Author Archives: oldradioshows
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
Arch Oboler’s Sounds
It we consider radio drama as an art form, three great names stand out as masters; Orson Welles, Norman Corwin, and Arch Oboler. Of the three, Arch Oboler could almost be counted as a forgotten or over-looked genius. Oboler was … Continue reading
Halloween the Whole Year ‘Round: Himan Brown and the Horror Host
Himan Brown was one of radios foremost pioneers and an advocate for the medium long after the commercial sponsors had given up on radio drama. His name is attached to an impressive number of OTR programs in all genres, but … Continue reading
Science Fiction from the Mutual Network
The Mutual Network was in many ways the “little brother” of the Big Four radio networks. However being small lead to the need to be innovative on many occasions. One example is the world of adult Science Fiction. The anthology … Continue reading
Ann Blyth in Old Time Radio
As inspirational as it is to learn about Stars who continue to work and entertain well into their advanced years, sometimes it is even more gratifying when we hear about someone who is willing, even anxious to leave the Hollywood … Continue reading