The Old Time Radio Flier 03 "NBC'S FIRST FABULOUS FIFTY"
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The Golden Age Of Radio - "NBC's First Fabulous Fifty"
The intention of this lens and others I propose is to bring awareness to the almost forgotten media of American theatrical radio. To bring something old and new, in this technological age, to those who pass by and take the opportunity to listen to a media that has seen better days in the United States. The Old Time Radio Flier intends to show the quality, quantity and variety of programmes produced during the very short period known as "The Golden Age Of Radio". To give an understanding of the history of what is known today as "Old Time Radio".
...be sure to visit all my lenses to download the OLD TIME RADIO programs of your choice for your listening pleasure....
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...be sure to visit all my lenses to download the OLD TIME RADIO programs of your choice for your listening pleasure....
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Old Time Radio Available For Downloading
Public Domain Material
Old Time Radio show from the Golden Age of Radio. Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Macabre, Science Fiction, et al. Feel free to browse.
Download it put it on your mp3 player. Listen to those wonderful voices in the dark.
Search The Old Time Radio Flier lenses by The Whistler
Download it put it on your mp3 player. Listen to those wonderful voices in the dark.
Search The Old Time Radio Flier lenses by The Whistler
NBC 711 FIFTH AVE., NEW YORK. NBC was the first American broadcasting company and this was their first studio, 1927
NBC'S FIRST FABULOUS FIFTY
Introduction
The National Broadcasting Company was created when RCA purchased radio stations WEAF-New York, WCAP-Washington, D.C., and the radio programming network from American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) in 1926, and merged those assets with its own WJZ New York, WRC Washington, and radio programming network. The WEAF stations and network would become known as the NBC Red network; the WJZ stations and network would be dubbed the NBC Blue network, which later became the American Broadcasting Company.
NBC: the giants of a medium that has permeated American society for most of the 20th century. Radio's power has always depended upon diverse talents and many kinds of genius.
Of all the electronic media that have made their indelible mark on the world, radio came with few precedents. Radio personalized events, made them more intimate, more real. Radio engaged us emotionally and brought us closer together as a nation. Radio marked the first instant medium shared collectively by millions.
Radio has given us the freedom to use our imagination. Whether it enlightened, enraged, or amused us, radio filtered through our individual sensibilities. Take the time and listen and you'll realize that, while the way we listen and what we've heard has changed over the years, radio itself remains a constant and enduring force in our lives
- Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

NBC: the giants of a medium that has permeated American society for most of the 20th century. Radio's power has always depended upon diverse talents and many kinds of genius.
Of all the electronic media that have made their indelible mark on the world, radio came with few precedents. Radio personalized events, made them more intimate, more real. Radio engaged us emotionally and brought us closer together as a nation. Radio marked the first instant medium shared collectively by millions.
Radio has given us the freedom to use our imagination. Whether it enlightened, enraged, or amused us, radio filtered through our individual sensibilities. Take the time and listen and you'll realize that, while the way we listen and what we've heard has changed over the years, radio itself remains a constant and enduring force in our lives
- Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

The main studio at NBC's headquarters.
NBC'S FIRST FABULOUS FIFTY EPISODES AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOADING
NBC FIRST 50 PART 1 Host - Ben Grauer
Part 1 Introduction: Titanic, Will Rogers, Amos and Andy; Al Jolson sings; Ed Wynn; Eddie Cantor sings; Rudy Valle; Jack Benny. Broadcast News: Jazz Age, Charles Lindbergh, Graham MacNamee first broadcast from Atlantic to Pacific; President Coolidge on Lindbergh; "Lucky Lindy" Lindburgh Kidnapping; Special Bulletin on execution of Bruno Hoffman; Lindbergh labelled NAZI sympathiser. NBC Shows: "Happiness Boys," "Koko Club Eskimos," "Easy Aces;" music from Manhatten; "Vic and Sade;" Jessica Dragonette "Queen of Radio;" "Fibber McGee and Molly;" H. B. Carlton Bourne; NBC Electrica Chimes. Sports: Kentucky Derby broadcast 1929, Max Baer Wins Heavy Weight Champion of the World in Boxing, Speed Talking Contest winner Ben Grauer.Colour Commentary: Swallows return to Capistrano, Arrival of Queen Mary in New York in maiden voyage. News: Floods of the mid-1930s. Soap Operas: "The Goldbergs," "The Story of Young Dr. Malone," "Stella Dalas;" "One Man's Family;" Satire: "Bob and Ray." 1929: St. Valentine's Massacre, "The Rudy Valle Show," Stock market crash The Depression; Roosevelt's Fireside chats; Nazism emerges; Major Bowes with Frank Sinatra; 1935: movie star Wallace Berry introduces twelve year old Judy Garland on radio for the first time; Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.
