Old time radio

[West of the Rockies]

I imagine Bell Gab has to be lousy with old time radio buffs...  My 7th/8th grade English teacher (this was back in the mid-70's) used to hold "listening skills" exercises on every other Friday.  We'd listen to old radio programs:  Gangbusters, I Love a Mystery, etc., and answer about half a dozen minor plot-point questions and such to see how well we were paying attention. 

I know that for a time Costco would sell packages of old programs (twenty 60-minute tapes, for instance, on comedy, westerns, etc.).  A lot of them came with the original commercials, too.  The comedy doesn't hold up all that well, really, but the other material is still pretty good.

There was also a syndicated program that was on my local NPR station on Sunday nights that featured two hours of old-time radio.  My daughter grew up listening to these old programs.  We read to her all the time, but when we'd put her to bed, it was often to old time radio programming.  She's 12 now and still enjoys it.  See, children CAN survive without television (though we've got Netflix).

Anyone else remember fondly old radio shows?

[jazmunda]

I imagine Bell Gab has to be lousy with old time radio buffs...  My 7th/8th grade English teacher (this was back in the mid-70's) used to hold "listening skills" exercises on every other Friday.  We'd listen to old radio programs:  Gangbusters, I Love a Mystery, etc., and answer about half a dozen minor plot-point questions and such to see how well we were paying attention. 

I know that for a time Costco would sell packages of old programs (twenty 60-minute tapes, for instance, on comedy, westerns, etc.).  A lot of them came with the original commercials, too.  The comedy doesn't hold up all that well, really, but the other material is still pretty good.

There was also a syndicated program that was on my local NPR station on Sunday nights that featured two hours of old-time radio.  My daughter grew up listening to these old programs.  We read to her all the time, but when we'd put her to bed, it was often to old time radio programming.  She's 12 now and still enjoys it.  See, children CAN survive without television (though we've got Netflix).

Anyone else remember fondly old radio shows?

I didn't grow up listening to the but I have this fascination with them. I don't believe in past lives but if I did then that must be where my fascination with them comes from.

Do you know any good online sources where I could download and listen to some. Preferably sci-fi ones.

I love listening to old commercials as well. That's why I love listening to old Art shows with the 90s commercials still in.

[Art_s Farts]

I imagine Bell Gab has to be lousy with old time radio buffs...  My 7th/8th grade English teacher (this was back in the mid-70's) used to hold "listening skills" exercises on every other Friday.  We'd listen to old radio programs:  Gangbusters, I Love a Mystery, etc., and answer about half a dozen minor plot-point questions and such to see how well we were paying attention. 

I know that for a time Costco would sell packages of old programs (twenty 60-minute tapes, for instance, on comedy, westerns, etc.).  A lot of them came with the original commercials, too.  The comedy doesn't hold up all that well, really, but the other material is still pretty good.

There was also a syndicated program that was on my local NPR station on Sunday nights that featured two hours of old-time radio.  My daughter grew up listening to these old programs.  We read to her all the time, but when we'd put her to bed, it was often to old time radio programming.  She's 12 now and still enjoys it.  See, children CAN survive without television (though we've got Netflix).

Anyone else remember fondly old radio shows?

If you have an Android phone, download "OldTimeRadio" app. It has hundreds if not thousands of old radio programs of many different genres.  I listen to them all the time. The best part is that it is free.

[Cynnie]

I didnt grow up with radio programs ..but i listened to them as an adult .
I think i would rather hear old radio shows than classic rock any old day

[jazmunda]

If you have an Android phone, download "OldTimeRadio" app. It has hundreds if not thousands of old radio programs of many different genres.  I listen to them all the time. The best part is that it is free.

Brilliant. I don't have an Android but have found many similar apps in the iPhone app store. Thanks. I know what I am doing tonight (after Dark Matter).

[Art_s Farts]

Brilliant. I don't have an Android but have found many similar apps in the iPhone app store. Thanks. I know what I am doing tonight (after Dark Matter).

Old time radio (along with numerous Art Bell streams) kept me Noory free for years. I actually prefer classic radio to the crap that passes for television these days.

[HorrorRetro]

Sirius has a radio classics channel:  http://www.siriusxm.com/radioclassics

[jazmunda]

Sirius has a radio classics channel:  http://www.siriusxm.com/radioclassics

Thanks for the tip. Will give it a listen after Art. I'm not going to sleep tonight.

[survivor556]

I enjoy listening to old radio.  If you are a Jean Shepherd fan you will enjoy this collection of his old radio show.
http://shepcast.blogspot.com/

s556

[albrecht]

I think that radio is more like reading which is why it seems, at least to me, to be better than tv or movies. You are a part of the action and not just a zoned out viewer of the program. You need to think, imagine, listen, etc. Old time radio is great. Archive.org has lots of programs for free also.

[Sardondi]

BBC internet radio has a channel dedicated to drama, books and comedy. Outstanding. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4extra