Dr Christian | Drama | Old Time Radio Downloads

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+ Dr. Christian was a long-running radio series with Jean Hersholt in the title role. It aired on CBS from 1937 to 1954. After Hersholt portrayed the character Dr. John Luke, based on Dr. Allan Roy Dafoe, the obstetrician who delivered and cared for the Dionne Quintuplets, in the 20th Century Fox movie The Country Doctor (1936) and its two sequels, he wanted to do the same role on radio but could not get the rights. He decided to create his own doctor character for radio, and since he was a Hans Christian Andersen enthusiast, he borrowed that name for his character of philosophical Dr. Paul Christian. Dr. Christian practiced in the Midwest town of River's End with the assistance of Nurse Judy Price (Rosemary DeCamp, Lurene Tuttle, Kathleen Fitz, Helen Claire). With the opening theme music of "Rainbow on the River," Dr. Christian was introduced on CBS November 7, 1937 on The Vaseline Program, aka Dr. Christian's Office and later Dr. Christian, sponsored by Chesebrough Manufacturing Company's Vaseline. The small-town physician's good humor, innate common sense and scientific training helped drive off a series of villainous types who tried to interfere with the peaceful lifestyle of River's End, as well as dealing with personal problems among his many patients and the majority of those who lived in town. The program was also unique in that, by the mid-1940's, listeners contributed the majority of the scripts (some were "professionally polished" before they were used), and an annual script-writing competition introduced in 1942 was the highlight of every season- top prize: the $2,000 "Dr. Christian Award" {with several $500 "runner-up" prizes}; among the later winners were Rod Serling and Earl Hamner, Jr.. Produced by Dorothy McCann, the radio series became a popular success, continuing on CBS until January 6, 1954.-WikiPedia Click here to read more about Dr Christian

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Please enjoy these 176 old time radio episodes:

Air Date	Title	Synopsis
10.18.1938	dr christian (026) baby on the doorstep	+ "Baby On The Doorstep". Sponsored by: Vaseline. The first show of the season. Hersholt's latest pi...
10.25.1938	dr christian (027) boy loves girl	+ "Boy Loves Girl". Sponsored by: Vaseline.
11.01.1938	dr christian (028) dr christian for mayor	+ "Doctor Christian For Mayor". Sponsored by: Vaseline. + Jean Hersholt’s play for tonight concern...
11.08.1938	dr christian (029) tony donella	+ "Tony Donella". Sponsored by: Vaseline. + The story opens about summertime on a chilly autumn day....
11.15.1938	dr christian (030) the accident	+ "The Accident". Sponsored by: Vaseline. + The Accident is the story of what love meant to two wome...
11.22.1938	dr christian (031) corner stone	+ "The Cornerstone". Sponsored by: Vaseline. + Mrs Clements is concerned that her 14-year-old son Fr...
11.29.1938	dr christian (032) the seeing eye part 1	+ "The Seeing Eye". Sponsored by: Vaseline. Part one of a two-part story. The blind Dr. Clyde Wilson...
12.06.1938	dr christian (033) the pirate of rivers end	+ "The Pirate Of River's End". Sponsored by: Vaseline.
12.13.1938	dr christian (034) the seeing eye part 2	+ "Sweet Genevieve". Sponsored by: Vaseline. Peggy plans to marry, despite her blindness. The concl...
12.20.1938	dr christian (035) danny gets married	+ "Danny Gets Married". Sponsored by: Vaseline. A Christmas story. + Sit back and listen to Jean Her...
12.27.1938	dr christian (036) the glamour girl	+ "The Glamour Girl". Sponsored by: Vaseline. The program originates from New York City. + Sit back ...
01.03.1939	dr christian (037) the neediest case	+ "The Neediest Case". Sponsored by: Vaseline. The program originates from New York City. + There wa...
01.10.1939	dr christian (038) guest of honor	+ "Guest Of Honor". Sponsored by: Vaseline. The program originates from New York City. + Sir Thomas ...
01.17.1939	dr christian (039) back to youth	+ "Back To Youth". Sponsored by: Vaseline. The program originates from New York City. + Kent Lewis i...
01.24.1939	dr christian (040) chains	+ "Chains". Sponsored by: Vaseline. The program originates from New York City. + Dr Christian helps ...
01.31.1939	dr christian (041) the music box	+ "The Music Box". Sponsored by: Vaseline. The program originates from New York City. + Hearing a so...
02.07.1939	dr christian (042) have a heart	+ "Have A Heart". Sponsored by: Vaseline. The program returns to Hollywood. + Old Will Granis is le...
02.14.1939	dr christian (043) angel unaware	+ "Angel Unaware". Sponsored by: Vaseline. + The wide river that gives the town its name Rivers End ...
02.21.1939	dr christian (044) washington had his delaware	+ "Washington Had His Delaware". Sponsored by: Vaseline. + When Dan Smithers is in danger of losing ...
02.28.1939	dr christian (045) puppy love	+ "Puppy Love". Sponsored by: Vaseline. Another story about "Mara," the seeing-eye dog. + Since her ...
03.07.1939	dr christian (046) a bad case of quarantine	+ "A Bad Case Of Quarantine". Sponsored by: Vaseline (World's Fair contest). + The opening scene tak...
03.14.1939	dr christian (047) little sweetheart	+ "Little Sweetheart". Sponsored by: Vaseline (World's Fair contest). + Dr Christian is trying to dr...
03.21.1939	dr christian (048) mr meeks	+ "Mr. Meeks". Sponsored by: Vaseline (World's Fair contest). + Mr Meeks is president of the Meeks L...
03.28.1939	dr christian (049) spring in the air	+ "Spring Is Here". Sponsored by: Vaseline (World's Fair contest). The story might be titled, "Sprin...
04.04.1939	dr christian (050) home made hero	+ "Home Made Hero". Sponsored by: Vaseline (World's Fair contest).

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I liked it. It had a very unique idea: to present stories written by listeners!

Marcia

The radio series character was especially created for actor Jean Hersholt on the strength of his role in the 1936 film, The Country Doctor. It has been claimed as one of the best light dramas ever presented on radio. It was broadcast on CBS from 1937 to 1954.

DOCTOR CHRISTIAN

Does anyone know the total number of Dr. Christian radio programs that were produced and broadcast over it’s 18 year run? There seems to only be 176 episodes available. I’m assuming the majority were lost? How many episodes would have been produced per year? I’ve read that the Radio Era was pre-reruns (that that concept didn’t exist at that time). Is that correct also? I love listening to this show. Thank you to everyone who addresses these questions.

Andrea

I'm so happy to have found this. It's the time machine I'm always searching for. Thank you so much to whomever is making it possible to escape from current year.

Sharon Yamamoto