Best Old Time Radio Comedies
Listen to many of the finest (and funniest) comedy programs ever presented during radio's golden days.
Ann Southern as Maisie
Adventures of Maisie
Ann Sothern was known for her snappy delivery so it was no wonder she was cast in all ten of the well known Maisie films that were produced between 1939 and 1947.
The Maisie character is a single woman and an aspiring actress who takes various jobs to support herself while pursuing as her career in New York City. When Sothern appeared on Lux Radio Theatre in the radio adaptation of her film Maisie Was A Lady, CBS was alerted to Sothern's natural Radio talent.
The radio show The Adventures of Maisie premiered on July 5, 1945 and immediately captured the imagination of millions of radio listeners. Particularly loved were Maisie's mixed-metaphor retorts -- such as "Likewise, I'm sure" -- which entered the American vernacular for decades to follow.
Enjoy Ann Sothern as she sparkles as the single girl with big dreams in The Adventures of Maisie.
Jackie Kelk as Homer and Ezra Stone as Henry
Aldrich Family, The
The Aldrich Family started off as a Broadway Play. Rudy Vallee saw it and wanted the characters for some sketches on his radio show; the audience acceptance resulted in Kate Smith offering a regular segment on her radio program. The popularity of the program demanded he Aldrich Family be spun off into its own show.
The show centers on Henry (a perennial adolescent) and his adventures at school, with his friends, and especially with girls!
Give a listen and you will instantly be taken back to your teenage years. True, much has changed over the years -- but you will be surprised how many things have stayed the same!
Don Ameche & Frances Langford
Bickersons, The
Don Ameche and Frances Langford star as John and Blanche Bickerson, a married couple who, for many years, are still trying to adjust to the institution.
The Bickersons features outstanding characters and writing that will have you laughing out loud. The snappy dialogue between John and Blanche is at once biting, sardonic and at times downright cruel -- but always hilariously funny!
The show started off as a sketch comedy on The Chase & Sanborn Hour, but after some seasons, Ameche & Langford were offered their own half hour show.
So come along and enjoy the ride. Spend an evening with John and Blanche, where the honeymoon is definitely over!
Gracie Allen & George Burns
Burns & Allen Show, The
George Burns and Gracie Allen were successful vaudevillians that were eager to make the transition to radio (and later films and television).
Their top-rated program, The Burns and Allen Show moved away from its vaudeville roots and transformed itself into a sitcom format. The show continued until 1950, alternating between NBC and CBS.
In the first years the show's main theme centered on a single George as a persistent suitor of Gracie. Their real-life marriage was not written into the show until 1941.
Without fanfare, George announced that from that point forward the show would revolve around them as a married couple, which of course they had been for years.
His assessment was spot-on and The Burns and Allen Show went on to capture newer and larger audiences.
Come along and enjoy the antics of Gracie Allen and her loving, tolerant (although sometimes slow-burning) husband, George.
Ed Gardner as Archie
Duffy's Tavern
For Duffy fans the opening of each show is classic -- we hear the singing of When Irish Eyes Are Smiling interrupted by the ringing of the telephone and then the voice of Archie answering:
"Hello, Duffy's Tavern, where the elite meet to eat. Archie the manager speakin'. Duffy ain't here. Oh -- hello, Duffy."
Duffy was never seen or heard. But each time Archie reported to his boss the comings and goings in the tavern, you knew you were in for a rollicking good time.
Even though Archie managed Duffy's Tavern, it was the constant parade of characters that made the show so appealing. Outstanding story lines by some of New York's finest writers made for truly memorable stories that displayed a real understanding of human nature.
So come on along and spend some time in and among the wonderful folks who regularly inhabit that well-known New York City watering hole: Duffy's Tavern.
Edgar Bergen and Friends
Edgar Bergen Show, The
Edgar Bergen was a wildly popular ventriloquist -- but how do you export that skill to radio? In the case of the Edgar Bergen Show, it worked because Bergen's sense of comedic timing was superb, and he handled Charlie McCarthy's snappy dialog with aplomb.
Bergen's wit in creating striking personalities was what made the show. And his popularity as a ventriloquist on radio is testimony to the fact it was the personalities he applied to his characters that audiences loved.
Give a listen and see if you don't agree. You may find yourself, like audiences of yesteryear, truly believing that Charlie and Mortimer are real people -- not the creation of Edgar Bergen.
Robert Young
Father Knows Best
Before it became one of TV's favorite family oriented half hour situation comedies, Father Knows Best was a long-running hit on NBC radio. As on TV, Robert Young starred as Jim Anderson.
With the exception of Young, the cast members playing the rest of the family were different from the television cast. Also, Jim Anderson was a bit more acerbic and not as all-wise as his later TV incarnation.
Listen in as each week a domestic crisis was usually solved by the wise father, Jim Anderson.
