Ra | New World Acoming | Drama | Old Time Radio Downloads

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+ New World a Coming features accounts of African-American social life in 1940s Harlem and serving in the military during WWII. The show aired political and racial concerns through true-life accounts African-American experiences, such as U.S. soldiers on leave denied at restaurants and movie theaters, problems of discrimination in the workplace and banks, unequal pay and opportunities, and other civil rights issues. Broadcast on New York radio station WMCA, this show was based on the work of nationally-known black journalist Roi Ottley. New World A'Coming was frequently narrated by African-American actor Canada Lee, and showcased the work of other leading black artists (Duke Ellington wrote the theme song). NWAC was a powerful and politically incisive program that aired political and racial issues in the US military and on the home front. After two seasons, the program expanded its focus to include other minority groups. Click here to read more about New World A'Coming

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Please enjoy these 47 old time radio episodes:

Air Date	Title	Synopsis
03.12.1944	new world a' coming (02) the negro fascism and democracy	+ Program #2. WMCA, New York. "The Negro: Fascism and Democracy". Muriel Smith sings, "When The Lig...
03.19.1944	new world a' coming (03) the negro in early america	+ Program #3. WMCA, New York. "The Negro In Early America". The theme song is announced as written ...
03.26.1944	new world a' coming (04) the negro in entertainment	+ Program #4. WMCA, New York. "The Negro In Entertainment". The so-called "easy" field for success....
04.02.1944	new world a' coming (05) ghettoes the black belt their history	+ Program #5. WMCA, New York. "Ghettoes: The Black Belt; Their History". The problems of Negroes tr...
04.09.1944	new world a' coming (06) the negro and health	+ Program #6. WMCA, New York. "The Negro and Health". Sustaining.
04.16.1944	new world a' coming (07) the story of negro humor	+ Program #7. WMCA, New York. "The Story Of Negro Humor". Adapted from Langston Hughes' story, "Whi...
04.23.1944	new world a' coming (08) the story behind the headline in the negro press	+ Program #8. WMCA, New York. "The Story Behind The Headline In The Negro Press". Produced in co-op...
04.30.1944	new world a' coming (09) the story of the negro church in new york	+ Program #9. WMCA, New York. "The Story Of The Negro Church In New York". Produced in co-operation...
05.07.1944	new world a' coming (10) arrangement in black and white	+ Program #10. WMCA, New York. "Arrangement In Black and White". Produced in co-operation with the ...
05.14.1944	new world a' coming (11) the colored orphan asylum	+ Program #11. WMCA, New York. "The Colored Orphan Asylum". Produced in co-operation with The Cityw...
05.21.1944	new world a' coming (12) the story of james pearson	+ Program #12. WMCA, New York. "The Story Of James Pearson". Produced in co-operation with the City...
05.28.1944	new world a' coming (13) the story of ted morgan, a negro reporter	+ Program #13. WMCA, New York. "The Story Of Ted Morgan, A Negro Reporter". Produced in co-operatio...
06.04.1944	new world a' coming (14) life in the ghetto	+ Program #14. WMCA, New York. "Life In The Ghetto". Produced in co-operation with the Citywide Cit...
06.11.1944	new world a' coming (15) a statement by the negro community on d day	+ Program #15. WMCA, New York. "A Statement By The Negro Community On D-Day". Produced in co-operat...
06.18.1944	new world a' coming (16) the mammy legend	+ Program #16. WMCA, New York. "The Mammy Legend". Produced in co-operation with the Citywide Citiz...
06.25.1944	new world a' coming (17) the story of negro music	+ Program #17. WMCA, New York. "The Story Of Negro Music". Produced in co-operation with The Citywi...
10.22.1944	new world a' coming (18) the vermont experiment	+ Program #18. WMCA, New York. "The Vermont Experiment". Produced in co-operation with The Citywide...
10.29.1944	new world a' coming (19) music at war
11.05.1944	new world a' coming (20) executive order 8802
11.12.1944	new world a' coming (21) inside harlem hospitals	+ Program #21. WMCA, New York. "Inside Harlem Hospitals". Produced in co-operation with The Citywid...
11.19.1944	new world a' coming (22) the life and music of w. c. handy	+ Program #22. WMCA, New York. "The Life and Music Of W. C. Handy". Produced in co-operation with T...
11.26.1944	new world a' coming (23) parachutes for democracy	+ Program #23. WMCA, New York. "Parachutes For Democracy". Produced in co-operation with The Citywi...
12.03.1944	new world a' coming (24) heroes of the sky (partial show)
12.10.1944	new world a' coming (25) the american negro theatre	+ Program #25. WMCA, New York. "The American Negro Theatre". The story of the first successful all-...
12.17.1944	new world a' coming (26) we deliver the goods	+ Program #26. WMCA, New York. "We Deliver The Goods". The story of the Negroes in the Merchant Mar...

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This series "Dramatizes the inner meaning of Negro life." The series is written by Roi Ottley, and is based on his book of the same name, which is "a portrait of equal opportunity for the Negro." It was produced in co-operation with the Citywide Committee on Harlem, and originates in the studios of WMCA-New York. It was broadcast from March 5, 1944 to May 27, 1945 as a sustained program. There was another syndicated series which was aired from 1948 to 1952. For this series, Canada Lee is the narrator. Many Black performers of the time appear in this series, including Muriel Smith. John Garth arranged and provided the music. Duke Ellington provided the theme for the series. Many White performers of the time appear in this series, including Ralph Bell, Will Geer, John Ireland, and Alexander Scourby. Lee James is the announcer.

NEW WORLD A' COMING