WDCB, 90.9 FM - Glen Ellyn (Chicago), IL -
wdcb.org/"Those Were The Days" -
www.nostalgiadigest.com/those%20were%20the%20days.htmSaturdays from 1 to 5 pm (Central time) -
wdcb.org/program/those-were-the-daysSATURDAY, OCTOBER 28 - ANNUAL HALLOWE’EN SHOW
ONCE UPON A MIDNIGHT (5-11-45) “Malice Aforethought” starring Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy in the story of a doctor who plans to murder his wife. Alfred Hitchthingy hosts this audition program. ABC. (31 min)
GREEN HORNET (2-28-43) “The Corpse That Wasn’t There” starring Al Hodge as Britt Reid, with Raymond Toyo as Kato. Reid and Kato find a dead body when they arrive at a house to deliver a letter. Sustaining, BLUE. (30 min)
FATHER KNOWS BEST (10-26-50) Robert Young stars as Jim Anderson, with June Whitley as Margaret, Ted Donaldson as Bud, Rhoda Williams as Betty, Norma Jean Nilsson as Cathy. On their way home from a weekend trip, the Andersons run out of gas outside of a cemetery. Maxwell House Coffee, NBC. (30 min)
INNER SANCTUM (5-16-49) “The Unburied Dead” starring Lesley Woods and Everett Sloane. A woman appears to have amnesia and is told she has committed a murder. With Paul McGrath, Lawson Zerbe, Everett Sloane. AFRS rebroadcast. (25 min)
THE SHADOW (2-22-48) “The Nursery Rhyme Murders” starring Bret Morrison as Lamont Cranston and Grace Matthews as the lovely Margot Lane. A deranged patient’s escape from the Brookside Sanitarium is followed by a series of murders inspired by nursery rhymes. Blue Coal, MBS. (23 min)
ACADEMY AWARD (10-30-46) “Suspicion,” starring Cary Grant and Ann Todd in a radio version of Alfred Hitchthingy’s 1941 film. A shy young woman suspects that her charming new husband may be a murderer. House of Squibb, CBS. (29 min)
Today’s show will be heard on our ghost-to-ghost network and via the internet in screaming audio. Don’t miss it!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4
MY FRIEND IRMA (4-19-48) Marie Wilson stars as Irma Peterson, with Cathy Lewis as Jane, Hans Conried as Professor Kropotkin, John Brown as Al, Gloria Gordon as Mrs. O’Reilly, Gerald Mohr as Peter Gilford. Jane has a new boyfriend and is looking forward to their dinner date. Swan Soap, CBS. (30 min)
GENE AUTRY’S MELODY RANCH (6-29-47) With Johnny Bond, The King Sisters, The Cass County Boys, announcer Lou Crosby. Gene sings “I Hate to Say Good-bye to the Prairie” and “Nobody’s Darling But Mine.” Later, he tells the story of “The Devil’s Saint,” a horse that no one seemed able to ride. Wrigley’s Gum, CBS. (30 min)
SPEAKING OF RADIO (5-4-23) Part one of Steve Darnall’s conversation with actress Nancy Olson Livingston, speaking via Zoom about her new autobiography, her husband Alan Livingston and her career in movies, radio and the stage. (29 min)
DIMENSION X (9-15-51) “Hello, Tomorrow” starring Nancy Olson (“a new star of the future”), with Santos Ortega, Donald Buka. Following a nuclear war, civilization has gone underground to avoid the intense radiation. Sustaining, NBC. (29 min)
SPEAKING OF RADIO (5-4-23) Part two of Steve Darnall’s conversation with Nancy Olson Livingston. (22 min)
FRED ALLEN SHOW (11-28-48) With Portland Hoffa, Kenny Delmar, Minerva Pious, Parker Fennelley, Peter Donald, The DeMarco Sisters, Al Goodman and his Orchestra and guest George Jessel, who wants Fred to plug his new film, When My Baby Smiles at Me. The Allen’s Alley question is “Is radio comedy suffering from monotony?” Ford Motors, NBC. (29 min)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 - RADIO IN THE FALL OF 1943
