Old Time Comedy Radio | Old Time Radio

The Jack Benny Program presents “J. B. Goes 1944 - 12 - 26 Elgin Christmas Special,” originally broadcast December 25, 1944. Though cataloged with Jack Benny’s series, this is Benny’s guest appearance on Elgin’s third annual CBS Christmas variety special.

Hosted by Don Ameche, the two-hour holiday broadcast brings together Jack Benny, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, and Ginny Simms for a rehearsal-themed comedy sequence, alongside music and all-star entertainment. Sponsored by the Elgin National Watch Company, the program also features such performers as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, George Burns, and Gracie Allen.

Old Time Comedy Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:52 Original Broadcast
02:00:52 Closing

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-comedy-radio-old-time-radio--7219644/support.

Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

Burns and Allen, “The Burns and Allen Show 1940 - 03 - 06 (23) Hats Off to Gracie,” originally broadcast March 6, 1940. In episode 23, George Burns and Gracie Allen continue Gracie’s comic campaign for the presidency.

As Gracie considers the practical details of her unconventional White House bid, George tries to keep pace with her political logic, convention plans, and the campaign tune “Vote for Gracie.” The CBS broadcast also features announcer Truman Bradley, Ray Noble and His Orchestra, and tenor Frank Parker, with Hinds Honey and Almond Cream as sponsor.

Old Time Comedy Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:41 Original Broadcast
30:36 Closing

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-comedy-radio-old-time-radio--7219644/support.

Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

Fibber McGee and Molly, “Party for John Cameron Swayze” (also cataloged as “The Timex of Their Lives”), originally broadcast December 6, 1954. The supplied listing identifies this as episode 1047, though several episode logs catalog the broadcast as episode 1045.

Fibber and Molly get drawn into a party being given by Knucklehead Swayze for his brother, NBC television newsman John Cameron Swayze. Jim and Marian Jordan star as the McGees in this NBC Radio weekday serial installment, written by Phil Leslie and produced and directed by Max Hutto.

Old Time Comedy Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:40 Original Broadcast
15:07 Closing

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-comedy-radio-old-time-radio--7219644/support.

Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

Abbott and Costello, “Hunting Guide with Claire Trevor,” originally broadcast January 14, 1943. This NBC Radio Network comedy features Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, with guest star Claire Trevor.

With wartime meat shortages on their minds, Bud and Lou head for the Pine Tree hunting lodge in search of game—and find Claire Trevor serving as their unexpectedly capable hunting guide. A bear-hunting outing supplies the setting for outdoor mishaps, fast patter, and musical support from Connie Haines, Freddie Rich and His Orchestra, and the Camel Five.

Old Time Comedy Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:45 Original Broadcast
30:06 Closing

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-comedy-radio-old-time-radio--7219644/support.

Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

The Jack Benny Program presents “Jb 1934 - 09 - 28 Last Show of Season - Rise of the House of Rawchild,” originally broadcast September 28, 1934. This was episode 26 of Jack Benny’s General Tire season on NBC’s Red Network.

For the season-closing broadcast, Jack Benny and the regular company gather for a comedy sketch set at a General Tire banquet. Film-comedy favorite Bert Wheeler guests, alongside Benny regulars Mary Livingstone, Don Wilson, Don Bestor, and Frank Parker. Surviving-recording notes indicate that material indexed under the “House of Rawchild” title may not represent the original September 28 program.

Old Time Comedy Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:35 Original Broadcast
20:35 Closing

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-comedy-radio-old-time-radio--7219644/support.

Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

Burns and Allen, “The Burns and Allen Show 1943 - 11 - 16 (12) Guest - Walter Pidgeon,” originally broadcast November 16, 1943. This CBS broadcast is episode 12 of the 1943–44 season and features George Burns, Gracie Allen, and guest star Walter Pidgeon, with Bill Goodwin.

When movie star Walter Pidgeon becomes the Burns and Allen’s new next-door neighbor, Gracie sees an opportunity for matchmaking. Her friendly plans soon draw George into another delightfully tangled domestic comedy. The program was sponsored by Lever Brothers’ Swan Soap.

Old Time Comedy Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:44 Original Broadcast
32:44 Closing

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-comedy-radio-old-time-radio--7219644/support.

Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

Fibber McGee and Molly — “Parking the Car,” originally broadcast February 22, 1956. This archival episode finds the long-running radio-comedy favorites in a typically domestic predicament centered on parking the car.

Starring Jim and Marian Jordan as Fibber McGee and Molly, the program brings its familiar blend of neighborhood comedy, comic frustration, and warm husband-and-wife banter to an everyday problem.

Old Time Comedy Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:20 Original Broadcast
14:46 Closing

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-comedy-radio-old-time-radio--7219644/support.

Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

Abbott and Costello, “Lou Inherits Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars,” originally broadcast January 21, 1948. In this ABC radio comedy, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are joined by Sid Fields as Lawyer Melonhead, with Susan Miller featured as vocalist.

Lou learns he may be heir to $800,000 from “Diamond Jim” Costello, but a dispute over which grandson has the rightful claim sends Bud and Lou hunting for the documents that could prove it. Their search soon leads them into one of the duo’s characteristically tangled comic errands, including a visit to a Chinese laundry.

Old Time Comedy Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:51 Original Broadcast
29:49 Closing

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-comedy-radio-old-time-radio--7219644/support.

Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

The Jack Benny Program, “Mileage Rationing Special,” originally broadcast December 1, 1942. This is a wartime public-service special featuring Jack Benny rather than a regular series installment.

As nationwide gasoline rationing begins, Benny joins Eddie Cantor, George Burns and Gracie Allen for comedy and music encouraging conservation and cooperation with the new mileage rules. Dinah Shore, Bill Goodwin, and Paul Whiteman and his orchestra also appear in this Office of War Information production, including a Burns and Allen segment tied to the wartime rubber shortage.

Old Time Comedy Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:49 Original Broadcast
14:29 Closing

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-comedy-radio-old-time-radio--7219644/support.

Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

Burns and Allen, “Gracie’s Last Minute Christmas Gift,” originally broadcast December 18, 1947, is episode 16 of the 1947–48 NBC Maxwell House Coffee Time season. George Burns and Gracie Allen star, with Hans Conried and Gale Gordon also appearing.

With Christmas fast approaching, George tries to learn what Gracie wants for a gift—but Gracie’s written clues turn the search into a baffling holiday guessing game, complete with a fifty-cent penalty for every wrong answer.

Old Time Comedy Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:38 Original Broadcast
30:04 Closing

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-comedy-radio-old-time-radio--7219644/support.

Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio