rand's esoteric otr

The People Act - May 11, 1952

Now, a relatively obscure documentary radio show.  “The People Act”, produced by CBS and done in cooperation with the People Act Center, State College, Pennsylvania, was one of the first documentary series recorded in the field on tape.  Each episode looks at how a local community deals with a particular problem in their area.

The 19th show in the series was heard May 11, 1952.  Robert Trout narrates the story of a young farmer from India visiting Carroll County, Georgia as part of an exchange program.  It’s fascinating to hear the clash of cultures and attempts at understanding between the local residents and the visitor, especially when it comes to food.

The program was transferred from an original 12” microgroove vinyl record, matrix number XTV-17202, probably pressed by Columbia.  The disc was either used to syndicate the program to radio stations at a later date or to distribute it to educational institutions.

I have another episode from the series coming up in the blog soon.

One Night Stand - Pgm 571

Now, a bit of music, courtesy of “One Night Stand”, Armed Forces Radio’s regular program of big band remotes, recorded from various broadcast sources.

Program 571 in the series features “Harold Stern, His Stradivarius and His Orchestra” from Casino in the Park at the Essex House, 160 Central Park South in New York City.  The first tune on the show is “Candy”, by vocalist Francis Lane.

I haven’t found much online about Stern online except references to several popular recordings he made in the early 1930s.  There was also this photo of Stern at Getty Images where he shows off a special violin he had constructed for use on radio broadcasts.

There’s no date in the matrix - just a notation of “SSC 4-18-1”, so perhaps someone more familiar with these codes can provide some insight.  I think the disc may date from 1945, since other discs in this batch from from this time period.  (Is the disc the network broadcast of April 18, 1945?). The first half of the show has an audience and the second half sound different, so it might be a compiled show.

The show is transferred from an original 16” vinyl Armed Forces Radio transcription.

Again, many thanks to listener William Harris for his donation of this disc to the collection!

The Naval Air Reserve Show - Pgm 23

Kicking off the posts this week, some zippy harmonies by the Honeydreamers with the George Barnes Octette in “The Naval Air Reserve Show”, with your host Don Ameche and guest the King’s Jesters.  The Honeydreamers start off the show with “My Cousin Louella”.  The King’s Jesters talk about their big break in radio with Jane Froman and Singin’ Sam.

Our show was transferred from an original Naval Air Reserve Command 16” vinyl transcription, matrix number U-4023.

Thanks to listener William Harris for his donation of the disc for the blog!

Guest Star - Pgm 85

You want to buy some US Savings Bonds, right?

If I can’t convince you, perhaps this week’s “Guest Star” can.  Humphrey Bogart drops in on this week’s episode to star in a fifteen minute drama called “Incident in Freedom”.  Your announcer is Jess Barker and we hear David Rose and the Savings Bond Orchestra.

Our show was transferred to digital direct from an original vinyl Treasury Department transcription, matrix number TDR-1007 D-32380.  The disc was pressed by Allied Record.

This Song Is Yours - Auditions

Here’s a bit of obscure radio that appears to be previously “lost”.

These are three audition programs for a series of five minute shows called “This Song is Yours”.  Band leader Del Courtney hosts and vocalist Peggy Mann sings new tunes by aspiring songwriters, who are encouraged to send in their songs to the program.  The first program we hear on the disc features “I’m So Lucky”, written by Chuck Gould.  The disc also has two other shows.

Our mp3 was transferred from an original single-sided 12” microgroove lacquer from Sound Recorders, Inc, 421 Powell Street, San Francisco.

Sunday Serenade - Pgm 95

Now, let’s hear something from one of the more popular “sweet bands” of the 1940s.  “Sammy Kaye’s Sunday Serenade” was originally heard as a sustaining feature on NBC.  Here’s an Armed Forces Radio service version of the program of April 1, 1945, distributed as program 95 in the series.  The show kicks off with “Easter Parade” and “What a Difference a Day Makes”. 

This appears to be a previously “lost” episode in the series.

Our program was transferred to digital from an original vinyl Armed Forces Radio transcription disc; the date is from the disc matrix.

 

My thanks to blog listener William Harris for his donation of the disc to the blog!

Waltz Time - April 6, 1945

And now, another episode of “Waltz time”, the popular program of light music created by Frank and Anne Hummert.

Program 79 in the series as it was heard on Armed Forces Radio was originally broadcast on April 6, 1945 on NBC.  The commercials for Philips Milk of Magnesia are omitted here.  The first song on the show is “Everytime We Say Goodbye”, sung by Frank Munn.  Evelyn MacGregor, Abe Lyman and His Orchestra, and the Amsterdam Chorus.  Also heard on the show are This appears to be a previously uncirculated episode of the series.

Our program was transferred to digital from an original vinyl Armed Forces Radio transcription disc; the date is from the disc matrix.

My thanks to blog listener William Harris for his donation of the disc to the blog!

Light Up and Listen Club - Pgm 318

Finally this week on the blog, we feature another episode of the “Light Up and Listen Club”, a musical variety program, sponsored by Sweet Caporal cigarettes and heard over Canadian radio stations.

Program 318 in the series, features Ramona and the Five Shades of Blue.  The first song is “You Do Something to Me”.

Anyone familiar with Ramona and the combo?  I did some searching and couldn’t come up with anything on them.  It’s fun, light music that would make for a good mood in a supper club.

Our show was transferred from an original RCA Orthacoustic vinyl transcription, matrix number MS 01290.  Perhaps someone more familiar with Canadian old time radio and transcriptions pressed in Canada would have a better idea of a year for the show.

We’ll have a few more programs from the series in coming weeks.

Hour of Charm - March 18, 1945

Originally broadcast March 18, 1945 on NBC, we now hear a half-hour of light music by Phil Spitalny and His All-Girl Orchestra in a version distributed to Armed Forces Radio stations as program 102 in the series.  The show features musical impressions of spring time featuring vocals by “Jeannie of the Hour of Charm”.

Our show was dubbed direct to digital from an original Armed Forces Radio 16” vinyl transcription; the date is from the matrix. 

 

My thanks to blog listener William Harris for his donation of the disc to the blog!

Guest Star - Pgm 78

Update, 11.19.19 - Listener Joe Salerno thinks the opening tune is "El Relicario".

Kicking off the shows this week, we drop in again on the Treasury Department to hear some music and a pitch for US Savings Bonds.

In program 78 of the series, pianist Jose Iturbi is joined by announcer Win Elliot and Harry Sonic and the Savings Bond Orchestra.  The program kicks off with a Spanish number arranged by Sosnik that I can’t quite make out the name of, and Iturbi performs a piece by Debussy.  The show was released the week of September 19, 1948.

Our mp was transferred from an original Treasury Department vinyl transcription, matrix number FS-ABC-SB-78 D-28762, manufactured by Allied Record.