WORLD NEWS TODAY (10-24-43) News from the world’s political and battle fronts, with Douglas Edwards and CBS correspondents. “A large fleet of British-based bombers struck across the channel into France today to hammer German aerodromes and communications... Allied plans from Italy have attached Southeastern Austria.” Admiral Radios, CBS. (25 min)
WORDS AT WAR (11-2-43) “Here is Your War” is a radio adaptation of Ernie Pyle’s chronicle of the American doughboy in North Africa, with Santos Ortega as Pyle. Sustaining, NBC. (29 min)
YOUR HIT PARADE (11-6-43) It’s the top tunes of the week, as presented by Frank Sinatra, Bea Wain, the Hit Paraders, Mark Warnow and the Orchestra. Songs include “I Heard You Cried Last Night,” “For the First Time” and others. AFRS rebroadcast. (29 min)
GREAT GILDERSLEEVE (11-7-43) Harold Peary stars as Gildy, with Walter Tetley as Leroy, Lurene Tuttle as Marjorie, Lillian Randolph as Birdie, Shirley Mitchell as Leila Ransom, Arthur Q. Bryan as Floyd Munson. Gildy decides to spend the money — and ration points — and treat himself to a pot roast. Kraft, NBC. (28 min)
CAVALCADE OF AMERICA (11-15-43) “Twelve Desperate Miles” starring Edward Arnold in the story of a beat-up tramp steamer and a crew that must convey ammunition to Africa for the Allies, “one of the strangest and most stirring stories to come out of this, or any other, war.” Cast includes Harry Lang, Hans Conried, Bill Johnstone, Lou Merrill, Harry Bartell, Wally Maher. DuPont, NBC. (29 min)
ABBOTT AND COSTELLO SHOW (11-18-43) With Connie Haines, Elvia Allman, John Brown, Billy Gray as Matilda, Mel Blanc as Bugs Bunny, announcer Ken Niles, Freddie Rich and the Orchestra and guest Lucille Ball. Lou has promised Connie a pair of nylon stockings and tries to get them away from Lucille. Camel Cigarettes, NBC. (28 min)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 - ANNUAL THANKSGIVING SHOW
CLAUDIA (11-23-48) An isolated episode of the series, starring Kathryn Bard as Claudia and Paul Crabtree as David, with Cameron Andrews as Jared Tucker. Claudia and David plan for a quiet Thanksgiving at home but end up inviting Jared Tucker... and receiving an invitation of their own. Coca-Cola, Syndicated. (14 min)
JIMMY DURANTE-GARRY MOORE SHOW (11-22-46) It’s “The Nose and the Haircut,” with Suzanne Ellers, Elvia Allman, Candy Candido, Roy Bargy and the Orchestra, announcer Howard Petrie. Jimmy and Garry plays Miles Standish and John Alden in a special Thanksgiving opera. Rexall, NBC. (29 min)
ALDRICH FAMILY (11-25-48) Ezra Stone is Henry, with Jackie Kelk as Homer, House Jamison and Katharine Raht as Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich. While Central High’s students are planning activities for the annual Thanksgiving dance, Henry suggests a turkey run. Jell-O, NBC. (29 min)
SONGS BY SINATRA (11-21-45) Frank Sinatra stars, with the Pied Pipers, Axel Stordahl and the Orchestra, announcer Bill Lazar and guests Louis Prima and Marilyn Maxwell. For this first peacetime Thanksgiving in four years, Frank sings “The House I Live In” and others. Old Gold Cigarettes, CBS. (26 min)
SUSPENSE (11-25-48) “The Screaming Woman” starring Margaret O’Brien in a story set at Thanksgiving. A young girl hears the screams of a woman buried alive beneath her playground. Cast includes Agnes Moorehead. Harlow Wilcox announces. Auto-Lite, CBS. (29 min)
LIFE WITH LUIGI (11-22-49) Starring J. Carroll Naish as Luigi Basco, with Alan Reed as Pasquale, Hans Conried as Schultz, Mary Shipp as Miss Spaulding, Jody Gilbert as Rosa. Luigi hopes that Pasquale will invite him for Thanksgiving dinner. Sustaining, CBS. (30 min)
CLAUDIA (11-25-48) It’s Thanksgiving Day at the Naughtons and the house is bustling as everyone prepares for dinner. With Kathryn Bard, Paul Crabtree, Cameron Andrews. Coca-Cola, Syndicated. (14 min)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25 - RADIO TO GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT BY
