When Radio Ruled #153 – SoundScape 1939 part 23: October 29 – November 5, 1939

Curated clips of live broadcasts from popular radio shows of the day.

October 29 – November 5, 1939

Curated clips of live broadcasts from popular radio shows of the day.

A tapestry of History through the eyes of people as they lived it, reported by radio.

In today’s SoundScape:

Jack Benny’s Costume Party!

Fibber and Molly Visit the Auto Show!

Where is the Perata Treasure?

Mortimer Snerd gets his big chance!

And More!!

Featuring:

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Jack Benny

Mary Livingstone

Dennis Day

Don Wilson

Phil Harris

Andy Devine

Cecil B DeMille

Loretta Young

Mariam Hopkins

Captain Midnight

Fibber McGee and Molly

The Green Hornet

Edward Arnold

Maxie Rosenblum

Connee Boswell

Nelson Eddy

Edgar Bergen

Mortimer Snerd

Charlie McCarthy

Dorothy Lamour

And More!

Click Here to Give 1939 part 23 a Listen

When Radio Ruled #151 – A 1930s Christmas

Holiday Spirit from 1937, 1938, and 1939
as served up by Old Time Radio!

Christmas Time is here again. A time when us older folks reconnect with the child we once were. Moments from past Christmases relived, smiles and tears remembered. Longing and gratitude and the laughter of those we’ve lost.

At least that’s what happens to me. Every Christmas that passes magnifies the memories of Christmases from a lifetime ago.

Old Time Radio like this helps me through the bittersweet nostalgia for days that no longer exist.

Starring Santa Claus and The Christian God

Also Appearing

Don Wilson

Mary Livingstone

Jack Benny

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Kenny Baker

Rudy Vallee

Fred Allen

Shirley Temple

Nelson Eddy

Orson Welles

Eddie Cantor

Dennis Day

Robert Young

Baby Snooks and Daddy

Lionel Barrymore

Reginald Owen

And More!!

Click Here to Visit Christmas in the 1930s!!!

When Radio Ruled #149 – SoundScape 1939 part 21 October 15-22, 1939

Curated clips of live broadcasts from popular radio shows of the day. Radio highlights originally broadcast live October 15 through October 22, 1939.

A tapestry of History through the eyes of people as they lived it, reported by radio.

In today’s SoundScape:

Fibber McGee and Giidersleeve Argue!

Henry Aldritch combs his hair!

Arthur Miller’s first Radio Show!

America’s Town Meeting of the Air explains the European War!

The New Machinery of our Century!

Jack Benny finds a Gold Cigarette Case!

Boxer King Kole Eats Canvas!

And More!!

Featuring:

Orson Welles

Cecil B DeMille

Fibber McGee and Molly

Harlow Wilcox

Ezra Stone

Captain MidNight

Helen Hayes

Jack Benny

Don Wilson

Phil Harris

Mary Livingstone

Dennis Day

Kay Kaiser

Fred MacMurray

Joan Bondell

And More!

Click Hear to Visit 1939!!

When Radio Ruled #148 – OTR Thanksgiving 2025

Happy Thanksgiving!!

The concept of Thanksgiving is as ancient as ancient can be. Harvest festivals dedicated to the god or gods currently in fashion as thanks for abundance and the survival it would provide.

But like so many things, Americans have made thanksgiving their very own with traditions and customs created and nurtured here in the good old USA.

FEATURING:

Lionel Barrymore

Edward Arnold

Fanny Brice

Hanley Stafford

Nelson Eddy

Cecil B. DeMille

Mickey Rooney

Don Wilson

Amos ‘n Ady

Wally Brown

Dinah Shore

Winston Churchill

And More

CLICK HERE FOR TURKEY TALK FROM THE 30s AND 40s

When Radio Ruled #147 – SoundScape 1939 part 20

Curated clips of live broadcasts from popular radio shows of the day. Radio highlights originally broadcast live October 8 through October 15, 1939.

A tapestry of History through the eyes of people as they lived it, reported by radio.

In today’s SoundScape:

What the Jack Benny cast did on Summer Vacation!

Dennis Day Joins the Jello Cast!

Orson Welles takes us to Tangiers!

