scary Halloween treat. A radio show sponsor is to give away as a contest prize, a mechanical man, a robot. XR23 is 6 feet tall, made of metal, yet with human like features. The robot responds to voice requests, even in doing the most petty of tasks. The radio DJ tries to show how gentle the robot can be the robot still needs some tweaks in that department. Happy Sam, the happy man goes into his on air spiel. Hey, how about those Krylon suits. I wonder if that's where Krylon paint got its name? Michael the Mechanical Man takes center stage. Don't you just love the way that computator made the selection for the winner? Two way TV sets? I wonder if that is supposed to be the Internet? The story shifts to the couple who won. The wife has some mental insability, and too much excitement might upset the apple cart of her mind. As she gets braced to recieve the prizes her husband goes to get Michael the Mechanical Man. I think her neighbor lady friend is a tiny bit jealous of her winnings. John, the husband is skeptical that the robot will be little more than a child's toy. Though John is somewhat afraid of the strength and potential of the robot, XR23, Mary seems to take comfort in the robot. She gives him commands and teaches the robot to love. But can a robot truly love? Or is it just responding to commands? If a robot can love, it might just as easily learn to hate and kill. That lady neighbor better watch out. The worried husband tries to intervene, but should he be worrying? The experts say there's nothing to worry about. What could happen? Robots can't kill. They're just not programmed to do that... right? Bonus Tracks: None today, just tips about the web page. http://retro-otr.com Visit today, and check it out.
A rocket ship has blasted off, manned with a one man crew. As the astronaut is well on his way to the moon for the first exploration there, he gets a radio message to change plans. It seems that in the race for space, the Russians have beat him there by 2 days. The worst of it is, that they have claimed the moon for themselves. What's a astronaut to do? His instructions are to avoid a world wide incident, and just do a fly by of the moon, and return home. Instead, he defies the political machine, and lands anyway. Even the sole Russian astronaut on the moon puts on a hostile front. It soon becomes clear that the Russian is having problems. His survival is in danger. Hey, it would be no big deal to leave an enemy to his own fate. It would be just one more tiny thread in the tapestry of national animosity. Defiant to the end though, the American astronaut breaks rules to do the right thing, despite what is politically correct. No Bonus Tracks Today: Just Keith flapping his gums about show introductions, and tweaks to the web page.
In a rustic mountain cabin hideaway, a young woman finds her lover cowering in a room. What is the trouble? Her insistence forces him to calm down enough to the tell the story behind his vanishing, and current condition. Flashback to a scene where the assistant agrees to accompany the professer, and an indian guide on an exploration of the Grand Canyon, and some unexplored caverns there. The professor tells about a little known custom of the plains indians locking people in caves as a trial of manhood. A strange rock formation seems to offer the chance to investigate that legend. It means blasting away a landslide, and checking it out. The findings prove something else though. A wagon train has been found that is estimated to be at least a hundred years old. Maybe there's nothing to the legend, or maybe something else that is unexpected begins to develop. Here's some hints. Get ready for savage killings, horrors in the bowels of the earth, and a narrow escape. But remember that opening scene? the girlfriend who found her lover cowering? What kind of harrowing experience has brought him to that state? And what about that locked door? Join the expedition into a world where it's survivla of the fittest, and evolution runs at has to be time lapsed speed. Bonus Tracks: None Today. Just a little fun with Keith and the Retrobots
On the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a traveller has stopped at a gas station. He has money that is out of date, namely he's trying to use a "worthless" old gold piece, and everyone knows the nation has switched to the new Silver standard. Holy cow! Somehow I don't think a gold coin goes out of date, gold is gold afterall. Silly store clerk, someone should tell him about these things. Historical note: For years the gold standard had the price of gold locked at $20 per ounce, and that was the weight of gold coins. Shortly after going to the silver standard, the price of gold floated up to around $30 to $50 or so. Once the silver standard was done away with,m and the dollar wasn't backed by anything, gold prices flew through the roof, and now hovers around a thousand dollars per ounce. So... if any strange travellers out there want o offload a gold coin or two on me, I won't argue. Back to the story. A fellow traveller stops by and catches the old man's attention. Things about the old man are noticed, his clothes are a little old fashioned. He even uses a brand of tobacco that hasn't been made for a hundred years. He claims to know the place where the younger man is looking for, and agrees to take him there. There's definitely something weird starting to develop, what can it be? As the old timer leads the man, Mr Miner, down a trail, he reveals the secret behind Pine Knob, and the purpose that awaits. I don't want to give away too much, but it involves a wierd loop of time, and travelling to the past. What's it all about? Revenge, setting old errors straight, trying to change the past? You'll just have to find out for yourself. Bonus Track: Tune Wranglers. Up Jumped the Devil. PS: Thanks for listening. Remember to leave a comment. You can also support the podcast by using my PayPal Tip Jar. Just use the button that can be found in various podcast show notes. Hey! like this one! Once at PayPal, you can choose an amount from $1 and up to drop in my Tip Jar. Thanks for listening, and thanks for the donation.
A man has been acquitted for charges of manslaughter. One person monitering the well publicized trial seems to think the man was falsley acquitted. Being a retired judge, he feels it his duty to take matters into his own hands. The man is invited to a luncheon, he presumes it is to be a victory party. The old judge has other plans that sound a little more disturbing. The worried wife talks to police, but three days later, there's still no sign of her husband. The police do notice a trend of missing persons who had just been acquitted of various crimes. There's definitley something going on, but all they need is just the right break to figure it out. They get it when the son has something to say. Meanwhile, is there any hope for our man, and the others that are also being held captive? Some of his captives have been there for years. Is the old judge right? Is he being fair? I suppose it's all a matter of opinion, however he is indeed breaking the law when he takes it into his own hands to apply his own breed of justice. So will the testimony of the son help to free his missing dad? Will the old judge keep his little prison an force? With little to hope for, what hope is there for our man to escape? All the answers are revealed in act 3 of our radio play, so stay tuned, and listen in. In the mid 1970's the CBS Radio Mystery Theater was produced. If it had hopes of bringing back the glory days of radio drama, it didn't work, although the show had a long and successful run. Hosted by EG Marshal, and using all the best voice actors both from the old days of radio, and a new breed of acting tallent. Bonus Track: Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle. Puttin on the Ritz. PS: The Retrobots take over as we try to kick off a series of scary Retro Originals for the Halloween season.
