Showing results by author "Entertainment Radio" in All Categories

Casey, Crime Photographer was a popular radio show that aired from 1943 to 1955 on CBS. The show was based on the character of Jack "Flashgun" Casey, a crime photographer for the fictional newspaper The Morning Express, created by novelist George Harmon Coxe.Casey, Crime Photographer radio show posterThe show followed Casey as he solved crimes alongside his reporter friend, Ann Williams, and his other friends at their favorite hangout, the Blue Note Cafe. The Blue Note was also a jazz club, and the show often featured musical performances from the Archie Bleyer Orchestra and the Teddy Wilson ...

"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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

In the late 1940s, CBS chairman William S. Paley, a fan of the Philip Marlowe radio series, asked his programming chief, Hubell Robinson, to develop a hardboiled Western series, a show about a "Philip Marlowe of the Old West". Robinson instructed his West Coast CBS Vice President, Harry Ackerman, who had developed the Philip Marlowe series, to take on the task.Ackerman and his scriptwriters, Mort Fine and David Friedkin, created an audition script called "Mark Dillon Goes to Gouge Eye" based on one of their Michael Shayne radio scripts, "The Case of the Crooked Wheel" from the summer of 1948. ...

The "American Adventure" radio show was a historical program presented by the University of North Carolina. It explored the lives and characteristics of significant American figures throughout the nation's history.Here's a breakdown:About the Show: The program aimed to be "a study of man in the new world, of his values and characteristics through the years, who he is, what he believes and lives by." It covered various historical events and individuals, from the legend of Johnny Appleseed and African American soldiers during WWI to Civil War stories and figures like Thomas Jefferson.History: ...

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 ...

"Arch Oboler's Plays" was a highly influential radio anthology series created, written, produced, and directed by the renowned American radio dramatist Arch Oboler. It was a groundbreaking show that showcased Oboler's unique and innovative approach to radio drama, often exploring themes of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and social commentary.History and Runs:The series had several distinct runs:NBC (1939-1940): The initial run aired on NBC from March 25, 1939, to March 23, 1940. This was a significant achievement for Oboler, as it was an experimental series given to a single playwright, an ...

The Old Gold Comedy Theater: A Gleaming Gem in Radio's Golden AgeThe Old Gold ComedyTheater holds a special place in the annals of classic radio entertainment. This series, which aired for a single season from October 29, 1944, to June 10, 1945, was a shining example of the era's ingenuity in adapting visual comedy to the audio-only format of radio. Created as a promotional vehicle for Old Gold cigarettes, the show was produced by the Lennen and Mitchell ad agency and featured adaptations of popular films into a 30-minute radio format.The show was hosted by Harold Lloyd, a silent film icon, ...

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was a popular American radio and television series that presented an idealized vision of American family life. While it's most famous for its long run on television, it actually began as a highly successful radio show.Radio Show Details:Broadcast Run: The radio version of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet aired from 1944 to 1954.Stars: It starred the real-life Nelson family: Ozzie Nelson, his wife Harriet Hilliard Nelson, and their sons, David and Ricky Nelson.Format: The show depicted the daily lives, minor dilemmas, and humorous situations of the Nelson ...

Orson Welles On The Radio - A collection of radio shows that Orson Wells appeared in or produced.

"Lights Out" was a groundbreaking American old-time radio program known for its horror and supernatural stories. It's considered one of the earliest and most influential radio horror shows.Here's a breakdown of key aspects:Creation and Writers: The show was initially created by Wyllis Cooper, debuting in 1934 on a local NBC station in Chicago (WENR). In 1936, Arch Oboler took over as writer and director, bringing a new level of dramatic intensity and experimental sound effects to the program.Content and Style: "Lights Out" was renowned for pushing the boundaries of radio drama with its often ...

