+ Philco Radio Time was an historic marker in the history of Broadcast Radio. Premiering on October 16th 1946 to great fanfare, Philco launched an all-out campaign to promote the new series. Bing Crosby had ended a ten-year association with Kraft Foods in 1945, the better to provide him more independence in producing any further Radio programs. The sweetener that sealed the deal with Philco was their agreement to allow Crosby to pre-record his programs; initially via E.T. and later via magnetic tape transcription. Philco was of course no novice in Radio promotion by any measure. Philco's extensive campaign throughout the run of Philco Radio Time not only built on Philco's previous prestige production, Radio Hall of Fame, but also promoted all of Philco's newest developments in both Radio and early affordable Television. The Billboard trade magazine reported that Philco's production budget for Philco RadioTime was $2,000,000, with another $500,000 devoted to Print promotion of the series and Philco's product line. Put in context, the same budget in today's dollars would be in excess of $25 million; a very generous budget to be sure. And indeed, a glance at the the Print ads Philco commisioned to promote Philco Radio Time (sidebar left) underscores the extraordinary good taste and exceptional quality of the campaign. Even more ironic, Philco Radio Time not only promoted Philco's Radio and Television lines but--from October 1947 forward--was also implicitly promoting Bing Crosby Enterprises' Ampex line of broadcast quality magnetic tape recorders and equipment. Clearly none of the parties to the various promotions had any reason to complain. On the talent side of the production ABC, Philco and Crosby pulled out all the stops for the era. Philco Radio Time's music directors were Skitch Henderson and John Scott Trotter. Bill Morrow and Murdo McKenzie handled production of both the initial electrical transcription (E.T.) disc recordings as well as the later Ampex tape-transcribed recordings. Regular cast members throughout the series were songstress Lina Romay, The Charioteers, The Rhythmaires, and Gail Robbins. From about the tape-transcribed programs forward, songbirds Dinah Shore and Peggy Lee and jazz violinist Joe Venuti became series regulars as well. Bing and Philco's announcer of choice, Ken Carpenter, also complimented every broadcast as both a comedic foil for Crosby and Philco's spokesman. All told, a solid supporting ensemble to Bing Crosby throughout the series. Click here to read more about Philco Radio Time
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Please enjoy these 87 old time radio episodes:
| Air Date | Title | Synopsis | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03.05.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (021) al jolson |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Getting Nowhere." Bing sings a duet with guest Al Jolso... | |
| 03.12.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (022) peggy lee |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "McNamara's Band." The system cue is added live. | |
| 03.19.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (023) danny kaye and peggy lee |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Managua, Nicaragua." Guest Danny Kaye sings, "Dena" and... | |
| 03.26.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (024) jack benny and mary livingston |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "I Do, I Do, I Do Like You." Guest Jack Benny wants Bing... | |
| 04.02.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (025) al jolson and john charles thomas (minstrel show) |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. This is a rehearsal recording or unedited tape. The entire program, includi... | |
| 04.09.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (026) alec templeton and peggy lee |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Managua, Nicaragua." Bing and guest Alec Templeton run ... | |
| 04.16.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (027) jimmy durante |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Uncle Remus Said." The system cue is added live. | |
| 04.23.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (028) les paul and burl ives |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. 10:00 P.M. The first tune is, "I Do, Do, Do Like You." Bing fluffs badly on... | |
| 04.30.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (029) groucho marx and dorothy shay |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. This is a rehearsal recording or unedited tape. The program originates from... | |
| 05.07.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (030) al jolson and irving berlin |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "County Style." Bing and guest Al Jolson do a medley of ... | |
| 05.14.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (031) groucho marx and hank greenberg |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The program originates from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. The fi... | |
| 05.21.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (032) maurice chevalier |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The program originates from New York City. Guest Maurice Chevalier joins Bi... | |
| 05.28.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (033) margaret o'brien |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The program originates from New York. The first tune is, "That's How Much I... | |
| 06.04.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (034) fred allen and connie boswell |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The program originates from New York. The first tune is, "I Do, Do, Do Like... | |
| 06.11.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (035) alec templeton and ethel merman |
+ Program #35. Sponsored by: Philco. The program originates from New York City. Bing and guest Eth... | |
| 06.18.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (036) bob hope and jimmy demaret |
+ Program #36. Sponsored by: Philco. The program originates from New York. Bing and guest Bob Hope... | |
| 10.01.1947 | guest gary cooper |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first show of the season. The first tune is, "My Heart Is A Hobo." Bing... | |
| 10.08.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (038) jimmy durante |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Feudin, Fussin' and Fightin'." Bing and guest Jimmy Dur... | |
| 10.15.1947 | guest dinah shore |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is "Kokomo, Indiana." Bing, Ken Carpenter and guest Dinah Sh... | |
| 10.22.1947 | philco radio time(46 49) (040) clifton webb and burl ives |
+ Sponsored by: Philco (Bing Crosby record premium). The first tune is, "Mardi Gras." Bing refers t... | |
| 10.29.1947 | guests boris karloff and victor moore |
+ABC net, WJZ, New York aircheck. Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Feudin', Fightin', and F... | |
| 11.05.1947 | guests ozzie and harriet nelson |
++ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Tallahassee." Bing and Ozzie Nelson discuss their kids... | |
| 11.12.1947 | guests peter lorre and kay thompson |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Come To The Mardi Gras." + Bing Crosby hosts Philco Rad... | |
| 11.19.1947 | guests barry fitzgerald and dorothy kirsten |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "The Freedom Train." Bing and guest Barry Fitzgerald tel... | |
| 11.26.1947 | guest frankie lane |
+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "The Old Chaperone." Bing narrates the story of "The Man... |
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