First, a 66 year old female bowler, who has been at it for 30 years. Along with an Italian immigrant named Frank. After a sponsor break for DeSoto Plymouth, the show continues. This time an unmarried, female airport worker is joined by an unmarried man who is seeking a vegetarian mate. Finally a prince and princess join the show. A prince from the Belgian Congo, who tells his success story rising as a commoner, to living in America, being educated, and returning to his home country. He is even convinced by Groucho to perform a brief native dance and drum number. . So who wins? I'm not telling. Listen to find out. Bonus Track: Don Gibson. Sea of Heartbreak. PS: The song is from around the mid-1950's... probably, but may be from as late as the early 1960's. Leave me a comment and set me straight.
Life in these modern times has become so confusing, and the situation is no different in the Anderson home. Jim gets ready to catch the news broadcast, but his habit of laying out maps of the world as a reference resource isan annoyance to mom. Betty is faced with a dihlemma of choosing a shade of nail polish. Bud is getting for a hay ride, and is oblivious to the tormentAs that he brings on dear old dad. As the kid congregate in the kitchen for a snack, Jim and Margret debate over how to set the clocks for the daylight savings time that happens on this particular evening. Back? or ahead? It seems that just about every family member has adjusted the clock. What do you think? Will anybody make it to their various social events? The next day the kids go with dad to meet aunt Martha at the train station. It's turning out to be a mixed up day. How about those crazy kids? Hungry, sleepy, getting lost. Not to mention confusion from the information booth. What should Jim do now? Kathy actually has an idea that manages to save the day. Despite the strange weekend, Betty learns she has set a fashion trend, Bud has avoided a case of poison ivy that plagued his hayride companions. Kathy is the queen of her class when she knows about daylight savings time. But does Jim and Margret ever settle the confusion of gaining an hour... or losing an hour? Bonus Track: Andrews Sisters. 1950. I Can Dream Can't I? PS: When I checked, some sources had the date for the Andrews Sister's tune as 1949, and others claimed it was one of the top hits of 1950.
A show to prove that actors known for comedy, also have a serious side. This suspenseful drama begins with Fibber McGee taking his gal, Molly out to a movie. Tonight, they are known as Jo, and Ellie. The show is over, and they drive home. As they leave the bright lights of the city, and cross the dark valley to their home, a radio news flash comes over the air. An escaped killer is on the loose. As Ellie worries about her grown kids at home, the couple get a surprise when the killer shows himself in their backseat. The desperate man acts as backseat driver who holds Joe and Ellie hostage as he plans to make his get away. Will he drag them with him? Does he have plans to kill them? Will Joe be able to outsmart the desperate criminal in some way? To make a hasty move could set the killer off, and sign their death warrants. I'll clue you in just a little, Joe has a secret that he isn't telling. Bonus Track: Stan Kenton. Tampico. Vocals by June Christy. Plus, fun with the Retrobots.
The show was started in 1931 with music provided by the Light Crust Doughboys. Around 1935 a reorganization took place, and the musical group reformed with some changes as the Hillbilly Boys. A band headed up by James Robert "Bob" Wills, with vocalist Leon Huff. W Lee O'Daniels was president of the Hillbilly Flour Company, and was the show MC. He used the radio show to promote his product, The show featured music, and occasional poems and helpful household tips, often written by O'Daniels, and letters sent in from listeners. The show launched the careers of the band members, and even helped to send O'Daniels to the governor's mansion in Texas, and later to the Senate. The show was broadcast through powerful border stations, and blanketed much of the United States, and had a listenership across the country. First Show: 1. I Never Slept a Wink Last Night. 2. Chinese Honeymoon. 3. Way Down Yonder. 4. My Brown Eyed Texas Rose. Second Show: 1. Fisher Hornpipe. 2. Sit Right Down, and Write Myself a Letter. 3. The Roses of Pickadee. 4. I Saw Your Face in the Moon. 5. Who's Sorry Now. (cut slightly short due to time constraint.) Bonus Tracks: Incredible But True. Beware My Son. Fred Allen. 1943. Answers a Letter from Al Jolson
Milton trades insults and ad libs with his announcer, Mr Gallop. Milton salutes radio. He gets interupted by an executive who wants Merle to take the NBC pledge. Which he and the cast do, followed by the NBC song. Milton spoofs a news broadcast. "Ah, there's good news tonight!" The bit transitions to a commercial. Ray Block plays, Tomorrow. Milton presents, Radio Forum Tonight. Questions are taken from the audience. The salute turns to a brief recognition of radio's comedy shows. Dick Marley sings a ballad. Mr Gallop announces that NBC will no longer allow crime programs on before prime time, so as not to overly influence kids. Milton reenacts a scene from home, and the trouble he had with his son, Junior, about this very problem. As Milton recovers from the ordeal, Mr Gallop delivers a final commercial. jeff mihelichAbout the retrobots voices, they sound good. If I'm on your main RSS feed, will I get everything listed on your site or do I need to download each one?great job!!