BOB HOPE SHOW (12-25-50) With Hy Averback, Jack Kirkwood, Carol Richards, Les Brown and his Band of Renown, guest Bing Crosby. In a flashback, Bob and Bing agree to spend only a small amount on each other’s Christmas gift. Later, Bing and Carol sing “Silver Bells.” AFRS rebroadcast. (25 min)
MR. CHAMELEON (12-22-48) “The Woman’s Weapon Murder Case” starring Karl Swenson as Mr. Chameleon, with Frank Butler as Det. Dave Arnold. At Christmas time, Mr. Chameleon seeks to overturn the sentence of a woman convicted of murder... and get her home for the holidays. Bayer, CBS. (30 min)
ARCHIE ANDREWS (12-17-49) Bob Hastings stars as Archie, with Harlan Stone as Jughead, Rosemary Rice as Betty, Gloria Mann as Veronica, Arthur Kohl and Alice Yourman as Mr. and Mrs. Andrews. The Andrews family and their friends descend on Stacy’s Department Store to do their Christmas shopping. Sustaining, NBC. (29 min)
LUX RADIO THEATER (3-10-47) “It’s a Wonderful Life” starring James Stewart, Donna Reed and Victor Moore in a radio version of the 1946 film, about a man whose guardian angel shows him what life would be like had he never been born. Cast includes Bill Johnstone, John McIntire, Leo Cleary, Edwin Maxwell. Host is William Keighley; John Milton Kennedy announces. Lux Soap, CBS. (21 min & 17 min & 21 min)
LAWRENCE WELK AND HIS ORCHESTRA (1959) A program of seasonal music from the Aragon Ballroom on the pier at Ocean Park, California, with Alice Lon, Rocky Rockwell, Pete Fountain, Myron Floren, thingy Dale. The orchestra plays “Frosty the Snowman” and “Silver Bells”; thingy sings “Count Your Blessings.” AFRS rebroadcast. (30 min)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 - RADIO TO PLAN YOUR LIST BY
GREAT GILDERSLEEVE (12-1-48) Harold Peary stars as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve, with Walter Tetley as Leroy, Lillian Randolph as Birdie, Mary Lee Robb as Marjorie, Earle Ross as Judge Hooker, thingy LeGrand as Peavey, Arthur Q. Bryan as Floyd. Gildy tries to get a holiday job for Leroy. Kraft, NBC. (30 min)
CASEY, CRIME PHOTOGRAPHER (12-25-47) “The Santa Claus of Bum’s Boulevard” starring Staats Cotsworth as Casey, Jan Miner as Anne Williams and John Gibson as Ethelbert. Casey and Ann are sent to cover an annual event involving a stranger who hands out money to the residents of Hackett Street, but the man is robbed before he can do so. Cast includes Robert Dryden; Tony Marvin announces. Anchor Hocking Glass, CBS. (29 min)
JACK BENNY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL (December 1956) A special holiday show, with Mary Livingstone, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Dennis Day, Bob Crosby, Don Wilson, Mel Blanc, Joseph Kearns, Elliott Lewis, Benny Rubin, Herb Vigran, Artie Auerbach and guests June Allyson and Frances Bergen, who sings “The Very Thought of You.” Jack and Mary go Christmas shopping and run into Mr. Kitzel. AFRS rebroadcast. (25 min and 20 min)
SUSPENSE (12-21-50) “A Christmas for Carol” starring Dennis Day as a bank teller whose wife is expecting a baby and requires a full-time nurse. With Joseph Kearns, Sidney Miller, Jeanette Nolan, Ed Max, Shirley Mitchell, announcer Harlow Wilcox. Auto-Lite, CBS. (30 min)
EDDIE CANTOR SHOW (12-19-45) Broadcasting from New York, with announcer Kenny Delmar (substituting for Harry Von Zell), Alan Young, Thelma Carpenter, Bert Gordon as The Mad Russian, Jim Backus, Billy Sands, Leonard Suess and the Orchestra and guest Hildegarde. Eddie talks about his Christmas shopping and remembers a Christmas from his childhood. Bristol-Myers, NBC. (29 min)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9 - RADIO TO ADDRESS CARDS BY
