On This Day in Radio — July 22, 1907: The Birth of Robert Young

On this day we celebrate the birth of Robert Young, born July 22, 1907, a performer whose calm, thoughtful voice became one of the defining sounds of late‑era network radio. Before he became a television icon, Young was already a familiar presence on the airwaves, appearing throughout the 1930s and 1940s on Lux Radio Theatre, The Screen Guild Theater, and The Cavalcade of America. His greatest radio legacy arrived in 1949 with Father Knows Best, where Young shaped Jim Anderson into one of radio’s last great family patriarchs. The radio version set the tone for the television classic that followed, proving how deeply his gentle humor and steady delivery resonated with listeners. On this date, we honor Robert Young’s birth and celebrate the actor whose voice helped guide one of radio’s most enduring family comedies into American homes.

On This Day in Radio — July 21, 1998: The Passing of Robert Young On this day we mark the passing of Robert Young, who died on July 21, 1998, leaving behind a legacy that reached deeply into the final great years of American network radio. Before he became a television fixture, Young was already a familiar voice on the airwaves, appearing throughout the 1930s and 1940s on Lux Radio Theatre, The Screen Guild Theater, The Cavalcade of America, and other major dramatic anthologies that relied on Hollywood’s top talent to bring motion pictures to the microphone. His delivery — calm, warm, and quietly thoughtful — made him one of radio’s most reliable dramatic actors. That voice found its defining home in 1949 with Father Knows Best, where Young shaped Jim Anderson into one of radio’s last great family patriarchs, a character built on gentle humor and steady emotional grounding. The radio version set the tone for the television classic that followed, proving how deeply Young’s performance resonated with listeners. On this date, we remember Robert Young’s passing and honor the actor whose voice helped guide one of radio’s most enduring family comedies into American homes.

"Romance of the Ranchos"(CBS-West Coast only, 1942-43):the Independent Insurance Agencies of California(?)...

"The Green Hornet"(East Coast syndicated, 1938?-1948?):Blue Coal heating charcoal(Pennsylvania only?)...

"Captain Midnight"(1937-1941?):Skelly Oil Company...

A regional police drama on CBS Radio sponsored by Rio Grande gasoline...

On This Day in Radio — July 20, 1890: The Birth of Verna Felton On this day we celebrate the birth of Verna Felton, born July 20, 1890, a performer whose voice became one of the most familiar and comforting sounds across radio’s Golden Age. Before she became a Disney legend, Felton was already a powerhouse on the airwaves, bringing her warm, husky voice and sharp comedic timing to countless radio programs throughout the 1930s and 1940s. She was a regular presence on The Jack Benny Program, The Red Skelton Show, and Fibber McGee and Molly, often playing strong‑willed mothers, no‑nonsense matrons, and characters who could steal a scene with a single line. Her radio work showcased the versatility that later made her unforgettable in animation — the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, and Flora in Sleeping Beauty. Felton’s voice carried authority, humor, and warmth in equal measure, making her one of the most reliable character actresses of the broadcast era. On this date, we honor Verna Felton’s birth and celebrate the performer whose voice helped shape both classic radio comedy and some of the most beloved moments in American animation.

Green Valley Radio: Broadcast Schedule 7/20-7/26

Hello listeners! Here is our broadcast schedule for this week, covering music and news through the years 1941-1945, 24/7!

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While listening to a variety of shows, there's a sound effect that keeps popping up. It's a police car siren that ends with what, depending on the the context in which it is used, is either two tires squealing, or slamming on the brakes. It's identical every time, so it's clearly some kind of stock audio effect. I would like to know the history of that effect, and if anyone knows where it came from originally. Naturally, as I write this I can't find an instance of it, but it's common enough that I'm sure others have noticed it.

