Showing results by author "Entertainment Radio" in All Categories

"Big Jon and Sparkie" (sometimes written as "Big John and Sparkie") was a popular children's radio show in the 1950s, created by and starring Jon Arthur.Here are some key facts about the show:Hosts: The show featured "Big Jon" (voiced by Jon Arthur) and "Sparkie," who was portrayed as a "little elf from the land of make-believe" but thought and acted like a real boy. Sparkie's voice was actually Jon Arthur's recorded voice played at a fast speed. Jon Arthur also voiced almost all the other characters in the show.Concept: While intended for children, the show was also popular with adults due ...

The "Bulldog Drummond" radio show was a popular American crime drama that aired from April 13, 1941, to March 28, 1954, primarily on the Mutual Broadcasting System.Based on the character created by British author H.C. McNeile (writing as "Sapper"), Captain Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond was a British World War I veteran turned gentleman adventurer whose hobby was crime detection. The radio series, initially set in Great Britain, quickly moved its setting to the United States and was sometimes known as "The American Adventures of Bulldog Drummond."The show was known for its distinctive opening, ...

This show had a great cast, starring Harry Von Zell as attorney Bill Smith, Brenda Marshall as his wife Nancy, and featuring British star Arthur Treacher as Sir Cecil Smythe, their snooty British relative. Jan Ford played daughter Shirley, better known as Bumps.Smiths of Hollywood the Smiths everyday adventures are a little more fantastic than a real average families are, since being in Hollywood naturally means that such stars as Lucille Ball, William Holden, and Ann Sheridan are prone to drop by. But they're just plain folk off-screen, just like you or me. Good thing there's a solid cast of ...

"Let George Do It" was a popular American radio drama series that aired from October 18, 1946, to September 27, 1954. It was produced by Owen and Pauline Vinson.Plot Summary: The show centered around George Valentine, a private investigator who advertised his services with a unique classified ad: "Personal notice: Danger's my stock-in-trade. If the job's too tough for you to handle, you've got a job for me, George Valentine. Write full details!"Initially, the series had a lighter, more comedic tone, with George being a "freelance troubleshooter" involved in a variety of cases, including ...

The "Buster Brown" character, famous from the comic strip and as the mascot for Brown Shoe Company, also had a popular radio series that aired from 1943.Here's a closer look at the "Buster Brown" radio series:Host: The show was primarily hosted by "Smilin' Ed" McConnell. He was a well-known radio personality, a jovial figure who would often incorporate songs and folksy humor into his programs. McConnell was also known for his ability to adapt his persona for various audiences, including those with religious or agricultural themes.Sponsor: As expected, the show was closely identified with its ...

This series was written by Michael McCabe and was produced in South Africa. It was a replacement for another series McCabe produced, called SF68. That series adapted famous Sci-fi stories to radio, and it seems to have been the place where McCabe honed his craft. The subject matter to Beyond Midnight was more horror oriented, including madness, murder, and supernatural sleuths! What survives today doesn't involve a horror host per se, but a few include framing narration (by someone involved in the plot) while others just start up the story with no announcer or lead-in whatsoever. So it's ...

"Bright Star," also known as "The Irene Dunne-Fred MacMurray Show," was a 30-minute, 52-episode radio comedy-drama broadcast in 1952-53. It was syndicated by Ziv.The show starred screen veterans Irene Dunne as Susan Armstrong, the editor of the struggling "Hillsdale Morning Star" newspaper, and Fred MacMurray as her idealistic ace reporter, George Harvey. The storyline followed their misadventures as they tried to keep the newspaper afloat despite constant financial difficulties.Despite the popularity and talent of its two stars, the show only ran for one season. It is remembered for its ...

Opening in 1875, the Crime Museum at Scotland Yard is the oldest museum in the world purely for recording crime. The name “Black Museum” was coined in 1877 by a reporter from “The Observer”, a London newspaper, although the museum is still referred to as the Crime Museum. It is this museum that inspired The Black Museum radio series, produced in London by Harry Alan Towers.The Black MuseumFrom Jay Hickerson’s “The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide to All Circulating Shows”, the earliest US broadcast date was January 1, 1952. Thirty-nine shows, from the full ...

The Dragnet radio show was a groundbreaking and influential police procedural drama that ran on NBC from 1949 to 1957. Here are some key things to know about it:Main Features:Focus: The show followed the cases of Sergeant Joe Friday and his partners, primarily in the Los Angeles Police Department. It depicted the real-life work of detectives, including the tedious investigation process, interviews, stakeouts, and occasional danger.Realism: Jack Webb, the show's creator and star, aimed for authenticity. Episodes were often based on real cases, with details changed to protect the innocent. The ...

"Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator" was a popular detective drama that aired on NBC Radio from October 3, 1951, to June 30, 1955.Here are some key facts about the show:Protagonist: Barrie Craig was a private detective who worked alone from his Madison Avenue office in New York City. Unlike some of the more hard-boiled detectives of the era, Craig was known for his laid-back personality.Starring: William Gargan, who also played a similar role in "Martin Kane, Private Eye," lent his voice to Barrie Craig.Supporting Cast: Ralph Bell played his associate, Lt. Travis Rogers, and Parker ...

