Spirit of America Bookstore
Old Time Radio Page
| at Magic Lantern: | ![Orson Welles [1915-1985] performing on live radio, circa 1938](images/OWliveradio.jpg) | pioneers & legends |
"Stay tuned. We'll be back in just a moment, after this word from our sponsor . . ."
browse Old Time Radio books & audio & CDs at Amazon
radio drama shows {some modern} on audio CD at Amazon
browse books on Collectibles / Antique Radios at Amazon.com
L.A. Radio People
Arbitron Ratings [est. 1949] based in Maryland {owned by Nielsen since 12/2012}
Radio Pioneers & Legends
pioneer broadcaster Frank Edwards [190867]
had his own news & opinion program on the Mutual Network from 1945-54
entry at Wikipedia
 | "My First 10,000,000 Sponsors" [1956] by Frank Edwards Ballantine Books mass pb [1956] out of print/scarce Ballantine Books hardcover [1956] out of print/scarce |
pioneer disk jockey Al Jarvis [1909-70]
Edward R. Murrow [1908-65] Page
Long John Nebel [1911-78]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_John_Nebel
"The Way Out World" [Prentice-Hall, 1961] book by Long John Nebel
"The Psychic World Around Us" [1969] book by Long John Nebel & Sanford M. Teller
"Long John Nebel: Radio Talk King, Master Salesman, Magnificent Charlatan"
[Macmillan, 1974] bio by Donald Bain
radio legend Gary Owens
credits at IMDb
Wikipedia
was the radio announcer on the "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" TV program, 1967-73
Louis 'Studs' Terkel [1912-2008] Page
radio program broadcast on 98.7 WFMT-FM Chicago between 1952 and 1997 (45 years).
Nikola Tesla [1856-1943] Page
The Inventor of Radio
Walter Winchell [1897-1972]
"Walter Winchell" radio program [1930-55] 11 episodes, 1941-49 on CD
Old Time Radio Links
Best of Web Radio
Best of Western Radio
Old Time Radio Digest magazine: subscription
The Original Old-Time Radio WWW Pages
Radio Days site
Philco Radio Gallery
The Old Radio Network
Phil's Old Radios website [est. 1995]
Dad's Old Time Radio
The Vintage Radio Place
Old-Time Radio on Tape
Susanna's Old Time Radio Commercial site
Museum of Broadcast Communications [est. 1987] in Chicago, IL
Radio Hall of Fame at Museum of Broadcast Communications
American RadioWorks - Hearing America: A Century of Music On The Radio
Janet's 'Radio Revisited' website
B.B.C. Radio 4 Archives online {from 1939 until today}
Library of American Broadcasting (formerly Broadcast Pioneers Library) [est. 1972] at University of Maryland
Books About Old Time Radio
http://www.amazon.com/Inventing-American-Broadcasting-1899-1922-Technology/dp/0801838320/
http://www.amazon.com/Law-Looking-Glass-1896-1939-American/dp/0821417843/ [2008]
http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Radio-Marconi-through-Golden/dp/0786423684/
http://www.amazon.com/Blast-Past-Pictorial-History-Radios/dp/1886745064/
http://www.amazon.com/Have-Mercy-Confessions-Original-Animal/dp/0446517429/
 | "Radio For All" [1922] by Hugo Gernsback
Read Books 6½x4½ pb [1/2008] for $26.99 Kessinger Publng 9x6 pb {9/2007] for $23.52 Kessinger Publng 9x6 hardcover [9/2007] for $34.92 sci-fi pioneer Hugo Gernsback [1884-1967] entry at Wikipedia |
 | "Don't Touch That Dial!: Radio Programming In American Life From 1920-1960" [1979] by J. Fred MacDonald Wadsworth Publng 8½x5¼ pb [4/79] out of print/many used Burnham Publng hardcover [9/79] out of print/used |
 | "The Broadcast Century and Beyond: A Biography of American Broadcasting" [orig 1992] by Robert L Hilliard & Michael C. Keith Focal Press 4th edition 10¼x7¼ pb [10/2004] for $39.56 |
 | "Radio Mystery and Adventure, and Its Appearances In Film, Television and Other Media" [1992] by Jim Harmon, with Forewords by Carleton E. Morse, Jack Lester & Les Tremayne
radio shows covered include: "The Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen", "Captain Midnight", "Sergeant Preston of The Yukon", "Dick Tracy", "Green Hornet", "I Love A Mystery", "Jack Armstrong", "Little Orphan Annie", "The Lone Ranger", "The Shadow", "Sherlock Holmes", "Sky King", "Superman", and "Tom Mix" McFarland & Co. 9x6 pb [12/2003] for $37.95 McFarland & Co. 9¼x6¼ library hardcover [11/92] out of print/many used |
 | "Philco Radio 1928-1942: A Pictorial History of The World's Most Popular Radios" [1993] by Ron Ramirez & Michael Prosise Schiffer Publng 11X8½ pb [3/2006] for $29.95 Schiffer Publng 11x8½ hardcover [9/93] out of print/used |
 | "The Encyclopedia of American Radio: An A-Z Guide To Radio From Jack Benny To Howard Stern" [orig 1995] by Ronald W. Lackmann
Checkmark Books 2nd edition pb [5/2000] for $18.95 |
