The Second World War has been referred to as "a radio war," simply because radio was such an integral part of relaying information to the public about bond drives, rationing, the latest news, and other aspects of living on the home front, but radio was probably the most special for Americans on the frontlines. Imagine … Continue reading During World War Two: On the Air
We’ve Just Begun To Fight
I don't know about anyone else, but discovering old-time radio was a real ear-opening experience. OK, yes, that's a lame pun, but I couldn't resist. Anyway, when I found the now sadly out-of-print Radio Spirits collection, America At War, I encountered a whole raft of Lux Radio Theatre versions of movies I had never heard … Continue reading We’ve Just Begun To Fight
Rockets, Auks, and Arch Oboler
If you've been hanging around my blog for any length of time, you know I'm a big fan of radio playwright Arch Oboler. Best-known for his work on Lights Out and his own series, Arch Oboler's Plays, Oboler could take the most mundane ideas and make them fresh and compelling. He had a busy mind, and like many writers, … Continue reading Rockets, Auks, and Arch Oboler
Radio Days
In this age of ubiquitous digital media, it's always interesting to look back at a time when broadcasting was newer, cruder, and a much, much bigger deal. 1941's The Great American Broadcast is a film that does just that. The film opens at an airport in 1919, where pilot Rix Martin (John Payne) taxis his … Continue reading Radio Days
Goooooood Morning, Vietnam!
Welcome, Robin fans... Robin Williams is a loved fella. For my part, I was a big Mork and Mindy fan as a very young child. At least as much as Mom and Dad would let me, anyway, but I did have the suspenders. Oh, yes. I wore those things as often as I could. I remember when … Continue reading Goooooood Morning, Vietnam!
Lionel On the Air
Lionel Barrymore was a towering actor, but unfortunately he had to deal with severe physical pain after the mid-nineteen-thirties, which limited his prospects somewhat. The possible causes range from rheumatoid arthritis to a drawing room table falling on him in 1936, to breaking a kneecap, to hip injuries. No one knows for sure. Some think … Continue reading Lionel On the Air
Reblog: Screen Guild Theatre July 4th Triple Feature
Happy Independence Day to all my American readers! Hope you like Aurora’s new post as much as I did. 🙂
A special post honoring Independence Day with Screen Guild Theater radio adaptations of three patriotic classic movies. Enjoy!
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Starring: James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston, Jeanne Cagney, Richard Whorf, S.C. Sokol, Charles Irwin
A Yank in the R.A.F.
Starring: Tyrone Power, Betty Grable, John Sutton, Pat O’Malley
Take a Letter, Darling
Starring: Rosalind Russell, Cary Grant (in the part played by Fred MacMurray in the film version) and Edward Everett Johnson
The Guild, Gulf Oil and CBS bring The Screen Guild Show to the air:
The Gulf Oil Corporation sponsored the first four seasons of The Screen Guild Show – from 1939 to the Summer of 1942. The program was called The Gulf Screen Guild Show for its first season, and The Gulf Screen Guild Theatre for Seasons Two through Four. The reasoning for the name change was simply a natural progression in the type of productions…
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Reblog: Have a Happy Easter with Old-Time Radio
Don’t know about you, but I can’t resist a good radio show. Happy Easter, everyone!
Happy Easter to one and all!
The night is over, the sun is tall.
The day did break with a tiny beam
And flooded life with Light supreme.
― Paul F. Kortepeter, Holly Pond Hill: A Child’s Book of Easter
Here’s wishing you and yours an old-fashioned, happy Easter.
Ann Miller
You can find a collection of vintage Easter images here.
If you prefer the sounds of the season enjoy these old-time radio shows courtesy of supreme talents in entertainment…
From April 5, 1953 it’s The Jack Benny Program with “Easter Parade”
Stars of The Jack Benny Program: Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson, Dennis Day, Mary Livingstone, Jack, Don Wilson & Phil Harris
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From March 27, 1948 it’s The Life of Riley with “The Giant Easter Bunny Fertilizer”
Life of Riley radio cast
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From April 2, 1944 it’s The Charlie McCarthy Show Easter entry with guest stars Orson…
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The Infamous Mr. Oboler
Radio shows are kind of enigmatic to my generation. My parents and grandparents listened to them, but all I knew about that sort of thing were the Christian audio dramas I heard on Family Radio sometimes. Yes, they do exist. No offense to anyone who likes them, but the ones I heard in the eighties … Continue reading The Infamous Mr. Oboler
Taking Up Room 