"I was born in 1921 and raised during those hard years of the depression. But we kids never thought about being poor as we were all in the same boat. I remember, after my father left for work at 4:00pm, Mom and I took in the movies, it cost a dime for me and 15 cents for Mom (double feature). Other nights, Mom played cards with her lady friends and I took over the radio! I remember in the winter, we had no steam heat so I sat in front of the big iron coal stove with my feet in the oven with the radio right beside me. Gosh, I loved it, and I knew all the shows. I didn't go much for the 'kid stuff' except for Lone Ranger and of course, I wasn't interested in the love stuff. BUT, those comedy, mystery and horror radio shows were my love! And for some reason or other, (I guess I was a pretty tough tomboy) I was never frightened!
Then of course, I grew up and as a young lady, I drifted away from the radio. Then I became interested in TV (when I wasn't going out dancing) and following years (getting married, raising children, keeping house) took up all my time, ending the day with a TV movie or something.
Now in the last few years since I have become a 'seasoned citizen', I naturally slowed down and needed something to fill my time and interest me. My sons hid my car keys and they won't let me drive anymore and I do really have a "very low threshold for boredom" - I was really on the threshold of depression until I discovered OLD TIME RADIO on my computer.
"What the heck is this?" my sons helped explain to me what mp3s were all about so I went ahead and bought the MP3 CD Player and ordered some disks from Jon. What a great surprise! What a Godsend! I've become pretty knowledgeable about the system and have acquired quite a collection for myself. I have several books on the subject also… especially about radio actors – I mean the really great RADIO performers (not the movie stars). I am really a great fan of theirs (they're probably all up in the big radio studio in the sky now) but I sure admired and still admire them. The Lights Out, Inner Santum and the great horror shows that have come out later are still my favorites. The wonderful Escape and Suspense series and other horror stuff – they still don't scare me and I still have the enjoyment of listening to all the spooky stuff. The Line-Up and 21st Precinct are two great cop shows – just like living in the city again! And let's not forget Jack Benny!
So… I'm not bored anymore. When I retire for the evening, I have my glass of wine and my MP3 CD Player next to me and all is right!
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COMMENTS
Jane
Steven
Frances-Agape
Don
Carolyn
Bruce
Blair
Mary
Paula Bain
Linda
Ken Gaston
Abby
D Horton
Donald
Eric
Dave Traweek
Dr Snapper
Wooding John
Jessie
I was born in the 1950's, and got my first radio when there was nothing of old time radio on the AM dial except an hour of reruns on Sundays. I then discovered a distant station which played shows each night. I was hooked on the Shadow, Johnny Dollar, Gunsmoke and The Green Hornet.
It wasn't until I was in my early 50's that I started seriously listening to old time radio seriously. The more I read about old time radio, the more I got hooked.
I have totally loved the WWII collections, as I have been researching the home front for a children's book. I am now completely in love with the news broadcasts from the 30's-50's. The quality of writing and delivery of the greats such as Edward R. Murrow, Bob Sheafer, Eric Severide and others is an education in itself. I have learned so much of history from broadcast collections such as the McCarthy CD, the This Is London and many more.
I am also addicted to Information Please. I delight tohear the incredible knowledge of the panelists. Clifton Fadiman was known to us in my Catholic high school as the boring guy who narrated educational films about literature. How wonderful to now know he was so clever. I wish I could go back and tell Sister Confirmata that I understand why she found him so great!
Though I enjoy movies and am a book addict, radio is also close to the top of my list. I am totally blind, so never have had to grumble about radio. I see things clearly in my mind. I am a professional storyteller, and it has been said of my performances that they harken back to radio. I did this before discovering the radio medium seriously, but find it a lovely compliment. I sure wish there was quality radio being created today.
Oh, I must not forget how much I have loved the Cavalcade shows, all the Orson Wells and the Christmas collections. I guess you can tell that radio is good for me. I put the CDs on the computer, copy them to a portable player, much smaller than my MP3 cd player and stick it in my pocket. I can listen as I exercise, cook or clean. What a blessing.
Thanks for such a great collection. It's the best I've found online. You are to be commended.
Kathy
Joel
Derek
Tina
Robert
Charlie
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