Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 23, 2012, 6:55 am
I’d like to thank everyone for their good words and well wishes over the past few months.  Many of you have been curious when the blog will be back. I’m going through a major life-change right now, so it appears the blog won’t be updated through 2012.  I’m in the process of looking for an...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Mar 5, 2011, 9:57 am
As I mentioned in a post a few weeks ago, I have several things going on with my job and family.  So I’m going to be stepping away from the blog for a time.  I may be posting an occasional show or interesting recording, but not on a regular weekly schedule as I’ve done in the past. I apprecia...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Mar 5, 2011, 9:56 am
It wasn’t until the mid-1930s that instantaneous lacquers took off as a way to preserve live radio shows.  So recordings of radio’s earliest years are quite rare.  “Sunkist Musical Cocktail” was a musical variety program that featured Hollywood stars as guests.  The sponsor, taking advant...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Mar 5, 2011, 9:51 am
“Red Horse Ranch” was a fun early syndicated show distributed by World Broadcasters.  A continuing serial about a group of cowboys, the show was a mix of adventure, romance and great cowboy songs. Ryan Ellett has been researching the show at the University of Missouri-KC collections and is ass...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Mar 5, 2011, 9:48 am
Earlier, we ran a rare early 1930s series in the blog, “Police Reporter“, syndicated by Radio Release Productions. Here’s a another program the company produced, “Boulevard of Make Believe”.  A “behind the scenes” Hollywood drama serial, the show features Anna Q. Nelson and Viola Dan...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Mar 5, 2011, 9:40 am
In this post, a half-hour audition for potential sponsors of the show “The Mad Hatterfields“.  Previously broadcast as a quarter-hour serial on WLW-Mutual, this was an attempt to turn the show into something for an evening slot. Announcements during the show highlight different aspects of the t...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Mar 5, 2011, 9:34 am
The “Mad Hatterfields” is a rather obscure fifteen minute serial from the 1930s originating at WLW in Cincinnati.  The program was written by Pauline Hopkins, whose other credits include radio’s “First Nighter” and “Grand Hotel” and who played Meg on “The Mad Hatterfields”.  The ...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Mar 5, 2011, 9:29 am
We’re at the mid-point of our collection of the 1940s show publicizing the film industry, “Behind the Scenes in Hollywood“. Program 9 of Series A looks at sound technician’s role in making movies.  Everyone’s getting their hair dyed at Warner Brothers.  With the paper shortage, studios ...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Mar 5, 2011, 9:26 am
Since you’ve made it through all of the episodes of “The Monticello Party Line” in my collection, I’d like to present you with a special premium offer, absolutely free. In PDF form, you can download the 1937 edition of the series’s giveaway recipe book.  This one’s titled “Sara and A...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Mar 5, 2011, 9:24 am
And now, the last program in our ongoing series, “The Monticello Party Line“; at least, this is the last one I have in my collection at the moment. Program 776 was originally heard February 13, 1939.  Curly calls on Cristy Warren to see if he can make amends for the horseshoe game bet.  Can h...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Mar 5, 2011, 9:23 am
We’re almost done with our run of “The Monticello Party Line“, a syndicated program sponsored by Dr. Caldwell’s Syrup Pepsin. Program 775 of the series was originally broadcast February 10, 1939.  Cristy runs into Carlton Ross at the drug store.  Will she bring up the subject of the horse...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Feb 15, 2011, 6:58 pm
Looks like this week’s posts will be delayed a few days because of some work and family commitments - the last two episodes of “Monticello Party Line” and some other goodies will be going up soon. Instead, I’d like to offer up an amusing little old time radio collecting story. You might re...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Feb 9, 2011, 1:13 pm
Program 14 of the series looks at “Haiti”.  Through drama we learn about the country’s past with slavery and the conflict between superstition and voodo cults and how the country moved towards independence. The show was dubbed to digital direct from an original Philip J. Meaney Flexite trans...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Feb 9, 2011, 1:11 pm
A few weeks back, we heard an episode of a rather obscure children’s series, “Once Upon a Time”, syndicated by Standard Radio, Inc in Hollywood in the 1930s.  Here’s the other side of the disc, program 20 in the series, “The Little Red Hen”. This particular episode is rather curious - ...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Feb 9, 2011, 1:09 pm
“Behind the Scenes in Hollywood” returns to the blog this week; this 40s era show featured RKO publicist Bidwell McCormick giving listeners updates on all the latest from the Hollywood studios. In program 8 of Series A, we hear about authenticity and detail in movies.  In studio news, MGM anno...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Feb 9, 2011, 1:08 pm
Program 774 of “The Monticello Party Line” was originally broadcast February 9, 1939.  In this episode, Jack’s friend Rocky does a pitch for the sponsor, Dr. Caldwell’s Syrup Pepsin.  In the story, Carlton and Marilyn discuss the horseshoe game bet and Cristy catches up on all the gossip i...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Feb 9, 2011, 1:06 pm
Now this week’s two episodes of “The Monticello Party Line“, a 1930s serial with few surviving episodes.  Program 773 of the series was originally broadcast February 8, 1939.  Cristy is upset about the horseshoe game bet - will she cancel her date?  The show, as usual, is sponsored by Dr. C...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Feb 1, 2011, 9:31 pm