Part 1 Introduction: Titanic, Will Rogers, Amos and Andy; Al Jolson sings; Ed Wynn; Eddie Cantor sings; Rudy Valle; Jack Benny. Broadcast News: Jazz Age, Charles Lindbergh, Graham MacNamee first broadcast from Atlantic to Pacific; President Coolidge on Lindbergh; "Lucky Lindy" Lindburgh Kidnapping; Special Bulletin on execution of Bruno Hoffman; Lindbergh labelled NAZI sympathiser. NBC Shows: "Happiness Boys," "Koko Club Eskimos," "Easy Aces;" music from Manhatten; "Vic and Sade;" Jessica Dragonette "Queen of Radio;" "Fibber McGee and Molly;" H. B. Carlton Bourne; NBC Electrica Chimes. Sports: Kentucky Derby broadcast 1929, Max Baer Wins Heavy Weight Champion of the World in Boxing, Speed Talking Contest winner Ben Grauer.Colour Commentary: Swallows return to Capistrano, Arrival of Queen Mary in New York in maiden voyage. News: Floods of the mid-1930s. Soap Operas: "The Goldbergs," "The Story of Young Dr. Malone," "Stella Dalas;" "One Man's Family;" Satire: "Bob and Ray." 1929: St. Valentine's Massacre, "The Rudy Valle Show," Stock market crash The Depression; Roosevelt's Fireside chats; Nazism emerges; Major Bowes with Frank Sinatra; 1935: movie star Wallace Berry introduces twelve year old Judy Garland on radio for the first time; Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.

An orchestra plays in the main studio in 1929.
Part 2
NBC FIRST 50 PART 2 Host - Bob Hope
Part 2: 1936 David Sarnoff, "Breakfast Club" with Don McNeil, "Lone Ranger," "Renfrew of the Mounties;" "Eddie Cantor Show" with guest star Bob Hope. Broadcast News: Hindenburg disaster. Sports: Boxing Joe Lewis vs Max Smelling. News: 1939 George VI and Queen Elizabeth visit America, British artists perform, George M. Cohan toasts the King and Queen; Britain declares war on Germany; Churchill speaks to Britain; Nazi Blitz on London; Andrew Sisters; NBC Shows: music. NBC adopts fourth chime during war as code to employees that something important is happening. 1940 American's start draft, "The Fred Allen Show." 1941 Pearl Harbor, Manila bombed, Roosevelt address nation; NBC goes to war; "Mary Noble: Backstage Wife;" "Red Skelton Show;" American artists entertain troops; "Bob Hope;" D-Day, John McVain reports liberation of Paris; "Kraft Music Hall" with Bing Crosby, guest Bob Hope; Roosevelt dies; signing of truce. War in the Pacific; "Grand Central Station;" "First Nighter;" "Sherlock Holmes;" "Victor Borge;" Fred Wearing program interrupted for bulletin regarding Atomic Bomb; President Truman; announcement of the end of the war, signing of surrender of Japan. "Thanks For The Memories."
