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Family Theater aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System from February 13,1947 till September 11, 1957.
In the opening minutes of each show the announcer would say “More has been wrought by prayer than this world dreams of “.
It is the best of the radio theater shows in my estimation since it was such a family oriented program.
The shows started telecasting in 1951 while the radio version was still being broadcast.
The very first regular episode starred Don Ameche and Loretta Young in Flight From Home with Jimmy Stewart as the host.
The following writeup at radiogoldindex.com describes that program:
65761. Family Theatre. February 13, 1947. Mutual net. “Flight From Home”. Sustaining. The first show of the series. A powerful drama about a marriage in deep trouble. The script was subsequently reused on “Family Theatre” on January 8, 1952 (see cat. #66521). Jimmy Stewart (host), Don Ameche, Loretta Young, Meredith Willson and His Orchestra, True Boardman (writer), Richard Sanville (director). 29:49. Audio condition: Excellent. Complete.
My favorite show in the series was A Daddy For Christmas which I listen to every Christmas season since it reminds me of the true meaning of Christmas. This program will take the listener on an emotional roller coaster but the ending makes it worth listening to till the very end.
70323. Family Theatre. December 15, 1948. Mutual net. “Daddy For Christmas”. Sustaining. Young Stevie asks Santa Claus for a daddy for Christmas! His mom winds up married to Santa, who tries to be a good father…but fails. A tearful story that’s good radio. Shirley Temple (hostess), Pat O’Brien, Bobby Driscoll, Linda Johnson, Jack Lyman (writer). 25:02. Audio condition: Very good to excellent. Complete.
The Flight Home episode can be heard at otr.net No.2 on the list of programs:
The Daddy For Christmas episode can be heard at No.95 on list of programs.
Family Theater is old time radio at its best and you will hear some of the biggest movie stars at the time on the programs.
I too love all the old time radio shows. I have most of them on tape however my favorite way of listening is on radio K.M.O.X. every Saturday night after midnight. Thanks to you I ordered some that I wanted by ordering them from the Web Site you suggested. I really enjoy them on radio as it brings back memories of touring and doing shows. When I was a kid, I only performed early, then after hitting the teens,I was allowed to perform on the later shows that went on at 9 or 10 P.M. After a late night supper with other performers from other shows, I was in bed around 1 or 2 A.M. so I went to sleep listening , and have never quit they were on every night back then, however now it,s only Saturday nights after 12 midnight until 6 A.M. sunday morning. Then the religious news around the world comes on and then the Mormom Tabernacle choir comes on.It has been proven that if you listen to something while dozing you retain more of the subject. We do that with music students, and its amazing how quickly they learn. I love radio as I can use my imagination and have the story and characters exactly the way I want them. Now though you must buy good radios {For instance C.Crane} to get any good stations. thanks for memories
It is great that you can still hear some of the old time radio shows on live radio over KMOX. I have heard C.Crane radios are the best for long distance reception.The best thing about the MP3 old time radio CD’s is that you can listen anytime you want to listen. I can listen to old time radio using our Tivoli radio which is good but not nearly as good as C. Crane. I can listen through headphones, speakers, the record player and using FM transmitter but the FM transmitter is very tricky getting the exact right frequency.
You have probably listened to a lot more old time radio than I did since I only remember my mom listening to soap operas like Just Plain Bill, Stella Dallas, Whispering Streets, Pepper Young’s Family and Arthur Godfrey and Don McNeill’s Breakfast Club. I don’t remember my dad ever listening to an old time radio show even though I do remember Dragnet being played.
I am glad you bought some MP3 CD’s from one of the websites I mentioned. On the older tapes from the past you would get two shows on one tape but now you can get 50 half hour shows on one tape for the same price or less money than the two show tapes cost.
Guess even while sleeping someone can subconsciously be learning about music or other subjects.
Meant to say you can get 50 half hour shows on a MP3 CD not a tape for a much lower price than what you would pay for a 2 show tape.
I realize there is a lot better and modern ways to listen to Old Time Radio. However that particular era when I was age 18, 19 20 and 21 brings back very special memories of listening with a very special friend to the radio. You know…like you state ..Nostalgia of days gone
Yes…that makes it more special to have listened to the shows with a special friend. I would have loved to listen to old time radio over a tall console radio with those booming speakers.
can anyone tell me da name of any popular drama of the times ov 1947-1957??????????
Lux Radio Theater was on radio from 1934-1955.
http://www.otrcat.com/lux-radio-p-1558.html