Bert Lahr visits Fred Allen!

Andy Devine visits Jack Benny!

And More!!

Featuring:

Jack Benny

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Mary Livingston

Phil Harris

Don Wilson

Dennis Day

Orson Welles

Paulette Goddard

Fibber McGee and Molly

Fred Allen

Portland Hoffa

Wynn Murray

The Merry Macs

Bert Lahr

Andy Devine

And More!

SoundScape 1939 part 20 is just a Click Away!!!

When Radio Ruled #132 – SoundScape 1939 part 12

Curated clips of live broadcasts from popular radio shows of the day.

History through the eyes of people as they lived it, reported by radio.

In today’s SoundScape:

The Town Hall News!

A Newsreel Camera Man!

Fred Allen Bad Mouths Jack Benny!

Life Begins at 40!

And More

Featuring:

Cecil B DeMille

Dr. Ronald W. McCorkle

Fibber McGee and Molly

Harry Van Steeden

Fred Allen

Portland Hoffa

The Merry Macs

Jack Benny

Don Wilson

Phil Harris

Mary Livingstone

Andy Devine

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Edgar Bergen

Charlie McCarthy

Don Ameche

Ginger Rogers

And More!

Click Here To Take a Trip to 1939!

When Radio Ruled #131 – Eddie Cantor vs Father Coughlin 1939

In public, Eddie Cantor was known as a charming clown with a side of song.

In private, Eddie Cantor was a concerned citizen who dedicated much of his personal time and wealth to Jewish charities and causes. The more he saw the rising hatred directed at the Jewish people, the more he felt the need to ease their burden.

Radio Priest Father Charles Coughlin preached we should give the Germans benefit of the doubt. Communism was just as bad. And did you notice all those Commies are Jews?

Not subtle, but effective and a message that would meet with brave resistance from Eddie Cantor.

 A real life Radio Feud with national political implications.

Also appearing:

The Mad Russian

Baby Snooks

Don Wilson

Jack Benny

Click Here to Listen to Eddie Cantor vs Father Coughlin

When Radio Ruled #130-SoundScape 1939 part 11

Curated clips of live broadcasts from popular radio shows of the day.

History through the eyes of people as they lived it, reported by radio.

In today’s SoundScape:

Royalty are just regular folks!

Jack Benny with the Hollywood Gossip!

The Patent Office is Your Friend!

Frank Morgan talks Wizard of Oz and World Fairs!

A Big Dose of Great Swing Music!

And More

Featuring:

Cecil B Demille

Fibber McGee and Molly

Jack Benny

Mary Livingstone

Don Wilson

Kenny Baker

Orson Welles

Zasu Pitts

The Green Hornet

Barney Rapp and His New Englanders featuring Ruby Wright

Baby Snooks and Daddy

Frank Morgan

Connie Boswell

Doris Day

Phil Harris

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Andy Devine

And More!

Click Here for a Radio Journey Down Memory Lane!

When Radio Ruled #126 – SoundScape 1939 part 9, May 4-21 1939

SoundScape part 9, Radio highlights originally broadcast live May 4 through May 21, 1939

Curated clips of live broadcasts from popular radio shows of the day.

History through the eyes of people as they lived it, reported by radio.

In today’s SoundScape:

Mother’s Day 1939 with Jack Benny!

Where are the real high class professional crooks in America today?

As a Lover, rumor has it,  Jack Benny is a regular Caveman!

Featuring:

Robert Young

Connie Boswell

Frank Morgan

Fannie Brice

Orson Welles

Jack Benny

Phil Harris

Mary Livingstone

Leslie Howard

Don Wilson

Cecil B DeMille

The Family Doctor

Fibber McGee and Molly

Ida Lupino

and

Kenny Baker

Click Here to Hear with Your Ear SoundScape 1939 part 9

When Radio Ruled #124 – SoundScape 1939 part 8, April 6-30 1939

Radio highlights originally broadcast live April 6 through April 30, 1939

Curated clips of live broadcasts from popular radio shows of the day.

History through the eyes of people as they lived it, reported by radio.

