This August 15, 1938 live broadcast of Orson Welles and "The Mercury Theatre on the Air" came just 90 minutes before President Franklin D. Roosevelt was to give his live broadcast on the third anniversary of the Social Security Act. The Mercury Theatre presentation was written by John Houseman and Howard Koch who did extensive research into the speeches and writings of Abraham Lincoln to develop the dialog for the program. The historic authenticity combined with the incredible voice of Orson Welles and a remarkably talented supporting cast, made this 6th program of the summer series of 1938 a very big hit with listeners. Today it is a reminder of how remarkable Abraham Lincoln was at a time when the nation needed him the most. The power is in the dialog in this play... it is all about the dialog. Thank you for listening. The track includes about a 2m 30sec introduction to the program.

Claudia was acclaimed by critics as a thoughtful, loving and gentle soap opera that was the kind of show radio did so well...a small cast telling small stories. This was the story of newlyweds... the ups and downs of their lives as an average American household in the 1940's. Starring Kathryn Bard and Paul Crabtree as Claudia and David Naughton. This track has Episodes 29 and 30 edited back-to-back. The first 28 episodes can be found on the "Claudia" Playlist on this podcast. Listen here, on Itunes, or Google Play Music by searching their Podcast list for "Heirloom Radio". Thank you for listening.

Episode 9: Include two back-to-back shows. First, Abner Meets Hortense at the Railroad Depot... she is the lady that responded to his photo in a flyer put out by the Matrimonial Bureau that Lum and Abner are running out of Pine Ridge. (Jan 25, 1935). The second show is that Elizabeth, Abner's wife, believes that Abner is having an affair with Hortense. (January 30, 1935) For 84 years old, these recordings are still in fairly good shape. Remember that there are 8 previous episodes (16 shows) on the Lum and Abner Playlist here on this Podcast. Background information on the series can be found on the Episode 1. Thanks for listening here, on Itunes, or Google Play Music in their Podcasts under "Heirloom Radio"

The 1943 radio adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novella "The Adventures of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" continues with Episodes 15 and 16 edited back-to-back. Starring Australian actor, and many of a 1000 voices, is George Edwards. He played multiple roles in this excellent adaptation of the classic story of good vs. evil. Episodes 1-14 can be found on the "Jekyll and Hyde" playlist on this podcast. Background information on the series is included in Episode 1. More episodes to come in the near future... thank you for listening.

Episode 19 consists of two back-to-back shows edited together... first from June 13, 1940 is "Freedom - The Last Day of School" and the second show is from June 17, 1940 and is entitled: "Mr. Sludge to Sleep Overnight at the Gooks!" There are currently 18 previous episodes (36 shows) on the playlist "Vic and Sade" Background information on the series is on Episode 1. This show garnished 7 million listeners 5 days a week for 15 min at the height of popularity in 1943! It is all about the dialog...listen carefully and I dare you not to smile! Thanks for listening. Can also listen on Iturnes or Google Play Music under their podcast list for "Heirloom Radio"

This track begins with a 4 min introduction to the incredibly well done NBC program entitled "Biography In Sound" which ran from 1954-58 and basically highlighted the lives of contemporary leaders, artists, entertainers, and writers using interviews of those that knew them personally and in many cases, the featured person him/herself. The show is dedicated to Danny Kaye... a remarkable man who was so much more than an entertainer... so much more! Check it out. Thanks for listening.

From the series that claimed the last radio drama on the radio, comes "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar" starring Bob Bailey as an Insurance Fraud Detective who was smart, witty, and if he needed it, brawny! The series ran 14 years beginning in 1949 and ending in 1962 on CBS. This track features about 2m 40s of introductory material about the series and then an episode entitled "The Poor Little Rich Girl Matter" - Listen here or on Itunes or Google Play Music (search Podcasts for "Heirloom Radio") Thanks for listening.

This is known as "One of a kind" or "Singles Radio Show" because it was the 1940's "Audition" show for a proposed series known as "Listen to Grandma!" Four "real" grandmothers answer questions sent in by listeners (who can win a sterling silver tea service) and give advice. The grandmas signal their willingness to reply to a question by tapping on teacups with spoons! The host of the show is Cliff Arquette who might be more familiar to you as "Charlie Weaver" from Hollywood Squares and other television shows. In the 40's he was in his 30's. This show never got past the audition... maybe you can hear why? It is interesting as part of the history of radio programming... Listen here, on Itunes, or Google Play Music. Thanks for listening... listening to grandma! :)

Alan Freed's guests include: Count Basie and his orchestra with vocalist Joe Williams (regulars on this series), The Nilsson Twins, and The Players. Songs heard in the order of appearance are: Fancy Meeting You Here - Oh Ah Ga Deek - In Self Defense - The Midget - Honest I Love You - She Loves To Dance - One O'Clock Jump -

Most of the Camel commercials have been edited out... Listen here, on Itunes, or Google Play Music. Look for Heirloom Radio in their Podcast list. Thanks for listening.

Based on Raymond Chandler's Private Eye, Phillip Marlowe... this series first aired on June 17, 1947 on NBC with Van Heflin playing Marlowe. The series on NBC ended September 9, 1947. Listen to the track to find out why the first series starring Van Heflin ended so abruptly. Enter Gerald Mohr, as Phillip Marlowe on CBS in 1948 and by 1949 they had the largest audience of "mystery loving fans" in radio. CBS produced 114 episodes... and ended in September of 1950. This track has 3m 20 sec of introductory background information about the series followed by "Bedside Manner" from May 30, 1950. Phillip Marlowe was known as a "hard boiled detective" as it contained fewer quips or quaint characters often heard in other shows of this genre. Listen here, Itune, or Google Play Music. Heirloom Radio is on each of their Podcast list. Thanks for listening.