 | "Lux Presents Hollywood: A Show-by-Show History of The Lux Radio Theatre and The Lux Video Theatre, 1934-1957" [1995] by Connie Billips & Arthur Pierce McFarland & Co. 9¼x6 pb [10/2011] for $50.00 McFarland & Co. 9¼x6 library hardcover [4/95] out of print/used |
 | "Listening To Radio, 1920-1950" [1996] by Ray Barfield Praeger 9½x6½ hardcover [7/96] for $92.95 |
 | "Radio Voices: American Broadcasting, 1922-1952" [1997] by Michele Hilmes A sociological study, from the early days of radio entrepreneurs to the takeover by the big media corporations, with an emphasis on N.B.C. & J. Walter Thompson. Univ MN Press 9x5¾ pb [4/97] for $22.50 Univ MN Press 9½x6½ hardcover [4/97] out of print/used |
 | "The Age of Broadcasting: Radio" [1997] Edited by Wim Coleman & Pat Perrin Tandem Library 8x5 econoclad [10/2002] for $15.25 Discovery Enterprises pb [3/97] out of print/used |
 | "Zenith Radio: The Early Years, 1919-1935" [1997] by Harold N. Cones & John H. Bryant Schiffer Publng 11x8½ pb [6/97] for $29.95 "Zenith Radio: The Glory Years, 1936-1945 - History & Products" [2003] by Harold N. Cones, John H. Bryant & Martin Blankinship Schiffer Publng 10¾x8½ pb [10/2003] for $29.95 Schiffer Publng 11x8½ pb [10/2003] for $34.95 |
 | "Five Directors: The Golden Years of Radio" [1998] Edited by Ira Skutch interviews with Himan Brown, Axel Gruenberg, Fletcher Markle, Arch Oboler & Robert Lewis Shayon Scarecrow Press 8½x5½ pb [5/98] for $34.05 Scarecrow Press 8¾x5½ hardcover [5/98] for $47.30 |
 | "On The Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio" [1998] by John Dunning Oxford Univ Press 10¼x7½ hardcover [5/98] for $42.00 |
 | "Listening In: Radio and The American Imagination - From Amos 'n' Andy & Edward R. Murrow To Wolfman Jack & Howard Stern" [1999] by Susan J. Douglas Univ MN Press 9x6 pb [2/2004] for $13.57 Crown 9½x6¾ hardcover [4/99] out of print/used |
 | "Encyclopedia of American Radio, 1920-1960" [2000] by Luther F. Sies
Thousands of entries about individuals, programs, and stations across America; some are very brief (one or two lines), while essays on important topics are longer. McFarland & Co. 2nd edition hardcover [8/00] for $0.00 McFarland & Co. hardcover [3/2000] for $185.25 |
 | "The Great Radio Heroes" [2001] by Jim Harmon McFarland & Co. 9x6 pb [2/2001] for $35.00 |
 | "Pirate Radio Stations: Tuning In To Underground Broadcasts In The Air and Online" [1988 & 1995 & 2001] by Andrew Yoder includes CD with 80+ minutes of pirate radio audio McGraw-Hill/TAB 9¼x7¼ 3rd edition pb & CD [12/2001] out of print/used McGraw-Hill/TAB 9x7½ pb [12/88] out of print/used McGraw-Hill/TAB hardcover [4/90] out of print/used |
 | "Encyclopedia of Radio" [2003] Edited by Christopher H. Sterling Routledge {12.4 pounds} hardcover 3-volume set [12/2003] for $420.00 |
 | "The Medium and The Magician: Orson Welles, The Radio Years, 1934-1952" [2005] by Paul Heyer Rowman & Littlefield 9x6½ pb [2/2005] for $29.95 Rowman & Littlefield 9¼x6¼ hardcover [2/2005] for $87.00 see also the Orson Welles [1915-85] Page at Magic Lantern Video & Book Store |
 | "Sounds of Change: A History of FM Broadcasting In America" [2008] by Christopher H. Sterling & Michael C. Keith Univ NC Press 9x6 pb [7/2008] for $22.50 Univ NC Press 9¼x6 hardcover [7/2008] for $59.95 |
 | "Behind The Grand Ole Opry Curtain: Tales of Romance and Tragedy" [2008] by Robert K. Oermann Based on over 150 firsthand interviews with the stars of The Grand Ole Opry, which include Trace Adkins, DeFord Bailey, Garth Brooks, June Carter, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Grandpa Jones, Willie Nelson, Stringbean (David Akeman), Trisha Yearwood, many others Center Street 9¼x6¼ hardcover [10/2008] for $16.65 |
 | "Hello, Everybody!: The Dawn of American Radio" [2008] by Anthony Rudel Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 9x6 hardcover [10/2008] for $17.16 |
 | "The Biographical Encyclopedia of American Radio" [2010] Edited by Christopher H. Sterling & Cary O'Dell Over 200 entries – business pioneers from the past (Lee de Forest, Fred Friendly, A. Atwater Kent, William S. Paley, David Sarnoff, Nikola Tesla, and Sylvester 'Pat' Weaver) to performers of the past (Don Ameche, Gene Autry, Red Barber, Dick Clark, Jimmy Durante, [blacklistee] John Henry Faulk, Stan Freberg, Arthur Godfrey, Paul Harvey, Bob Hope, Casey Kasem, Larry King, Kay Kyser, Aimee Semple McPherson, Murray 'The K' Kaufmann, Edward R. Murrow, Gary Owens, Will Rogers, Red Skelton, Robert 'Wolfman Jack' Smith, Fran Striker, Louis 'Studs' Terkel, and Walter Winchell) to stars of the present (Glenn Beck, Don Imus, Garrison Keillor, Limp Rushbaugh, Ryan Seacrest, Laura Schlesinger, Nina Totenberg). Kindle Textbook from Routledge [5/2013] buy for $152.00, rent for $44.53 Routledge 10¾x8½ hardcover [7/2010] for $180.50 {sic} |
