Before Jack Benny became the loveable skinflint he did in the 40's and 50's he was a much more sarcastic wiseacre in the 1930's. Though these episodes of the podcast are of less-than-ideal quality, they give you an idea of Jack's early character.

First his very first program going back 91 years to May 2, 1932. This is nowhere near what the program would become as Jack is less the star as he is the emcee of the Canada Dry program.

Then from March 8, 1936 for Jello, Jack takes the gang to the Central Park Zoo. This would have been much funnier with Dennis Day and Phil Harris.

Finally on April 5, 1936 in the middle of the Benny-Allen feud, Jack takes potshots at Fred Allen's radio program Town Hall Tonight with a parody entitled Clown Hall Tonight.

Apologies for the audio quality. These shows were not well preserved.

90 minutes of some milestone Fibber McGee and Molly programs

First, from 88 years ago, August 26, 1935, we learn how Fibber and Molly ended up with the house at 79 Wistful Vista

Next the final episode sponsored by Johnson's Wax from May 23, 1950, Fibber and Molly plan to spend the summer managing Uncle Sycamore's cattle ranch.

Then the final 15 minute version of the program from March 23, 1956, Fibber becomes an efficiency expert and tries to make improvements in Molly's kitchen.

And an episode of Fibber and Molly from NBC's Monitor Program May 17, 1958. Fibber is telling Teeny about his war exploits as Fibber has his uniform out getting ready for Armed Forces Day

Tomorrow was a stand-alone radio program produced by ABC in 1956, in which Welles played the role of narrator. Broadcast on October 17, 1956, the program is generally described as a propaganda piece for national defense, seemingly with the intent to convince viewers that it’s important to have a national defense program. Mona Freeman and Marshall Thompson star. Based on the Philip Wylie book.

The NBC University Theater production of George Orwell's 1984, originally broadcast August 27, 1949. Announced as the first radio production of the story. A romance in the age of "double think." Big Brother is watching us all! David Niven stars. Intermission commentary on the book is provided by noted novelist James Hilton, author of Lost Horizon and Goodby Mr Chips. Featured in the cast are Donald Morrison, Ben Wright, John Ramsay Hill, Raymond Lawrence, George Pembroke, Tom Dillon, Queenie Leonard, Dan O'Herlihy, Alec Harford, Constance Cavendish, and Eric Snowdon. Narrator Ramsay Hill.

A look at the way Radio and their commentators covered news in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. In this episode:

• A portion of the 20th Century International Newsreel from February 24, 1939. Host Michael Blair interviewed arriving passengers and celebrities from the Panama-Pacific Lines SS Washington at San Pedro harbor.

• Walter Winchell’s Jergens Journal from September 12, 1943.

• Alex Dreier and the News from October 11, 1946. More chat about his just-concluded vacation than news.

• Upton Close and the News, originally broadcast April 1, 1951. Close, formerly a reporter for the Associated press, was an early America Firster, Isolationist, and anti-Communist. A commentator for Mutual Radio, his opinions brought him under attack from left-wing groups who got him thrown off of a number of big city stations. Though his conservative read-meat broadcasts remained very popular in the midwest.

78th anniversary of the end of World War 2 -- Victory in Japan day (V-J Day) - The news and sounds of the end of World War 2, and Norman Corwin’s Fourteen August, performed by Orson Welles from August 14, 1945

A Baseball special edition of the podcast

First, William Frawley stars in an episode of the Hallmark Playhouse from May 12, 1949, 74 years ago. This show was an adaptation of the 1941 James Thurber short story You Could Look It Up. The tale is about a struggling ball club that sees it's fortunes change after adopting a midget (Sorry, little person) mascot.

Second, in a tale that sounds similar to the present-day Oakland A's, an April 5, 1957 episode of X Minus One entitled Marian Sam starring Mandel Kramer. An owner that doesn't give a crap about his ball club finds a pitcher on Mars - with 32-foot arms!

Finally, I had to include an an episode of Lum and Abner from January 11, 1943 in which Cedric wins the Grand Prize on Luke Spear's pinball machine.

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Did Justice Triumph, originally broadcast June 30, 1947, 76 years ago, Death Watch. Two criminals decide to rob an old couple. The criminals' problem is that the old people are never alone.

I want to thank everyone who made this show possible over the years. I'm nearing 70 years of age, and the grind of producing these shows is just too much.

It has been my honor and pleasure to serve you these past eight years.

#Classic-Radio #Old-Time-Radio #Crime #Did-Justice-Triumph

Theater Royal starring Sir Ralph Richardson, originally broadcast June 30, 1954, My Uncle Toby. Also Lum and Abner from July 1947, Accidentally yours, an episode for Farm Safety Week.

I want to thank everyone who made this show possible over the years. This is my final day of programs I'm nearing 70 years of age, and the grind of producing these shows is just too much.

It has been my honor and pleasure to serve you these past eight years.

#Classic-Radio #Old-Time-Radio #Drama #Theater-Royal #Comedy #Lum-and-Abner

Boston Blackie starring Chester Morris, originally broadcast June 30, 1944, The Hundred Thousand Dollar Note. Mr. Manleder's business note for $100,000 is due tomorrow. Only Boston Blackie can prevent his business failure. The frame around Blackie is for murder. Who was that masked man?Also The Strange Doctor Weird, originally broadcast November 7, 1944, The House where Death Lived.

This is the final episode of Classic Radio Theater.

I want to thank everyone who made this show possible over the years. I'm nearing 70 years of age, and the grind of producing these shows is just too much.

It has been my honor and pleasure to serve you these past eight years.

#Classic-Radio #Old-Time-Radio #crime #Boston-Blackie #Strange-Doctor-Weird