Riley is upset when he thinks his daughter is insane. Instead, she is just in love. (Pretty close to the same symtoms isn't it?) He and a friend eavesdrop on her when her boyfriend comes over. The boy is scared away, so Riley does his best to find her a date for the prom. Digger O'Dells nephew is handy and turns out to be Clem Kadiddlehopper. Even Riley can't put that burden on his daughter, but now that Clem has arrived, he can't get rid of him. Fortunately, the boyfriend comes back to save face between Riley and Babs. Now he just has to get rid of Clem. Bonus Tracks: Ray Noble. 1936. In a Little Gypsy Tea Room. AFRS. 1943. Navy Wave Training.
Reality programming, 1950's style. Art Linkletter and his crew have a few pranks to pull just to see how funny people can be. First up, Art has a $1000 bill. The mission is to use this legitimate article of US currency to make a simple purchase. To complicate matters, the audience member has his own cash taken away, and is dressed like a bum. Can he do it? His ordeal is related later in the show. After a sponsor plug, a car salesman and his wife have their love challenged. Can his salesman skills prevent his wife from the attentions of an amorous cow? His efforts are doomed when Art brings in a ringer to damage his efforts. A man volunteers for a special stunt. With no money, he is challenged to take a bucket of French perfume back to France. Can he do it? Unfortunately, his challenge will extend over the next week, so we won't find out. After another sponsor break, we follow up with our first challenge. He definitely tried his best. Listen in an see whether he won his big prize or not. Bonus Tracks: Incredible But True. The Man Who Walked Behind. Unknown date. A 5 minute story of a ghostly messenger. Bill Justice. Mid 1950's. Raunchy.
Through much of the first decades of the 20th century, the Marx Brothers were a rising act in vaudeville theaters. In the early days of talking movies, they made the transition, and became film stars. In the early 1930's the brothers broke into radio. Their radio show featured Groucho and Chico as they tried to run a law office known as Flywheel Shyster and Flywheel. Sadly, only one or two complete episodes, and a few fragments of shows are all that remain from this program with Groucho as Flywheel, and Chico as his sidekick, Revelli. Fortunately, the scripts from these shows do exist, and in the early 1990's the BBC produced a series of remakes. Voice actors were hired to recreate the characters, and the scripts came to life once more. The actors do a wonderful job at presenting the characters just as they were created and styled by Groucho, Chico, and the rest of the original cast. The excellent job done by voice actors, and production crew present old time radio to a new audience. Just as it might have been heard back then, only with better technology. The show was originally titled, "Beagel Shyster and Beagel," but word on the street has it that there was a real life lawyer named Beagel who took offense at the use of his name. Although that story is true and documented, there's another that isn't. The new show was a hit, and recieved good ratings, but the sponsor wasn't entirely sure of the show. Groucho's style of humor was not one that sat well with everybody. It is said that when the show changed names, the only explanation Groucho gave to listeners was one episode where he claimed that he had gone through a divorce, and went back to his maiden name. Divorce was a huge social taboo at the time, and not one the sponsors felt was in good tast. The show wasn't renewed for another season. Groucho has had an impact on comedians all through the decades since this show was new, so a lot of the humor can feel like a cliche, or old jokes. Given the limits the humor pushed 80 years ago, it often is still relevant for people of today. Tracks in the Show: Show fragment. A five minute excerpt from 05-08-1933.TV Interview with the cast of Flywheel Shyster and Flywheel. 1992. (8 min.)Part 1 of Flywheels Production Of Romeo and Juliet. 06-09-1990. Groucho Marx and Friends. Backstrap Molasses. (Danny Kaye, Jimmy Durante, and Ella Fitzgerald.)
Actually the first episode of My Favorite Husband, starring Lucille Ball and Richard Denning. The first show sets up the premise of the series. A married couple who have been happily married for 10 years, and still seem to be actually in love. The Cugat's flashback to moments of their wedding day, as they prepare for their anniversary. Liz, the well to do socialite, and George, the up and coming banker. Liz is to have a portrait painted for the big anniversary celebration. George's friend Corey, a confirmed bachelor cass doubt on the intentions of the portrait artist. Of course Liz doesn't see anything in the artist, but manages to say all the right things to cause jealousy to grow in George. It gets so bad that George calls a doctor along with his attractive nurse. Still simmering over the artist, George see's his chance to use the situation of having the nurse to get some revenge jealousy brewing in Liz. In the end though, George and Liz come to their senses. They see through their petty jealousies, but don't worry, the laughs won't stop even to the very end. Bonus Track: Glenn Miller. 1938. The Cowboy from Brooklyn. PS: Coming soon to the Retro Radio Podcast, Lucille Ball as Liz Cugat. Lucky for me, by the end of the first season, and without explaination, their last name is changed to Cooper. Fortunately for me, because I can never remember how to spell Cugat, but Cooper isn't so hard. (Isn't that so selfish of me, or what?) Watch for more additions and changes to the lineup in the coming weeks.
The school is to raise funds for a local charity, and the key students and teachers, namely our usual cast, are meeting to discuss the event. The problem? How to drum up support for the planned auction. Radio spots? Handbills? Hang a sing on a zepplin? Frogs on leashes that drag signs? Forget the brainstorming for PR, there seems to be a shortage of quality items to auction. Where, oh where might Connie Brooks acquire some auction items that are worthy? While Connie is distracted in trying to get a special donation from the clueless Mr. Boynton, Mr. Conklin has an expensive item for his house delivered to his office. You don't think there might be a mix up with it do you? I don't think it's a matter of if there is a mix up, but who will do the mixing? And to what extent will the mixing go? I don't want to give away too much, but let's just say that when the goods arrive to the auction block, Mr. Conklin has the feeling he's right at home. Bonus Track:The Hillbilly Boys. Baby Won't You Please Come Home?
