Old Time Radio Christmas Shows

Today, Jan. 5th, 2024, I am going to do a 107th birthday salute to Jane Wyman, (The first wife of President Ronald Reagan) with a few of her radio appearances. Jane Wyman was a guest on the Edgar Bergen & Charlie Mccarthy Show, on Feb. 2, 1947. Enjoy the fun.

Jan. 5th 107th Birthday salute to Jane Wyman. She was a guest on Burns & Allen. This was broadcasted before The Academy Awards was presented. Jane Wyman was nominated for best actress in the movie "Johnny Belinda" and she won. If you never watch it, make it your business to see it. Great movie. Enjoy the show.

Hallmark started broadcasting shows on radio, long before tv. The Hallmark Hall Of Fame is hosted by Lionel Barrymore and the star is Jane Wyman in the radio play Mary Todd Lincoln. This was broadcasted on Feb. 14, 1954. Enjoy the show.

The 1947 movie, Body & Soul, is considered one of the best films about boxing. This 1948 radio adaptation has John Garfield reprise his movie role. Jane Wyman is his co-star. Enjoy the show.

Here’s a twist: someone is murdered, we know who did it, but we have to figure out who the detective is! Patricia McGerr was a mystery writer who used these kinds of quirky twists in her short stories and novels. Jane Wyman stars in her only appearance in the series. From Feb. 17, 1949, "Catch Me If You Can" Enjoy the show.

Here is an example of the American Arms Forces were listening in 1970 on AFVN (Arm Forces Radio Vietnam).

Here is a great vintage jazz program with two great performers, Duke Ellington & Lena Horne From Jan. 8, 1945. Enjoy.

Mail Call was basically the same type of program as Command Performance. It was heard around around the world to our Arm Forces, except in the US. This edition has actress Ann Rutherford as hostess and the great Lena Horne. Enjoy the show.

This is a Gala Celebration for Producer and film pioneer, Adolph Zukor, for his Silver Jubilee in Motion Pictures. He was one of the three founders of Paramount Pictures. Cecil B. DeMille introduces Jack Benny as the Master of Ceremonies. Included in this broadcast is Conductor Leopold Stokowski, opera singer and actor, Frank Forest, Jack Oakie, Charles Butterworth, W.C. Fields, conductor Victor Young, Bob Burns, Martha Raye, Carole Lombard, and Lloyd Nolan who narrates Paramount On Parade: The Life of Adolph Zukor. The broadcast does not have an opening or closing, but I estimated it is 95% complete. Enjoy this historical broadcast.

This is one of the many different shows that starred Bing Crosby. His guest includes Mary Martin and Victor Borge. This episode is from April 16, 1942. This broadcast is over 80 years old, so please disregard some of the background noise. Enjoy.

Wolfman Jack was one of the most popular DJs from the 60s to the 90s. Here is a complete 1 hour segment of his show from 1968. Have fun.

The Rudy Vallee Royal Gelatin Hour was a popular show in its day, because of the star, Rudy Vallee, was a popular crooner of the 20s & 30s. The show had a mixture of music, comedy, and a little drama sometimes to promote a movie. One of his guest, Zasu Pitts, was a popular actress in comedy films. As posting this show today, Jan. 3rd, would have been Zasu Pitts 130th birthday. Enjoy the show.

The Cavalcade of America was a long running series that dramatize historical events. Occasionally musicals were presented. The star of this episode is Ray Milland, who was a Hollywood leading man of his day. Today, Jan. 3rd would have been his 117th birthday. Enjoy the show.

From 1962, The Real Don Steele, unscoped. Here is a 1 hour, complete with popular dj, Don Steele, playing the current hits of 1962. Even though this air check is from a Omaha, Ne radio station, the show originated from LA. Enjoy early rock 'n' roll music.

The Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy Show with special guest, W. C. Fields. For years Fields appeared on this show with a running gag that he hated Charlie McCarthy. (He was known to hate children). The insults goes back and forth. Very funny show. Enjoy.

Around New Year Day, I love to listen to music, such as big band remotes and old time jazz. The Camel Caravan featured a Benny Goodman Band Remote from Jan. 3, 1939. Enjoy.

Count Basie will be remember as one of the great Big Bands/Jazz musician. I was fortunate to see Count Basie perform with Doc Severinsen around 42 years ago in Newark, NJ. I also knew & worked with a couple of his cousins, wonderful people. This band remote is from Jan. 1, 1953, from the Birdland Jazz Club in NYC. Enjoy the music.

Jubilee was a AFRS radio program that featured African American musicians and singers. It was broadcast to servicemen through AFRS from 1942 to 1953. Jubilee was started as a morale-building service for African American troops stationed overseas. This edition features Lucky Millinder, Ethel Waters & Gene Krupa. Happy New Year & enjoy the show!

This is a special presentation I partially put together, The life of one of the jazz greats, Fats Waller. The program is in four parts. 1. Various radio appearances from 1936-1943 2. Moon River. A late night show to help people to sleep. Fats Waller reading poetry with soft music in the background. 3. Personally Its Off The Record- SEPT. 23, 1943. fats Waller is the special guest. 4. A Tribute To Fats Waller. WNEW Radio in New York. The show was in several parts. The broadcast dates were Feb. 4-11, 1944. Fats Waller died way too young, way too soon. Enjoy the tribute.

Another edition of the Jack Benny Show, broadcasted on Dec. 30, 1945. Enjoy the show.

Ringing in the New Year with Guy Lombardo and The Royal Canadians was an annual tradition long before I was born. (I was a 70s teenager). Here is a 1 hour 1972 New Years Eve Party. Enjoy, have fun. Happy New Year for 2024. See you next year. (Tomorrow).

A 15 mins. Jubilee show with guest Cab Calloway. Opening & closing is missing, but great music presented here. Enjoy.

Suspense was an outstanding show. This episode, Sorry Wrong Number, was an outstanding script and performance. This episode was repeated several times during the Suspense's 20 year run. A few years after this broadcast, Sorry Wrong Number was release as a major motion picture. It didn't compare to this radio play. Academy Award Winner, Agnes Moorehead, known as the first lady of radio and Suspense, stars in the broadcast. Enjoy!

Another episode of Jubilee with Dizzy Gillespie, broadcasted on Dec. 31, 1945. Happy New Year!

Here's another episode of Our Miss. Brooks from Dec. 31, 1950, titled, "Christmas Gifts Returned" Have Fun.