Those of you who have visited our site for a while may remember a previous post about Old Time Radio shows. I posted it a little over a year ago, but those of you who may have missed it are welcome to view that post HERE. This year, I have selected another set of shows to share, and I hope you will enjoy them.
The first two shows share a common theme- one of the main characters in each of these episodes is based on the same person, but you’ll need to listen to see who. In the the first show, Casey is a newspaper crime photographer who inevitably ends up solving the crime that he is sent to take pictures of. You can follow him on this Christmas assignment with his partner Anne, a writer for the same paper. In the second show, Archie is the manager at Duffy’s Tavern. Due to his circumstances, he is down on Christmas. A visitor helps him overcome those feelings in this episode.
Casey Crime Photographer – The Santa Claus of Bums Boulevard
Duffy’s Tavern – Archie’s in Poor Spirits
The next show is this year’s choice for a rendition of Dickens’ Christmas Carol. Richard Diamond is often referred to as the singing detective, as he closes most shows by sitting down at a piano and playing while singing. While his cases can be rough, the show is light-hearted and fast moving.
Richard Diamond, Private Detective – A Christmas Carol
Next up I have episodes of The Whistler and The Shadow. These shows tended to be darker, and generally had tensions surrounding the lead characters. The Whistler would follow along, watching, narrating and giving background information, and usually the shows climax in some type of an unforseen plot twist. The Shadow worked more as an investigator, righting wrongs as he found them.
The Whistler – Christmas Bonus
The Shadow – The Stockings Were Hung
Now, to lighten the mood, I am including an episode of Fibber McGee and Molly. This show was a comedy, and generally has several laugh out loud moments. Many times, the main characters crack each other up during the show, which is always amusing.
Fibber McGee and Molly – White Christmas Tree
Lastly, an episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. Dollar is an insurance investigator whose cases are varied and well thought out. When this series ended, with it ended the ‘Golden Age’ of radio shows. I enjoy this series immensely, and present this fun program to leave you with a smile.
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar – The Missing Mouse Matter
Hopefully you have time to listen to these shows, and they can kick off your fall with a yearning for the Christmas Season that lays just ahead 🙂