 | "The Listener's Voice: Early Radio and The American Public" [2011] by Elena Razlogova Kindle Edition from Univ Pennsylvania Press [10/2012] for $9.88 Univ Pennsylvania Press 9x6 hardcover [9/2011] for $35.96 |
 | "A Word From Our Sponsor: Admen, Advertising, and The Golden Age of Radio" [2013] by Cynthia B. Meyers "... repositions the advertising industry as a central agent in the development of broadcasting [and] challenges conventional views about the role of advertising in culture, the integration of media industries, and the role of commercialism in broadcasting history" Kindle Edition from Fordham Univ Press [10/2013] for $15.65 Fordham Univ Press 9x6 pb [12/2013] for $28.80 Fordham Univ Press 9x6 hardcover [12/2013] for $90.08 |
Old Time Radio Programs
November 2003: After Clear Channel Communications bought KNX-1070 in Los Angeles,
they cancelled the 'Drama Hour' broadcasts of old-time radio programs, which included "Dragnet",
"Sam Spade", "Philip Marlowe" and many comedy and adventure programs.
Radio Lovers: Free Old Time Radio Shows
"Fibber McGee & Molly" fansite
Radio Program Dept. on the Hopalong Cassidy Page
at 'Readers of the Purple Sage' Western Bookstore
Radio Program Dept. on the Lone Ranger Page
at 'Readers of the Purple Sage' Western Bookstore
Radio Program Dept. on the Cisco Kid Page
at 'Readers of the Purple Sage' Western Bookstore
'Sam Spade' radio program section on the Dashiell Hammett Pages
at BlackHat Mystery Bookstore
Old Time Radio Catalog website [est. 1999] based in Kansas
featuring hundreds of CDs of old time radio series/programs,
including Westerns and detectives and comedies, and gobs more ...
R.U.S.C. - 'R U Sitting Comfortably' old time radio catalog website [est. 1999]
features over 25,000 radio programs via fee-based membership; several free samples on website; every genre
 | "The 60 Greatest Old-Time Radio Shows of The 20th Century" [1999] Selected by Walter Cronkite Radio Spirits audio CD [7/2000] 30 disks - out of prodn/used Radio Spirits audio [10/99] 20 tapes - out of prodn/used |
 | "The Complete War of The Worlds" [2001] Edited by Brian Holmsten & Alex Lubertozzi 1897 illustrated edition of H.G. Wells's novel and audio of Orson Welles and Mercury Theatre's Hallowe'en 1938 radio broadcast Sourcebooks hardcover {book + audio CD} [4/2001] for $27.17 |
 | "The Best of Old-Time Radio Starring Orson Welles" [2001] from Radio Spirits & The Smithsonian Institution Radio Spirits audio cassette & 60-page booklet [4/2001] for $24.98 |
 | "Don McNeill and His Breakfast Club" [2001] by John Doolittle Univ Notre Dame Press 10¼x7¼ HC book & CD [5/2001] out of print/used "Breakfast Club, with Don McNeill" radio program [1933-68] 7 episodes on CD |
 | "Old Time Radio Shows: Westerns" 4-Disk Audio CD Set [2004]
Nostalgia Ventures audio CD set [5/2004] 4 disks - out of prodn/used |
 | "Old Time Radio Shows: Comedy" 4-Disk Audio CD Set [2004]
Nostalgia Ventures audio CD set [5/2004] 4 disks for $14.20 Nostalgia Ventures audio CD set [5/2004] 4 disks - out of print/used |
 | "Old Time Radio Shows: Detectives" 20-Disk Audio CD Set [2004]
Nostalgia Ventures audio CD set [5/2004] 20 disks - out of prodn/used "Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons" starring Bennett Kilpack (4 episodes, 1944-50); "Boston Blackie" starring Richard Kollmar, Jan Minor & Maurice Tarplin (4 episodes, 1946) based on stories by Jack Boyle; "Casey Crime Photographer" starring Staats Cotsworth & John Gibson (4 episodes, 1947) based on stories by George Harmon Coxe; "Pat Novak, For Hire" starring Jack Webb & Ben Morris (4 episodes, 1947-49); "Jeff Regan Investigator" starring Jack Webb (4 episodes, 1948); "Let George Do It" starring Bob Bailey as private detective George Valentine (4 episodes, 1948); "The New Adventures of Michael Shayne" starring Jeff Chandler (4 episodes, 1949) created by Brett Halliday; "Richard Diamond, Private Detective" starring Dick Powell (4 episodes, 1949) created by Blake Edwards; "Philo Vance" starring Jackson Beck (4 episodes, 1950) based on stories by S.S. Van Dine; and "The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe" on NBC starring Sydney Greenstreet (4 episodes, 1951) based on stories by Rex Stout |
 | "The Lux Radio Theatre, 1945-47" ten one-hour broadcasts [2008]
