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Classic Radio Theater with Wyatt Cox

History Podcasts

Our new distribution Channel. Classic Radio Theater features great radio programs that warmed the hearts of millions for the better part of the 20th century. Host Wyatt Cox brings the best of radio classics back to life with both the passion of a long time (as in more than half a century) fan and the heart of a forty year news man. But more than just “playing the hits”, Wyatt supplements the first hour of each day’s show with historical information on the day and date in history including audio that takes you back to World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. FDR, Eisenhower, JFK, Reagan, Carter, Nixon, LBJ. It’s a true slice of life from not just radio’s past, but America’s past. Wyatt produces 21 hours a week of freshly minted Classic Radio Theater presentations each week, and each day’s broadcast is timely and entertaining!

Location:

United States

Description:

Our new distribution Channel. Classic Radio Theater features great radio programs that warmed the hearts of millions for the better part of the 20th century. Host Wyatt Cox brings the best of radio classics back to life with both the passion of a long time (as in more than half a century) fan and the heart of a forty year news man. But more than just “playing the hits”, Wyatt supplements the first hour of each day’s show with historical information on the day and date in history including audio that takes you back to World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. FDR, Eisenhower, JFK, Reagan, Carter, Nixon, LBJ. It’s a true slice of life from not just radio’s past, but America’s past. Wyatt produces 21 hours a week of freshly minted Classic Radio Theater presentations each week, and each day’s broadcast is timely and entertaining!

Language:

English

Contact:

775-469-0951


Listen on a live station
Episodes

Classic Radio for September 21, 2023 - A rogues Holiday, Death has a Thousand Faces, and a Death Ray Tube

9/21/2023
First a look at what happened on this date in history. Then drama and espionage with The Lives of Harry Lime starring Orson Welles, originally broadcast September 21, 1951, 72 years ago, Rogues Holiday. Harry's crossing the Atlantic on the Princess Ann, planning to swindle to Lady Barbara Follet. However, what about her lovely companion? Next, mystery with the Mysterious Traveler, originally broadcast September 21, 1948, 75 years ago, Death Has a Thousand Faces. After two attempts on his life, the older wife of a meek and mild man seems to be trying to murder him. Finally the third episode of Phyl Coe Mysteries, originally broadcast September 21, 1937, 86 years ago, The Mystery Of The Death Ray Tube. A scientist has invented a working death ray but it's been stolen during the night. How did Phyl Coe uncover the thief and murderer? Bud Collyer and Peggy Allenby star.

Duration:01:30:56

Classic Radio for September 20, 2023 - The Maltese Falcon, The Six Shooter, and the Judge

9/20/2023
First a look at what happened on this date in history. Then an all-star cast in the Screen Guild Theater adaptation of The Maltese Falcon from September 20, 1943, 80 years ago. The classic hunt for the fabulous bird. All four of the major stars from the movie appear including Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, and Sydney Greenstreet. Then we head out west to hear Jimmy Stewart as the Six Shooter from September 20, 1953, 70 years ago. Britt Ponset finds a wounded man in the desert and brings him to Jenny Garber to nurse him back to health. No man seems to think much of Jenny. Finally and episode of Lum and Abner from September 20, 1935, 88 years ago, Dick Huddleston talks with the judge.

Duration:01:23:28

Classic Radio for September 19, 2023 - A Gunfighter, a Utopia, and has Lum skipped town

9/19/2023
First a look at what happened on this date in history. Then Western adventure in Gunsmoke starring William Conrad, originally broadcast September 19, 1953, 70 years ago, There was never a horse. Ken Creed comes to Dodge. He's the fastest gunman ever (faster even than Marshal Dillon), and he's looking for a shootout! And Science Fiction adventure in X Minus One, originally broadcast September 19, 1957, 66 years ago, Tsylana. A visit to Utopia, and everybody's happy...right? Finally comedy with Lum and Abner September 19, 1935, 88 years ago, Lum Sells his Possessions. Is he skipping town?