The actual game takes a back seat as Groucho chats it up with the contestants. Groucho is always hilarious as he talks with the regular people on the show. First up is a weather man named Aldrich, and a cashier of a drive in movie theater named Winnie. Next is a body builder from Philadelphia, and the wife of a New York policeman who say the secret word. The final couple are identical twins, Jean and Jane Luther. No matter who they are, or where they come from the conversation is always entertaining. The game comes down to a tie, and a faceoff between the bodybuilder and the housewife, against the twins. Who wins the big prize? Listen and find out. Bonus Track:Tony Martin and Dinah Shore. 1951. A Penny a Kiss.
A classic show with two classic comedians. Prior to the show, Eddie Cantor makes a phone calls to get Jackk Benny on his show. He has to wait until Jack takes care of some important business at the local drugstore. As the show begins, Eddie chats with announcer, Harry Vonzell about how stingy Jack is, then keeps giving Jack the brush off. Hattie McDaniels joins the teasing by commenting on both Rochester and Jack.Once Jack makes it on stage, he and Eddie take a few jabs at each other, and Jack plugs his new film, Washigton Slept Here. Jack is such a humble soul. (wink, wink)Eddie is polite as Jack talks about his acting prowess, but when Jack leaves for a moment, Eddie tells Harry what he really thinks. Dinah Shore arrives to sing, and Jack calls her aside to try to woo her away from the show. When it doesn't work she sings,m White Christmas. Hey, it may be out of season, but it gives you something to think about on a hot Summer day. Next, Jack tries to win Harry Vonzell away from the show, but it just leads to a segway for a commercial.Upset over the ordeal, Eddie impersonates Rochester for a prank phone call to Jack. The Mad Russian doesn't have any qualms about leaving Eddie. His loyalties are so fickle. After another commercial break, Jack accompanies Eddie on violin as he sings, Ida Sweet as Apple Cider. Of course, getting a few pitches for their respective sponsors.Bonus Track:Tommy Dorsey. 1942. Marie.And a little fun with Keith and the Retrobots.
As Throckmorton P. Gildersleeves and Judge Hooker complete a game of checkers, LeRoy has a question. He wants to take the day off of school so he can go to the circus. Fortunately for him, he has two fine examples in these two pillars of the community. A kid listens to the advice from such outstanding citezens. Too bad, they get on a tangent, talking about their old schoolboy days, and all the crazy pranks they played at school. Suddenly fearing what kind of impression their loose tongues might make, they try to downplay their past misdeeds and want to set Leroy down the right path. Suddenly, reports of school pranks come to light. Gildersleeves thinks he is at the root of it. Leroy has been acting evasive when questioned about the pranks. Circumstantial evidence points to him, and Gildersleeves grows even more concerned. Would Leroy really stoop to such disruptive pranks? Feeling responsible, Gilersleeves tries to set things right, but you have to know that it somehow won't quite work out right. A lesson in responsibility, consequences, and taking responsibility for your actions is delivered in a light hearted way. Bonus Tracks: Graham McNamee. 1940. Talks to Ward Wilson about, Mike Checks.
This is something totally different from what I've ever posted in the podcast. Summer is the time for baseball, and the ultimate in baseball is the World Series. This is a long show, nearly 2 full hours. Enjoy play by play commentary as the Yankees fight it out with the Giants in Game 3 for the 1936 World Series. The announcers do a top notch job of reporting the plays. The sounds of the crowd roaring, and the crack of the bat is live, and just as authentic as any game you might hear on broadcast radio today. Put on your earphones, turn up the speaker, close your eyes, and sit back with some of your favorite treats. Grab a big handful of popcorn, peanuts, Cracker Jack, and your favorite cold drink as you relive exciting moments from sporting history. If you would like to hear more shows like this one, visit: http://baseballhistorian.libsyn.comThe Baseball Historian. Part of the Radio Memories Network, and a Humphrey Camerdella production.
In the far flung, futuristic year of 1965, an exciting adventure into space is about to begin. At least that's the way it appeared to folks in the mid 1950's. As a crew of astronauts blast off from the Australian Outback on a trip to the moon, join them in the cockpit of the rocket to experience the stresses of lift off. Despite the joy of being weightless, the crew is faced with some serious issues. Are they off course? Will their remaining fuel be enough, or will they be forced to turn back without landing on the moon? Things start looking bleak when a wierd kind of music is heard, then the radio comes to life with good news from Earth. After a collision with a meteor, there's even a space walk. That wierd music makes a return. What's the deal with that? But hey, this is just the first installment of a series. You just can't get to the moon in a half hour segment, not even in the 1950's. There's lots more of adventure, and the toughest parts are yet to come. A lot of the science in this series is good, but I somehow don't think that rockets move by breaking free of Earth's gravity, and falling toward the surface of the moon. Then there's that instance of astronauts would light up and smoke in an oxygen rich environment. Listen in, enjoy, and see how folks in the 1950's envisioned what space travels would be all about. Bonus Track: Graham MacNamie. 1940. Letters from Listeners.
Here's a classic old episode that seems to be mislabeled in most archives, and show listings. The date that it is usually listed as November 17, 1935. Here's why this is the wrong date. The sponsor is Chevrolet. Beginning with the 1935 season, Jello began it's long run as sponsor. Chevrolet started around the end of January, or the beginning of March 1933. There's a gap there where no shows are listed, so it's fuzzy as to when the sponsors changed hands. Chevrolet then went on to sponsor the show until April 1934, when General Tire took over. Therefore the date is sometime between late January 1933 and April 1934. In the show, Jack refers to a recent visit to Waukegan for his birthday. This puts the show in either February 1933, or 1934. There is actually a run of shows that are preserved from the final months of the Chevrolet sponsorship, including ones from February. This isn't one of them. The last known show that the original sponsor, Canada Dry, ran was on January 26, 1933. The first known show for Chevrolet is listed as March 3, 1933. This doesn't necessarily mean there were no shows in this gap, just none that are listed. It would make sense though, that this episode is really from February 17, 1933. It doesn't fit anywhere else in the run of the Jack Benny show. The cast members, and other topical conversation also fits with this period. Whew! With all that said, here's what the show is about.
