# Old Time Radio Shows! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 3, 2005, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248 "2005-11-03T05:01:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/21 "2005-11-03T20:44:36Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > I think that I listened to a lot of soap operas besides _One Man’s Family._ I just can’t remember the names --maybe one called _Backstage Life_ or _Backstage Wife_. _Backstage Wife_ (the title character was so identified with the program that the show’s name is often erroneosly remembered as [_Mary Noble, Backstage Wife_](http://www.radiomemories.com/radiomemories/backstagewife.html)) > [@](#): > > Was there a show called _The FBI_? Both [_This Is Your FBI_](http://www.otrcat.com/thisisyourfbi.htm) and [_The FBI in Peace and War_](http://www.otrcat.com/fbipw.htm) aired during the 1940’s and '50’s. > [@](#): > > Was _My Friend Irma_ on the radio as well as TV? [Indeed it was.](http://www.related-pages.com/oldtimeradio/index.asp?cat=Comedy&subcat=My%20Friend%20Irma) (Is the radio pictured on that page similar to your old floor model? I was born in 1959, and thus don’t remember the heyday of these shows, but my parents both listened avidly. My brother bought my dad a stand-up radio – with _tubes!_ – at a flea market a few years ago. For a time, a station in Cleveland was playing old-time radio, but switched to Morton Downey Jr.'s program after a call-in vote determined more listeners preferred Mort.) > [@](#): > > I _think_ I remember someone reading the funny papers aloud on the radio and describing them as he read. Were you living in New York City in 1945? If so, you apparently remember Mayor [Fiorello LaGuardia](http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/biographies/laguardia/) reading the Sunday comics over the air during a newspaper strike. Of course, this act may have inspired imitators in other cities, or could have followed an example set by other broadcasters. > [@](#): > > My favorite children’s radio show was called _Let’s Pretend._ I still remember the theme song: > > _Cream of Wheat – It’s so good to eat and we eat it every day…_ Well, if you ever meet my mother, you’ll be able to bond with her instantly… 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/22 "2005-11-03T20:52:11Z")
I have several tapes of those shows. The Shadow, Inner Sanctum, The Green Hornet, jack Benny, Edgar Bergan. I havn’t listened to any of them in a long time, but I might dig them out again. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/23 "2005-11-03T21:08:07Z")
Bob and Ray had a character called “Mary Backstayge, Noble Wife”. I’ve often flirted with the idea of changing my user name to Mary Backstayge. Speaking of which, does anyone know where I can find old Bob and Ray shows? Their stuff reads beautifully and I’d love to hear it performed. Robin ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/24 "2005-11-03T21:12:03Z")
BBC’s \*I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again \* from the 60’s and early 70’s still has an active fan base, and for good reason. It was absolutely freakin’ hilarious. It starred John Cleese (among others) and all you Monty Python fans out there have absolutely got to check out this screamingly funny show. I get the giggles just thinking aboutg their \*Star Trek \* parody. Get yourself some MP3’s of this series as fast as you can so that you, too, may know the glory of the Angus Prune Tune and some of the most astonishingly bad puns you’ve ever heard in your life. All in all, you probably can’t go too badly wrong with an anthology series like \*Suspense, Escape, Lights Out, \* or _Inner Sanctum._ For comedy, try _Our Miss Brook, Duffy’s Tavern_ and _The Great Gildersleeve._ And of course, don’t forget _Dragnet_ and _Gunsmoke._ The episodes here all tend to be self-contained, and it shouldn’t be hard to get into the series. Fair warning, though. You will at least sometimes encounter racial stereotypes that weren’t even noticed back then but are considered insensitive and offensive today. They may make you uncomfortable. On the other hand, cultural contrasts between then and now can add a certain fascination. It always feels a bit strange to hear Jack Webb explaining how 4 out of 5 doctors recommend Chesterfields cigarettes and touting the health benefits of tobacco. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/25 "2005-11-03T21:37:00Z")
I remember a 15-minute serial program carried in the early-mid 1950’s by St. Louis’ KFUO, a PBS-type religious station owed, I believe, by Eden Seminary. I don’t know if the show was syndicated or not. It was a children’s show, and took place at a veternarian’s office. Anytime after a musical theme was played, we (the audience) would be privy to the animals conversing (in English). The animals, of course, could hear and understand the humans, but not vice versa. It was clever, at least for a kid. I can’t remember any names. Anyone recognize this one? I even recall one continuing story line, where the humans discover oil oozing up in the back yard, and talk about how they are going to get rich. Then they notice their heating oil tank is getting low, and… Of course, the animals knew it all along. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/26 "2005-11-03T21:38:50Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > When I was a kid in the '70s I used to like to listen to _[CBS] Radio Mystery Theatre_. Me, too! I’d put it on every night when I went to bed. I _loved_ being scared to sleep! ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/27 "2005-11-03T21:43:00Z")
> [@Max Torque](#): > > _Five Minute Mysteries_ was a bit too transparent and far-fetched, and that organ music got old real fast. Probably the source of inspiration for Michael Nesmith’s _Five Second Theatre_ parody. It went by real fast. ---