Part 2: 1936 David Sarnoff, "Breakfast Club" with Don McNeil, "Lone Ranger," "Renfrew of the Mounties;" "Eddie Cantor Show" with guest star Bob Hope. Broadcast News: Hindenburg disaster. Sports: Boxing Joe Lewis vs Max Smelling. News: 1939 George VI and Queen Elizabeth visit America, British artists perform, George M. Cohan toasts the King and Queen; Britain declares war on Germany; Churchill speaks to Britain; Nazi Blitz on London; Andrew Sisters; NBC Shows: music. NBC adopts fourth chime during war as code to employees that something important is happening. 1940 American's start draft, "The Fred Allen Show." 1941 Pearl Harbor, Manila bombed, Roosevelt address nation; NBC goes to war; "Mary Noble: Backstage Wife;" "Red Skelton Show;" American artists entertain troops; "Bob Hope;" D-Day, John McVain reports liberation of Paris; "Kraft Music Hall" with Bing Crosby, guest Bob Hope; Roosevelt dies; signing of truce. War in the Pacific; "Grand Central Station;" "First Nighter;" "Sherlock Holmes;" "Victor Borge;" Fred Wearing program interrupted for bulletin regarding Atomic Bomb; President Truman; announcement of the end of the war, signing of surrender of Japan. "Thanks For The Memories."
The "Umbrella" Radio Mobile Unit of the 1930's.
Part 3
NBC FIRST 50 PART 3 Host - Bing Crosby
Part 3: NBC Shows: Bing Crosby, Victor Moore, Jimmy Durante, Sports: Brooklyn Dodgers; Jackie Robinson; Politics: Richard Nixon; Dwight Eisenhower; Korean Conflict. Feuds: Crosby and Hope, Charlie McCarthy and John Barrymore, Charlie McCarthy and W. C. Fields; Jack Benny and Fred Allen. Cops and Robbers: "Dragnet." Music: Toscanini. NBC Shows: George Gobel, Sen. McCarthy hearings broadcast for three months, "The Bing Crosby Show" with Mary Martin as guest and Burt Laer.
Part 3: NBC Shows: Bing Crosby, Victor Moore, Jimmy Durante, Sports: Brooklyn Dodgers; Jackie Robinson; Politics: Richard Nixon; Dwight Eisenhower; Korean Conflict. Feuds: Crosby and Hope, Charlie McCarthy and John Barrymore, Charlie McCarthy and W. C. Fields; Jack Benny and Fred Allen. Cops and Robbers: "Dragnet." Music: Toscanini. NBC Shows: George Gobel, Sen. McCarthy hearings broadcast for three months, "The Bing Crosby Show" with Mary Martin as guest and Burt Laer.
Part 4
NBC FIRST 50 PART 4 Host - Arlene Francis
Part 4: Monitor: with Dave Garraoway, the Mambo, weather report with Miss Monitor; disaster of Andrea Doria and Stockholm; Marilyn Monroe. Bob and Ray: satirists. Elvis Presley. Civil Rights. 1957: Sputnik, first satellite in space. Nightline: with Frank Gallop. Meet the Press: Fidel Castro, Jimmy Hoffa. Bandstand, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. Bing Crosby. 1961: Kennedy, Russians launch first man in space, Bay of Pigs; US launch Alan Shepard in space. Ernie Kovacs, Jonathan Winters. Duke Ellington. Monitor: Bridget Bardot, Mary Pickford; Bette Davis; Elenor Roosevelt. Cuban Missile Crisis. "The First Famly" album becomes a hit. Richard Nixon. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mu>Assassination of Kennedy. Monitor: Mike Nichols and Elaine May, Alaska earthquake. Beatles. Muhammad Ali. President Johnson. Vietnam. Watts riots.
Part 4: Monitor: with Dave Garraoway, the Mambo, weather report with Miss Monitor; disaster of Andrea Doria and Stockholm; Marilyn Monroe. Bob and Ray: satirists. Elvis Presley. Civil Rights. 1957: Sputnik, first satellite in space. Nightline: with Frank Gallop. Meet the Press: Fidel Castro, Jimmy Hoffa. Bandstand, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. Bing Crosby. 1961: Kennedy, Russians launch first man in space, Bay of Pigs; US launch Alan Shepard in space. Ernie Kovacs, Jonathan Winters. Duke Ellington. Monitor: Bridget Bardot, Mary Pickford; Bette Davis; Elenor Roosevelt. Cuban Missile Crisis. "The First Famly" album becomes a hit. Richard Nixon. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mu>Assassination of Kennedy. Monitor: Mike Nichols and Elaine May, Alaska earthquake. Beatles. Muhammad Ali. President Johnson. Vietnam. Watts riots.