In this episode it's that time of year for the kids to start back to school. Mornings in the Anderson home are becoming hectic as everybody competes for bathroom time. Will Jim ever get to shave? He has that important meeting to get to and time is running late. Besides bathroom frustrations, the latest news is in, the family car is missing. Well, maybe the car isn't stolen afterall. It was just left at dad's office down town, right? And when will the bathrrom ever be free? Complications explode when the kids all seem to have the memory spans of goldfish. As Jim worries about a ride to work, and after watching the tension build, bud finally lets dad know that he already went and brought the car home. Relieved, the only things between Jim, and his important meeting is taking Cathy to school, and the car ride to get there... right? What can go wrong now? I could tell you, but it would give away the ending.
Reminders: A letter to the podcast is shared. Superman files are being updated after broken links were found. Try out the new search engine, now powered by Google. Search the web page, or uncheck the box to search the web. Bonus Track: BBC Interview. 1944. Maj. Glenn Miller talks about his experiences playing for the troops. He even talks about a post war exchange of bands. Hey, is this what started the Brittish invasion to the pop music of the 1960's?
Jack is missing, as he is getting a shave. The scene changes to his ordeal with the Italian barber. Johnny Green plays, Anything Goes. Jack plugs his latest film, then Mary gets in an old gag of misunderstanding words. A nervous and apologetic Kenny Baker makes his appearance. Kenny sings, A Rose in Her Hair. Such a nice start, and what a stinker he would become in later shows. Jack notices the similarities in his and Kenny's names. Jack answers fan mail. A promising beauty queen wants to break into pictures. Johnny plays, Cheek to Cheek. The play is one about movie studios. Mary is the overworked receptionist. Jacck is the busy movie producer who wants it all, and wants it now. The beauty queen from the fan letter shows up, played by Mary Kelley. Running gags just can't keep from showing up in this humorous peek behind the scenes at the busy movie studio. Trivia Alert. Though this is Kenny Baker's first show, bandleader Johnny Green seems to have already made his debut. Johnny replaced longtime band leader, Don Besser, and would only be on the show for this season before being replaced by Phil Harris. Bonus Track: Fred Allen. 1936. Who Killed Rappaport?
A special presentation and documentary to commenorate the Battle of Iwo Jima, and the Marines who fought it. The actual air date is unknown. Most likely it aired on more than one ocasion. It's earliest possible date is sometime in 1955. The show is a short and quick one, so there are a few bonus tracks added. Happy 4th of July. Bonus Tracks Lucky Millander, vocals by Trevor Bacon. 1942. Are You Ready? Lucky Millander, vocals by Trevor Bacon. 1942. When the Lights Go on All Over the World. Andrews Sisters. 1941. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B. Kate Smith. 1943. God Bless America.
After an opening song, Colonel Stoopnagel and /Bud talk about sponsers, and observing the stars. After a commercial, and musical interlude, a continuing saga continues to keep Stoopnagel out of the White House. Colonel Stoopnagel is happy to see that his votes are not rolling in, and relieved to be avoiding being elected. A song, Louisanna Hay Ride. . Afterward, Bud and Stoopnagel talk about various topics including horses, and races. Musical interlude, Begin the Beguine. Fred Allen visits to lend his tallents to the show. They do a spoof of Gangbusters, and relate a crime involving babies. Later Stoopnagel has amateur impersonator Berny Kay to sings a medley of tunes. Then a couple of harmonica players perform. More musical tallent is introduced by Bud and Stoopnagel to include a banjo and accordian version of Hold that Tiger. As listeners will learn, this is the last week for this Summer replacement show, and Fred Allen will return to his regular slot next week. Bonus Tracks: None today, the show is a little long as it is. Enjoy.
A lengthy interview by well known news man, Walter O'Keefe. Discover some of the history of actor and comedian, Alan Young. At the time of this interview he was the star of the television program, Mister Ed. Listeners to the Retro Radio Podcast have heard Alan Young as featured in his own radio program. I would play him more often, but there arn't many of his radio shows out there, and I'm pacing myself. Originally formatted for a 2 hour broadcast, commercials, and station breaks have been edited out by a previous transcriber. Still it runs about 1 hour, 15 minutes. The format is to interview Alan at the top of the half hour, then go to music from 1947. Walter O'Keefe's interview covers Alan Young's early history, and his early career as a teenager. Also anecdotes of the show biz life, and wierd first jobs that Alan had. In a final segment Alan returns to tell about his musical ability, and some behind the scenes glimpses of his TV show. The show wraps up with a last tune, and Walter signs off with a deep thought to live by. He puts it so much more eloquently, but basically, "Don't long for what you don't have, and learn to enjoy what you do have." Bonus Tracks: None Today, the show is long, and already has music interspersed throughout. PS: I want to add that this is a rare show. There aren't any other recordings of the Almanac program that I know of, and interviews are always good for sharing rare, candid moments
Walter Wenchel, Josephine Hutchinson. Emilia Airhart was due to appear tonight, but she hadn't reached her destination yet. Maybe next week? Walter Wenchel, colorful reporter newspaper man, and film star recreates his role about a big city newspaper, big stories, and romance. Josephine Hutchinson plays the part that Joan Bennet played in the film. Walter, as Walter Burns, is a big newspaper editor. His star reporter, Hildie Johnson, makes plans to leave the newsroom and get married. There's just one problem, he stops in at the news desk to say his good byes when a big story breaks. Does he have the will power to walk away? With the pressure on from his fiancee, and his fellow reporters, which path will Hildie choose? His journalistic streak wins out, and he decides to cover the story about the hanging. As the story gets juicier, it gets harder to delay, and pacify the bride to be. When the story explodes to new levels, and Hildie not only captures, but manages to clear the name of the condemned man, he stands to lose his fiancee. Is the damage to his relationship too great? It doesn't help matters when Walter Burns sabotages things to get Hildie to focus on the story. is there hope to repair it? Listen and enjoy this light hearted romantic comedy. Bonus Tracks: None today.