**Author:** ![NE\_Texan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e99b99/32.png) [@NE\_Texan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NE_Texan)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/28 "2005-11-03T22:31:46Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > I’m a fan of radio drama: > Fourth Tower of Inverness (& other Jack Flanders) tho they are a bit new agey Hey, I’m a fan of these as well! If anyone’s interested in any _New_ time radio shows, I recommend popping over to [www.zbs.org](http://www.zbs.org) and checking out their selection. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/29 "2005-11-03T22:41:00Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > BBC’s \*I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again \* from the 60’s and early 70’s still has an active fan base, and for good reason. It was absolutely freakin’ hilarious. It starred John Cleese (among others) and all you Monty Python fans out there have absolutely got to check out this screamingly funny show. I get the giggles just thinking aboutg their \*Star Trek \* parody. Get yourself some MP3’s of this series as fast as you can so that you, too, may know the glory of the Angus Prune Tune and some of the most astonishingly bad puns you’ve ever heard in your life. I agree enthusiastically. This show is a MUST listen for MP fans. Eric Idle and IIRC Graham Chapman did some writing for it. Each episode is broadcast on BBC7 on Mondays and can be heard online for the next week here: [http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/monday/](http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/monday/) Radio Australia broadcasts it once a week on Tuesday (currently at 12:30 PM on Monday in Chicago). [http://www.abc.net.au/rn/schedule/tue.htm](http://www.abc.net.au/rn/schedule/tue.htm). You can also listen online. In the past I’ve heard a few episodes here that BBC7 hasn’t played. And if you like old BBC quiz shows, check out “My Word!” and “My Music” on Radio Australia on Wednesdays and Thursdays (Tuesdays and Thursdays in the US). A selection of about 70 programs is being syndicated on some NPR stations, and some of them have webcasts. Check this site for times: [http://www.publicradiofan.com/](http://www.publicradiofan.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/30 "2005-11-03T22:47:22Z")
> [@Max Torque](#): > > In particular, I liked the commercials run during that show, which were quite quaint (“Every man looks better in an Adam Hat! Only five dollars!”). My favorite radioa advertisement is from one of the earlier sponsors of “Suspense”: _Roma wines, yes Roma Wines. That’s R-O-M-A. Those excellent California wines that add so much pleasure to the way you live. Yes, right now a glassful would be very pleasant as you listen to…SUSPENSE._ You’d never see a Coke add saying “Right now a glass of coke would be very pleasant, as you watch Seinfeld.” > [@](#): > > Speaking of which, does anyone know where I can find old Bob and Ray shows? Their stuff reads beautifully and I’d love to hear it performed. Sure, they sell it on at least some of the OTR links above – [otrcat.com](http://otrcat.com) definitely has it. > [@](#): > > Fair warning, though. You will at least sometimes encounter racial stereotypes that weren’t even noticed back then but are considered insensitive and offensive today. They may make you uncomfortable. On the other hand, cultural contrasts between then and now can add a certain fascination. Which brings us to the big taboo of radio – Amos and Andy. Anybody listened to it? I’ll admit I’ve listened, first out of curiosity, then because it made me laugh. Still not sure if that’s a good thing to admit in polite society. Talk about a guilty pleasure! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/31 "2005-11-03T22:59:16Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > I agree enthusiastically. This show is a MUST listen for MP fans. Eric Idle and IIRC Graham Chapman did some writing for it. Yes, you are correct (both about it being a must for MP fans—though ISIRTA relies more on silly puns for its humor—and about Idle and Chapman writing for it). ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/32 "2005-11-03T23:08:01Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > Which brings us to the big taboo of radio – Amos and Andy. Anybody listened to it? I’ll admit I’ve listened, first out of curiosity, then because it made me laugh. Still not sure if that’s a good thing to admit in polite society. Talk about a guilty pleasure! From the few episodes I’ve heard, it’s a good sitcom and not offensive or racist unless you find the very idea of white actors portraying black characters offensive. > [@](#): > > You’d never see a Coke add saying “Right now a glass of coke would be very pleasant, as you watch Seinfeld.” Although if you watch sports, you can hear the annoucer say something like, “Grab an ice cold Budweiser; it’s game time.” ---
**Author:** ![Junior\_Spaceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Junior\_Spaceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Junior_Spaceman)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/33 "2005-11-03T23:13:55Z")
Yes! OTR is the greatest! When I was going through a bit of a low point, I became a huge fan of old comedies, and radio is pretty much the perfect form for that. I was lucky enough to find some cheap CDs with artists like Mel Blanc, WC Fields, Groucho Marx, Jack Benny, etc. The last few months I’ve made it a habit of listening to downloaded Jack Benny shows pretty much every couple of nights. To me, there’s something that’s been lost for the world, in that the humour that was popular then, and that still cracks me up today, will probably never be produced again. When I have a bit more time, I’d love to write up some of my favourite routines/gags here, and see whether I’m the only person who still finds that sort of thing funny. ---
**Author:** ![mambocrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@mambocrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mambocrow)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/34 "2005-11-04T02:09:47Z")
Here’s a link to a site that has a fairly good collection of OTR: [http://www.radiolovers.com/](http://www.radiolovers.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Southpaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@Southpaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southpaw)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/35 "2005-11-04T03:02:51Z")
Every Saturday for four hours the public radio station out of the local community college plays OTR. You can listen to last Saturday’s show [here](http://www.nostalgiadigest.com/Those%20Were%20The%20Days.htm) . The hosts of the show are a bit corny, but they are old enough to remember when OTR was just Radio. ---
**Author:** ![VenusProbe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e495f1/32.png) [@VenusProbe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VenusProbe)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248/36 "2005-11-04T15:36:02Z")
OMG! This freakin great! I’ve been a fan of radio mysteries and SciFi since highschool. I never thought to look for them on CD. I’m making a list, I figure I’ll pick 5 a month and I already know the first 2 are going to be **X minus 1** and **Lights Out**. 🆒 Thanks people! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-radio-shows/329248.md?page=1)