In today’s soundscape:

A Tribute to Man’s Best Friend, my Dog

Pearl Buck Talks China with Anna Mae Wong and Orson Welles

Jack Benny’s 7th Anniversary on Radio!

And more!!!

FEATURING:

Robert Young

Kitty Carlisle

Meredith Wilson

Lionel Barrymore

Don Wilson

Jack Benny

Phil Harris

Mary Livingstone

Cecil B DeMille

General Hugh Samuel Johnson

Errol Flynn

Fibber McGee and Molly

Orson Welles

Anna Mae Wong

Kenny Baker

Eddie Rochester Anderson

Gertrude Lawrence

and

Eddie Cantor

Click Here For A Heaping Earful of 1939!

When Radio Ruled #122 – SoundScape 1939 part 7, March 22 – April 5, 1939

Radio highlights originally broadcast live March 22 through April 5, 1939

Curated clips of live broadcasts from popular radio shows of the day.

History through the eyes of people as they lived it, reported by radio.

In today’s soundscape:

Nothing about the war in this one, things were quiet there and we were more than happy to pretend the bombs and blood wasn’t real. We will soon find out different.

The violent wedding of Andy Brown!

Georgie Jessell kills it with the comedy on the Fed Allen show!

And more!!!

This episode features:

Cecil B DeMille

Loretta Young

Spencer Tracy

Father Flanagan

Fibber McGee

Robert Young

Leo Carillo

Orson Welles

Jack Benny

Don Wilson

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Phil Harris Orchestra

Mary Livingstone

Mr. Distrct Attorney

Amos ‘n Andy

Fred Allen

Portland Hoffa

Peter Van Steeden

Harry Von Zell

And

Georgie Jessell

Click Here to Time Travel with Your Ears to 1939 !!

When Radio Ruled #120 – SoundScape 1939 part 6, March 17-26 1939

History through the eyes of people as they lived it, reported by radio.

Curated clips of live broadcasts from popular radio shows of the day.

In today’s soundscape:

Mary’s Springtime Poem!

Ed Sullivan wants to know! Is Jack Benny the real Jack Benny?!

And more!!!

This episode features:

Orson Welles

Laurence Olivier

Noah Beery

Cecil B DeMille

Clark Gable

Claudette Colbert

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Jack Benny

Mary Livingstone

Phil Harris

Kenny Baker

Columbia Workshop

Fibber McGee

Zasu Pitts

Fred Allen

The Merry Macs

Don Wilson

Ed Sullivan

And More!!

Listen to SoundScape 1939 part 6

When Radio Ruled #118 – SoundScape 1939 part 5: February 27 – March 16, 1939

History through the eyes of people as they lived it, reported by radio.

In today’s soundscape:

Baby Snooks and Daddy visit the 1939 New York’s World Fair!

An Irish Ghost Story entitled “Faith is Not always a Lady”!!

A Gentle Reminder to Always Remember to Lux your Stockings!!

This episode features:

The Family Doctor

Cecil B DeMille

Jimmy Cagney

Fibber McGee

The Merry Macs

Jimmy Stewart

Robert Young

The Phil Harris Orchestra

Columbia Workshop

Zasu Pitts

Lionel Barrymore

Orson Welles

Warden Laws of Sing-Sing

Jack Benny

Don Wilson

Kenny Baker

Barbara Stanwyck

Sara Roosevelt – the mother of the President

Frank Morgan

Fanny Brice

Hanley Stafford

Robert Montgomery

And

Connee Boswell

Click Here to Give 1939 part 5 a Listen!

When Radio Ruled #116-SoundScape 1939 part 4

History through the eyes of people as they live it, reported by radio.

Voices from the past alive again because you’re listening now.

In today’s soundscape, you can hear the dark cloud of war gather.

Earlier in the year, as evidenced by When Radio Ruled Soundscapes 1939 parts 1, 2, and 3, Old Time Radio was trying to ignore the European turmoil. In this episode they’ve stopped trying.

The Columbia Workshop in particular forshadows the horrors to come. You’ll see.

Thank God for Jack Benny. This episode has its dark moments. They make a good laugh more important than ever.

