Showing results by author "Entertainment Radio" in All Categories

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

"The Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen" was indeed a popular American radio adventure serial that aired from 1933 to 1937. It was created by two World War I flying aces, Bob Burtt and Bill Moore, and originated from WDAF-FM in Kansas City, Missouri.Here's some additional information about the show:Target Audience: The serial was primarily aimed at children and teenagers. It capitalized on the growing fascination with aviation during the "Golden Age of Aviation" in the 1930s.Sponsorship and Promotion: The original and primary sponsor was Skelly Oil Company. They used the show as a major ...

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was a popular American radio and television series that presented an idealized vision of American family life. While it's most famous for its long run on television, it actually began as a highly successful radio show.Radio Show Details:Broadcast Run: The radio version of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet aired from 1944 to 1954.Stars: It starred the real-life Nelson family: Ozzie Nelson, his wife Harriet Hilliard Nelson, and their sons, David and Ricky Nelson.Format: The show depicted the daily lives, minor dilemmas, and humorous situations of the Nelson ...

Adventures by Morse Production Dates: While some sources mention the entire series being broadcast in 1944, it's more accurately described as being produced in the mid-1940s, specifically from 1944 to 1945. Advertisements for broadcasts have been found as late as 1946 and 1949.Episode Structure: The 52 episodes were presented in 13-episode blocks, with each block typically containing two stories: a ten-chapter story followed by a three-chapter story.Characters: The series followed the exploits of two globe-trotting private detectives from San Francisco: Captain Bart Friday (portrayed by ...

"Afloat with Henry Morgan" was a radio show. It was an Australian series that aired around 1933.Key details about the show:Target Audience: It was primarily dedicated to young listeners.Format: Each episode was about 12 minutes long.Episodes: There were 52 episodes in the series.Producer and Star: The show was produced by and starred George Edwards, a prolific Australian radio personality known for also producing series like "Frankenstein" and "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde." Edwards was often called "the Man With A Thousand Voices" because he played a variety of characters in his ...

The Archie Andrews radio show (which ran from 1943-1953) was a direct spin-off of the popular teenage comic strip by Bob Montana. It was a teenage situation comedy that brought the beloved characters of Riverdale to the airwaves, focusing on the comedic escapades and everyday dilemmas of high school life.Here's a synopsis of the general plot and themes:Central Character: The show revolves around Archie Andrews, a well-meaning but often clumsy and easily distracted high school student. He's a typical American teenager of the 1940s and early 1950s, navigating school, friends, and the ...

“Nick Harris Detective” was an old-time radio show that dramatized the cases of Nicholas Boilvin Harris, a renowned private detective in Los Angeles. The real Nick Harris started as a police reporter for the LA Times before joining the LAPD at the captain’s request. He later founded his own detective agency and a professional detective school. His popularity and success led to the creation of the radio show, which aired from 1923 until 1942, making it one of the longest-running detectives shows of its time.The show was known for its thrilling and complex cases, often rivaling those of ...

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

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

George Burns and Gracie Allen was one of the funniest duos in the history of American comedy. Both came from vaudeville, where they performed from childhood, honing their skills. When they met and decided to work together, they created an act that is unforgettable. While their earlier shows continued their standup vaudeville act, they gradually transformed their format to create one of the earliest situation comedies.The two employed running gags, including George’s purported jealousy of Gracie’s latest crush, and Gracie’s search for her missing brother—a gimmick that was incorporated ...

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

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

Michael Shayne, Private Detective (1944-1948) was the inaugural iteration of the series, with Wally Maher lending his voice to the character of Michael Shayne. Broadcast on the West Coast Mutual network, this version stood out for its lighter tone in comparison to subsequent adaptations. Notably, Shayne’s investigative hub was located in Oakland, California, a departure from the more conventional Miami settingThe series delved into intriguing mysteries, and its protagonist, Michael Shayne, navigated the twists and turns of each case with wit and determination. While the later ...

Europe Confidential, a classic from the golden age of radio! It takes you on thrilling adventures through the cobbled streets and smoky cafes of Europe.Genre: Mystery, espionageEra: Likely 1940s or 1950s based on the contentHost: The distinctive voice of Basil Rathbone, known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, sets the scene for each episode.Main Character: Mike Connoy, a sharp American newspaper reporter stationed in Paris, stumbles upon international intrigue and unravels mysteries the police can't crack.Cases: Expect international espionage, wartime secrets spilling over into the ...