Jim & Marian Jordan
Fibber McGee & Molly
Fibber McGee & Molly was on radio from 1935 to 1959, and for much of that time it was a top-ten rated show. With a regular audience numbering in the tens of millions, folks would not miss on Tuesday nights!
The real husband and wife team of Jim and Marian Jordan brought Fibber and Molly to life. Along with them were Mayor La Trivia, Doc Gamble, Mrs. Abigail Uppington, Mrs. Millicent Carstairs, Wallace Wimple, Horatio K. Boomer, the little next-door neighbor Tini, and of course the old-timer.
Outstanding writing, funny and witty characters, and a great big heart made this program one of the best ever.
Hal Peary as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve
Great Gildersleeve, The
Gildersleeve was "spun-off” the Fibber McGee & Molly Show. Gildersleeve left Wistful Vista to manage the estate of his recently departed younger sister and her husband, and to look after their children, Marjorie and Leroy.
Settling down in Summerfield, he eventually landed a position as Summerfield's water commissioner, and soon became Summerfield’s most prolific bachelor.
The ensemble cast is excellent and watching the kids grow up is one of the true delights on this long running program.
Ronald Colman & Benita Hume
Halls of Ivy, The
The Halls of Ivy was an outstanding warm and witty program about a college president. The show ran from 1950–52 on NBC radio and starred Ronald Colman and Benita Hume, who were married in real life. Professor Hall is married to Victoria Cromwell, late a star of the English comedy stage.
The show revolves around the couple's interaction with students, campus life, and dealing with one particular sourpuss on the college board of governors. The Halls of Ivy will make you laugh one minute and cry the next. It really is that good. And oh, that music!
Jack Benny & Mary Livingston
Jack Benny Show, The
One of the truly great old time radio comedies, the Jack Benny Show ran from 1932 to 1955. Much of that time it was a top rated show that spent more than 21 years on Sunday nights.
With a supporting cast that worked brilliantly together, including Mary Livingstone (the true-life Mrs. Benny), Don Wilson, Phil Harris, Dennis Day and Eddie Anderson as Rochester, plus a supporting cast that included Mel Blanc, Frank Nelson, Bea Benaderet, Sara Berner, Joseph Kearns and Sheldon Leonard (among others), you cannot go wrong with The Jack Benny Program.
Give a listen to one of the very best old time radio comedies.
Listen to The Jack Benny Program
William Bendix
Life of Riley, The
Riley was a typical blue-collar American factory worker. His family consisted of wife, Peg; their son, Junior, and their daughter, Babs. The show was one of the few radio programs that dealt with domestic crises -- quite often financial difficulties were discussed -- but did so in a comedic format.
Chester A. Riley is a lovable soul, but didn't always use the best judgment. As a result his plans and schemes, while always good-intentioned, did not always result in the best outcome. When things turned sour, Riley usually uttered his catchphrase: "What a revoltin' predicament this turned out to be!"
Well, it turned out that Riley's words resonated with millions of Americans, and that oft-repeated phrase was literally uttered thousands of times each day across the wide USA! You still hear it today!
Come and enjoy visiting with the Riley Family -- they are, after all, living The Life of Riley!
Harold Lloyd
Old Gold Comedy Theatre
The Old Gold Comedy Theatre was designed as comedy's answer to the popular Lux Radio Theatre -- which was originally hosted by Hollywood legend Cecil B. DeMille.
Old Gold sought a similar host and tagged Preston Sturges with the job. He declined, but recommended silent film legend Harold Lloyd, who accepted.
If there is one problem with the show, it is difficult to reduce a 90 minute movie script to a half hour radio play that is to be presented in three acts.
Other than that, some of the scripts are very funny and the actors are some of Hollywood's finest.
Listen to Old Gold Comedy Theatre
Gale Gordon & Eve Arden
Our Miss Brooks
Our Miss Brooks was a hit on radio from the outset; within eight months of its launch as a regular series the show landed several honors -- including four for Eve Arden.
Our Miss Brooks premiered on CBS radio on July 19, 1948. The chemistry between the cast members -- such as volatile principal Conklin, adolescent Walter Denton, absentminded Mrs. Davis, and the naive Mr. Boynton -- became an instant hit with listeners.
Give a listen and you will agree Our Miss Brooks was one of the very best old time radio comedies.
The Nelsons: Ozzie, Harriet, David and Ricky
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
Ozzie Nelson was a band leader, but he knew radio was the place to be. Ozzie and Harriet soon became regulars on The Red Skelton Show. When Red was drafted into the Army, Ozzie figured their best option was to headline a show of their own.
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was launched in October, 1944 and for the next five years jumped back and forth between CBS and NBC until, in 1949 it found its permanent home at ABC. The show ran until June, 1954, a total of ten years and 402 episodes on radio.
Come along and join us for a nostalgic view of family life in the 1950s. Come and meet the Nelsons!.