CHRISTMAS SEAL CAMPAIGN (1955) Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, with Ray Noble and the Orchestra and Edgar’s daughter Candice, who helps Charlie recite “The Night Before Christmas.” Christmas Seals, Syndicated. (15 min)
VOYAGE OF THE SCARLET QUEEN (12-24-47) “The Fifteenth Lama and the Wise Guy From the East” starring Elliott Lewis as Capt. Philip Carney and Ed Max as Gallagher. The Scarlet Queen’s Christmas celebration is interrupted by the arrival of a woman and her infant son... and the factions that want him. AFRS rebroadcast. (28 min)
THE BIG SHOW (12-24-50) Tallullah Bankhead is mistress of ceremonies for this variety show, with guests Jimmy Durante, Bert Lahr, Ed Wynn, Robert Merrill, Margaret O’Brien, Edith Piaf, Fran Warren, Meredith Willson and the Orchestra. Jimmy sings “Isn’t It a Shame That Christmas Comes Just Once a Year”; Margaret reads “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus”; Merrill sings a medley of carols. Anacin, RCA Victor, NBC. (30 min & 29 min & 29 min)
AMERICAN WEEKLY (12-21-33) “The Christmas Eve Ghost” is the story of a pastor who dies at sea but vows to return next Christmas. Hearst Newspapers, Syndicated. (15 min)
GREAT GILDERSLEEVE (12-8-48) Harold Peary stars as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve, with Walter Tetley, Lillian Randolph, Mary Lee Robb, Earle Ross, thingy LeGrand, Una Merkel as Adelaide Fairchild. The gifts Gildy has purchased have disappeared. Kraft, NBC. (29 min)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 - RADIO TO WRAP, BAKE AND DECORATE BY
ONE MAN’S FAMILY (12-21-47) Book 64, Chapter 13, “Twas the Night Before Christmas” with J. Anthony Smythe as Henry Barbour, Minetta Ellen as Fanny, Clarence Hartzell as Cousin Jodiah, Page Gilman as Jack, Barton Yarborough as Clifford, Bernice Berwin as Hazel, Dix Davis as Pinky. Jack, Clifford and Nicky bring in the family Christmas tree; later, Jodiah offers to play Santa Claus at the family’s Christmas party. Chase and Sanborn Coffee, Tender Leaf Tea, NBC. (29 min)
GREAT GILDERSLEEVE (12-15-48) Harold Peary stars as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve, with Walter Tetley, Lillian Randolph, Mary Lee Robb, Earle Ross, thingy LeGrand, Una Merkel, Olan Soule. Gildy tries to economize on his holiday shopping. Kraft, NBC. (29 min)
THE SAINT (12-24-50) Vincent Price stars as Simon Templar, whose plans for Christmas Eve are interrupted by a beautiful woman carrying a gun. With Lawrence Dobkin, Mary Shipp, Betty Lou Gerson, Hy Averback Ted Osborne, Stanley Ferrar. Sustaining, NBC. (30 min)
GRAND OLE OPRY (December 1960) It’s the Opry’s 21st annual Christmas show, starring George Morgan, Chet Atkins, Minnie Pearl, Archie Campbell, Grandpa Jones, the Jordanaires. Morgan sings “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”; Atkins plays a medley of holiday songs. AFRTS rebroadcast. (30 min)
THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH (12-24-45) A radio adaptation of Charles thingyens’ other Christmas story, narrated by Everett Clarke. It looks like a dismal Christmas for poor toymaker Caleb Plummer and his blind daughter Mary when Caleb’s stern employer refuses his request for a salary advance at Christmas. With Arthur Sedgwick, Charles Eggleston, Cliff Soubier. Sustaining, NBC. (25 min)
RED SKELTON SHOW (12-19-51) With Lurene Tuttle, Pat McGeehan, announcer Rod O’Connor, David Rose and the Orchestra. The story of “The Little Christmas Tree” features Red as Deadeye and as Junior, the Mean Little Kid. Norge Appliances, CBS. (30 min)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23 - MERRY CHRISTMAS!
