The Golden Age of Radio

 

As the days grow colder and winter approaches, I find myself huddled near a fire and surrounded by family each night. But I can only watch television for so long before I become bored. The channels blur together in a familiar wave of characters, commercials, and punch lines. Before cabin fever sets in, I set out in search of a traditional favorite: Old-Time Radio.

Most people don’t realize that
Old-Time Radio never died. Not completely anyway. There are still little-known FM and AM radio stations which broadcast new programs each weekend. Some have been on the air for over fifty years.

As impressive as that is, there’s an easier way to tune in to Old-Time Radio programs: the internet. Websites like The Old Time Radio Network and Radio Lovers store archives of popular programs broadcasted long ago. You may need a particular media player depending on the website you choose, like the Real Player, but a link for free download is provided at the top of OTR.net’s webpage if you need it (I needed it).

Programs include comedies, dramas, horror, science fiction, vintage sportscasts, vintage newscasts, and more. Below are just a few titles from the Old Time Radio Network that caught my eye under the category Vintage Newscasts:

·         BBC Gas Mask Drill, March of 1939

·         BBC Evacuation of London, September of 1939

·         BBC Evacuee Message to Parents, September of 1939

·         BBC Princess Elizabeth Aged 14, October of 1939

If history isn’t your thing, you may be more drawn into fictional broadcasts like:

·         Frankenstein

·         Dick Tracy

·         Ozzie and Harriet

·         Les Miserables

·         Amos and Andy

Finally, if you long for vintage music, you can search YouTube playlists for those like this  Doo Wop Playlist. Ah, the oldies.

As the nights grow longer and colder, any “new” form of family entertainment will come in handy. Explore old-time radio shows to discover your favorites and bring history to life. If you prefer to transition from television to radio with a mood movie, I highly recommend watching the comedy Radioland Murders (1994), starring Mary Stuart Masterson, Brian Benben, Christopher Lloyd, Larry Miller, and Stephen Tobolowsky. The full movie is available on YouTube here.