The Golden Age of Radio

Do you recall the Golden Age of Radio and listening to OTR broadcasts? One of my fondest childhood memories is sitting in font of our old console radio with my Grannie Bell and listening to the hilarious antics of "Amos 'n Andy."

We'd laugh out loud together until we almost cried. Radio entertained us in ways that television cannot. Our imaginations created the depth of experience and enjoyment.

Recall the Golden Age of Radio

Old Time Radio broadcasts were often the talk of the neighborhood back in the 1950s. They were part of the culture of their day. Radio brought the world to your kitchen.

An elderly farmer who lived in our farm neighborhood loved to take out his pocket knife and whittle at a stick during his idle moments.

I recall Dad asking him one day, "Percy, what are you whittling?" Without batting an eye, old Mr. Price offhandedly replied, "Spare parts for Charlie McCarthy," and we all laughed.

We all laughed while remembering our favorite lines from "The Charlie McCarthy Show." Other favorite Old Time Radio comedy programs were...

• "Our Miss Brooks" starring the great Eve Arden.
  
• "The Great Gildersleeve" starring Harold Peary (one of my favorites!).
  
• "People Are Funny" starring Art Linkletter.
  
• "The Goon Show" starring Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, and other comedy greats who migrated to television.
  
• "The Baby Snooks Show" starring the incomparable Fannie Bryce as Baby Snooks with Hanley Stafford as Daddy.
  

And, of course, the renowned "Fibber McGee and Molly Show" starring the husband and wife team of Jim and Marian Jordan.

Who could ever forget the sound of Fibber McGee's hall closet? "Don't open that closet, McGee!"

The short YouTube video offers just a mere taste of the comedy and although the show made the transition to television, its popularity soon waned. Fibber McGee's closet gag was never as funny on TV as it was on the vintage radio program.

That's because your imagination worked overtime with radio! Today's more visual style of entertainment leaves too little to the imagination and depends so much on the eyes.

The dialogue, music, and sound effects heard in the Old Time Radio programs relied solely on our imaginations to create a scene that was always more colorful and detailed than any televised image could hope to achieve.

It's often difficult for today's generation having grown up with television to understand, but it's true. Radio was exceptional. Want a taste? Listen to OTR shows that I've placed on this site for your enjoyment.

Welcome to the Golden Age of Radio

Are you a fan of the Golden Age of Radio, or "OTR" as it's commonly called? You'll have LOTS of fun reading here. Relive those glorious days and please join in by sharing your comments

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