When Radio Ruled

Apr 16 2025 100 ep. 1

When Radio Ruled Podcast artwork

A look at Old Time Radio and the world around it. A chronological look at the original mass media.

TV & Film Arts Society & Culture

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When Radio Ruled #123 – The Merry Macs Sing 1939

Close harmony groups were popular in the 1920’s, 30’s,40’s and 50’s. The Merry Macs were among the most successful and were certainly the longest lived of all the Old Time Radio harmony groups. Close Harmony singing evolved from the Barbershop Quartets of the 1880s and 1890s, but with a jazz age sensibility. Closer harmonic chords … Continue reading When Radio Ruled #123

When Radio Ruled #122 – SoundScape 1939 part 7, March 22 – April 5, 1939

Radio highlights originally broadcast live March 22 through April 5, 1939 Curated clips of live broadcasts from popular radio shows of the day. History through the eyes of people as they lived it, reported by radio. In today’s soundscape: Nothing about the war in this one, things were quiet there and we were more than … Continue reading When Radio Ruled #122 – SoundScape 1939

When Radio Ruled #121 – Cecil B DeMille Interviews part 2 The Movers and Shakers

Cecil B. DeMille was a legend, a trailblazer, and a person of ambition and talent. In this episode, DeMille talks with others like him, movers and shakers who have risen to the top of their chosen fields. Greatness, talking with greatness on the Lux Radio Theater. DeMille’s guests include: Father Flanagan H.V. Kaltenborn Grand Duchess … Continue reading When Radio Ruled #121 �

When Radio Ruled #120 – SoundScape 1939 part 6, March 17-26 1939

History through the eyes of people as they lived it, reported by radio. Curated clips of live broadcasts from popular radio shows of the day. In today’s soundscape: Mary’s Springtime Poem! Ed Sullivan wants to know! Is Jack Benny the real Jack Benny?! And more!!! This episode features: Orson Welles Laurence Olivier Noah Beery Cecil … Continue reading When Radio Ruled #120 –

When Radio Ruled #119 – Dottie Lamour Girl Next Door 1939

In 1939 Dorothy Lamour was the leading lady on a show that was neck and neck with Jack Benny for number 1 in the ratings. Not bad for a lower class girl who dropped out of school at 14 to support her family. Now, at only 25 years old, her ambition and talent had paid … Continue reading When Radio Ruled #119 – Dottie Lamour Girl Next Door 1939

When Radio Ruled #118 – SoundScape 1939 part 5: February 27 – March 16, 1939

History through the eyes of people as they lived it, reported by radio. In today’s soundscape: Baby Snooks and Daddy visit the 1939 New York’s World Fair! An Irish Ghost Story entitled “Faith is Not always a Lady”!! A Gentle Reminder to Always Remember to Lux your Stockings!! This episode features: The Family Doctor Cecil … Continue reading When Radio Ruled #118 – Sound

When Radio Ruled #117 – Cecil B. DeMille interviews 1939 part 1 – the Common Man

These Interviews were a regular feature of The Lux Radio Theater, a show that presented radio versions of current Hollywood films. At act break host Cecil B. Demille and an expert guest would comment on the radio play so far. Sometimes the guest would be from the rich, famous and powerful classes, we’ll hear those … Continue reading When Radio Ruled #117 – Cecil B. DeMille in

When Radio Ruled #116-SoundScape 1939 part 4

History through the eyes of people as they live it, reported by radio. Voices from the past alive again because you’re listening now. In today’s soundscape, you can hear the dark cloud of war gather. Earlier in the year, as evidenced by When Radio Ruled Soundscapes 1939 parts 1, 2, and 3, Old Time Radio … Continue reading When Radio Ruled #116-SoundScape 1939 part 4

When Radio Ruled #115 – Dorothy Lamour Sings 1939 part 1 Smokey and Sultry

I had thought Dorothy Lamour to be just another pretty face who had a technically good voice but was somewhat interchangeable with the other bright, young, pretty songstresses of old time variety radio in that Dorothy’s songs were good enough but stylistically the same you heard on other popular shows. Then I discovered this musical … Continue reading When Radio Ruled #115 –

When Radio Ruled #114 – SoundScape 1939 part 3 (January 24 – March 2, 1939)

1939 was a year where everything changed. An uneasy peace became all out war. Society and culture and government were questioned as never before. The evil inside the human race made itself known that year, as ferocious as in the past but applied with an improved efficiency. Radio was there to witness it. And I … Continue reading When Radio Ruled #114 – SoundScape 1939 part 3 (J