On This Day in Radio — July 19, 1948: The Debut of Our Miss Brooks On this day we celebrate the premiere of Our Miss Brooks, which debuted on July 19, 1948, and quickly became one of radio’s most beloved comedy institutions. The series introduced listeners to Connie Brooks, the sharp‑witted, endlessly patient English teacher whose daily battles with students, principals, and the quiet chaos of school life struck a chord with audiences across the country. Eve Arden’s performance defined the show — crisp, dry, and effortlessly funny, she brought a modern, intelligent edge to radio comedy at a time when female leads were rarely allowed that kind of bite. The writing blended gentle satire with warm character humor, creating a world that felt both exaggerated and familiar, and the chemistry between Arden and Gale Gordon’s blustering Principal Conklin became one of radio’s great comedic pairings. Our Miss Brooks didn’t just entertain; it helped reshape the portrayal of working women in broadcast comedy, presenting a heroine who was capable, clever, and fully in command of her own story. On this date, we honor the debut of Our Miss Brooks and celebrate the series that turned a schoolteacher into one of radio’s most enduring icons.

Probably already delivered to members of the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety and Comedy, it’s the July/August issue of Radiogram magazine! I'm a little behind schedule due to some travel but we wanted everyone to know a great new issue came out at the beginning of the month.

The cover story features Your’s Truly, Johnny Dollar, a profile of audio drama Troupe Tesla City Stories, Member Spotlight on Donnie Pitchford of the Lum and Abner Society, a profile of voice actress Tanja Milojevic, an interview with SPERDVAC’s John Tefteller and why we are naming our library after him, and an update on club business from President Corey Harker!

You can get a year’s worth of issues that great by signing up a SPERDVAC member at sperdvac.com/membership, with Silver Memberships starting at only $20/year!

Best,

Sean Dougherty
Membership Chair

Behind the Dial Ep. 12:

This week Zach takes you on a trip to 79 Wistful Vista for a look back at Fibber McGee & Molly featuring the reminiscences of actress Elvia Allman, writers Phil Leslie & Tom Cook, & some surprise figures sharing their memories in helping shape this radio comedy classic.

This show was originally recorded at a SPERDVAC Meeting panel on November 21st, 1987.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1T1ZO2cev2v0ZXh1aW2cLw?si=LyoBcDXNRRmL1UX6S_U5HA

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-12-a-visit-to-79-wistful-vista-with-elvia-alman/id1872194743?i=1000777229638

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Io32_tmU2as

On This Day in Radio — July 18, 1909: The Birth of Harriet Nelson On this day we celebrate the birth of Harriet Nelson, born July 18, 1909, a performer whose voice became one of the most familiar and comforting sounds in American radio. Long before the Nelson family became a television institution, Harriet was already shaping the tone of their radio series with her warm, steady delivery and effortless comedic timing. She entered radio as a singer and actress in the 1930s, bringing a natural ease to the microphone that made her a perfect fit for the emerging family‑comedy format. When The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet debuted on radio in 1944, Harriet became the show’s emotional anchor — calm, witty, and grounded, guiding listeners through the gentle humor and everyday rhythms that defined the series. Her voice helped create one of radio’s most enduring households, a family that felt real because Harriet made it real. On this date, we honor Harriet Nelson’s birth and celebrate the performer whose presence helped shape one of radio’s most beloved American families.

Your turn...

I WILL fight you! Unless you've heard better. Lol. I've listened to a fair bit of OTR but I'm not going to claim to be comprehensive. But I think with the hyperbole of the title I get my point across. Also I'm not a violent person so please don't fight me.

I've been watching a lot of old movies, and several of them turned out to be based on radio programs. (This was noted in the opening credits.) There's a whole series of Crime Doctor movies, starring Warner Baxter. Then there are four Big Town movies, which also made the transition to tv under various names.

I've enjoyed all of the movies I've watched so far, so I had to see if the radio shows were available anywhere. Turns out Edgar G Robinson and Clair Trevor were in a lot of the Big Town episodes! I just listened to one via a podcast someone has set up. There only seem to be four episodes of Crime Doctor, on Internet Archive.

So my question is, can anyone else think of radio shows that were turned into movies, rather than tv shows? I'm finding it really fun to both watch and listen to the same characters.

