Radio Vault

We present a special Radio Vault program celebrating radio past and present. We'll listen to The Big Show, another example of NBC's effort to bolster its radio ratings in the 1950s, with television its biggest competitor. Tallulah Bankhead was the host. The show wasn't quite big enough to put television in its place, though. After two seasons NBC cancelled the show with a reported loss of $1 million, despite major sponsorships. The Big Show isn't big enough for us at WHFR's Radio Vault either.
Back for another visit is our friend Ron Robinson, best known for his nearly decade of work on his documentary Radio Daze, the First 101 Years. Ron has worked in radio himself at several stations. He has taught radio and interviewed almost everyone in radio and the music scene, especially in the Detroit area. If you had a favorite DJ or station growing up, you just may hear their behind the scenes stories, along with a re-cap of what went on in the very days. The movie has been released for streaming and there are free trailers available. Get the insight from the man who made it happen and where you can watch it during hour 2 of Tuesday's Radio Vault...as always, hosted by the Keeper of the Archives, Tuesday, Feb 13 starting at 10AM ET all the way up until 1:00... stream live at whfr.fm or in the Detroit area at 89.3 FM. Stay tuned for news of a downloadable version of Radio Vault.

We have so many this year, we're giving you a whole month of vintage radio comedies and mysteries throughout December.
This is on both Radio Vault and Sunday Night Mysteries.

How many times did Jack Benny go shopping for shoelaces (as gifts) or electrocute himself putting up Christmas lights? Quite a few! All the detective and drama shows also had scripts with holiday themes; some with classic stories that started as motion pictures (like A Christmas Carole), but many others had original scripts created just for radio -- not heard until now. Get in the holiday spirit this month with Radio Vault (comedy and variety) every Tuesday 10AM-1PM, Sunday Night Mysteries 9PM to Midnight on WHFR 89.3 and whfr.fm

Two of the most esteemed OTR (old-time radio) people will be on WHFR's "RadioVault Special Edition" live segment at 11AM on Tuesday, December 6th... Ted Davenport and Terry Salomonson, hosted by yours truly The Keeper of the Archives.
Terry and I met more than 40 years ago when we discovered his family lived in the same town in Michigan as mine. Terry had a slideshow of one of the earliest Friends of OTR conventions in Bridgeport, CT. Joe Webb, Bob Burchett and I would meet for the first time at that convention in 1980.
Terry has authored numerous books and knows more about the Lone Ranger, Green Hornet and Detroit produced programming than almost anyone.
Ted (one of today's major sources for OTR in beautiful sound quality) and I do an OTR podcast. A third installment will be out soon.
The show airs/streams live on https://whfr.fm and 89.3FM from Henry Ford College in the Detroit area, Tuesdays 10AM - 1PM ET.
WHFR's Sunday Night Mysteries is a separate show that airs Sundays 9PM-12 Midnight.

In 1945, a little known radio show, SEEMS RADIO IS HERE TO STAY was heard over the CBS Network. This was on the 25th anniversary of the medium 77 years ago. The script (one of his earliest) is by the legendary writer Norman Corwin. You'll hear this show in its entirety on the upcoming RADIO VAULT SPECIAL EDITION.

We also continue our OUR MISS BROOKS comedy series which made its debut in 1948...Highly rated on both radio and television, Eve Arden (Eunice Quedens 1908-1990) won the role over Shirley Booth. Arden would own the role right through its transition to television which lasted until 1957.

OUR MISS BROOKS was a beloved English teacher at Madison High School. Mr. Conkin, the Principal (Gale Gordon -- best known for his character on the Lucy TV show) was her arch rival. Brooks also flirts with the science teacher, Mr. Boynton.
Richard Crenna plays Walter Denton, one her students.

THAT, AND MUCH MORE on next weeks RADIO VAULT EXTRAVAGANZA, 3 jam packed hours Tuesday 10AM-1PM ET WHFR 89.3 and streamed at whfr.fm.

We continue with another from the Great Gildersleeve series. We'll be hearing one of the earliest episodes from 1941 where Gildy is just leaving Wistful Vista. Gildersleeve had been a character on Fibber McGee & Molly and takes a new job as water commissioner of Summerfield. Harold Peary is in his original role. Peary is best known perhaps on the singing Faygo TV commercials in Detroit area and also featured in some of the films.

Next, zany man Jerry Lewis, best known for his many years as spokesman for Muscular Dystrophy. In the early days, he had a comedy partner, the singer, Dean Martin. Jerry & Dean join Bing Crosby in a little known 1951 episode of The Bing Crosby Show.

Hour 2 features a fun-filled Lux Radio Theatre presentation of "Johnny Apollo" with a star studded cast based on the 1941 film. It stars Dorothy Lamour, Burgess Meredith & Edward Arnold. This was the episode they talked about on last weeks Lux show.

We always save the best for last, and for hour #3, you'll have to tune in! RADIO VAULT SPECIAL EDITION Tuesdays 10AM-1PM ET stream at whfr.fm 89.3 on your FM hosted by yours truly, the keeper of the archives!

