Norman Corwin's masterpiece radio production of "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas" aired on Christmas Eve of 1942 on CBS radio and featured a cast of outstanding stars of the day, featuring Orson Welles. There are a lot of political messages in this program that was highly acclaimed by critics of the time. Many of the messages in the piece are as applicable today as they were back in 1942.

NBC Radio's "The Pepsodent Show" starring Bob Hope was a morale-boosting show during WW II. The show originated from different military bases around the country and always had a beautiful female guest star like Rita Hayworth(Photo) who is featured in this program. Hope was brilliant when it came to performing for the troops and did hundreds of the USO shows all over the Pacific and European theaters during WW II. This show was originally broadcast from Camp Young (Desert Training Center) in Arizona, on January 5, 1943

Peter Lorre makes another remarkable appearance in a Suspense episode aired on December 23, 1943. This show was also aired on Escape. Lorre was known for his incredibly dramatic portrayals and he does not disappoint in this program. Those who have enjoyed "The Black Cat" will enjoy this episode as well. Something is buried in the cellar and it wants to come back for Christmas! CBS Radio

From Detroit's WXYZ radio and aired on Christmas Day in 1944, The Lone Ranger does a Christmas show entitled "A Present for Janey" Hi Oh Silver... Away! The masked man with his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, ride the west in this 30 minute episode of this classic western series. Brace Beemer(photo) plays the Lone Ranger in this episode.

This Christmas eve, 1945 episode of The CBS Screen Guild Theater, Fannie Brice and Hanley Stafford play their roles of Baby Snooks and Daddy ... as Daddy reads the story of Pinocchio to a very inquisitive and doubtful Baby Snooks... who keeps interrupting the story with questions and comments. Excellent writing and acting...

CBS radio network's The Whistler "Delayed Christmas Present" starring Joan Banks and Jack Petruzzi. It is Christmas time and a vocalist recalls the events that led her to flee the United States for a cantina in Panama. Sponsor is Signal Oil. Aired on Dec. 26, 1948. Excellent mystery show...

It's the day after Christmas and Phil is puzzled that he didn't receive a gift from the show's sponsor. Supporting cast includes: Elliott Lewis, Walter Tetley, and Gale Gordon. Rexall is the sponsor and the show was heard on NBC. This show was a spinoff from the Jack Benny Program where Phil Harris was the band director. He actually did both shows for a number of years, literally running across the parking lot at NBC studios to go from one show to the other as they were scheduled back-to-back!

Fibber McGee and Molly - Jim and Marian Jordan in real life... star in this 1941 Christmas Special just 16 days after WW II began for the United States. The show is entitled "The Christmas Presents". It aired on December 23, 1941 on NBC radio.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra had their own show ... "The Chesterfield Moonlight Serenade" Show... Here Glenn with vocalist Ray Eberle play a number of his famous songs. This was a live broadcast on Christmas Eve 1941, just 17 days after the start of WW II for the United States. Glenn Miller died when a plane transporting him across the English Channel disappeared in 1944. He entertained the troops overseas and his Orchestra continued to do so even after he went missing.

Dick Powell starred in this light-hearted detective drama series created by Blake Edwards (The Pink Panther series) which aired on radio from 1949-53 and on television from 1957-1960. Powell, who was a talented actor and singer, often ended the show by singing to his girlfriend, Helen Asher (Virginia Gregg). Lt. Walter Levinson was played by Ed Begley, Arthur Q. Bryan, Ted Decorsia and Alan Reed with Wilms Herbert as Lt. Levinson's bumbling sergeant. With Camel Cigarettes as its original sponsor, it moved with Rexall as its sponsor originally beginning on NBC but moving to ABC from January to June of 51 , returning for run from Oct '51 to June '52. It also substituted for the Amos 'n Andy Show on CBS from May to September of 1953. The stories are well written, acted, and fun to listen to.... This is my first Richard Diamond track... more to come.