Opening is a little choppy before Don and Jack tease each other about recent New Year's Eve celebrations. Mary and Frank Parker tell about their celebrations with an interuption by a man wanting to sell a bulldog. The bulldog gag, of course runs through the show. Don Besser plays, but it is chopped. Jack introduces the play. Frank sings, but it also is snipped. The play begins. A spoof of the famous story. Jack is arrested, and tossed into a French prison. The audio gets a little choppy and skippyu again. Don's song is snipped, then Jack finds himself still in prison years later. Even the old joke about "hair," from previous episodes shows up. Jack makes his escape with the help of... Schlepperman? Bonus Tracks: Cab Calloway. 1935. I Ain't Got Nobody. Graham MacNamee. 1940. Interview with Voice Actor, Charlie Cantor
The Johnson Wax Company presents Jim and Marion Jordan, as Fibber McGee and Molly. Today Fibber has somehow been put in charge of the circus, and won the job as human cannonball. Meanwhile, he and Molly tour the midway to see the attractions. One character they encounter is a fast paced talking woman who chats it up with Fibber. The lady is voiced by Molly. The orchestra plays, Hallelujah. As Fibber and Molly continue to take in the sights, Harlow Wilcox sneaks in the commercial. Mayor Appleton has a few words, and as Fibber takes off to handle circus business Molly tries to talk to the Mayor to get Fibber out of his cannonball job. Just before Tommy Harris sings, My Last Love Affair, there's a voice actress who does a monotone character. Similar to Wallace Wimple, who doesn't appear on the show for a few more years to come. The character is voiced by Molly. Fibber has his fortune told. Molly does another voice of a gruff sounding woman. That sneaky old Harlow gets in another commercial. Mort Tooks, actually the voice of Fibber, talks to our stars. The band plays, but the number skips and is slightly snipped. Fibber and Molly talk to a balloon salesman. Of course, Teeny makes an appearance at the circus. Fibber finally has his big moment. Worry sets in as he talks to the Old Timer. Will he go through with it? Will he be let off the hook? I'm not telling, so listen in to find out. Bonus Tracks: Tune Wranglers. 1930's. They Go Wild Over Me. Graham MacNamee. 1940. Letters from Listeners concerning soap operas, and word definitions.
Don and Jack talk about gift exchanging this Christmas. They are joined by Frank Black, Mary, and even Don Besser. Jack shows off a little for his dad by playing violin, If I Had a Million Dollars. He talks about his orchestra days in the Barrette theater in Waukegan, and some of the folks he played with. All have gone on to be famous in their fields, whether he really played with them or not. Jack's violin playing is passable, only a deliberate squeak or two. His singing ability isn't so much, and gets booed. Frank Parker's song is clipped. Jack introduces the night's play, Russia Through a Keyhole. The next number is also snipped. The record gets pretty skippy. Jack is on a quest through Russia, in pursuit of his girlfriend, Mary. Running gags include being refered by Jake. A throw back to the previous week, and to a tallent agent by that name. The recurring joke about hair makes a return. Bonus Tracks: Phil Harris. 1932. The Vamp. Graham MacNamee delivers a few Letters from Listeners. Bob Howard. 1935. If the Moon Turned Green.
Due to spotty preservation, this episode is the only one I can find in this series in the Superman program. Sponsered by Kellogs Pep. The story thus far deals with a flaming meteor that crashed onto a nearby farm. As Clark Kent investigated, he became weak and dizzy. Fearing a doctors exam would reveal his secret identity as Superman, he is reluctant but Perry makes him go anyway. His impervious skin has broken the doctors needle. Today, he is still in the doctor's office, but manages to get the visit over with. The mysterious word, "Krypton" keeps springing into the mind of Clark. He's certain it holds a clue to his weakness, and the meteor. There's something familiar about that word, 'Krypton,' it has a familiar ring to it, but he can't figure it out. . Back at the Daily Planet, Perry and Lois hound Clark about what he is keeping a secret from them. Are they on to his Superman identity? Lois reveals that a small group of scientists know about a planet named Krypton,m and they are certain that this meteor is from it. In following episodes, the pressure is on Clark, and he loses his temper with his friends. He continues to make sense of the mystery behind the strange meteor. I think it would be safe to assume that he figures it out, and still keeps his identity safe. Bonus Tracks: Cab Calloway. 1932. Minnie the Moocher. Graham McNamee. 1940 Talks about Mike Checks. Andrews Sisters. Ragtime Cowboy Joe. Minnie Pearl. 1945. Brother's New Girlfriend.