"The Adventures of Sam Spade" was a highly popular and critically acclaimed radio series based loosely on Dashiell Hammett's iconic private detective character, Sam Spade, from "The Maltese Falcon."Run and Networks: The show had several runs on different networks:ABC: 13 episodes in 1946.CBS: 157 episodes from 1946–1949.NBC: 75 episodes from 1949–1951 (with some sources listing 51 or 24 for the final runs).Cast: The most famous portrayal of Sam Spade in the series was by Howard Duff, who brought a sardonic and often humorous take to the character, contrasting with Humphrey Bogart's film ...

"The Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen" was indeed a popular American radio adventure serial that aired from 1933 to 1937. It was created by two World War I flying aces, Bob Burtt and Bill Moore, and originated from WDAF-FM in Kansas City, Missouri.Here's some additional information about the show:Target Audience: The serial was primarily aimed at children and teenagers. It capitalized on the growing fascination with aviation during the "Golden Age of Aviation" in the 1930s.Sponsorship and Promotion: The original and primary sponsor was Skelly Oil Company. They used the show as a major ...

"Afloat with Henry Morgan" was a radio show. It was an Australian series that aired around 1933.Key details about the show:Target Audience: It was primarily dedicated to young listeners.Format: Each episode was about 12 minutes long.Episodes: There were 52 episodes in the series.Producer and Star: The show was produced by and starred George Edwards, a prolific Australian radio personality known for also producing series like "Frankenstein" and "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde." Edwards was often called "the Man With A Thousand Voices" because he played a variety of characters in his ...

The Shadow of Fu Manchu was indeed a captivating adventure radio drama that aired from 1939 to 1940. Let’s delve deeper into this intriguing show:Story and Characters:Based On: The series drew inspiration from the first nine novels by Sax Rohmer, featuring the infamous villain Fu Manchu.Format: Each episode lasted 15 minutes, packed with action, suspense, and thrilling encounters.Main Antagonist: Dr. Fu Manchu (voiced by Harold Huber) was a cunning and evil criminal mastermind, known for his distinctive mustache.Heroes:Sir Denis Nayland Smith (voiced by Hanley Stafford): A ...

Exploring the Legacy of "Gunsmoke": The Radio Show that Redefined Westerns"Gunsmoke" is not just a name that evokes the imagery of the Wild West; it's a cultural icon that transformed the radio and television landscape. From 1952 to 1961, the "Gunsmoke" radio show galloped through the airwaves, bringing with it a new level of grit and realism that had never been heard before in the genre.Developed for radio by John Meston and Norman Macdonnell, "Gunsmoke" was broadcast by CBS and ran for nine seasons. It was a trailblazer, being the first radio series made about the Old West for adults, ...

The Candy Matson radio series, officially titled Candy Matson, YUkon 2-8209, was a distinctive and influential detective drama that aired on NBC West Coast from June 29, 1949, to May 20, 1951.Key Aspects of the Series:Female Private Investigator: At its heart was Candy Matson, a sassy, intelligent, and independent female private investigator based in her penthouse on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco. This was a groundbreaking role for its time, as most detective shows featured male leads or female characters as sidekicks. Candy was portrayed as capable and fearless, often solving cases before ...

"Blondie" was radio situation comedy, adapted from Chic Young's long-running comic strip, indeed had a substantial run on several networks from 1939 to 1950.The show primarily starred Arthur Lake as Dagwood Bumstead and, for most of its run, Penny Singleton as Blondie Bumstead, reprising their roles from the successful film series.Over its eleven-year run, the program aired on multiple networks, including:CBS (1939-1948)NBC Blue (1944)NBC (1948-1949)ABC (1949-1950)The radio series often featured the comical mishaps and daily life of the Bumstead family, including their children Alexander (...

"Avalon Time" was an American old-time radio comedy/variety program that aired on NBC's Red Network from 1938 to 1940. It was primarily known as the show that gave comedian Red Skelton his first big break in show business and on radio.Here are some key details about "Avalon Time":Sponsorship: The program was named after its initial sponsor, Avalon cigarettes. Over its run, it was also sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh Pipe Tobacco and the Bulova Watch Company.Format: It was a variety show featuring a mix of comedy, music, and sketches.Hosts and Stars: While Red Skelton became the most prominent ...