Duration:01:27:36

Classic Radio for September 18, 2023 -Gildy cuts the water, George is the cover for an hour, and $5000 bail

9/18/2023
As always, I start out with a look at this day in history. Then comedy with The Great Gildersleeve starring Harold Peary, originally broadcast September 18, 1946, 77 years ago, Gildy turns off the water. Gildersleeve decides to turn off the water of the residents who haven't paid their water bill. Everyone. Crime Drama with Let George Do It starring Bob Bailey, originally broadcast September 18, 1950, 73 years ago, Cover for an Hour. A messenger boy locks George in the closet, but for what reason? And then there's a dead body found in the closet...named George Valentine! Blackmail of sorts and another murder soon follow. And finally comedy with Lum and Abner, originally broadcast September 18, 1935, raising $5000 bail money. Abner’s out trying to raise Lum’s bond in connection with Squire’s mine fraud.

Duration:01:26:14

Classic Radio for September 17, 2023 -The Thoroughbreds, the Apartment Swindler, and the Ducks

9/17/2023
Three shows this time around from September 17th following a look at this date. First, Gunsmoke starring William Conrad, originally broadcast September 17, 1955, 68 years ago, Thoroughbreds. Jack Portas comes to Dodge, with two beautiful horses and a pocketful of money with which to buy friends. Then Boston Blackie starring Dick Kollmar, originally broadcast September 17, 1946, 77 years ago, The Apartment Swindler. The leader of a gang that is swindling people who are desperate to get an apartment, is found murdered. Don't believe the photograph on the desk! Finally, Claudia, originally broadcast September 17, 1948, 75 years ago. A fast swim, but a strange pool. Just ducky. Visit my web pagehttp://classicradio.stream to stay in touch and to support this broadcast!

Duration:01:29:21

Classic Radio for September 16, 2023 -Where's Snooks?, Junior to the shrink, and Water Polo

9/16/2023
A potpourri of comedies from September 16. First the Baby Snooks show starring Fanny Brice from September 16, 1945. The first show of the series, but surprisingly, Fanny Brice does not appear! The search for Baby Snooks! Eddie Cantor helps "Daddy" search for her. Next, The Milton Berle Show, originally broadcast September 16, 1947, a salute to radio! Milton takes Junior (Arnold Stang) to a child psychiatrist. Finally more of Lum and Abner and their trek to Las Vegas from September 16, 1948. The boys make it to Las Vegas. Now to find Elizabeth! Thanks to Ted at Radiomemories.com for supplying us this episode of Lum and Abner.

Duration:01:37:28

Classic Radio for September 15, 2023 - Hi-FI, Water, and the Grand Canyon

9/15/2023
A potpourri of comedies from September 15. First the Stan Freberg show from September 15, 1957, another hi-fi lecture. The Freberg Build-It-Yourself grand piano, The fortune cookie factory, Prof. Horn lectures on Hi Fi. Next, Fibber McGee and Molly, originally broadcast September 15, 1954, The water at 79 Wistful Vista is turned off for the afternoon. Fibber gets very thirsty! Finally more of Lum and Abner and their trek to Las Vegas from September 15, 1948. They boys have gotten off their route and have ended up at the Grand Canyon, only to be met by... Thanks again to Ted at Radiomemories.com for this episode of Lum and Abner.

Duration:01:01:32

Classic Radio for September 14, 2023 - Espionage, Spies, and Indian Blankets?

9/14/2023
A potpourri of shows from September 14. First, from September 14, 1951, The Lives of Harry Lime starring Orson Welles in an episode entitled Love Affair. In a remote Saudi Arabian town, Harry finds a murder and a double-cross in oil. Harry has the oil concession rights and two foreign agents set to buy. Next, Counterspy starring Don Maclaughlin and Mandel Kramer, originally broadcast September 14, 1942, The Case of the Loganberry Point Spy. A German-American widow in northern Maine has waited forty-one years for the return of her husband. Finally, Lum and Abner from September 14, 1948, Grandpap shops for souvenirs. The boys make it to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Grandpap wants to buy a souvenir Indian Blanket. You won’t guess who’s selling them. Thanks to Ted at Radiomemories.com for this program.