NBC Radio City, Sunset and Vine
Part 5
NBC FIRST 50 PART 5 Host- John Chancellor
Part 5: Vietnam: President Johnson, Dr. Benjamin Spook. Monitor: Phyllis Diller, Johnny Carson interviewed by Ed McMahn. Sen. Robert Kennedy. Generation Gap. Drug Culture: "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Hair. Mrs. Robinson. Religion. Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination. Robert Kennedy Assassination. Hubert Humphrey vs Richard Nixon in Presidential election. David Fry impressionists. Religion. Apollo Eight Mission. Man Lands On The Moon. Electronic Sounder replaced NBC chimes (sure it did.) Saigon, Vietnam US Embassy. Kent State University. Woman's Liberation. Gay Rights. Gray Power. Attica Riot. Munich Olympics Massacre. Tiny Tim. Major Bowse Amateur Hour. Fibber McGee and Molly, Spike Mulligan on Bing Crosby show, sings "Cocktail For Two." Nixon visits China. Second Sunday. Watergate; Vice-President resigns, Gerald Ford replaces him; Nixon resigns, Gerald Ford becomes President, pardon of Richard Nixon. Henry Aaron breaks Babe Ruth's record. Concord flies to US. Viking lands on Mars. 200th signing of Declaration of Independence commemorated. Jimmy Carter as President.
Part 5: Vietnam: President Johnson, Dr. Benjamin Spook. Monitor: Phyllis Diller, Johnny Carson interviewed by Ed McMahn. Sen. Robert Kennedy. Generation Gap. Drug Culture: "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Hair. Mrs. Robinson. Religion. Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination. Robert Kennedy Assassination. Hubert Humphrey vs Richard Nixon in Presidential election. David Fry impressionists. Religion. Apollo Eight Mission. Man Lands On The Moon. Electronic Sounder replaced NBC chimes (sure it did.) Saigon, Vietnam US Embassy. Kent State University. Woman's Liberation. Gay Rights. Gray Power. Attica Riot. Munich Olympics Massacre. Tiny Tim. Major Bowse Amateur Hour. Fibber McGee and Molly, Spike Mulligan on Bing Crosby show, sings "Cocktail For Two." Nixon visits China. Second Sunday. Watergate; Vice-President resigns, Gerald Ford replaces him; Nixon resigns, Gerald Ford becomes President, pardon of Richard Nixon. Henry Aaron breaks Babe Ruth's record. Concord flies to US. Viking lands on Mars. 200th signing of Declaration of Independence commemorated. Jimmy Carter as President.

NBC Recording Room: Notice the 16 inch Electrical Transcription discs played at 331/3 RPM
ELECTRICAL TRANSCRIPTION DISCS KNOWN AS ET
Electrical transcriptions, relied upon electromagnetic recording devices such as electromagnetic microphones and 'producers' or pickups to amplify greater fidelity onto and from the surface of the recording medium. This technology enabled the 'pickups' of the era to equally amplify the fidelity of the recorded grooves of the disc when played. As a result the medium was both recorded at higher fidelity and played with equally higher fidelity. The quality of these recordings far surpassed what had been attainable by the best 'acoustic' technology of the turn of the century. Made of aluminum-based disks coated with cellulose nitrate lacquer, known as acetates. Each side of the disc would contain a fifteen minute recording, allowing for fifteen minutes of a show to be recorded on one side and the next fifteen minutes to be recorded on another disc. This is why when a complete show is not available it is because at least one of the discs has been lost. Each side of a transcription disc contained fifteen minutes of a different shows on each side. Although Old Time Radio shows where transcribed, the shows, however, were broadcast live. The transcription was made mostly for the sponsor of the show, or during rehearsals for directors to use in assisting direction. On occasion a person connected with the production may wish a copy of the transcription, but not very often as it would cost a small fortune, $50.00.
