Old Time Radio - Websites and Books
Some websites offer just information or logs of broadcast shows.
Others offer free downloads or sell programs by the episode or in
groups on CD.
The quality of programs varies widely so always listen to a sample
before downloading or buying.
WHAT IS OLD TIME RADIO?
Old time radio
often called "OTR" refers to radio shows from the early days of
radio broadcasting. The term usually applies to dramas, comedies,
mystery shows, westerns, and variety shows that were acted out by
professional actors and sent out over the airwaves. In the Golden
Age of Radio era families would relax in their chairs and sofa in
front their radios listening to the exciting shows the way we do
when watching our television sets today.
WHO LISTENS TO OLD TIME RADIO SHOWS?
OTR fans used to be people who grew up in the 1930's, 40's, and 50's. But thanks to the Internet a whole new generation is falling in love with OTR! Yes, young and old alike love to listen to those fabulous radio shows of yesteryear. You are never too young to appreciate the talented actors and actresses from the Golden Age of Radio.
WEBSITES
Broadcast History (***NEW LINK*** Thanks to Kelsey in Colorado for submitting to us!)
Broadcast History and Business
echoesfromthegoldenageofradio.com
genericradio.com (radio show scripts)
Handy Old Time Radio On Demand (Our FAVORITE: search for "Jean Shepherd")
Hank's Old Time Radio Home Page
Hank's Gumshoe Old Time Radio Live
Hank's Western Old Time Radio Live
historyradio.org (blog site - contains wide range of opinions)
Lewis & Young Live Entertainment https://lyeusa.com
orsonwelles.indiana.edu (Specifically the Orson Welles material and restored recordings)
otrcat.org (purchase CDs of OTR)
OTR Network Library(****NEW****)
OTRR Group (Old Time Radio Researhers Group)
Sirius/XM OTR - Need a Sirius/XM login; tune to ch #148
wikipedia.org (factual data about OTR)
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BOOKS (sample of many that are available
discussing Old Time Radio)
“On The Air - The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio”
John Dunning,
1998, Oxford University Press, New York
“A History of Broadcasting in the United States - Volume I - to
1933”
Erik Barnouw, 1966, Oxford University Press, New York
“Women in Comedy” (The funny ladies from the turn of the century to
the present)
Linda Martin & Kerry Segrave, 1986, Citadel Press, Secaucus, NJ
“Lux Presents Hollywood” - A show-by-show history of the Lux Radio
Theatre and the Lux Video Theatre - 1934-1957
Connie Billups and Arthur Pierce, 1995, McFarland & Company,
Jefferson, NC
“Radio’s Golden Age - The Programs & the Personalities”
Frank Buxton
and Bill Owen, 1966, Easton Valley Press, New York
“The Big Broadcast - 1920-1950”
Frank Buxton & Bill Owen, 1972, The Viking Press, Inc., New York
(paperback)
“Gunsmoke - A complete History”
SuzAnne Barabas & Gabor Barabas, 1990, McFarland & Company,
Jefferson, NC
"There’s Laughter in the Air!" (Radio’s top comedians and their best
shows)
Jack Gaver and Dave Stanley, 1945, Greenburg: Publisher, New York