"Calling All Cars" was a pioneering old-time radio police drama in the United States, known for being one of the earliest of its genre. It aired from November 29, 1933, to September 8, 1939.Here's a breakdown of key aspects of the series:Format and Plot: The show dramatized actual cases handled by the Los Angeles Police Department. A typical episode would begin by outlining the facts of a crime, introduce individuals involved, follow with a dramatization culminating in an arrest, and conclude with the outcome of a trial. The overarching theme was "crime does not pay," emphasizing that a life ...

Ah, the thrilling adventures of Jungle Jim! The name itself conjures up images of vine-swinging escapades, fearsome jungle beasts, and daring rescues. But did you know Jungle Jim wasn't just a comic strip hero? He also had a long-running radio show that captivated audiences from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s.Here's a crash course on the Jungle Jim radio show:The Hero and His Helpers:Jungle Jim Bradley: A brave and resourceful adventurer who navigates the treacherous jungles of Asia. He's often described as a modern-day Tarzan, but with a business suit tucked away for his rare trips back to ...

Amos 'n' Andy is an American radio and television sitcom set in Harlem, the historic center of Afro-American culture in New York City. The original radio show, which ran from 1928 to 1960, was created, written and voiced by two white actors, Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll, who played Amos Jones (Gosden) and Andrew Hogg Brown (Correll), as well as incidental characters.Listen to our radio station Old Time Radiohttps://link.radioking.com/otradioListen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the ...

The Golden Age of Radio: A Spotlight on the Academy Award Theater Radio ShowThe Academy Award Theater radio show, a gem from the golden age of radio, holds a special place in the annals of broadcasting history. This CBS radio anthology series, which aired from March to December 1946, presented 30-minute adaptations of plays, novels, or films, featuring Hollywood's finest actors and actresses who had been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.The show was a testament to the era's love for drama and storytelling, where radio was the primary source of entertainment for ...

Blackstone, the Magic Detective, otherwise known as Blackstone, the Magician, was based on the life story of Harry Blackstone, who is considered as “the world’s greatest magician.” Ed Jerome starred as Blackstone, alongside Ted Osborne and Fran Carlon as John and Rhoda, respectively.The show’s format was pretty much similar to Orson Welles’ Black Museum, where he picks an object kept in a museum, then explain the crime story about it. In Blackstone, the Magic Detective, the John picks an item at Blackstone’s studio, then Blackstone and Rhoda will tell John their adventure with that...

The Adventures of Horatio Hornblower (1952-1953)Starring: Michael Redgrave as Horatio Hornblower.Production: Produced by Harry Towers through his Towers of London syndicate in England.Broadcast: This 30-minute historical action and adventure series first aired in 1952 on Radio Luxembourg. Despite being produced in England, the BBC wasn't interested, so it was sent to the United States.US Broadcasts: CBS originally broadcast 52 episodes until July 17, 1953. It was later rebroadcast by ABC in 1954 and the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1957.Content: The series followed Hornblower's career from a ...

"All Star Western Theatre" was a popular vintage radio show from the mid-1940s, known for its unique blend of adventure, musical variety, drama, and comedy set in the American West.Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:Broadcast Period: The show premiered in June 1946 on the CBS Pacific Network, originating from KNX in Hollywood, and enjoyed two years of popularity. In 1948, it moved to KHJ and the Mutual Radio Network.Format: "All Star Western Theatre" wasn't just a drama; it incorporated various elements:High-stakes adventures: Gripping narratives set in the Wild West, featuring characters ...

Exploring the Legacy of 'Alien Worlds': A Pioneer of Science Fiction RadioIn the late 1970s, a groundbreaking radio show captured the imaginations of science fiction enthusiasts with its innovative approach to storytelling. 'Alien Worlds' was a syndicated radio show that brought together a blend of captivating narratives, realistic sound effects, and high production values, setting a new standard for audio drama.Created by Lee Hansen, 'Alien Worlds' aired 26 half-hour episodes from 1978 to 1980. The show was ahead of its time, utilizing a documentary style of dialogue that immersed listeners ...

The Allure of the ABC Mystery Radio ShowThe golden age of radio brought with it a genre that captivated audiences with its blend of suspense, intrigue, and drama: the mystery radio show. Among the pantheon of these beloved broadcasts stood the ABC Mystery Radio Show, a program that epitomized the essence of auditory storytelling through its anthology of crime and mystery tales.The ABC Mystery Radio Show, also known simply as Mystery Theater, was an American radio anthology series that aired in the 1950s. It featured a variety of stories that often centered around Inspector Mark Saber, a ...

Author's Playhouse was a radio anthology series that aired during the 1940s, showcasing a wide range of dramatic adaptations from classic and contemporary literary works. It was known for its high production values, strong performances, and commitment to bringing compelling storytelling to the airwaves.You might appreciate how Author's Playhouse balanced dramatic depth with engaging narratives. Its episodes often featured well-crafted character studies and emotional arcs that made them memorable. Are you thinking about creating imagery for it, or just exploring its legacy?Listen to our radio ...