Hunky movie action star of the 1950s, Jeff Chandler, got his start as an actor on radio. First, he played supporting roles on anthology series, working his way up to leads and co-starring parts in three series.

Hollywood on the Radio

Episode 29: Jeff Chandler

YTJD is arguably the best detective series on old-time radio. It featured seven lead actors over its 13-year run. Three of them made more of a mark as film stars: Dick Powell, Edmond O’Brien, and John Lund. But here’s how they sounded when they played “the man with the action-packed expense account.

Episode 28: “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar”

You know Lucile Ball’s as TV’s “queen of comedy.” She also had a career in film, before and after her TV work. In the midst of all of it was radio, where she promoted her movie work, and began building a character that would eventually becomes Lucy Ricardo – or at least, it would show […]

Episode 27: Lucile Ball

Radio was an important part of many Hollywood careers, But formed the backbone of Frank Sinatra’s success, especially in the beginning. Long before Sinatra made a film, his voice could be heard on the radio, crooning love songs to bobbysoxers. He got hist start at 19, on the Major Bowse Amateur Hour, and soon became […]

Episode 26: Frank Sinatra

Unlike most actors I’ve featured on HOTR, Richard Widmark did not turn to radio as a means of promoting his film career. He started on radio, working as supporting player, then lead in daytime serials and mystery programs, from the late 1930s to the mid-40s. His first radio appearance was in 1938’s Aunt Jenny’s Real […]

Episode 25: Richard Widmark

Marlene Dietrich appeared frequently on radio in the 1930s, mostly in Lux Radio Theater adaptations of her films. During the war years, she actively raised funds during bond drives and entertained the troops in person and via radio. She appeared in post-war years on variety shows, and in 1953, she briefly had her own series, A […]

Episode 24: Marlene Dietrich

Breakfast in Hollywood aired on the Blue Network from 1941 to 1948. The show originated daily from Tom Brenneman’s restaurant in Hollywood and featured Brenneman walking through the restaurant, chatting up the mostly female, and frequently tourist patrons. In 1946, Harold Schuster made film by the same name, using the show (and Brenneman) as a backdrop […]

Episode 23: Breakfast in Hollywood

MGM star, and serial Academy Award nominee (she won once) Greer Garson spent her radio career performing in adaptations of her own films for Lux Radio Theater. She was also active in on-air wartime fundraising, and performed on variety shows with Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy and Jimmy Durante. This episode of HOTR, which was […]

Episode 22: Greer Garson

The words Rita Hayworth and radio star don’t seem to quite fit together. Celebrated primarily for her beauty and glamour, Rita Hayworth electrified the motion picture screen. But did she have the personality for a medium without pictures, or even the inclination to perform there? Apparently the answer was yes. Between 1942 and 1947, she […]

Episode 21: Rita Hayworth

In the post-war years, Judy Garland appeared on many of the leading radio variety shows, including Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and The Big Show. She also contributed her time and talnet to charitable and political causes. In this episode, however, we hear one of Judy’s several dramatic performances. From December 1946, it’s an episode of Suspense called […]

Episode 20: Judy Garland, part 3

Judy Garland was among the most active film performers on radio during World War II. The war happened to coincide with the height of Garland’s early film success, but she was also an enthusiastic participant in the war effort. On this episode, you’ll hear Judy play Esther Blodgett, twelve years before her crowning achievement as […]

Episode 19: Judy Garland, part 2

Long before she made her first MGM film, Judy Garland was known to radio audiences. Shortly after signing with the studio in 1935 (at age 13) Judy began appearing on radio shows sponsored by the studio, and eventually landed regular roles on other variety shows including Jack Oakie’s College, and the Popsodent Show. Her first national […]

Episode 18: Judy Garland, part 1

a podcast about the intersection of classic film and old-time radio

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Hollywood on the Radio

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