ADDITIONAL SHOW
Showbiz - George Jessel
From the book "ShowBiz" by April Green and Jo Laurie Jr. Jimmy Durante. Smith and Dale. George M. Cohan. Blossom Selley. Harry Lauder. Fanny Bryce. Nora Bays and Jack Norwood. George Jessel. Will Rogers. 1914: First World War. Enrico Caruso. Radio. Roaring Twenties. Jazz: The Dixieland Jazz Band, Ted Lewis, Sophie Tucker; Paul Whiteman; "Rhapsody in Blue;" George Gershwin; Irving Caesar. "Swannie;" "No, No, Nanette;" "Rosemarie;" "The Girlfriend;" "The Desert Song;" "Whoopy;" Eddie Cantor; Irving Berlin; Ziegfeld Follies; Franklyn Bower. Films: silent movies with theme songs, "What Price Glory," theme song "Charmaine;" "Lilac Time" song "Geninnen". "Peg Of My Heart" with theme song of the same title; "Ramona" song "Ramona;" "Seventh Heaven;" song "Diane." Talking Pictures: "Jazz Singer." Maurice Chevalier. MGM first sound picture "Broadway Melody. May Murray and Clifton Webb. Ukulele. "Barney Google." Helen Kane. "Yes, We Have No Bananas." Gene Austin sings 'My Blue Heaven." Radio: Wendal Hall. Yvonne DeLee. Happiness Boys. Stock market Crash 1929. "Bother Can You Spare A Dime." "Amos and Andy." Jack Benny. Eddie Cantor. Morton Downing. Rudy Vallee. Arthur Tracy. Bing Crosby. Helen Morgan. Bea Lillie. Jimmy Durante. "I Can Do Without Broadway Can Broadway Do Without Me. Movie Musicals: "Gold Diggers Of Broadway." "Forty Second Street," "Wizard Of Oz;" "Flying Down To Rio;" "Top Hat;" "Gay Divorcee;" Cole Porter sings "Your The Top." SWING: "In The Mood" Glenn Miller; "The Music Goes Round And Round" Tommy Dorsey; "Minnie The Moocher" Cab Calloway; The King Of Swing Benny Goodman. 1939 New York's World Fair. Gypsy Rose Lee. Carmen Miranda. Nazi Invasion of Poland. Irving Berlin wrote and Kate Smith sang "God Bless America." "Lili Marlene." "This Is The Army." Peace. "Oklahoma." "South Pacific" sung by Ezio Pinza. Perry Como. Danny Kaye. Eddie Fisher.
DON'T FORGET YOUR COMMENTS ON "NBC'S FIRST FABULOUS FIFTY"
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Edutopia
Jan 31, 2012 @ 12:57 am | delete
- Really interesting lens that harkens back to the golden days of the radio. Great lens.
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Ladymermaid
Jun 18, 2011 @ 8:27 am | delete
- I love all the old images. I am one of those people who love to live in the past ;)
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EclecticWAHM
Apr 19, 2011 @ 6:10 pm | delete
- Love this!! Being a theater person, I love all things theatrical and performing. My mom and grandma used to tell me about huddling around the radio listening to these great old programs!
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awelldressedbullet
Oct 14, 2010 @ 5:53 pm | delete
- Wonderful memories!
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missbat
Sep 25, 2010 @ 9:48 pm | delete
- Wow, these are fabulous. I'll have to share them with my parents, I bet they'll remember some of these!
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MiaBellezza
May 28, 2010 @ 5:07 pm | delete
- I think it's great how you're keeping Old Time Radio alive!
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kiwisoutback
Apr 8, 2010 @ 2:01 pm | delete
- Very interesting. Radio has changed quite a bit... I struggle finding anything good today, but I like my satellite radio. Nice work!
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Jewelsofawe
Mar 12, 2010 @ 9:44 pm | delete
- Historical. What a walk back in history. Blessing this lens!
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mulberry
Feb 25, 2010 @ 6:03 pm | delete
- The photos alone are worth a visit to your lenses.
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TheWhistler
Feb 26, 2010 @ 4:47 pm | delete
- Thanks it takes a great deal of time finding them, but I do enjoy the research and finding success. Some of them are a delight to find.
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TheWhistler
I am interested, big time, in OLD TIME RADIO and I thought that one way to assist those in need, is to offer my OTR collection at this site.
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