This episode features:

Bing Crosby

Jane Withers

The Columbia Workshop

Cecil B. DeMille

Fibber McGee

Orson Welles

Jack Benny

Don Wilson

Phil Harris

Mary Livingstone

The Family Doctor

Lionel Barrymore

Robert Young

Rosalind Russell

Meredith Wilson

Tony Martin

Fred Allen

Harry Von Zell

Portland Hoffa

Give a Listen to SoundScape 1939 part 4

When Radio Ruled #114 – SoundScape 1939 part 3 (January 24 – March 2, 1939)

1939 was a year where everything changed. An uneasy peace became all out war.  Society and culture and government were questioned as never before. The evil inside the human race made itself known that year, as ferocious as in the past but applied with an improved efficiency.

Radio was there to witness it.

And I got to Live 1939 second hand through these radio voices from the past.

In my OTR collection I have hundreds of hours of 1939 broadcasts. I listened to them in Chronological order to research the documentaries, the year 1939 as seen through comedy, drama, music, and of course news broadcast at the moments the history happened.

Here are curated highlghts of that journey for you to experience. This Soundscape delivers January 24 – March 2 1939 as seen by Old Time Radio, presented by the following voices from the grave, alive again because you’re listening:

Fibber McGee

Harlow Wilcox

Orson Welles

George Kaufmann

Jack Benny

Don Wilson

Mary Livingston

The Phil Harris Orchestra

Andy Devine

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Nelson Eddy

Charlie McCarthy

Edgar Bergen

Don Ameche

Dorothy Lamour

Maureen O’Sullivan

The Family Doctor

The Billy Mills Orchestra

Helen Hayes

And more!

Give a Listen to SoundScape 1939 part 3!

When Radio Ruled #107 SoundScape 1938 part 33

We’ve got both reassuring fantasy and unsettling reality in this episode. On one hand we’ll hear old friends Donald Duck and the Seven Dwarfs in a fairy tale setting, and we’ll hear our soon to be enemy, Nazi Germany take over the real world Austria.

Starring:

Orson Welles

Don Wilson

Jack Benny

Mary Livingstone

Phil Harris

Kenny Baker

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Mickey Mouse

Minnie Mouse

Goofy

Walt Disney

Snow White

The Wicked Queen

Donald Duck

The Seven Dwarfs

In this episode:

Orson Welles is Ebenezer Scrooge!

Jack Benny, Movie Star!

Jack is Building a new Beverly Hills Home!

God Bless You Mr. Chamberlain!

Donald Duck is Making Trouble!

Don’t Buy an Apple from the Wicked Queen!

The Disney Gang meets the Seven Dwarfs!

CBS News Reports on the European Crisis!

Why Doesn’t Britain do Something?!

And More!!

Click Here to Listen to SoundScape 1938 part 33

When Radio Ruled #106 – SoundScape 1938 part 32

This Episode consists of a curated collection of Old Time Radio Clips originally broadcast live December 25 through December 29, 1938.

Starring:

Don Wilson

Mary Livingstone

Jack Benny

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Kenny Baker

Andy Devine

Phil Harris

Joan Bennett

Cecil B. DeMille

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Walt Disney

Robert Young

Bill Stern

Frank Morgan

Featured Songs Include:

Whistle While You Work –Snow White

The Digging Song – The Seven Dwarfs

In this episode:

Jack Benny throws a Christmas Party!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!

Walt Disney talks with Cecil B. DeMille!

Bill Stern talks about announcing Football Games!

And More!!

Click Here to Give episode #106 a Listen!

When Radio Ruled #105 – SoundScape 1938 part 31

This Episode consists of a curated collection of Old Time Radio Clips originally broadcast live December 11 through December 22, 1938.

Starring:

The Cast of Family Doctor

Fred Allen

Santa Claus

Robert Young

Lionel Barrymore

Reginald Owen

Jack Benny

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Don Wilson

Mary Livingstone

Phil Harris

Kenny Baker

Andy Devine

Hanley Stafford

Fanny Brice

In this episode:

Fred Allen interviews Santa Claus!

Lionel Barrymore Narrates “A Christmas Carol”!

Jack and the Gang take the Train Cross Country!

Baby Snooks goes to the department store!

It’s Christmas in 1938!

And More!!

