The Columbia Workshop was an high-art radio show that aired from 1936 to 1957. The show’s creator was Irving Reis, who once worked as a radio director, as well as a sound engineer. Columbia Workshop was sort of like Reis’ experiment, since he wanted to focus on using different sound effects to bring his show to life, as opposed to other radio shows which he believes have overused popular celebrities. Hundreds of different sound effects were used for the show.
The show’s first director was William Robson, and his first show was Alice in Wonderland. Unlike Reis, Robson focused more on the brilliant acting of the characters and less on the sound effects. Then, in 1941, Norman Corwin took over and made the show more social (and political), as he focused more on delivering the day's newsworthy happenings.Most of the episodes presented, nevertheless, were derived from the work of classical authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, William Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll, and more. Although quite serious in theme, Columbia Workshop was well-received by the listeners, and the fact that it lasted for over two decades is an excellent proof to that.
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Please enjoy these 332 old time radio episodes:
| Air Date | Title | Synopsis | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01.05.1941 | columbia workshop (061) love in 32 bars |
+What pop and jazz is, as we know it "today," and why it's the favorite of millions. | |
| 01.12.1941 | columbia workshop (062) cassidy and the devil |
+ An Irish tale about a deal with the devil, but with a happy ending. Good Irish wit. The script was... | |
| 01.26.1941 | columbia workshop (063) this is from david |
+A sad story about a lonely rich boy whose mother is too busy for him. | |
| 02.02.1941 | columbia workshop (064) help me hannah |
+ A comedy about a Southern gal in New England and her fight with the Highway Department. | |
| 02.16.1941 | columbia workshop (066) a crop of beans |
+A tragedy of a Southern farm couple during the Depression. | |
| 02.23.1941 | columbia workshop (067) wings of an eagle |
+ A very touching crime story, beautifully told. | |
| 03.02.1941 | columbia workshop (068) roadside |
+ A farce of the old West. | |
| 03.09.1941 | columbia workshop (069) still small voice |
+A comedy about a gruff dishonest lawyer, and his overbearing conscience. | |
| 03.16.1941 | columbia workshop (070) cassidy and the devil |
+An Irish tale about a deal with the Devil with a happy ending. The script was previously used on "T... | |
| 03.23.1941 | columbia workshop (071) out of the air |
+ A comedy about a old time vaudevillian who strikes it rich as a professional contestant. | |
| 03.30.1941 | columbia workshop (072) the creation the congo |
+ A program of black verse with reader and a "verse choir." | |
| 04.06.1941 | columbia workshop (073) rocking horse winner |
+An British fantasy about the young lad who courts Lady Luck, and wins her! | |
| 04.20.1941 | columbia workshop (075) the reluctant dragon |
+ An amusing fairy tale of the fight between St. George and the Dragon, with "the fix in." | |
| 04.27.1941 | columbia workshop (076) jason was a man |
+ The legend of Jason and the Golden Fleece, told with a Black viewpoint and an all Negro cast. | |
| 05.04.1941 | columbia workshop (001) radio primer |
+ A funny look at the radio industry from A to Z. The first program of "Twenty-Six By Corwin." | |
| 05.11.1941 | columbia workshop (002) log of the r 77 |
+A great story about a submarine crew, trapped on the bottom of the sea and slowly dying. The progra... | |
| 05.18.1941 | columbia workshop (003) the people yes |
+A wanderer seeking work meets another man who tells a strange version of the story of the "Tower Of... | |
| 05.25.1941 | columbia workshop (004) lip service |
+ An uneducated hillbilly becomes famous as the greatest harmonica player and becomes a government d... | |
| 06.01.1941 | columbia workshop (005) appointment |
+A man escapes from a concentration camp and swears revenge on the camp's commandant. A parable abou... | |
| 06.08.1941 | columbia workshop (006) odyssey of runyon jones |
+ A fascinating tour through a make-believe world as a small boy searches for his lost dog. The sixt... | |
| 06.15.1941 | columbia workshop (007) soliloquy to balance the budget |
+The seventh program of, "Twenty-Six By Corwin." "An Exercise For Solo Voice." House Jameson's voice... | |
| 06.22.1941 | columbia workshop (008) daybreak |
+ "A Program To Be Followed On Your Atlas." A trip around the world with the sunrise. The eighth pro... | |
| 06.29.1941 | columbia workshop (009) old salt |
+Sponsored by: Sustaining, (Ohio National Bank (local). A seafarin' Grandpa tells tall tales to his ... | |
| 07.06.1941 | columbia workshop (010) between americans |
+An informal essay for informal listeners. What our country means to each of us. Pure Americana. The... | |
| 07.13.1941 | columbia workshop (011) anne was an ordinary girl |
+ A "bio-drama" of Abraham Lincoln's first love. The 11th program of, "Twenty-Six By Corwin." A brie... |
COLUMBIA RADIO WORKSHOP
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