movies as radio plays include: "The Canterville Ghost", "The Devil and Miss Jones", "Disputed Passage", "Grissley's Millions", "I'll Be Seeing You", "National Velvet" (starring Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney & Donald Crisp), "Only Yesterday", "The Petrified Forest", "The Suspect", and "Swanee River" Radio Archives audio CD [2008] for $29.98 via Amazon third party |
 | "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio" smartphone/PDA app for Android & iPhone [2011] by Wizzard Media
instant download for Android via Amazon [5/2011] for $1.99 {test drive available} also available at the iTunes Store This app is essentially the index for a series of podcast episodes by Adam Graham of Boise Idaho; choose an episode and it will play after his short intro; the official website takes the form of a blog, with commentary, book & radio show reviews, and (so far) eighty uploaded old time radio episodes, including "Johnny Dollar", "Nick Carter", "Amazing Mr. Malone", and "The Line-Up". |
"The Bickersons" radio & TV programs [1946 to 1951]
"The Bickersons" radio program [1946-51]
starring Don Ameche & Frances Langford
official website
entry at Wikipedia
"Star Time" CBS television program [13 episodes, 1951]
starring Lew Parker & Frances Langford
 | "The Bickersons Scripts" [2002] by Philip Rapp, Edited by Ben Ohmart BearManor Media 9x6 pb [8/2002] for $18.95 "The Bickersons Scripts, Volume 2" [2004] by Philip Rapp, Foreword by Marsha Hunt BearManor Media 9x6 pb [7/2004] for $18.95 |
 |
"The Bickersons" double album [Columbia Records 1962] starring Don Ameche & Frances Langford Collector's Choice soundtrack CD [6/2003] 8 tracks - out of prodn/used Columbia Records produced two albums of newly-recorded "Bickersons" sketches in 1962: this CD includes "The Bickersons" and "The Bickersons Fight Back"; the later "Bickersons Rematch" Columbia double vinyl set included this same material |
 | "Best of The Bickersons" albums [2002]
Volume 1: Bayview audio CD [1/2002] out of prodn/used Original Cast Recordings 50th Anniv Edition CD [5/2009] out of prodn/used Volume 2: Bayview audio CD [1/2002] out of prodn/used |
 | "The Bickersons: A Biography of Radio's Wittiest Program" [2004] by Ben Ohmart, Foreword by Frances Langford BearManor Media 8¾x5¾ pb [7/2004] for $17.95 publisher bookpage |
 | Radio Spirits album [2005] on CD
Volume 1: Radio Spirits audio CD [7/2005] 6 half-hour episodes on 3 disks - out of prodn/used |
 | "The Bickersons' Love Letters" [2010] Edited by Ben Ohmart BearManor Media pb [6/2010] for $14.95 publisher bookpage |
"The Brown Hornet" radio ads [circa 1968]
A series of 5-minute radio dramas starring Bill Cosby as the Afro-American 'Brown Hornet' superhero, a satire
on the 'Green Hornet' radio show; sponsored by CocaCola and delivered to radio stations on a 15-inch vinyl disk;
the character was later recycled as a space hero on regular episodes of Cosby's "Fat Albert" animated TV series
entry for animated 'Brown Hornet' at Wikipedia
"C.B.S. Radio Mystery Theater" program [1974 to 1982]
Paul's official C.B.S.R.M.T. website {with free episodes}
entry at Wikipedia
 | "The C.B.S. Radio Mystery Theater: An Episode Guide and Handbook To Nine Years of Broadcasting, 1974-1982" [1999] by Gordon Payton & Martin Grams, Jr. McFarland & Co. 8¾x6 pb [1/2004] for $45.00 McFarland & Co. 9½x6¼ library hardcover [5/99] out of print/used |
 | "C.B.S. Radio Mystery Theater" on DVD-ROM [2009]
DC Outlet DVD-R [2009] 4-disks for $34.99 via Amazon third party Four-disk DVD-ROM set containing all 1,399 radio episodes in MP3 format "C.B.S. Radio Mystery Theater" Complete Series DVD-ROM [2009] 4 disks for $36.95 + s/h via Amazon third party Differently-arranged four-disk DVD-ROM set containing all 1,399 radio episodes in MP3 format; seems to have bonus interviews, other extras not on set just above; manufactured by CBSMysterytheater.com |
"The Green Hornet" radio program [1936 to 1952]
'The Green Hornet' entry at Wikipedia
1940 & 1941 "Green Hornet" serials on Magic Lantern's Movie Serials Pages
"The Green Hornet" [2011] official movie site
 | "The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics & Television" [2010] by Martin Grams, Jr. & Terry Salomonson O.T.R. Publng 9x6 pb [3/2010] for $44.95 official bookpage |
"Lum and Abner" radio program [1931 to 1954]
Lum & Abner Society website
team entry at Wikipedia
Chester Lauck [190280]: IMDb listing
entry at Wikipedia
Norris Goff [190678]: IMDb listing
entry at Wikipedia
"Lum and Abner: Rural America and The Golden Age of Radio" [7/2007] by Randal L. Hall
http://www.amazon.com/Lum-Abner-America-Directions-Southern/dp/0813124697/