Duration:01:19:55

Classic Radio for September 13, 2023 - Shhh...quiet please, Irma, and a Lum and Abner Road Trip

9/13/2023
Shows and news from 75 years ago, September 13, 1948 First, Ernest Chappell scares you with an episode of Quiet Please from September 13, 1948, Symphony in D Minor. A blind hypnotist gives a post-hypnotic suggestion to his wife's lover. He orders the lover to kill the wife when he hears the Cesar Franck symphony - that happens to be the program's theme song. Next, Marie Wilson confuses and bewitches many in My Friend Irma from September 13, 1948. Joan Banks took over the role of Jane from Cathy Lewis while Lewis was ill. After Jane spends their $200 savings paying off the loan on the piano, Irma takes the same $200 out of the bank and buys a half pound diamond! Finally Lum, Cedric, and Grandpap head for Lost Wages - er, Las Vegas - in an episode of Lum and Abner from September 13, 1948. It’s a full car with Lum, Abner, Ben Withers, Grandpap...and his dog! Thanks to Ted at Radiomemories.com for this episode.

Duration:01:23:44

Classic Radio for September 12, 2023 - A Quiz Show, a Bond Drive, and a Chinese Dinner

9/12/2023
Here's some random September 12 shows to brighten your day. We'll start off with the Harry Hagen hosted quiz show True or False, Broadcast 85 years ago, September 12, 1938 and sponsored by Williams Shave Creme. In this show, five Male postal clerks ( I should have written Male mail clerks, but that's too corny) face off against five women of the League of Women Voters. The show was broadcast from Cincinnati Ohio. Then we head to a wartime episode ofThe Great Gildersleeve broadcast September 12, 1943, 80 years ago. Summerfield is going all out to sell U. S. War Bonds. Gildersleeve makes an eloquent appeal for bond purchases. Then we go to a 15 minute episode of Fibber McGee and Molly from September 12, 1954, 69 years ago. Fibber and Molly have Chinese food for dinner. Fibber's fortune cookie reads, "You have a rendezvous with a big man in a blue serge suit...beware!" Could Doc Gamble be the man?

Duration:01:18:24

Classic Radio for September 11, 2023 - 22 years later

9/11/2023
As broadcast this morning on KELY Radio and the Nevada Talk Network, our remembrance of the events on September 11, 2001, 22 years ago. The audio of Art Vuolo's outstanding documentary of how New York City radio covered the events. The video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haKCpLyNdns Learn more about Art at http://vuolovideo.com Also the late Steve West produced an amazing piece in remembrance of the date.

Duration:00:35:03

Classic Radio for September 10, 2023 - News, Lum and Abner, and Boston Blackie

9/10/2023
News from September 10, 1946 Lum and Abner, from September 10, 1946. How is Lum going to pay for the piano he gave to the church? Boston Blackie starring Dick Kollmar, originally broadcast September 10, 1946, The Backstage Murder. Blackie dons tights and grease-paint to perform in, "The Mikado." Murder takes a bow, with marked cards found on the corpse. Thanks again to Ted at radiomemories.com for his support!

Duration:00:51:10

Classic Radio for September 2, 2023 By Request - News of the date, Apartment for Peggy, and Lucille Ball and the Elves

9/2/2023
BY REQUEST - News and information on this date in history are back! Screen Director’s Playhouse, originally broadcast September 2, 1949, Apartment for Peggy. A retired professor rents his attic apartment to pregnant Peggy and her GI-Bill-student husband. The professor ponders if his life is no longer useful while the young couple faces the challenges shared with many WW II veterans' families. Jeanne Crain returns in her starring motion picture role. My Favorite Husband starring Lucille Ball and Richard Denning, originally broadcast September 2, 1949, The Elves. While the Coopers were away on vacation, someone kept ordering ice cream and charging it to the Coopers.

