OT: Before the TV years - the Radio Days

I have a few OTR CDs: Norma Shearer dramas, Old Gold Comedies, a few old comedy shows.

I remember listening to radio, too, when I was a child. My grandmother was addicted to the daily soap operas like Stella Dallas, Backstage Wife, Lorenzo Jones.

Must have been a great feeling, just listening there to your favorite broadcasts of mystery or comedy, without just staring into that boob tube all the time, but using more of your own imagination instead!


Let's be realists, let's demand the impossible.

Well, actually, you usually stared at the radio. No multitasking then - you concentrated on what you heard, although you could sew, iron, wash the dishes and listen, too. And, yes, you did use your imagination to set the scene, imagine what the characters looked like.

Today's multitaskers think they are efficient, but they would do a better job if they concentrated on one thing at a time.

That's true!


Let's be realists, let's demand the impossible.

I discovered classic radio a few years ago when I subscribed to satellite radio.
I like most of the comedies like Fibber Mcgee and Molly,Our Miss Brooks,My Favorite Husband,Phil Harris and Alice Faye,Duffy's Tavern,etc.
I'm even enjoying the detective shows which were never really favorites on tv.
I've gotten used to turning off the tv and turning on the radio instead.

Ah, so they're still airing the old broadcasts there, that's great! Much better than watching TV all the time, isn't it?


Let's be realists, let's demand the impossible.

Yes, I know, thank you - I brought a whole lot of cassettes with me from my trip to L.A. years ago, with everything from Orson Welles, Vincent Price, Bogey&Bacall to W.C. Fields and Abbott&Costello - if you listen to those, the Radio Days REALLY come alive again!


Let's be realists, let's demand the impossible.

I have a friend who has hours of downloads of Jack Benny's old radio shows, which are great. And he's also picked up some of Bob and Ray's shows; their stuff is frequently hilarious--it's easy to see how they were such a big influence on MAD Magazine in its early years.