Old Time Radio

Long before Father knew best on television, the "Father Knows Best" old time radio show was airing across the country. The show was created by writer, Ed James. On August 25, 1949, NBC aired the first episode. The show was about an average middle class family in the Midwest. It aired on Thursday evenings and was sponsored by General Foods.


Robert Young played the father, Jim Anderson, an insurance salesman. He's portrayed as a wise man that his wife and children turn to for advice.
 
Margaret, his wife, was played by June Whitely and then Jean Vander Pyl. She was the voice of patience and common-sense within the family.


The Andersons had three children. Betty was played by Rhoda Williams, Bud by Ted Donaldson, and Kathy by Norma Jean Nillson.
 
Betty, the oldest daughter, was a bit of a drama queen in the show. She often declared minor events as, "the worst thing that could ever happen!" Her interest was mostly in teenage boys.


Bud is depicted as the all-American boy. Though he gets $1.25 a week allowance he often felt he needed a little more.


Kathy, the precocious baby of the family, often complained and whined. She felt her status in the family was not considered as important because she was the youngest. Her brother and sister often seek her help when they need extra money.
 
Some favorite episodes include, "Enterprising Kids", "Jim Inherits a Ranch in Arizona", and "The Phantom Prowler". Approximately 200 episode were made.


As it's title implies, the show portrayed a paternalistic view of life in the 1950s. Father was in charge and he always knew what was best for his wife and children. But occasionally, his wife and kids got the best of him. When the show was originally created the title had a question mark at the end - "Father Knows Best?" The question mark was eventually dropped from the title.


Moral lessons were often an important part of the plot of each show.


The final radio episode was aired on November 19, 1953. It went on to become a popular television series. Robert Young was the only cast member to continue his radio show role on the CBS television series.


Thanks to the internet, episodes of "Father Knows Best" can be heard once more. Step back in time and enjoy the antics of the Anderson family. This and many other old time radio shows are available for download at various sites.


Listen to and download over two thousand shows totally free at our classic radio shows website. We offer a  friendly OTR discussion forum too.

One of the most beloved characters of old time radio was the Chinese-American, Charlie Chan. Chan was a detective on the Honolulu police force though his adventures often took him around the world.


The character of Charlie Chan was created in 1923 by Earl Derr Biggers. As well as a detective, Chan was an avid stamp collector. He was also a devoted family man with fourteen children. His Number One Son often assisted him in capturing evil criminals. Number Two Son and Number One Daughter also helped their father in various story adaptations.


The Charlie Chan radio shows started on December 2, 1932 as part of Esso’s Five Star Theater. Walter Connolly played the part of Chan.


During 1944 - 1945 Ed Begley, Sr. continued the role in the NBC produced version called, “The Adventures of Charlie Chan”. In 1947 - 48 the role was played by Santos Ortega. Number One Son was played by Leon Janney and Rodney Jacobs.


Some of the most popular episodes of the radio shows were: “The Escaped Musician”, “The Curious Ride of the Sea Witch”, “Fiery Santa Claus”, and “Charlie Chan’s Daughter is Kidnapped.”  In the latter, Chan’s number one daughter, Rose is kidnapped by bank robbers. But thanks to her cleverness in leaving clues behind (beads from her necklace) Chan was able to track her down. They then used Number One Son’s firecrackers to fool the criminals into thinking they had guns. Number One Daughter returns home safely.


Critics have debated the character of Charlie Chan for years. Originally the character was developed to provide an alternative to the negative Chinese portrayals such as Fu Manchu. Others felt Chan was too stereotypical  and subservient. But despite what critics think, the public loved Charlie Chan.


His oft quoted sayings are often called Chanisms. The Confucius like sayings are what set Chan apart from other American detectives in the mystery genre. These include: “Suspicion often father of truth”, and “One grain of luck sometimes worth more than whole rice field of wisdom”.


Charlie Chan was so popular he was portrayed in approximately fifty movies, numerous books, comic books, a television series, as well as two board games. Several movies were made in Spanish and Chinese versions as well as English. In the Chinese versions, Chan was assisted by his daughter, Manna, instead of a son like the American versions.


Chan’s radio programs are very rare. But thanks to the internet, you can now listen to this honorable sage as he not only solves the case, but imparts the wisdom of the ancient ancestors at the same time. Old time radio shows live again.




To listen to and download over 2,400 free old time radio shows in mp3 format Great OTR discussion forum and old time radio blog too.