On This Day in Radio — July 17, 2008: The Passing of Larry Haines On this day we mark the passing of Larry Haines, who died on July 17, 2008, leaving behind one of the most substantial acting legacies in the history of American radio drama. Haines was a fixture of the medium from the 1940s through the end of network radio, a performer whose voice became instantly recognizable across crime shows, mysteries, anthologies, and daytime serials. He brought a natural, conversational realism to the microphone at a time when radio acting often leaned toward theatricality, and that grounded style made him one of the most in‑demand actors of the era. Haines appeared on Suspense, Inner Sanctum, Gangbusters, This Is Your FBI, and dozens of other programs, often carrying entire episodes with his steady, lived‑in delivery. When radio faded, he transitioned to stage and television, earning Tony nominations and continuing to work for decades, but his radio years remain the foundation of his reputation. On this date, we remember Larry Haines’s passing and honor a performer whose voice helped define the sound and spirit of classic American radio drama.

I listen to OTR on my way to work, and lately the show that's been playing as I arrive is "The Challenge of the Yukon", sponsored by Quaker Puffed Rice and Wheat ("The breakfast cereal shot from guns! *ricochet sound*").

During the ad, sometimes the announcer will say something along the lines of "enjoy Quaker Puffed Rice or Quaker Puffed Wheat covered with fruit and yellow cream!".

Yellow cream? Is it just that cream is significantly more industrialized now, and "real" cream is actually yellow? I do not, and have never lived on a dairy farm but this is the only place I can think of where cream is referred to as yellow. Anyone grow up around cows? Maybe the way we use the word "yellow" has changed somewhat?

Does anyone know where I can get these episodes. I only see a few on Internet Archive.

On This Day in Radio — July 16, 1907: The Birth of Barbara Stanwyck On this day we mark the birth of Barbara Stanwyck, born July 16, 1907, a performer whose voice became as important to American broadcasting as her presence was to Hollywood. During the 1930s and 1940s, Stanwyck emerged as one of the film stars most deeply woven into network radio’s dramatic fabric. She appeared on Lux Radio Theatre, The Screen Guild Theater, The Cavalcade of America, and other major anthologies that relied on top‑tier talent to bring motion pictures to the microphone. Stanwyck often reprised her own roles, delivering performances that revealed how naturally her strength, clarity, and emotional control translated into pure audio. Radio showcased her ability to shape character through tone and timing alone, proving that her artistry didn’t depend on the camera — it thrived in the intimacy of the microphone. On this date, we celebrate Barbara Stanwyck’s birth and honor a performer whose voice helped carry some of radio’s finest dramatic moments into American homes.

One of the things that surprised me while researching this was how many techniques we associate with modern sitcoms were already being developed on The Jack Benny Program decades earlier. Historian Geoffrey Mark argues: "It isn't that Jack Benny created the first sitcom. He created the elements that make sitcoms work."

Media historian and author Kathy Fuller-Seeley points out that Benny and his writers gradually shifted from jokes and monologues to recurring characters, continuing storylines and ensemble relationships—the very things that sitcoms still rely on today.

I spoke with Geoffrey, Kathy and Jack's daughter, Joan Benny, for a look at how one of radio's biggest stars helped shape television comedy. If you'd like to check out the full story, you can do so at https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/classic-tv/how-jack-benny-helped-invent-the-sitcom-memories-from-his-daughter

On This Day in Radio — July 15, 1960: The Passing of Lawrence Tibbett On this day we mark the passing of Lawrence Tibbett, who died on July 15, 1960, leaving behind a legacy that reached far beyond the Metropolitan Opera stage and into the heart of American radio. Tibbett was one of the first great opera stars to embrace broadcasting, using radio to bring classical music to millions of listeners who had never seen an opera house. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s he appeared on major network programs, performing arias, popular songs, and dramatic readings with a voice that carried both power and warmth through the microphone. His radio presence helped demystify opera, presenting it not as an elite art form but as something intimate, emotional, and accessible. Tibbett’s broadcasts became a bridge between high culture and everyday listeners, and his performances remain preserved in transcription discs and archival recordings that capture the richness of his tone and the generosity of his artistry. On this date, we remember Lawrence Tibbett’s passing and honor a performer whose voice helped shape radio’s ability to bring great music directly into American homes.

Does anybody here now bits of history, especially from the beginning of the Old Time Radio Researchers Group?

Or is there anyone who participated in it's research?

I see that Night Beat, which is tremendous, has quite a substantial amount of missing episodes.

Have people already tried searching? Would it be in vain for me to try and look? Would love somebody's info and opinions about this!