In 1946, there was a contest called "I Can't Stand Jack Benny" where listeners could write in describing WHY they couldn't stand Jack Benny. It was a tremendous success. The show gave away prizes amounting to $10,000 in "war bonds" The reality was in the ratings, Benny was always among the top 5 most listened to shows and beloved comedians. We hear that show on todays RADIO VAULT from 01/27/1946, followed by the daytime drama, THE DOCTOR'S WIFE. Our middle hour features a lesser known show YOUR PLAYHOUSE OF FAVORITES. In two parts, it's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Finally (the best for last) since you loved GUNSMOKE so much, another action charged episode -- in fact, TWO back to back consecutive GUNSMOKE shows from 1956, "Bringing Down Father" and "The Man Who Would Be Marshal" As always, with William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear and Georgia Ellis and the usual cast of CBS professionals. See you on the radio Tuesday 10AM-1PM ET RADIO VAULT SPECIAL EDITION, WHFR.FM 89.3

At the age of 88, radio-TV actress Gloria McMillian passed away this past week. She is probably best known for her role as Harriet Conklin on the Eve Arden comedy OUR MISS BROOKS. opposite Richard Crenna. "Brooks" was a long running hit on both radio and television and some 150 episodes of the radio show exist. We sample one on Tuesday's RADIO VAULT SPECIAL EDITION, followed by a wartime episode of FIBBER McGEE & MOLLY. That plus, a BOB HOPE Dragnet spoof with Jack Webb and two back-to-back episodes of DRAGNET...(the first time we've featured a police adventure in the earlier time slot). Tuesday 1/25 10AM-2PM ET whfr.fm 89.3 on your dial in our local area. Suggestions for future shows are always welcome at the CONTACT page on brcradio.com!

JUST A HINT OF WHAT'S IN STORE IN THE WEEKS AHEAD...

Don't miss our show on Tuesday 11/30 (10AM-1PM ET)

Those of you listening to our live stream are lucky, indeed!
Did early radio feature music on the air along with comedy and drama?? Yes it did, but it's not the DJ style of shows you're used to.

We present a full hour of wartime programming including a ONE NIGHT STAND episode featuring Duke Ellington. Follow that up with shows featuring The Modernaires (Glenn Miller's vocal group) along with Martha Stuart.

HOUR 2 features 2 consecutive episodes of DUFFY'S TAVERN ("where the elite meet to eat")...and finally, to get you in the spirit or the season...

HOUR 3 is Bing Crosby on PHILCO RADIO TIME and the ever-popular Christmas show from from 1947, but we always save the very best for last:

The cast of RICHARD DIAMOND PRIVATE DETECTIVE do a touching recreation of the Scrooge classic "A Christmas Carol" heard back in 1951. It was completely re-written for this show. It features Dick Powell narrating and an all-star cast of radio greats playing the various roles. Check the stream out on your smart phone or comnputer while our FM signal is on hiatus. All content is digitally tweaked as always.... RADIO VAULT SPECIAL EDITION Tuesdays 10AM-1PM ET https://whfr.fm

COMING TUESDAY 11/02/2021....The Radio Vault program itself, has a very long history before it arrived at "the station making waves!" On this installment, we'll have the usual festivities including another episode of MOVIETOWN RADIO THEATER as well as another case to be solved by "MR. CHAMELEON" starring Karl Swenson. Joining us on our live studio line, however, is someone who is no stranger to radio. He was actually alive when these shows were being broadcast on network radio, but his biggest contribution was as host of Collector's Corner on another Detroit radio station. Longtime Dearborn resident and new member of the WHFR family, Tom Eurich will join us on on our live studio line. We'll talk radio, collectables and how Radio Vault came to the Detroit area in 1988. The festivities start at 10:00 AM, Tom joins us at 12:00 Noon ET.... stream it at whfr.fm, or tune in 89.3

A VIRTUAL HORN-O-PLENTY OF CLASSIC SHOWS
When the Detroit area version of Radio Vault started in the late 1980s, probably 75% of the content we bring you today didn't exist!

COMING ON OUR OCTOBER 19 SHOW....
Two stories from classic literature that aired back in 1946 on YOUR PLAYHOUSE OF FAVORITES The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Unhappy Adventure by Charles Dickens...next Jack Benny joins Bing Crosby on Philco Radio Time from 1948.

IS IT TOO EARLY TO THINK ABOUT THANKSGIVING? Join the ALDRRICH FAMILY for this November 1952 turkey broadcast......

Finally, one of the most popular detective shows: Howard Duff stars in the ADVENTURES OF SAM SPADE...two consecutive episodes from 1948 The Mad Scientist Caper and The Dry Martini Caper. That and much much less!

RADIO VAULT SPECIAL EDITION 10AM - 1PM Tuesday on the station making waves, WHFR

You can now hang with us an extra hour as Radio Vault Special Edition expands to 3 jam-packed hours of "stuff" you can't hear anywhere else starting on September 28th. It's now on 10AM-1:00PM. This week we feature radio private eyes.
Johnny Dollar was an insurance investigator with an expense account. The show aired on the CBS Radio Network. It was the last network drama, along with Suspense, to air on network radio from the so-called golden era of broadcasting.
Beloved by collectors today, we have already presented random episodes of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.
Following a 1-week hiatus, on Tuesday, 9/28/2021 we present several consecutive episodes of Johnny Dollar from the last year it was on the air (1962). It stars the former TV soap star from "The Edge of Night," Mandel Kramer in the title role.
As he says when he teases an upcoming episode, "Join us, won't you!"