Chase and Sandbourne sponsers a musical show that features Frances Langford as host, and vocalist. Spike Jones shows his serious band leading ability when he provides the musical back up for Frances, but he also gets the chance to shine with his own unique style. Show announcer is Ken Carpenter. These early shows were often in military hospitals where injured soldiers and sailors were recuperating from wounds. Celebrities of the day also appeared on the program, tonight's show features comedian, Charlie Ruggles, and is from the Corona Naval Hospital in California. Playlist: 1. Sunnyside of the Street. Frances Langford. 2. Frances and Spike exchange words. 3. Laura. Spike Jones. 4. Charlie Ruggles chats with Ken, Frances, and Spike on medical topics. The cast even wrap up with a spoof of Accentuate the Positive. 5. All of My Life. Frances Langford. Frances and Spike chat a little about the hospital ward. 6. Leave the Dishes in the Sink. Vocals by Dell Porter. Spike Jones. 6. Medley that includes: You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby, Blues in the Night, Tangerine7. Frances talks to the troops, some of who she met while on an earlier USO tour with Bob Hope to the South Pacific. Trivia and Extras: From 1942 through 1944 a ban on producing new commercial records was instituted, and enforced by James Patrillo, leader of the Musicians Union. Prior to the ban, Spike Jones was drummer for the Tommy Dorsey. During the ban Spike Jones had some disagreements over the ban, and when it was lifted was forced to remain out of the union for a short time. This is probably some of the first work he did afterward. In the show Frances refers to Spike's new band. If you've never heard of Spike Jones, you'll recognize his work from the many cartoon shorts that feature the likes of Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig, and others. He proves that any tallented musician can make beautiful music from the usual instruments, but it takes a different sort of genius to make music from cow bells, plumbing fixtures, gun shots, washboards, and a host of other odd noise makers. Not tomention his spoof lyrics of popular songs of the day. PS: Watch for chickenman, a special copyrighted feature being brought to you, courtesy of the retro radio podcast. Debuting in July, 2010.
Through some record skips, Don and Jack joke around about going to the movies. Frank Parker, and Don Besser prove they can jump into the jokes, in a pinch. All that pinching turns into a running gag for the evening. Jack wants to get some new tallent for the show, and has Mary call an agent. As is typical for these old programs, the music is snipped. After what would have been Don Besser's song, the cast talk about Boston. The new tallent arrives. A man who tells jokes and juggles plates. Jack gives commentary on the plate juggling. More tallent arrives. More pinching jokes. After Frank Parker's song is snipped, and another from Don Besser, the drama begins. the Rose of the Rio Grande. The cast try out their Spanish accents. Jack is the protective dad. Mary is the daughter who wants to elope with a gringo, Frank Parker. Plenty of humorous butchered dialect. The hair joke shows up again. Don Besser doesn't do dialect, but still gets a laugh. At the big climactic end, Schlepperman makes an appearance, but it's Jello that saves the day. Bonus Tracks: Leah Raye, 1933. Fit as a Fiddle. Trivia and Extras: Eddie Cantor is mentioned, but I don't have any of his radio shows from this early period. Yet. I may try to bring him into the lineup, eventually. Don announces Jack as a self made man, which is true of course. Most folks in show biz are. I love the joke that Don turns on Jack when Don is asked whether he is also self made. In an earlier episode, just a few weeks prior to this show, the gang did a spoof of the film, The Barret's of Wimpole Street. Mary keeps the running gag going as she imitates the character that Charles Laughton played in the movie. "Ya hear me?" The joking juggler tells a joke that had been a running gag on these early shows. One about hair. It's one of those things where the same set up can have various punch lines. Another method for word plays was to ask a definition of a word, and get a crazy one back. Other famous joking jugglers of the early 20th century were Fred Allen, and WC Fields. On tonight's show, Fred isn't talked about, but WC Fields is. The female voice actress who plays the extra tallent sent by Jake, and later the voice of the Spanish maid, is Mary Kelly. A former girlfriend of Jack, she frequently appeared on the show through the 1930's. Schlepperman, along with other recurring characters were voiced by Joe Kern. In the 1940's and later, Artie Auerback would make similar appearances as Mr. Kitzel.
After some interupted starts to the show by a listening couple who keeps switching off the radio, Stan encounters June Forray as Miss Jupiter. She is slightly disgruntled that she wasn't invited to be in the Miss Universe pageant. With a musical interlude by Peggy Taylor, the classic from the 1930's, Dancing Cheek to Cheek, The radio couple keeps trying to change channels. After a short act from a troop of acrobats, Stan then moves on to a history feature. A telling of Custer's Last stand.
Bonus Track. Yellow Polka Dot Bikini. (from around this same period. Oopsie, I can't remember the artist who sang it.)
The audio is a bit scratchy in spots, it skips in spots, and the musical numbers have been snipped. Other than that, it sounds pretty good. Don teases Jack about his acting ability. The conversation turns to comparing baby pictures. After the snipped number, Jack introduces the play. It's based on a popular movie of the day, Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch. The play begins after another snipped number. Mary plays a mom with a bunch of kids. She had been abandoned, and tries to tell the kids about their deadbeat dad. In this spoof of a melodrama, running gags try to pop up, the mortgage is due, and the family is about to be tossed out. Things are looking bad, the recording skips, the casc almost stay in character. Finally, the day is saved by Mr. Schlepperman. To wrap up, Jack talks to an actress, comedian, and impersonator named Mitsy Green. Amazingly, her song, If I had a Million Dollars, didn't get snipped. It makes me wonder about the purpose behind having Mitsy Green on the show. In just over a month, Frank Black would leave the program, and Kenny Baker would take over on the program. I'm not sure if other singers made appearances at this time. Maybe it was Jack's way of making the transition, and auditioning new tallent. Bonus Tracks: Ray Noble. 1929. You're the Cream in my Coffee. (vocals, Al Bowley). Paul Whiteman. I'm in the Mood for Love. Ozzie Nelson. 1931. Dream a Little Dream of Me. Don't Forget: You can support the podcast by visiting the home page, http://retro-otr.com. Then signup with our featured sponsor, Rhapsody.com. Help out the show, and enjoy a great product.
