Radio Daze: Some “Gunsmoke” and “Have Gun Will Travel!” For Western-Style Old Radio Fun!
Howdy Folks! Here’s another edition of Radio Daze for your old radio listening pleasure! This week I’m featuring the Westerns and including two episodes each of two of the best Westerns ever to air on the radio. The first is Gunsmoke featuring William Conrad as Marshall Matt Dillon. Probably the most adult oriented western program of the day, Gunsmoke dealt with a lot of mature themes, such as Indian mistreatment and lynching, among other things. Gunsmoke had a killer cast, with a rotating band of players performing different characters every week. One of the featured performances was the legendary John Dehner, who just happens to be the star of the next Western program! Dehner stars as Paladin in “Have Gun, Will Travel,” a gun for hire who is just as formidable with his wits as he is with a six-shooter. The two Gunsmoke episodes are from mid 1952 while Have Gun, Will Travel aired during the late fifties and early sixties at the end of the golden age of radio. Both shows are classics and prime examples of great audio storytelling! Enjoy! So Sayeth The Kendog!
Radio Daze: Fred Allen’s comedy genius is on display for your old radio listening pleasure!
Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog here with another episode of Radio Daze! This edition features the comedic stylings of Fred Allen, on of the smartest and wittiest comedians of radio’s Golden Age! Allen was probably best known for two things: his feud with Jack Benny (the two were actually close friends) and his regular feature known as “Allen’s Alley” in which he would ask a topical question to the comedic residents of the alley, including Senator Claghorn and Mrs. Noosebaum. He was more of a political humorist than Jack Benny and was also skilled at improve, which made for an interesting dynamic with the script-loving Benny. The two episodes featured today are from December of 1942 and January of 1943 and feature two great guests in the form of Orson Welles and Oscar Levant. Enjoy! So Sayeth The Kendog!
Radio Daze: Getting Back To Jack Benny For Your Old Radio Listening Pleasure!
Howdy Folks! Welcome to another edition of Radio Daze! In honor of Jack Benny’s Birthday on Valentine’s Day, I’ve included a couple of classic birthday shows. Jack Benny, being perpetually 39, is always annoyed when it comes to his birthday! I’ve two episodes for you this week! The first is from 1942 in which Jack can’t get a date for his birthday! The next is from 1954 in which Jack finally turns 40! Both are hilarious and are perfect programs to listen too with the coming storm this weekend! Enjoy! So Sayeth The Kendog!
Radio Daze: Enjoy “The Great Guildersleeve” For Some Old Radio Listening Pleasure!
Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog with another episode of Radio Daze! This edtion features one of the most successful spin off shows of all time. “The Great Guildersleeve” started in 1941 and ran all the way until 1954. Throckmorton P. Guildersleeve had previously been popular on Fibber McGee and Molly and proved to be just as possible on his own show. Played for most of its run by the talented Harold Peary, Guildersleeve was the Water Commissioner for the town of Summerfield and the guardian of little Leroy (Walter Tetley) and Marjorie (Virginia Lynne). Like Fibber McGee & Molly, this show had a variety of colorful characters and the show had its own groove. The first two episodes here are from 1941 and show how good the show would become! Enjoy and snuggle up to the old radio tonight! So Sayeth The kendog!
Radio Daze: “Fibber McGee And Molly” Is Classic Comedy With A Truly Talented Supporting Cast!
Howdy Folks! Welcome to another episode of Radio Daze! This episode will return us to Wistful Vista, home of Fibber McGee And Molly! Jim and Marian Jordan rivaled Burns And Allen as the funniest husband and wife team in Old Radio. “Fibber McGee And Molly” also feature one of the finest supporting casts in comedic radio. Actors such as Gale Gordon, Arthur Q. Bryant, and the delightful Bill Thomspon (who performed at least a half dozen characters) and others always had the audience in stitches when they visited 79 Wistful Vista. Harold Peary became a household name as the Great Gildersleeve and was so popular he even got his own long running spinoff show! These two episodes are from February of 1943 and feature many of these same cast members. It’s a classic comedy with the ability to make you chuckle all these decades later! Enjoy! So Sayeth The Kendog!