 | Comedy Classics 4-pack with "Two Weeks to Live", "The Bashful Bachelor" & "Dreaming Out Loud" Echo Bridge Home Ent. b&w DVD [4/2005] for $3.99 {sic} Lum & Abner Collection 4-pack with "Two Weeks to Live", "The Bashful Bachelor" & "Dreaming Out Loud" Alpha Home Ent. b&w DVD set [6/2008] 4 disks for $31.92 |
"The Bashful Bachelor" [1942]
"Two Weeks To Live" [1943]
"So This Is Washington" [R.K.O. Radio Pictures Aug 1943]
 | Fourth comedy feature film (of seven) by radio characters Lum & Abner; tinkerer Abner accidentally invents a substitute for rubber and the two business partners go to Washington, DC to donate their invention for the war effort. Directed by Ray McCarey; written by Roswell Rogers, Edward James & Leonard Praskins; starring Chester Lauck {as Lum], Norris Goff {as Abner}, Alan Mowbray, Mildred Coles, Roger Clark, Sarah Padden, Matt McHugh, Chester Conklin, Heinie Conklin, Jimmie Dodd, Dan Duncan, Jack Gargan, Wilbur Mack & Minerva Urecal
full credits at IMDb movie entry at Wikipedia watch complete video [1:02:43] online at Internet Archive available on DVD on two 4-pack sets above Timeless Video b&w VHS [12/97] for $9.99 |
"Goin' To Town" [1944]
"Partners In Time" [1946]
"Lum and Abner Abroad" [1956]
"The Shadow" radio program [1931 to 1954]
mostly written by Walter B. Gibson, using the pen name 'Maxwell Grant';
Orson Welles [1915-85] acted the part on radio from 1937-38
'The Shadow' entry at Wikipedia
DR's Shadow fansite
'The Shadow: Master of Darkness' fansite
 |
Radio Spirits 6-show audio CD [1/2006] 3 disks for $29.95
Radio Spirits 6-show audio CD [2/2003] for $12.99 Radio Spirits audio cassette [1/98] for $34.98 |
 | "The Shadow: Greatest Radio Adventures" [2002] 40 episodes {20 hours} from Radio Spirits 8 episodes starring Orson Welles; 15 episodes starring Bill Johnstone; 17 episodes starring Bret Morrison Radio Spirits audio CD box set [7/2002] 20 disks & booklet for $69.98 |
 | "The Shadow: The Lost Shows" [2006] from Radio Spirits 1 episode starring Orson Welles; 3 episodes starring Bill Johnstone; 4 episodes starring Bret Morrison; 2 episodes starring Albert Bester Radio Spirits audio CD box set [1/2006] 5 disks - out of prodn/used |
 | "The Shadow Chronicles" [2006] from Radio Spirits 2 episodes starring Orson Welles; 3 episodes starring Bill Johnstone; 2 episodes starring Bret Morrison; 1 episode starring John Archer Radio Spirits audio CD [1/2006] out of prodn/used Radio Spirits audio tape [9/96] out of prodn/used |
Garrison Keillor's
"A Prairie Home Companion" Radio Show
"A Prairie Home Companion" [est. 1974] website
Garrison Keillor entry at Wikipedia
M.N.H.S. bio
Garrison Keillor books, tapes & CDs at Amazon
 | "A Prairie Home Companion" feature film [Picturehouse June 2006] Directed by Robert Altman [1925-2006]; starring Garrison Keillor, Kevin Kline, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Tommy Lee Jones, Lindsay Lohan, Woody Harrelson, John C. Reilly, Maya Rudolph & Virginia Madsen NewLine widescreen color DVD [10/2006] for $18.87 full credits at IMDb official movie site |
 | "The Adventures of Guy Noir: Radio Private Eye" [11 episodes 2005]
Highbridge UNABR audio CD [4/2005] for $16.47 Highbridge UNABR audio [4/2005] for $16.47 Guy Noir, Radio Private Eye [8 episodes 1995] Highbridge ABR audio CD [8/2002] for $10.17 Highbridge ABR audio [8/95] for $12.95 |
 | "WLT: A Radio Romance" [1991 bestseller] by Garrison Keillor
Two brothers set up radio station WLT ('With Lettuce and Tomato') in Minneapolis in 1926 to draw crowds to their wilting sandwich restaurant. The station is a success, and they are soon hiring local talent whose on-air personalities are not exactly the same as in real life: winsome child star Little Becky is a chain-smoking practical joker, the sports announcer is blind, and the always-cheerful songstress is confined to her wheelchair by polio and fat. The novel's hero is young straight man Francis White, who comes of age at the station and, as the station's success fades, goes on to greater things in television. Penguin 7½x5 pb [11/92] for $10.20 Viking 8½x5¼ hardcover [11/91] out of print/many, many used Highbridge ABR auduio CD [10/2006] for $20.48 |
Videos & DVDs
 | "Radio In The Movies: A History and Filmography, 1926-2010"  [2011] by Laurence Etling McFarland & Co. pb [7/2011] for $45.00 |
