Old Time Radio

 

Click Here For Thousands Of Free Old Time Radio Shows



Old Time Radio - Where to Get Thousands of Shows For Free

Old time radio (OTR) is not dead. In fact, it's alive and well on the Internet. The Internet has actually helped to revive old time radio.  After the days of OTR were ended, the only way to get any of these shows was to find them on old reel to reel tape and listen to them in this format. Some kind folks converted these shows to phonograph records and later to cassette tapes.

NOTE: At the bottom of this page, I'll give you a link to my favorite old time radio site where you can download lot's of free shows.

There were small group of OTR fans that used to do this and trade the shows among themselves. Very few people that would have enjoyed these shows knew about these small clubs and therefore couldn't get the shows.

When computers became available to more and more people, smart PC users learned how to convert these old shows to digital format. 70 minutes of shows could be put on one CD. With the appearance of the mp3 compressed audio format, distribution was now possible via the Internet.

So many people can now enjoy the fun and adventure of OTR due to the efforts of everyone who converted the shows and posted them on the Internet. With the high speed Internet connections we enjoy today, we can download as many shows as we want in a very short amount of time.

OK, so now that we know that these great old radio shows are available again, how do we go about locating them? There are several ways to acquire these shows.

The most expensive way is to buy the shows at a book store in audio format. Sure, these audio CD's will play in any CD player, including the one in your car, but you can only fit 70 minutes of shows on each CD. Plus, these are rather expensive.

You can search the Internet and buy old time radio disk sets in mp3 format. These are compressed and many hours of shows can fit on one CD or DVD. They don't play in most standard CD players, but you can listen to them on your mp3 player or on your computer.

Or, you could join an OTR download club and pay a monthly fee to be able to download any of the shows they have on their website. This is much cheaper and a good option for those with a home computer.

The very best way to get old time radio shows on mp3 is to find a website that offers them for free. These sites are few and far between, due to the fact that there are expenses involved in starting and maintaining a website. There is the cost of registering the domain name, paying a monthly fee for web hosting and paying for the old time radio disk sets. Because of this, many of these sites can only offer a few hundred shows in limited genres.

The best old time radio websites are those that are run as a hobby club. This is where the visitors donate ten or twenty dollars one time, to help pay for the website and to buy more shows.

From then on, everyone who made a donation gets full access to all the old radio shows on the website, plus all the new shows as they are added. A good club will also have an OTR discussion forum so the webmaster and the club members can talk about old time radio, ask and answer questions from other club members and request and share shows with each other. Also, a good news blog is helpful. The person who runs the club can post news to the site to let the members know when new shows are added.

Why is a hobby club better than a download site? Some people, not all, who ask for a monthly fee are more of a business than an old time radio lover. A hobby club is usually run by someone who loves old time radio and just wants to share it with as many people as possible. This is the reason for the small donation fee instead of asking ten or more dollars per month as some sites charge. By combining their resources, all of the club members can listen to many more shows then they could afford on their own.

An old time radio club can be lot's of fun. It's a way to enjoy and share this wonderful hobby with others and it also helps to keep old time radio alive for future generations to enjoy.

Old Time Radio Still Lots of Fun Online

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Old time radio shows used to be a favorite pastime of many families across the United States, and for good reason. There were great mystery shows, music, talk shows and more that were all delivered free of charge over the radio waves. Those days are not over, contrary to what some may believe-the same exact entertainment can still be found right online. Using the internet you can get the same advantages and fun from old time radio style shows without the fuss of dealing with an old bulky radio or having limited choices of stations to choose from. If you want to learn more about finding great old radio shows online then read on.

Some of the most classic shows from the 1930's and onwards were old time radio mystery shows. These were extremely popular and at the height of their popularity they could be found virtually on every station. This is the most commonly sought after variety when people go looking online and there are actually websites that specialize in delivering genuine, original shows that feature some of the most popular mystery shows. Using nothing more than your internet connection and one of these web services you can stream or download the audio and play it over your speakers.

