Baby Snooks, or George Burns and Gracie Allen are my favorites.
The Shadow and Twilight Zone are good, too.
The Shadow and Twilight Zone are good, too.
Fans of Old Time Radio?
- Thread starter TonyH
- Start date
I like Old Time Radio a lot too. When I was younger, I picked up a lot of old programs on cassette. Mostly horror/suspense and serials like "The Shadow." As much fun as it is to listen to tapes (and now CDs), I always thought that it was exciting to actually hear a broadcast on the radio. I'll even admit to a soft spot for cornball programs like "The Prairie Home Companion."
But the coolest experience that I ever had was on a solo drive across country when I was changing duty stations. I was crossing into Texas late at night in my old Land Cruiser with nothing but an AM radio for company. I was driving through the night from Texarkana because I didn't have any AC and that armor plated monstrosity was like a sauna in the direct sun. Searching the channels, I hit a broadcast of old episodes of Dragnet. The signal stayed strong all night and I listened to them until I pulled into a diner in Van Horn, Texas for breakfast. Then I finally lost it. I read somewhere that an episode of Dragnet was like listening to one long bass solo. That it was.
But the coolest experience that I ever had was on a solo drive across country when I was changing duty stations. I was crossing into Texas late at night in my old Land Cruiser with nothing but an AM radio for company. I was driving through the night from Texarkana because I didn't have any AC and that armor plated monstrosity was like a sauna in the direct sun. Searching the channels, I hit a broadcast of old episodes of Dragnet. The signal stayed strong all night and I listened to them until I pulled into a diner in Van Horn, Texas for breakfast. Then I finally lost it. I read somewhere that an episode of Dragnet was like listening to one long bass solo. That it was.
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Oh my, it's been a great season for OTR. It's a black winter over here, raining and without any snow or sub-zero temperatures to mention. Very noir. So I've been listening to old detective stories from the Archive and Great Detectives podcast, which have proved to be perfect companion for the lazy Christmas holidays.
Love OTR and listen to it most of the time when I listen to radio. I enjoy programs in all genres but just to name a few off the top of my head I'll go with Gunsmoke, The Lone Ranger, Jack Benny, shows by Arch Obler, Wyllis Cooper, Norman Corwin, and Fred Allen
OTR is best listened to on an OT radio.
The most stylish set for your office or den would be the Gentleman's portable, the Zenith Trans-Oceanic. A 600 series from the late 1950's, in good working order, would run about US$100 on da Bay. They can also be used during outdoor sporting activities on your yacht or at a picnic.
I have one of those . I wished it looked that good though. My Grandpa and Father used to listen to it when my Father was a child. I hope to find somewhere to restore it to working condition. I have the original headphones for it and there's an A size battery inside
Just got started. I'm really liking the Johnny Dollar serials they run on the great detectives of old time radio podcast. Reminds me of film noir
http://www.camdenantiqueradioservice.com/repair.htm
I've used this guy. He has a long lead time, but does great work.
Count me in. I'm particularly fond of CBS Radio Mystery Theater (which was produced for many years). There are over a thousand episodes if I recall right. Lots of great stuff in three acts.
I collected them all in the days of Napster, but lo and behold, there mostly all available online these days!
Edited: Just noticed this is a necropost from 2009. Hope people are still into OTR!
I collected them all in the days of Napster, but lo and behold, there mostly all available online these days!
Edited: Just noticed this is a necropost from 2009. Hope people are still into OTR!
OTR is best listened to on an OT radio.
The most stylish set for your office or den would be the Gentleman's portable, the Zenith Trans-Oceanic. A 600 series from the late 1950's, in good working order, would run about US$100 on da Bay. They can also be used during outdoor sporting activities on your yacht or at a picnic.
Yup- I love to listen to old time radio. Every weeknight about 10pm, I turn on Zoomer Radio- 740am out of Toronto. They have theater of the mind. A 30 min suspense or western, usually followed by a comedy. Most times I listen on my 1958 GE Tube clock radio while laying in bed. Sometimes I listen on my 1948 Philco in the kitchen.
Check out the Radio Attic- they have a great selection of radios. Most all have been electronically restored to provide many years of great quality sound. Discalimer- I have zero affiliation with them, other than being a happy customer.
http://www.radioattic.com/new.htm
I have that model pictured above but I have no idea where to get it serviced. I live in Central New York.
There are lots of places that do repair and restore work. I'll send you a link tomorrow.
Thanks. I really want to get it up and running and integrate into my entertainment center. It has been in the family for quite sometime and I have stored it with loving care. You are a gentleman and a scholar.
Jack Benny died 39 years ago.
This is a CBS Special produced right after his death.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rXNNDoDKq5U&desktop_uri=/watch?v=rXNNDoDKq5U
This is a CBS Special produced right after his death.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rXNNDoDKq5U&desktop_uri=/watch?v=rXNNDoDKq5U
When it comes to favorite series, I still haven't made a connection with any series as deep as with The Adventures of Philip Marlowe. I love the scripts (the spirit of Raymond Chandler being behind those, so no suprise), actors and all.
Just listen to this, for example.
Archive: Red Wind (June 17th, 1947)
As for listening, I've been quite happy with my Squeezebox Radio (now UE Radio), which are quite cheap these days but are more or less perfect for the job if you ask me.
Amazon: Smart UE Radio
Just listen to this, for example.
Archive: Red Wind (June 17th, 1947)
As for listening, I've been quite happy with my Squeezebox Radio (now UE Radio), which are quite cheap these days but are more or less perfect for the job if you ask me.
Amazon: Smart UE Radio
In addition to the ones already mentioned, you might want to try:
The Magnificent Montague https://archive.org/details/The_Magnificent_Montague
Life of Riley https://archive.org/details/LifeOfRiley441112BigFootballBet
Fred Allen https://archive.org/details/FredAllen--townHallTonight1935-1939
The Internet Archive is really a great resource for OTR. https://archive.org/search.php?query=subject:"OTR"
While not strictly "old time" radio, Jean Shepherd was an icon of the airwaves in his day. He's a good listen when you are driving or just puttering around. His stories ramble all over the place, but don't be fooled - he knows where he's going! For a sample: https://archive.org/details/JeanShepherd1965Pt1
If you like Dragnet, then have a listen to Squad Cars, a police drama from South Africa, made in the 1960's. It's a strange combination of Dragnet and The Avengers (the TV series with Diana Rigg). Even the Chevrolet ads are familiar, but from an alternate universe!
The Magnificent Montague https://archive.org/details/The_Magnificent_Montague
Life of Riley https://archive.org/details/LifeOfRiley441112BigFootballBet
Fred Allen https://archive.org/details/FredAllen--townHallTonight1935-1939
The Internet Archive is really a great resource for OTR. https://archive.org/search.php?query=subject:"OTR"
While not strictly "old time" radio, Jean Shepherd was an icon of the airwaves in his day. He's a good listen when you are driving or just puttering around. His stories ramble all over the place, but don't be fooled - he knows where he's going! For a sample: https://archive.org/details/JeanShepherd1965Pt1
If you like Dragnet, then have a listen to Squad Cars, a police drama from South Africa, made in the 1960's. It's a strange combination of Dragnet and The Avengers (the TV series with Diana Rigg). Even the Chevrolet ads are familiar, but from an alternate universe!
Thanks for the restoration links everyone
Oh yeah - a huge OTR fan here. I listen to XM Radio 82 (Old Time Radio) often, as well as my own extensive collection. Yours Truly Johnny Dollar is probably my favorite, but I listen to a wide variety.
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