 | "Radio In The Movies" DVD Box Set Supposedly "a collection of 16 wonderful movies revolving around radio broadcasting", a 2-volume set on 16 DVDs: "Breakfast In Hollywood" [1946], "Check and Double Check" [1930] with Amos & Andy, "Danger On The Air" [1938], "People Are Funny" [1946], "The Phantom Broadcast" [1933], "Up In The Air" [1940], "Wake Up and Live" [1937] with Walter Winchell, many more, with stars including Fred Allen, William Bendix, Jack Benny, Fibber McGee & Molly, The Great Gildersleeve, and Lum & Abner this collection may or may not have actually been produced, but there IS a graphic of the DVD cover |
"American Graffiti" [1973]
Directed by George Lucas; nominated for 5 Oscars, including Best Picture & Best Director; full credits from IMDb
±
"American Hot Wax" [1978]
Directed by Floyd Mutrux;
full credits from IMDb
±
"Breakfast In Hollywood" [1946] /tt0038382/
starring host Tom Breneman, Bonita Granville, Beulah Bondi, Edward Ryan, Raymond Walburn, Billie Burke,
Zasu Pitts, Hedda Hopper, singer Andy Russell, Spike Jones, Nat 'King' Cole & Minerva Urecal
±
"Coyote County Loser" [indep 2009]
 | Filmed around Roswell, New Mexico; a radio disk jockey from New York heading to a new & better job in Los Angeles stops for gas in New Mexico and gets into a call-in war with a local love-advice show host; he then learns that his job in California fell thru, so he stages an on-air competition. Directed by Jason Naumann; starring Beau Clark, Nikki Boyer, Wayne Grace, K Callan, Frederic Doss, Tiffany Lynch, Everette Scott Ortiz, Chad Brummett, James Hobbs, Roy Black, Nelson Martinez & Patti Stacy
Monarch Home Video widescreen color DVD [12/2010] for $22.49 full credits at IMDb official movie site |
±
"Danger On The Air" [Universal Pictures July 1938] /tt0030037/
starring Donald Woods, Nan Grey, Jed Prouty, Berton Churchill, William Lundigan, Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher, Edward Van Sloan,
George Meeker, Frank Milan, Lee J. Cobb, Johnny Arthur, Peter Lind Hayes, Louise Stanley, Eloise Rawitzer & Joe Downing
±
"Do The Right Thing"
[40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks 1989]
  | Possibly inspired by Akira Kurosawa's "Do-desu-ka-den" [1970], the tale of a blighted neighborhood in Spike Lee's home turf of Brooklyn. There is actually a moment, ignored or missed by most reviewers, where 'the right thing' gets done look for it. Written & directed by Spike Lee; starring Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, John Turturro, Rosie Perez & Samuel L. Jackson, with Spike Lee as 'Mookie'; Oscar nominations for Best Script & Best Actor [DA]
Universal Home Ent. widescreen color Blu-ray [6/2009] for $18.99 20th Anniversary Edition DVD [6/2009] for $13.99 Universal letterbox color DVD [7/98] for $17.99 Universal widescreen color DVD [2/2001] 2 discs for $28.99 Universal color VHS [1/2000] out of prodn/many used Sony original score CD [9/89] for $11.98 full credits from IMDb Cambridge Univ Press critical text 9x6 pb for $25.19 |
±
"Empire of The Air: The Men Who Made Radio"
[P.B.S. Oct 1991]
 | While showcasing on-air radio talents from long ago, this 100-minute documentary also details the corporate soap opera of the development of radio as a commercial medium. Co-written & directed by Ken Burns; hosted by Jason Robards, Jr. P.B.S. Paramount b&w/color DVD [9/2004] out of prodn/used P.B.S. Home Video b&w/color VHS [2/97] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb companion book by Tom Lewis Harper Perennial 8x5½ pb [1/93] out of print/used HarperCollins 9½x6½ hardcover [9/91] out of print/many used |
±
"F.M." [Universal April 1978]
 | Q-SKY is the number one radio station in Los Angeles because of the great music that they play, but the corporate bosses insist on more advertising and less music. Directed by John A. Alonzo, written by Ezra Sacks; original music by Steely Dan; starring Michael Brandon, Eileen Brennan, Alex Karras, Cleavon Little, Martin Mull, Cassie Yates & cameos by Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffett, Tom Petty & R.E.O. Speedwagon
Anchor Bay widescreen color DVD [1/2000] out of prodn/used Starz/Anchor Bay widescreen color VHS [11/98] out of prodn/used MCA/Universal soundtrack CD [6/2000] 20 tracks on 2 disks for $14.97 full credits from IMDb |
±
"Good Morning, Vietnam"
[Silver Screen/Touchstone Dec 1987] /tt0093105/
Directed by Barry Levinson; starring Robin Williams;
full credits from IMDb
±
"Good Morning World" [CBS-TV 1967-68]
 | The first-ever TV series set in a radio station, featuring the on- and off-air adventures of a pair of morning DJ's; starring Joby Baker, Ronnie Schell, Julie Parrish, Billy De Wolfe & Goldie Hawn; DVD extras include archival interview with Ronnie Schell, still gallery, trivia quiz & Goldie Hawn bio
