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.
Click here to read more about Columbia Workshop- Radio Shows
- Comments
- Photos
Please enjoy these 332 old time radio episodes:
| Air Date | Title | Synopsis | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09.15.1946 | columbia workshop (031) the last delegate |
+ At the ultimate peace conference; a voice is heard. | |
| 08.25.1946 | columbia workshop (030) path and the door psychological experiment |
+ Hollywood origination. A wild fantasy, meaning nothing but what your imagination dictates. "A psyc... | |
| 08.18.1946 | columbia workshop (029) modern exhibit |
+Woody Herman and his Orchestra play jazz for listening. Igor Stravinsky leads the Woody Herman Orch... | |
| 08.11.1946 | columbia workshop (028) wilber the psychoneurotic auto |
+ The cast plays barnyard creatures who can talk. However, talking animals have nothing on a talking... | |
| 08.04.1946 | columbia workshop (027) happy thoughts for a hot afternoon |
+ Two essays: one on "comfort," the other on "laughter." Interesting listening. | |
| 07.28.1946 | columbia workshop (026) legend in brocade |
+ The program is based on the letters of Lord Chesterfield. A penetrating look at the man who had gr... | |
| 07.21.1946 | columbia workshop (025) the pied pied piper of hamelin |
+ The tenth anniversary program. A "modern" version of the classic fairy tale. | |
| 07.14.1946 | columbia workshop (024) three's company |
+ A well-written trilogy about three couples with martial problems told in 3 separate stories with q... | |
| 07.07.1946 | columbia workshop (023) the day baseball died |
+ Interesting story of that fantastic pitch "Knucklerduster II" and the way it ended the game of bas... | |
| 06.30.1946 | columbia workshop (022) this is singing country (1776 1864) | ||
| 06.23.1946 | columbia workshop (021) how radar saved democracy |
+ A fascinating explanation of the invention of radar and how the British defeated the Nazis with it... | |
| 06.16.1946 | columbia workshop (020) sometime every summertime |
+ Possibly Fletcher Markle's first program for CBS. He used the same script when he was directing "S... | |
| 06.09.1946 | columbia workshop (019) peer gynt |
+ A performance by the Old Vic Theatre Company of England. A beautiful production, fairly well adapt... | |
| 06.02.1946 | columbia workshop (018) richard iii |
+ The supporting performers were members of The Old Vic Theatre Company. | |
| 05.26.1946 | columbia workshop (017) the fisherman and the genie |
+A fairy tale based on Arabian Legend, filled with spells, magic, and the forces of good and evil. | |
| 05.19.1946 | columbia workshop (016) the trial |
+ The strange story by this strange author, foretelling the horrors of totalitarianism. | |
| 05.12.1946 | columbia workshop (015) no children at play |
+The horror of the hunger of the European children. | |
| 05.05.1946 | columbia workshop (014) sam small's better half |
+ A British comedy about a man who schizophrenically splits in two. | |
| 04.28.1946 | columbia workshop (013) a study in bells and house |
+A mad professor discourses in his favorite topic, and a short story with a strange twist. | |
| 04.21.1946 | columbia workshop (012) the playroom |
+A thought provoking story of a brother and sister both 50 years old, but both living in a "playroom... | |
| 04.13.1946 | columbia workshop (011) joe peabody's dream |
+ A strange story of a man who dozes off after dinner and has a strange dream about the OPA, the cou... | |
| 04.06.1946 | columbia workshop (010) the last speech |
+A cantata based on the last speech written by but never delivered by Franklin Roosevelt. The progra... | |
| 03.30.1946 | columbia workshop (009) a very honorable guy |
+ The classic Runyon tale of the guy with the big feet who sells his body to "science." | |
| 03.23.1946 | columbia workshop (008) act of faith |
+ A stirring drama of anti-Semitism. | |
| 03.16.1946 | columbia workshop (007) four quartets of ts eliot |
+Terribly dull radio. |
COLUMBIA RADIO WORKSHOP
Leave a comment