Archie introduces the shows guest stars, and day dreams about the benefits of getting away from it all to enjoy the great outdoors. Guests are to be movie actress, Rita Hayworth, and big game hunter, Frank Buck. Clark Dennis sings, I Just Kissed Your Picture Goodnight. Frank Buck arrives and the cast talks to him about animals. Rita Hayward shows up, and brings out the animal in Archie. Frank has a similar problem in fending off Miss Duffy. Bonus Track: Betty Hutton. 1943. Bluebirds in my Bellfrey.
Connie opens by recounting her adventure with nearly falling down an elevator shaft. She tries to tell Mrs. Davis about it, but she's oblivious, as she usually is. Of course, Mr. Conklin is more observant, and a little upset that his rival principal might learn of his secret weapon in the education world, Project X. It doesn't help that his rival recieved all the limelight for being a hero. Connie and Mr. Boynton plan to boost Mr. Conklin's ego, if only they can get away from Project X. Harriot and Walter develop their own plans. In trying to impress, and make Mr. Conklin look good the hero thing gets a little over done. Just how many people need rescuing today? Bonus Track: The Cheers. 1955. Black Denim Trousers.
Archie is getting ready for a date, while his dad just wants to relax in a nice hot bath. Dad is distracted by a phone call and Archie takes the bathroom. After that, it all seems to fall apart for poor old dad. No more hot water. Strange sounds come from the pipes. As teenager, and parent compete for bathroom priveledges the problems pile up. Will dad ever fix the pipes? Will he ever get his bath? If I told you, it would ruin the fun of listening, and finding out for yourself. Bonus Track: Count Basey. 1943. Basey Boogie.
Flashback to the day before at rehearsal. Jack is critical of Bob Crosby's band members. Jack begins to worry when Don points out that his contract hasn't been renewed yet. Mary's comments don't encourage Jack, so he tries to phone Rochester. After the phone connection is tied up with gossip from the operators, talking about Frankie Remley. Dennis arrives with a story about a run in with a traffic cop. He sings, Once I Had a Secret Love.
Dennis reveals a secret medical problem, then Rochester calls back with the report, still no contract in the mail. Jack grows worried, and wants to make a good impression when he phones the sponsor directly. The Sportsmen were going to help, but are late, and their song for the commercial adds to Jacks worries.
Now even more desperate, Jack calls his old sponsers, Jello, General Tire, and Canada Dry. Just when he thinks it can't get worse, it's happy ending time.
Bonus Track: Graham MacNamee. Reading fan mail from 1940.
Dennis opens with the song, Clancy Lowers the Boom. Mr Anderson, in his younger days, has written love letters to a famous star. He has Dennis help him get the letters back. Dennis tries to distract the actress with an impression of the Mad Russian. The two decide to audition for the theatrical production so they can get close and steal the incriminating letters back. Some great impressions and stylistic singing by Dennis. Dennis wraps up by singingm, All of Your Heart.
Bonus Track: The Tune Wranglers. Ain't Gonna Rain No More.
After some technical difficulties, and a couple quick instrumentals on the organ, the show gets started. Connie is in a rush, and doesn't have time to read her mail. Mrs. Davis finds what she thinks is an important letter, a job offer from an upscale school. The worried landlady warns the Conklins in hopes of preventing our favorite english teacher from leaving her happy home at Madison High. She doesn't realize though, that the letter is five years old. At school, Mr. Boynton plans a secret trip with Miss Brooks to study nature out in the country. The trip just adds to the confusion and misunderstanding as Connie's friends try to convince her to stay.
Bonus Track: Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. Have I told You Lately that I Love You?
Ozzie arrives home and finds Harriet worrying over some new drapes that she bought. The boys are worried over a school test. Ozzie does his best to cheer everybody up. He visits the corner drug store for some ice cream and to chat with a couple of his friends. The magazine that Harriet wanted him to pick up is full of questionaires that spark Ozzie's imagination. Soon he can hardly sleep for worrying. He's a frazzled, nervous wreck. His previous pep talks to his family have worked wonders, but now he is just a little cranky over the same situations. Now, it's up to Harriet to pull him out of his dumps.
Bonus Track:Lucky Millander. 1942. Big Fat Mama
Sponsered by Crisco. Written by Paul Rymer. The show was one of the leaders in the afternoon serials. A soap opera of sorts. Since the sponser was Crisco, maybe we should call them a shortening opera? Though not jam-packed full of jokes, the humor had a subtle approach in the way the characters interacted. Vic was prone to absurd plays on words, and though not mentioned in these episodes, was deeply involved in his lodge. An activity that Sade considered silly, but she tolerated it. Sade had her own pet phrases, and was one who was intent on keeping up social appearances.
One notable feature of the show was that it was written entirely by Paul Rymer. Every episode for the long run of the series, something like over 6000 of them, came from the mind of only one person. Legend has it that when a show was running short for time, Paul Rhymer would be in the other room, typing up extra pages of enough dialog to finish out the show.
430318ApplerotPicksOnDottie. Vic and Sade relax after work. Sade reads a letter from her sister, but something is bothering her. With some prodding by Vic, she spills the beans about being upset over two of her friends picking on each other.
30331BrainfeeblesHouseWarming. Vic is putting the finishing touches on some office work that he brought home when Sade comes in. She has some important society news that just can't wait, and fills Vic in on the happenings at Mrs. Brainfeeble's housewarming party.
430412DottiesNewDress. Relaxing at home, and trying to read the newspaper, Sade wants Vic to go to their neighbors for an evening of entertainment. Well, entertaining for Sade to check out Dottie's new dress. Upon arriving, Vic reveals another of his quirks. his fantasy about being a cowboy. Their host, Mr. Brainfeeble shows his set of dueling pistols, and a cowboy hat. Vic goes bonkers with the cowboy gear, and has a good time after all. Though Sade's fun evening turns out to be a dud.
Bonus Track: BenSelvin_ThankYourFather
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