If you're familiar with using Apple's iTunes another great option is to go with an "old time" style podcast that can be synced to your computer and iPod, iPad or iPhone to play on the go wherever you are. From there you can plug in speakers or headphones and set up your very own "radio" regardless of where you travel to. This is an excellent option for anyone who wants to bring the classic entertainment of old time radio shows to their relatives and friends when traveling or on vacation.

If you want to travel back in time and have the same experience that people in the 1930's, 40's and 50's got to have with their mystery shows and old time broadcasts then going online is hands down the best way to go. Keep in mind many of the available sites use actual original recordings and clips so there is often a nominal subscription fee to help preserve the value of these audio clips. For anyone interested in hearing radio-broadcasts the way they used to be then using the power of the internet is the best way to go.

If you want to discover more about finding great old broadcasts make sure you visit an old time radio website right now to learn more. You can relive the old style shows via the Internet in just a few clicks.

The Golden Age of Radio Lives Again

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There's nothing like stepping back in time and listening to old-time radio shows. For some people, it's a trip down memory lane. For many others, it's a whole new world since they've never had an opportunity to experience the programs before.

People forget there was a time before television, cable and internet. Families would gather around their radios and anxiously await their favorite programs.

Radio shows included comedy, romance, games shows, music, and many other formats.

Music shows such as the Grand Ole Opry became national past-times. The program debuted in 1939 and quickly became the most popular show of it's time. It included not only country music singers and groups, but also comedians such as the beloved Minnie Pearl.

Gospel music radio shows were also popular featuring such groups as the Blackwood Brothers Quartet. Nothing shows the impact of the radio on gospel music any more than Albert Brumley's song "Turn Your Radio On".

Many westerns started out as radio shows. William Conrad played sheriff Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke from 1951 to 1962. Roy Rogers and The Lone Ranger were also popular radio westerns.

An act that surprisingly was a huge hit on the radio was ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his side-kick Charlie McCarthy. They were given their own show in 1937 and it ran until 1956. Audiences loved their banter so much, they sometimes forgot it wasn't actually two people.

Another favorite radio show genre was the mystery show. These included Ellery Queen, Charlie Chan, The Thin Man, and I Love a Mystery. A favorite of the old time radio genre was Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce playing Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. They had already played the roles on film but recreated them for radio in the 1940s. Of the 218 episodes they recorded only about 50 remain.

Jeff Regan, played by Jack Webb, was another popular radio detective. Webb had previously played radio detectives Pat Novak and Johnny Modero. He later played Sergeant Joe Friday on the Dragnet radio and television series.

And who well ever forget the voice of actor Frank Readick asking, "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows".

For years these shows had faded into obscurity. It was nearly impossible to find a way to conveniently access copies. But thanks to the internet, it's now possible to listen to these radio shows once again. Whether you prefer the comedy of Jack Benny, classical music, or roaming the streets of Dodge City - it's all available in old-time radio shows.

Old Time Radio Comedy Shows

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Who doesn't like a good laugh now and then? Have you ever tried listening to old time radio? If you enjoy good comedy shows, then you're in luck. There are many very funny shows in old time radio.

One of my very favorites is "Father Knows Best". The role of father is actually played by Robert Young, who played in the TV show by the same name. At times, I find myself laughing out loud at the antics of the Anderson family. All of the funny situations they get themselves are so clever and humorous. If you enjoyed the TV show, I think you'll really enjoy the radio version. The series began in 1949, on NBC Radio and was sponsored by General Foods. The show was heard on Thursday nights and ran until 1954.

Another great old time radio (OTR) comedy show is "The Bickersons". This is a radio comedy that began in 1946 on NBC, and then moved the next year to CBS where it ran until 1951. The show is very funny. It's about a couple that's always arguing about just about everything. The exchange of verbal jabs is a real hoot. The couple is played by Don Ameche and Frances Langford. They do a great job in their roles. You won't want to miss this show.