“The Cocoanut Grove Ambassadors” is one of those well-produced little shows from Transco that were making the rounds in the 1930s.  This particular series featured bands that performed at the famous Hollywood nightspot. Radio Archives has released a series of discs with shows from the series a...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Feb 1, 2011, 9:28 pm
Here’s a fun little five-minute show, “Fun at Breakfast with Ford Bond”.  Sponsored by Mennon and featuring some great little commercials with a sultry female announcer, the program featured Tom Howard and George Shelton doing a short routine.  The series was produced by the Duane Jones Comp...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Feb 1, 2011, 9:26 pm
Here’s the next entry in our previously lost series about the inner workings of Tinseltown, Bidwell McCormick’s “Behind the Scenes in Hollywood“. In program 7 of series A, we learn how the “little people” behind the scenes are responsible for the success of motion pictures with a featur...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Feb 1, 2011, 9:24 pm
Program 772 of “The Monticello Party Line” was broadcast February 7, 1939.  Curly and Cristy have a talk and it looks like Curly’s going to be a grandfather.  But, Curly lets it slip that Cristy’s date is the result of a bet on a horseshoe game. The show was digitized from an original vin...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Feb 1, 2011, 9:22 pm
We continue with our weekly look at “The Monticello Party Line”, a syndicated 30s serial sponsored by Dr. Caldwell’s Syrup Pepsin and written by Sandra Michael. Program 771 was originally heard February 6, 1939.  Clem is looking forward to spring as Aggie nags him to shovel snow off the side...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 17, 2011, 11:33 am
A few weeks back, I posted two fifteen minute country music shows with the Georgia Crackers from April 29 and April 30, 1949.  This is the last show in my collection featuring the group. “Buckeye Barn Dance” was a half-hour country music show originating at WHKC in Columbus Ohio and sponsored ...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 17, 2011, 11:30 am
And here’s another episode in the five-minute series “Aladdin Lamp” featuring Smilin’ Ed McConnell. Program 22 has “Ain’t She Sweet” as the first tune.  The series was sponsored by the Mantle Lamp Company of American in Chicago and produced by William Hart Adler, Inc.  It was transf...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 17, 2011, 11:29 am
Here’s a curious little five minute series I recently transferred from a set of discs contributed to my collection from the Old Time Radio Researchers Group. “Aladdin Lamp” was a syndicated show sponsored by the Mantle Lamp Company of America in Chicago and was produced by William Hart Adler,...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 17, 2011, 11:26 am
Some time ago, I posted an episode of “Words with Music”, a program of organ music with poetry read by various starlets heard on the Armed Forces Radio Service.  I found out recently that one of the blog listeners enjoys poetry shows like this, so here’s another show in the series. Program 1...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 17, 2011, 11:25 am
Now, another episode of “Behind the Scenes in Hollywood“, an obscure, but fascinating syndicated forties show with news and tidbits from the Hollywood studios, hosted by Bidwell McCormick, who worked in RKO’s publicity department. Program 6 of Series A has some interesting news and features.�...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 17, 2011, 11:23 am
In program 738 of “Monticello Party Line“, originally heard December 21, 1938, the nurse taking care of Jack talks over their trip to the boss’s place in Nome with Jack’s friend Rocky.  Meanwhile in Monticello, Sara and Aggie are getting amateur radio sets for Clem and Curly for Christmas.�...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 17, 2011, 11:21 am
We pick up where we left off last week with our continuing rare syndicated serial, “The Monticello Party Line“, written by Sandra Micheal and sponsored by Dr. Caldwell’s Syrup Pepsin. Program 737 of the series was originally heard December 20, 1938.  In Alaska, Jack, who is recovering from a...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 17, 2011, 11:19 am
After a discussion on the OTR mailing list about my post of “Ma Perkins“, episode 423 from an original uncoated aluminum disc and speculation that it might be the first episode, researcher Mike Biel dug up some original articles.  The series was syndicated to some stations in April 1935.  So, ...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 10, 2011, 9:06 pm
Here’s a series that’s previously lost or, at least, not very common among otr collectors.  “The Voice of Industry” is a mid to late 30s program syndicated by Consumers Information, an organization formed by Women’s Home Companion, American Magazine, Colliers, and Country Home Magazine. ...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 10, 2011, 9:03 pm
A big thanks goes out to Michael Utz for this disc, program 383 of the popular and long-running Treasury Department syndicated public service show “Guest Star” from July 25, 1954. In this episode, we hear a short drama, “Object: Matrimony” starring favorite 50s television star Donna Reed. ...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 10, 2011, 9:00 pm
Program 127 of “The Jimmy Wakely Show” as it was heard on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service has “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter” as the first song.  Then, Jimmy takes suggestions from listeners on names for a new chihuahua he bought his wife.  We also hear...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 10, 2011, 8:58 pm