Please come with me on the time machine to the year 1938 and be entertained by these giants of show biz from long ago, alive again through the magic of the theater of the mind.

Soundscape 1938, part 31, from When Radio Ruled, offered without further commentary for your entertainment and education. But mostly for your entertainment.

Click here to give Episode 105 a Listen!

When Radio Ruled #104 – SoundScape 1938 part 30

My personal OTR collection contains thousands of hours of old time radio I use  in order to create the year by year historical When Radio Ruled documentaries, and as I listen to each episode I extract the most interesting and entertaining bits to create a best of reel as a reference for when writing the scripts. And that’s what you are about to hear, part of that best of reel, a one hour chunk of really great audio artifacts from 1938.

The Episode consists of a curated collection of Old Time Radio Clips originally broadcast live November 25 through December 11, 1938.

Starring:

Orson Welles

Agnes Moorehead

Don Wilson

Jack Benny

Phil Harris

Kenny Baker

Mary Livingstone

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Cast of Family Doctor

Featured Songs Include

They Say – Helen Forrest with the Artie Shaw Orchestra

My Reverie – Helen Forrest with the Artie Shaw Orchestra

Who Blew Out The Flame – Helen Forrest with the Artie Shaw Orchestra

Pocketful of Dreams – Phil Harris and His Orchestra

In this episode:

Some Smoking Jazz From Artie Shaw!

Jack Benny has a bad cold!

Flash Benny Football Hero!

The Benny Gang Visits New York!

Jack’s Annual Christmas Shopping Trip!

And More!!

Click Here to Hear SoundScape 1938 part 30

When Radio Ruled #103 – SoundScape 1938 part 29

My personal OTR collection contains thousands of hours of old time radio I use  in order to create the year by year historical When Radio Ruled documentaries, and as I listen to each episode I extract the most interesting and entertaining bits to create a best of reel as a reference for when writing the scripts. And that’s what you are about to hear, part of that best of reel, a one hour chunk of really great audio artifacts from 1938.

The Episode consists of a curated collection of Old Time Radio Clips originally broadcast live November 17 through November 24, 1938.

Starring:

Louis B. Mayer

Father Flanagan

Don Wilson

Mary Livingstone

Phil Harris

Jack Benny

Kenny Baker

Cast of The Family Doctor

Robert Young

Fanny Brice

Hanley Stafford

Mickey Rooney

Louis Stone

Faye Holden

Cecelia Parker

Ann Rutherford

In this episode:

Louis B Mayer talks about the Movie BoysTown!

Kenny Baker Plays a Cannibal!

Baby Snooks Gets a New Car and Daddy gets a ticket!

The Hardy family show us the true meaning of Thanksgiving!

And More!!

Click Here to Hear SoundScape 1938 part 29

When Radio Ruled #101 – SoundScape 1938 part 27

The Episode consists of a curated collection of Old Time Radio Clips originally broadcast live November 2 through November 6, 1938.

Starring:

Fred Allen

Harry Von Zell

Portland Hoffa

Orson Welles

Don Wilson

Jack Benny

Phil Harris

Mary Livingstone

Kenny Baker

Bill Goodwin

Charlie McCarthy

Edgar Bergen

Ray Noble

Jean Arthur

And

The Merry Macs

In this episode:

Fred Allen’s Tribute to November!

Sound Poems from Columbia Workshop!

Jean Arthur Tells Charlie McCarthy about Goldilocks

And More!!

Please come with me on the time machine to the year 1938 and be entertained by these giants of show biz from long ago, alive again through the magic of the theater of the mind.

Click Here to Enjoy SoundScape 1938 part 27

When Radio Ruled #100 – SoundScape 1938 part 26

The Episode consists of a curated collection of Old Time Radio Clips originally broadcast live October 23  through October 31, 1938.

Starring:

Orson Welles

Lionel Barrymore

Clark Gable

Robert Young

Frank Morgan

Don Ameche

Judy Canova

Charlie McCarthy

Edgar Bergen

Dorothy Lamour

Madeleine Carroll

Don Wilson

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Jack Benny

Mary Livingstone

Kenny Baker

Phil Harris

Andy Devine

and

Seabiscuit

FEATURED SONGS INCLUDE

Two Sleepy People – Dorothy Lamour

Hounds on My Tracks – Judy, Annie, and Zeke

What Have You Got That Gets Me? – Phil Harris and the Jello Gang

In this episode:

The Martians Invade America!