Or how about "Fibber McGee and Molly". This series ran from 1935 to 1959, being One of the longest running comedy shows in the history of old time radio. Even after radio stopped being the main form of entertainment in America, this show was still running, due to it's huge popularity. This was one of the best loved shows in radio in it's day. It's a situational comedy that's sure to get a laugh from you. The shows was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1989.

Another one of my personal favorites is the ever popular "Abbott and Costello". You just can't help laughing at this pair of friends who are always finding themselves in funny situations everywhere they go. The most famous skits they performed was called "Who's On First". This is one of the most listened to comedy routines in history. They had their own weekly show starting in 1942. The show was sponsored by Camel cigarettes.

No discussion of OTR comedy would be complete without mentioning Amos and Andy. What a popular show this once was. It ran from 1938 through the early 50's. It was about the funny adventures of two friends that moved to the "big city" to start a new life for themselves. Of course, they always found themselves in the most comical situations that'll keep you laughing through the entire show.

These are just a few of the hilarious shows you can be enjoying when you join the many thousands of old time radio listeners. But how are you ever going to find these old shows? It's easy. There are so many people who love old time radio comedy shows that there are many websites devoted to sharing these fine old shows with anyone who may be interested in listening to them.

Why don't you give it a try. Listen to just one "Father Knows Best" show and you'll be hooked. Old time radio is a great hobby that'll provide you with hour after hour of pure enjoyment.

Why Listen to Old Time Radio?

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With all of the hundreds of cable TV channels, why would anyone bother listening to old time radio these days? I would, for one. And believe it or not, there are thousands of people who listen to old time radio (OTR) shows every day.

You just can't match the great story lines and plots in a good OTR mystery show. I'm talking about great shows, such as the Inner Sanctum, Ellery Queen, CBS Radio Mystery Theater and the like. If you like mystery shows, you'd probably like to listen to any one of these series.

I started listening to old time radio when I was a kid. Right away, I was hooked. It may seem odd to some, that you can enjoy a show that's only audio. But yes, it is possible. You see, when you listen to old time radio, your imagination gets to working. The actors from that day and age can make a story magically come alive. You can almost see in your mind what is taking place.

What great fun it is to accompany Sam Spade on one of his exciting cases. Can you solve the mystery before he does? Maybe you can. Why not give it a try and see?

So far, the best Old time radio site I have found online is Old Time Radio Mystery Theater. They offer thousands of free old time radio shows.

Over the years, I've enjoyed many adventures with the "Space Patrol" and the "Green Hornet" and many, many others. Old time radio is not just a bunch of people talking into a microphone. It's so much more than that. Before television, radio was the way to be entertained. Whole families would sit around the radio, just like they do with TV today.

These were serious actors in their day. They knew how to give a great entertainment experience to their audience. What's nice about OTR is that there is something for everyone. Do you like a great comedy? Then try "Father Knows Best". And yes, Robert Young actually plays the part of father. I sit and laugh out loud at these shows. They really are quite funny.

Maybe you like a good western. You may want to listen to Gunsmoke or "The Diamond K". There are many high quality western shows that were performed on the radio in the 30's, 40's and 50's.

If you like a good mystery story, and who doesn't, there are many shows to choose from. Just a few of them are "ABC Mystery Time", "Carter Brown", "Charlie Chan" and many more.

There are many good shows for you horror fans too. Such as, "The Creaking Door", "The Black Museum", "Creeps-By-Night" and "The Creaking Door". Adventure fans, you won't be left out either. You can sit and enjoy many hours of Superman and "The Green Hornet and "Doc Savage" as well as many others.

There are so many thousands of old time radio shows available that you can listen to them for many years and never run out of great shows to listen to. Why not just give it a try and see what you think. Listen to one good show and I'll bet you'll listen to more. Just turn off the TV set for a while, get online and download some OTR shows. Many can be had for free on the Internet.

If you do this, I'm sure you'll find that listening to and collecting old time radio shows is a hobby that you'll enjoy as much as I do.