Author Archives: oldradioshows
Christmas Episodes: Bergen & McCarthy and Great Gildersleeve
Christmas is too special of a holiday to be restricted to just one or two days. Yes, the Big Guy in Red coming down the Chimney and filling the stockings, followed by the kids ripping into all those beautifully wrapped … Continue reading
Recommended Series For First Time OTR Listeners
There are so many facets to the world of Old Time Radio, it is hard to know where to start enjoying it. The truth is there is so much to enjoy in OTR, it is easy to imagine that almost … Continue reading
Singin Sam “Barbasol Man”
When we study the personalities of Old Time Radio, every once in a while we encounter the story of what appears to be a very happy man. One such person was Harry Frankel, better known as Singin’ Sam. Harry was … Continue reading
Old Time Radio Crime Shows
Die hard fans of Old Time Radio would have us believe that there is something in the OTR world for everyone, and to a great extent they are correct. Many of us find that we have favorites in every … Continue reading
Let Yours Truly, Bob Bailey, Do It!
Bob Bailey was “born in a theater trunk” in Toledo, Ohio, to traveling-performer parents. Bob first hit the stage at the age of six. As a young man he began performing on the radio in Chicago, which was a hub … Continue reading
Top Secret: “Unknown Mission”
Assassination for political or military reasons, unpleasant though it may be to think about, is a tool of statecraft and strategic practice. Nonetheless, assassination is murder, and it exacts a moral toll on those who practice it. State sanctioned assassination … Continue reading
Walter Tetley: Old Time Radio’s Beloved Actor had a Lonely Story
Walter Tetley is one of Radio’s most beloved character actors also had one of the era’s saddest, and loneliest stories. Walter Tetley practically cornered the market as the “fresh-mouthed kid” character on radio. The precocious kid, who always managed to … Continue reading
Soap Operas in Old Time Radio
It doesn’t seem long ago that homes with multiple television sets were becoming common place. Then it became rare to find a house that didn’t have some sort of high speed connection to the Internet. Now it is common to … Continue reading
Good Night Debbie Reynolds
For all the glitz and glamour of Golden Age Hollywood, there is a definite sadness as the players from that time are leaving us. The sadness is compounded when we realize that even after a full life many of these … Continue reading
AFRTS: Armed Forces Network Radio
The Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS, also going by the brand AFN, Armed Forces Network) operate one of the largest Satellite Television and Radio systems in the world. The service was and is considered vital to the morale … Continue reading