Next up, this week’s episode of the previously lost syndicated wartime series, “Behind the Scenes” in Hollywood. Program 5 of series A takes a look at the planning and science that goes into animated films at the Disney Studios.  We also hear personality profiles of Hedy Lamar and Danny Kaye...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 10, 2011, 8:56 pm
And now another previously lost episode of “The Monticello Party Line“, sponsored by Dr. Caldwell’s Syrup Pepsin.  Program 736 was originally broadcast December 19, 1938.  Aggie and Sara talk about Christmas presents.  Meanwhile, in Alaska, Jack Owens mulls over the news from Marilyn that s...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 10, 2011, 8:55 pm
Now, let’s get back to our continuing 1930s syndicated serial, “The Monticello Party Line“, a little known series written by Sandra Michael who would go on to later fame as the creator of the Peabody award winning program, “Against the Storm“. Program 735 in the series was originally hear...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 10, 2011, 8:52 pm
Big thanks go out to two listeners for their generous donations - Robert and Harlan. I really appreciate your support for the blog! A couple of recent comments on the blog are worth a look.  Reader Capt shares a link to a series of several other VA Hospital Christmas shows that he has in his coll...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Jan 10, 2011, 8:50 pm
I hope everyone had a safe holiday break.  We’re back with new shows for 2011. You’ll notice some changes on the blog in the next few months.  With family and work commitments, and some other projects I’m concentrating on, I’m probably going to cut down on the number of shows I post each ...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Dec 19, 2010, 8:08 pm
Here’s my Christmas gift to you.  Or, at least some of you that are fans of the acerbic wit of Henry Morgan. Henry Morgan was a bit ahead of his time with his cynical comedy that would later flower with comedians like Bob and Ray and publications such as Mad magazine.  Morgan got his start with...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Dec 19, 2010, 8:03 pm
Note:  This program contains racial stereotyping themes that may be offensive to some listeners. Here’s the last disc I have in the syndicated Christmas series, “Uncle Remus“.  Jimmie Scribner tells Remus stories to a group of children getting ready for the holidays in this series designed ...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Dec 19, 2010, 8:00 pm
Did you know that VA hospitals were a part of the Armed Forces Radio Service?  Those with AFRS referred to it as “The Bedpan Network” and the facilities received the full AFRS distribution of music library and radio show discs - many of the AFRS discs we have today were salvaged after being thr...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Dec 19, 2010, 7:58 pm
Bidwell McCormick returns to the mic this week for another look “Behind the Scenes in Hollywood”. Program 4 of Series A looks at movies as an important factor in supporting morale during War.  We hear about Hollywood’s problems obtaining hosiery because of wartime shortages and there are per...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Dec 19, 2010, 7:57 pm
Program 730 of “The Monticello Party Line” was originally heard December 9, 1938.  In Alaska, Jack gets a visit in the hospital from the boss’s daughter.  Jack’s friend Rocky still hasn’t given him the letter from Monticello.  There’s also a commercial for a premium offer for a Sara a...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Dec 19, 2010, 7:55 pm
We’re skipping ahead a couple of episodes in our ongoing syndicated serial “The Monticello Party Line”, sponsored by Dr. Caldwell’s Syrup Pepsin and written by Sandra Michael. Program 729 of “The Monticello Party Line” was originally heard December 8, 1938.  It’s snowing in Monticell...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Dec 19, 2010, 7:54 pm
Here’s the last program of our series, “The Eddy Duchin Show“, a musical quarter-hour produced in the late 1940s for the Navy Reserve. Program 13 features guest Connie Boswell.  The songs include “Lover”, “These are the Things I Love” (sung by Johnny Mercer), “Martha” (sung by Co...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Dec 19, 2010, 7:52 pm
I’m putting up the last set of posts before Christmas - a new set of shows will go up sometime around New Year’s.  Thanks to everyone for your kind words of support, donations and corrections to the listings over the past year. Some comments received in the past week are worth mentioning.  To...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Dec 14, 2010, 3:31 pm
Note:  This program contains racial stereotyping themes that may be offensive to some listeners. Here’s another holiday-themed show from the collection. In this post, program 1 of the series “Uncle Remus” featuring Jimmie Scribner.  This syndicated holiday show was originally heard in late...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Dec 14, 2010, 3:29 pm
At this time of year, I like to feature some of the Christmas related shows I’ve obtained over the last few months. “Down Our Street” was a local program produced by WXYZ in Detroit featuring stories about people in the local area.  This particular episode is a short drama about the inspirat...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Dec 14, 2010, 3:27 pm
While we usually feature radio shows on the blog, this week let’s look in on that young upstrart in broadcasting, television.  In this mp3, I’ve assembled working materials for an episode from the first season of the tv version of the radio classic “The Life of Riley”. “The Life of Riley...
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Randy Riddle posted an article on rand’s esoteric otr - Dec 14, 2010, 3:24 pm
Continuing our series of movie gossip and news, let’s give a listen to program 3 of “Behind the Scenes in Hollywood“. In this week’s show, we learn what makes a star succeed in Hollywood.  How wind is made on sound stages.  Gary Cooper makes a special trailer on the hazards of cigarette s...
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