Skip to main content

Old Time Radio: Ten Most Popular Shows

Old time radio, also known as vintage radio or classic radio, still has a dedicated following today. Although it may not be as popular as it once was in its prime, many people continue to enjoy listening to old time radio shows for their nostalgic appeal, humor, and storytelling. Some enthusiasts even collect vintage radio shows and equipment as a hobby. However, the popularity of old time radio varies depending on the region and age group.

Old time radio has produced many popular shows over the years, some of the most well-known and widely-loved include:

  1. "The Adventures of Superman" - A radio serial that followed the adventures of the iconic comic book superhero, Superman, as he battles crime and protects the citizens of Metropolis.
  2. "The Lone Ranger" - A western-themed radio serial that follows the adventures of a masked lawman and his faithful Native American companion, Tonto, as they bring justice to the American frontier.
  3. "The Jack Benny Program" - A comedy show that follows the misadventures of the titular character, Jack Benny, a bumbling but well-intentioned comedian, and his various friends and family members.
  4. "Fibber McGee and Molly" - A comedy show that follows the everyday antics of the titular characters, an average American couple living in the mid-west.
  5. "The Burns and Allen Show" - A comedy show that stars real-life husband and wife George Burns and Gracie Allen, who play versions of themselves living in Hollywood.
  6. "Suspense" - A dramatic anthology series that presented a wide range of stories, from crime dramas and psychological thrillers to science fiction and supernatural tales.
  7. "Gunsmoke" - A western-themed radio show that follows the adventures of U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon as he enforces the law and maintains order in the frontier town of Dodge City, Kansas.
  8. "The Amos 'n' Andy Show" - A comedy show that follows the misadventures of two African American characters, Amos Jones and Andrew H. Brown, as they navigate life in the big city.
  9. "X Minus One" - A science fiction anthology series that presented a wide range of stories, from cautionary tales and explorations of cutting-edge technology to tales of alien encounters and interstellar adventure.
  10. "Our Miss Brooks" (1948-1957) This comedy show, which follows the adventures of a high school English teacher, was very popular in its time and continues to be well-regarded by fans of old time radio today.

(Note: dates are approximate)

These shows, along with many others, continue to be popular with fans of old time radio and are still available for listening and enjoyment.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

1946 Great Crepitation Fart Contest

Not for the faint of heart, here is the remarkable 1946 Crepitation (Fart) Contest (part of the 1946 News Broadcasts Collection ). You'll enjoy the fart-off between champion Englishman Lord Windsmear, and  challenger, Australian Paul Boomer who had stowed aboard a cabbage freighter. The hilarious comedy recording was apparently created a spoof by two Canadian radio sportscasters in 1946, but this 15 minute recording definitely has some gems in it.  Apparently they made several copies, but it was not for distribution. The recording was copied again and again on disc and reel to reel tape. It was distributed underground and played in dark rooms and back alleys around the world. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element This recording is available with many other delightful treats on Random Rarities #7 available on   MP3 CD ,  Audio CD , and  instant download .

April 27, 1932: The First Performance of Ed Wynn on Texaco Fire Chief Show

April 27, 1932:  Ed Wynn , the Texaco fire chief, graced the airwaves for the first time on Texaco Star Theater. Wynn, who enjoyed popularity as a vaudeville performer, gave as a condition to his switch to radio, that a live audience react to his humor.His condition was granted by the network and so began Wynn's career as the first true superstar of radio. Ed Wynn was hosted a popular radio show  on Tuesday nights for most of the 1930s. The radio show was heard in North America and sponsored by Texaco gasoline. On the show Wynn played  as the " Texaco Fire Chief ". He was often seen wearing a fireman's helmet. For this show, Wynn would turned down the offer form The Wizard in MGM's adaptation of The Wizard of Oz , to play a role on that show.

Fast Fun Facts about Jack Webb

Jack Webb was an American actor, television producer, director, and screenwriter, best known for his role as Sergeant Joe Friday in the 1950s TV series "Dragnet." Here's twelve FUN FACTS for you to know: Jack Webb was born on April 2, 1920 in Santa Monica, California. He served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, where he was a bomber pilot. In 1949, Webb created and starred in the radio series " Pat Novak for Hire ," which was the basis for the later " Dragnet " TV series. " Dragnet " was one of the first police procedural dramas on television, and it ran for eight seasons from 1951 to 1959. In addition to his work on " Dragnet ," Jack Webb also directed and produced several other TV shows, including "Adam-12," "Emergency!" and "Mark VII Limited." He was known for his distinctive style as a director, which involved using close-ups and quick cuts to convey a sense of immediacy. J...