Department store sales clerks had a lot to face during the holiday season - crowds of last minute shoppers, long hours, and Jack Benny agonizing over the perfect gift. We'll hear three episodes that find Benny driving clerks up the wall as he struggles to select the right shoelaces, wallets, and golf tees. Listen as Mel Blanc fights to remember the customer is always right in these shows originally aired on NBC on December 8, 1946 and December 19, 1948 and on CBS on December 17, 1950.

Criminals work on Christmas, but fortunately so do the ace crimesolvers of the golden age of radio! Staats Cotsworth stars as newshound and amateur sleuth Casey, Crime Photographer in a pair of holiday mysteries: "Christmas Shopping" (originally aired on CBS on December 19, 1946) and "The Santa Claus of Bum Boulevard" (originally aired on CBS on December 25, 1947). Plus, we'll hear an old time radio recreation of O. Henry's classic story "The Gift of the Magi" from The Coronet Little Show (originally aired on Mutual on December 19, 1943).

Our comedy countdown to Christmas continues with two beloved radio couples and a Hollywood legend pinch hitting for the holidays. First, Jane Wyman steps in for a flu-stricken Gracie Allen in a Christmas night episode of The Burns and Allen Show (originally aired on NBC on December 25, 1947). Then, Fibber paints the McGee's tree white on Fibber McGee and Molly (originally aired on December 18, 1945).

Sydney Greenstreet was 61 years old when he made his screen debut as Kasper Gutman in The Maltese Falcon, and his larger than life villainous performance earned him an Oscar nod and it kicked off a second career in films. Greenstreet appeared in Casablanca, They Died With Their Boots On, and more, and on radio he lent his voice to Rex Stout's gargantuan gourmet Nero Wolfe. We'll hear Greenstreet as Wolfe in "The Case of the Tell-Tale Ribbon" (originally aired on NBC on March 30, 1951). Plus, he joins Fred Allen on a comedic caper through Cairo (AFRS rebroadcast from May 12, 1946) and finally Greenstreet joins Peter Lorre as they recreate their roles from The Mask of Dimitrios in The Lady Esther Screen Guild Theatre (originally aired on CBS on April 16, 1945).

The countdown to Christmas continues with more old time radio holiday comedies. First, Eve Arden hosts a Christmas party with yuletide magic in the air in Our Miss Brooks (originally aired on CBS on December 25, 1949). Then, Lucille Ball rounds up a gang of carolers to take a musical sleigh ride on My Favorite Husband (originally aired on December 23, 1949).

Say the magic word and join three old time radio detectives with something extra up their sleeves. Whether they used supernatural powers or just tricks of the trade, these masters of mystery and magic solved the crime with style. We'll hear an adventure of Chandu the Magician pitting the hero against a master schemer (originally aired on ABC on August 2, 1950). Then, art imitates life in Blackstone, the Magic Detective. We'll hear a pair of syndicated shows inspired by the life of magician Harry Blackstone: "The Coin of Cleopatra" and "The Accusing Corpse." Finally, two magicians - one good, one evil - pit their powers against each other in "The Battle of the Magicians" from Lights Out (originally aired on NBC on July 27, 1946).

With Christmas right around the corner, we're launching a month of holiday comedies from the golden age of radio. First, Bud and Lou trim the tree and get a visit from Santa in The Abbott and Costello Show (originally aired on ABC on December 24, 1947). Then, Phil Harris and Alice Faye enlist an old friend to play St. Nick in The Fitch Bandwagon (originally aired on NBC on December 21, 1947).

Wally Maher and Jeff Chandler starred on radio as red-headed shamus Michael Shayne, and each actor brought his own style to the detective. Maher, along with Cathy Lewis as loyal assistant Phyllis Knight, stars as Shayne in "Behind the Footlights" (originally aired on Mutual on August 27, 1945). Then, Chandler is ultra hard-boiled as Shayne in the syndicated mysteries "The Case of the Carnival Killer" and "The Case of the Eager Victim."

Before you dig in to your Thanksgiving dinner, enjoy a pair of Turkey Day comedies from the golden age of radio. First, My Friend Irma brings a live turkey for dinner (originally aired on CBS on November 15, 1948). Then, in Life with Luigi, J. Carrol Naish's Luigi finds himself without a dinner on the big day (originally aired on CBS on November 22, 1949).

Joshua Sharpe was a rarity in the world of radio private eyes. When he closed up his shop for the day, he headed home to his two kids who he raised as a single dad. His son and daughter gave him the affectionate nickname The Big Guy. Together, they starred in the unique radio detective drama where their family lives occasionally intersected with Sharpe's case of the week. Henry Calvin stars as the Big Guy in three radio mysteries: "The Unheard Voice" (originally aired on NBC on May 7, 1950), "The Case of the Villainous Friend" (originally aired on NBC on August 27, 1950), and "The Case of the Patent Leather Bag" (originally aired on NBC on November 5, 1950).