Duration:01:14:36

Classic Radio for September 2, 2023 - School Days, Part 2

9/2/2023
Father Knows Best starring Robert Young, originally broadcast October 16, 1952, Bud Quits School. Bud has quit school so Mr. Anderson gives him a job as handyman. Fibber McGee and Molly, September 6, 1937, Fibber is the Acting School Principal. On the first day of school, Fibber has a few suggestions for the school principal. Lum and Abner, originally broadcast September 17, 1935. Lum has problems in settling the silver mine with the stranger that wants to buy shares.

Duration:01:17:50

Classic Radio for September 2, 2023 - School Days, Part 1

9/2/2023
Abbott and Costello, originally broadcast March 1, 1945, Going Back to School. Guest Frank Sinatra takes another merciless ribbing about his physique. Frank, Bud, Lou and Connie Haines are back in school in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. Who invented the steam engine? Not Watt! Frank and Lou sing a duet to, "One Meatball." Frankie sings, "If You Were But A Dream." The Great Gildersleeve starring Harold Peary, originally broadcast September 19, 1945, Leroy Suspended from School. Leroy (Walter Tetley) has been suspended from school and is being shunned by his friends. Lum and Abner, originally broadcast September 16, 1935, The First Day of School in Pine Ridge.

Duration:01:10:30

Classic Radio for August 26, 2023 - Some very early Jack Benny

8/26/2023
Before Jack Benny became the loveable skinflint he did in the 40's and 50's he was a much more sarcastic wiseacre in the 1930's. Though these episodes of the podcast are of less-than-ideal quality, they give you an idea of Jack's early character. First his very first program going back 91 years to May 2, 1932. This is nowhere near what the program would become as Jack is less the star as he is the emcee of the Canada Dry program. Then from March 8, 1936 for Jello, Jack takes the gang to the Central Park Zoo. This would have been much funnier with Dennis Day and Phil Harris. Finally on April 5, 1936 in the middle of the Benny-Allen feud, Jack takes potshots at Fred Allen's radio program Town Hall Tonight with a parody entitled Clown Hall Tonight. Apologies for the audio quality. These shows were not well preserved.

Duration:01:32:15

Classic Radio for August 25, 2023 - Fibber and Molly across 25 years

8/25/2023
90 minutes of some milestone Fibber McGee and Molly programs First, from 88 years ago, August 26, 1935, we learn how Fibber and Molly ended up with the house at 79 Wistful Vista Next the final episode sponsored by Johnson's Wax from May 23, 1950, Fibber and Molly plan to spend the summer managing Uncle Sycamore's cattle ranch. Then the final 15 minute version of the program from March 23, 1956, Fibber becomes an efficiency expert and tries to make improvements in Molly's kitchen. And an episode of Fibber and Molly from NBC's Monitor Program May 17, 1958. Fibber is telling Teeny about his war exploits as Fibber has his uniform out getting ready for Armed Forces Day

Duration:01:31:16

Classic Radio for August 20, 2023 - Tomorrow - a tale of Civil Defense

8/20/2023
Tomorrow was a stand-alone radio program produced by ABC in 1956, in which Welles played the role of narrator. Broadcast on October 17, 1956, the program is generally described as a propaganda piece for national defense, seemingly with the intent to convince viewers that it’s important to have a national defense program. Mona Freeman and Marshall Thompson star. Based on the Philip Wylie book.

Duration:01:03:48

Classic Radio for August 19, 2023 - 1984

8/19/2023
The NBC University Theater production of George Orwell's 1984, originally broadcast August 27, 1949. Announced as the first radio production of the story. A romance in the age of "double think." Big Brother is watching us all! David Niven stars. Intermission commentary on the book is provided by noted novelist James Hilton, author of Lost Horizon and Goodby Mr Chips. Featured in the cast are Donald Morrison, Ben Wright, John Ramsay Hill, Raymond Lawrence, George Pembroke, Tom Dillon, Queenie Leonard, Dan O'Herlihy, Alec Harford, Constance Cavendish, and Eric Snowdon. Narrator Ramsay Hill.

Duration:01:01:59

Classic Radio for August 15, 2023 - And now, the news (commentators)

8/13/2023
A look at the way Radio and their commentators covered news in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. In this episode:

Duration:01:04:09