S'more Ent. color DVD [1/2006] 26 episodes on 4 disks - out of prodn/used S'more Ent. color DVD [1/2007] 26 episodes on 4 disks - out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb series entry at Wikipedia |
 | "Good Morning World" [2008] by Tim Colliver A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the prime-time TV series by writer-producers Carl Reiner, Sheldon Leonard, Bill Persky & Sam Denoff, featuring exclusive interviews with the show's creators and surviving stars BearManor Media 8¾x6 pb [1/2008] for $14.95 official book site |
"The Great American Broadcast"
musical feature film [Fox May 1941] /tt0033674/
Directed by Archie Mayo; starring Alice Faye, John Payne, Jack Oakie, Cesar Romero,
The Ink Spots & The Nicholas Brothers; full credits from IMDb
http://www.amazon.com/Great-American-Broadcast-Alice-Faye/dp/B0019APR5S/
±
"The Great Man" [Universal Dec 1956]
![shot of Jose Ferrer & Julie London kissing, from "The Great Man" [1956] movie](covers/TheGreatMan1956-kiss.jpg) | "Everybody loved the Great Man - except those who hated his guts" When a popular radio commentator dies in a car accident, his successor is ordered to produce an hour-long tribute, but he can't find anyone who knew the guy with good things to say about him. Co-written & directed by & starring Josι Ferrer; based on the novel by Albert E. Morgan; also starring Dean Jagger, Keenan Wynn, Julie London, Joanne Gilbert, Ed Wynn, Jim Backus, Lyle Talbot, Henny Backus & Johnny Grant
VHS/DVD/Blu-ray not available full credits at IMDb |
 | "The Great Man" A Novel" [1955] by Al Morgan While the covers of the books show TV equipment, the story is indeed about radio networks Pocket/Cardinal mass pb [1957] out of print/scarce Dutton 7¾x5¼ hardcover [1955] out of print/used |
"The History of Talk Radio" [1996]
 | This 60-minute documentary features talk radio pioneers Bill Balance, Alan Burke, Barry Gray, Long John Nebel, Joe Pyne & and others, plus leading talk show personalities including Morton Downey Jr., Bob Grant, Don Imus, Larry King, G. Gordon Liddy, Limp Rushbaugh, Ollie North, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Howard Stern & Dr. Ruth Westheimer. {NOTE: Produced before the Air America Radio Network existed.} Produced by Dennis Hedlund
White Star color DVD [6/2005] for $17.99 full credits from IMDb |
±
"People Are Funny" [Paramount Pictures Jan 1946] /tt0038831/
±
"The Phantom Broadcast" [Monogram Pictures March 1933]
±
"Pirate Radio" aka "The Boat That Rocked"
[Working Title / Focus Features Nov 2009]
 | As the Sixties rock'n'roll phenomenon bursts onto the scene, British government officials refuse to give licenses for rock music radio stations; so a band of music-loving rebels set up an underground radio station on a leaky ship in international waters of the North Sea. Co-produced, written & directed by Richard Curtis; starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Darby, Katherine Parkinson, Jack Davenport, Tom Brooke, January Jones, Nick Frost & Rhys Ifans, with Kenneth Branagh & Emma Thompson DVD/Blu-ray not yet available full credits at IMDb U.S. official movie site |
"Pirate Radio U.S.A." [indep 2006]
 | An 84-minute documentary about rogue (unlicensed) radio stations across America who defy federal law to free the radio airwaves, and the showdown over The Truth during the 1999 World Trade Organization meetings in Seattle, Washington. Co-produced, written & directed by Jeff Pearson; featuring underground DJs Him & Her Deface The Nation Films color DVD [8/00] for $14.99 full credits at IMDb official movie site |
"Play Misty For Me" [Malpaso/Universal Nov 1971] /tt0067588/
Directed by & starring Clint Eastwood; full credits from IMDb
±
"Pump Up The Volume" [NewLine Cinema Aug 1990] /tt0100436/
Written & directed by Allan Moyle; starring Christian Slater;
full credits from IMDb
±
"Radio Days" [Orion Jan 1987]
 | A nostalgic look at life in Far Rockaway, New York before World War II, when entertainment and outside news came from the radio. Written & directed by Woody Allen; starring Michael Tucker, Mia Farrow, Diane Keaton, Seth Green, Julie Kavner, Dianne Wiest, Josh Mostel, Danny Aiello & Jeff Daniels; Oscar & WGA nominations for Best Screenplay; 7 BAFTA noms, won 2
M.G.M. widescreen color DVD [11/2001] for $12.99 H.B.O. color VHS [undated] out of prodn/used R.C.A. soundtrack CD [5/92] for $11.98 full credits from IMDb M.G.M. official movie site |
±
"Radioland Murders" [Universal Oct 1994] /tt0110939/
Executive produced by & story by George Lucas;
full credits from IMDb
±
"Rush" [New Crime Prodns; in development?]