Edgar Bergen tries to Tell a Ghost Story!

Jack Benny throws a Halloween Party!

Seabiscuit races War Admiral!

And More!!

Please come with me on the time machine to the year 1938 and be entertained by these giants of show biz from long ago, alive again through the magic of the theater of the mind.

Soundscape 1938, part 26, from When Radio Ruled, offered without further commentary for your entertainment and education. But mostly for your entertainment.

Click Here to Hear SoundScape 1938 part 26!

When Radio Ruled #98 – SoundScape 1938 part 24

The Episode consists of a curated collection of Old Time Radio Clips originally broadcast live September 15 through October 10, 1938.

Starring:

Cast of Blair of the Mounties

Cast of Columbia Workshop

Slapsy Maxie Rosenbloom

Frank Morgan

Fanny Brice

Cast of Family Doctor

Cecil B. DeMille

Ephraim Zimbalist

Neville Chamberlain

Phil Harris

Kenny Baker

Mary Livingstone

Don Wilson

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Jack Benny

Eleanor Powell

In this episode:

Jack Benny’s back on the Radio and Nazi Mind Games!

Neville Chamberlain says everything’s going to be alright!

Fanny Bruce and Slapsy Maxie Rosenbloom make with the funny!

And More!!

Click Here for Episode #98

When Radio Ruled #91 – SoundScape 1938 part 18

This episode consists of a curated collection of Old Time Radio Clips originally broadcast live May 26 through June 1 1938.

Starring:

Robert Young

Fanny Brice

Hanley Stafford

The Cast of Columbia Workshop

Georgie Jessel

Mary Livingston

Don Wilson

Kenny Baker

Phil Harris

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

Jack Benny

Andy Devine

Agnes Moorehead

Orson Welles

Fred Allen

The Mighty Allen Art Players

Featured Songs include:

I was a Flora Dora Baby – Fanny Brice

Love Please Don’t Tell on Me medley – The Merry Macs

In this episode:

Rochester plays Leading Lady as Jack Benny rehearses for his new film!

The Shadow Confronts The Creeper!

A Vox Pop parody from Fred Allen!

And More!!

Please come with me on the time machine to the year 1938 and be entertained by these giants of entertainment from long ago, alive again through the magic of the theater of the mind.

Click Here to Hear 1938 SoundScape part 18!

When Radio Ruled Episode 55 – Soundscape 1937 part 22

Mae West and Charlie McCarthy – Great scandals if 1937

This podcast is a montage of excerpts from old time radio shows performed live and broadcast November 29 to December 12, 1937.

Starring Cecil B Demille, Eddie Cantor, Jimmy Wallington, Rudy Vallee, Tommy Riggs and Betty Lou, Frank Case, Andy Devine, Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, Kenny Baker, Don Wilson, Fibber McGee, Don Ameche, Charlie McCarthy, Edgar Bergen, Nelson Eddy, Mae West, Pinky Tomlin and more.

Click Here to Listen to Soundscape 1937 part 22

When Radio Ruled #54 – Soundscape 1937 part 21

Jack Benny and his faithful Maxwell

This podcast is a montage of excerpts from old time radio shows performed live and broadcast November 8 to November 28, 1938.

Starring Bing Crosby, Jimmy Wallington, Eddie Cantor, Fibber McGee and Molly, Benny Goodman, Colonel Stoopnagle and Budd, Don Wilson, Jack Benny, Phil Harris, Mary Livingstone, Orson Welles, and more.

 

Featured Songs include Eddie Cantor, “Getting some fun out of Life”, Bing Crosby “I’m Humming”, Some smoking Benny Goodman Swing Instrumentals and the Benny Goodman orchestra featuring vocalist Martha Tilden “Mama that moon is here again”, Pinky Tomlin “The Lady who couldn’t be Kissed” and Phil Harris “You can’t stop me from dreaming”

Click here to hear Soundscape 1937 part 21