GREAT GILDERSLEEVE (12-22-48) Harold Peary stars as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve, with Walter Tetley, Lillian Randolph, Mary Lee Robb, Earle Ross, thingy LeGrand, Una Merkel. Gildy wants a simple family Christmas this year. Kraft, NBC. (30 min)
LET GEORGE DO IT (12-25-50) “Santa Claus in Glass’ Starring Bob Bailey as George Valentine, with Virginia Gregg as Claire Brooks. Plans for a quiet Christmas dinner are interrupted when a deliveryman brings a package for a neighbor. Cast: Irene Tedrow, Bob Griffith, Lawrence Dobkin, Barney Phillips, Bob Bruce. Standard Oil of California, MBS. (29 min)
KRAFT MUSIC HALL (12-21-44) Bing Crosby stars, with announcer Ken Carpenter, Eugenie Baird, The Charioteers, John Scott Trotter and the Orchestra and, from Chicago, the Kraft Choral Group. Bing sings “Adeste Fidelis,” “Jingle Bells” and others; The Charioteers sing “A Slip of the Lip.” Kraft, NBC. (30 min)
SIX SHOOTER (12-20-53) James Stewart stars as Britt Ponset, who tells a young runaway boy a western-themed version of A Christmas Carol. Cast includes thingy Beals, Howard McNear, Will Wright, Harry Bartell, Sam Edwards. Sustaining, NBC. (29 min)
FIBBER McGEE AND MOLLY (12-18-45) Jim and Marian Jordan star as the McGees, with Shirley Mitchell as Alice Darling, Arthur Q. Bryan as Doc Gamble, Bea Benaderet as Mrs. Carstairs, announcer Harlow Wilcox, The King’s Men, Billy Mills and the orchestra. Fibber decides to paint the Christmas tree white. The King’s Men and Teeney (played by Marian Jordan) offer their version of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Johnson’s Wax, NBC. (29 min)
READER’S DIGEST RADIO EDITION (12-19-46) “Room For a Stranger” starring Frank Sinatra in a story set in 1943. A town comes to the aid of a Navy flier whose Christmas leave has been cancelled. Richard Kollmar hosts; announcer is Tom Shirley. Hallmark Cards, CBS. (30 min)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!
MEL BLANC SHOW (12-31-46) It’s the “Man of a Thousand Voices” starring in his own show, with Mary Jane Croft, Joseph Kearns, Hans Conried, Earle Ross, the Sportsmen, Victor Miller and the Orchestra. Mel is planning to be in his lodge’s New Year’s Eve pageant. Colgate-Palmolive, CBS. (23 min)
HENRY MORGAN SHOW (1-1-47) It’s “radio’s Bad Boy” with Arnold Stang, Bernie Green and the Orchestra. Morgan offers a reports on last year’s shows, which used 918 jokes, 818 of which were funny. “Your Obit Parade” examines the most hated songs of the last year. Eversharp, ABC. (24 min)
WILD BILL HICKOK (12-31-51) “The Dead of Winter” starring Guy Madison as Wild Bill and Andy Devine as Jingles Jones. Bill and Jingles plan to attend the big New Year’s Eve celebration in Thompson’s Corners. Cast: Mary Lansing, Clayton Post, Ken Christy, Frank Gerstle, Jack Moyles. Kellogg’s, MBS. (25 min)
OUR MISS BROOKS (1-1-50) Eve Arden stars as Connie Brooks, with Gale Gordon, Jeff Chandler Richard Crenna, Jane Morgan, Gloria McMillan, Jeffrey Silver. Miss Brooks accepts Mr. Conklin’s offer to baby-sit on New Year’s Eve so that she can have enough money to go out with Mr. Boynton. Colgate-Palmolive, CBS. (29 min)
TOMMY DORSEY ORCHESTRA (12-31-64) San Donahue leads the Dorsey orchestra in a broadcast from the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, with the Pied Pipers, Helen Forrest, Charlie Shavers, Jeannie Thomas, Larry O’Brien, Frank Sinatra Jr., who sings “Too Close for Comfort” and “A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening.” Sustaining, NBC. (29 min)
SUSPENSE (12-28-58) “The 32nd of December” starring Frank Lovejoy, with Joan Banks, Barney Phillips, Sam Pierce, Norm Alden. On New Year’s Eve, a man who plans to pawn his wife’s ring to cover his gambling debts is compelled to buy an unusual antique clock. Sustaining, CBS. (19 min)
LIFE OF RILEY (12-31-44) William Bendix stars as Chester Riley, with Paula Winslowe as Peg, Barbara Eiler as Babs, Dink Trout as Waldo, John Brown as Jim Gillis and Digby O’Dell. Riley plans a New Year’s Eve party and decides to invite a serviceman. American Meat Institute, BLUE. (30 min)