Announced 11/2012: about right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh; to be produced & written by & starring John Cusack;
Betty Thomas is attached to direct not listed at IMDb {2014}
±
"Straight Talk" [Hollywood Pictures April 1992] /tt0105481/
Starring Dolly Parton; full credits from IMDb
±
"Talk Radio" [Cineplex-Odeon Films Dec 1988]
 | Filmed in Texas; a radio talk show host who thrives on controversy and confrontation is getting burned out just as he is offered a national show.
Co-written & directed by Oliver Stone; co-written by & starring Eric Bogosian, based on the 1987 off-Broadway stageplay by Bogosian & Tad Savinar; also starring Ellen Greene, Leslie Hope, John C. McGinley, Alec Baldwin, John Pankow, Michael Wincott, Linda Atkinson, Robert Trebor, Zach Grenier, Tony Frank, Harlan Jordan & Chip Moody; Eric Bogo-sian won Silver Bear for Outstanding Single Achievement at the Berlin International Film Festival
Universal Studios widescreen color DVD [10/2000] for $4.00 {sic} Universal Studios color VHS [3/92] for $6.44 full credits at IMDb movie entry at Wikipedia |
 | "Talk Radio" playscript [1987] by Eric Bogosian & Tad Savinar opened off-Broadway in May 1987; Broadway run in 2007 won Tony Award for Best Revival Theatre Commns Group 8¼x5¼ pb [9/2007] for $12.42 Samuel French, Inc. 7¾x5 pb [11/2010] for $7.50 'stageplay on Broadway' official website credits at IBDb stageplay entry at Wikipedia |
"Tune In Tomorrow . . ." [Cinecom Oct 1990] /tt0100822/
Starring Barbara Hershey, Keanu Reeves & Peter Falk; full credits from IMDb
±
"Up In The Air" [Monogram Sept 1940]
 | A second-rate radio singer is murdered while singing on the air in a radio studio; a radio page boy and his janitor pal solve the mystery for the none-too-sharp police. Directed by Howard Bretherton; starring Frankie Darro, Marjorie Reynolds, Mantan Moreland, Gordon Jones, Lorna Gray, Tristram Coffin & Clyde Dilson
Alpha Video b&w DVD [3/2003] for $7.98 full credits from IMDb |
"Vanishing Point" [Fox 1971]
 | Anti-hero Kowalski (Barry Newman) bets that he can drive a new Dodge Challenger from Denver to San Francisco in 15 hours. This existential car-chase is reported by a disk-jockey in Goldfield, Nevada as it proceeds to its inevitable conclusion just like life (to the existentialist). Directed by Richard C. Sarafian; co-starring Cleavon Little, Dean Jagger & Victoria Medlin
Fox Video widescreen color Blu-ray [2/2009] for $20.99 Fox Video widescreen color DVD [2/2004] for $7.99 Fox Video color VHS [1/99] for $33.95 full credits from IMDb |
"Wake Up and Live" [Fox Aug 1937] with Walter Winchell /tt0029744/
±
"W.U.S.A." [Paramount Aug 1970]
Starring Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Anthony Perkins & Laurence Harvey
full credits from IMDb
±
movies with background of local & network television
at Magic Lantern Video & Book Store
Old Time Radio at Spirit of America Bookstore
top of page ★ pioneers & legends ★ links ★ books ★ programs
A Prairie Home Companion ★ videos & DVDs
v v
Online sales in association with 
History of Cinema Page at Magic Lantern
History of Radio & Television Pages at Magic Lantern
top of this page back to Spirit of America homepage