Philco Radio Time | Variety | Old Time Radio Downloads

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+ 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
12.03.1947	guest al jolson	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Pass The Peace Pipe." Bing and guest Al Jolson sing sev...
12.10.1947	guest walter okeefe	+ Sponsored by: Philco. Bing and guest Walter O'Keefe recall their early starving days in show busi...
12.17.1947	guest arlene woods joe frisco	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Pass That Peace Pipe." The program closing has been del...
12.24.1947	christmas show	+ Sponsored by: Philco. A Christmas program. The first tune is, "Adeste Fideles." A rebroadcast of ...
12.31.1947	guest danny thomas	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "You Don't Have To Know The Language." Guest Danny Thoma...
01.07.1948	guests walter okeefe and the lone ranger	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "With A Hey and A Hi and A Ho, Ho, Ho!" The program feat...
01.14.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (052) george burns	+ Sponsored by: Philco. 10:30 P. M. (EST). The first tune is, "The Freedom Train." Guest Evelyn Kni...
01.21.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (053) burns and allen	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "With A Hey! and A Hi! and A Ho! Ho! Ho!" Guests George ...
01.28.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (054) esther williams	+ Sponsored by: Philco. 10:00 P. M. (EST). The first tune is, "Kokomo, Indiana." Bing and guest Est...
02.04.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (055) jimmy durante and dick haymes	+ABC net, WJZ, New York aircheck. Sponsored by: Philco. 10:00 P. M. (EST). The first tune is, "I'll ...
02.11.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (056) oscar levant	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Civilization." Bing muffs the words while singing, "The...
02.18.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (057) robert taylor	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Pretty Baby." Bing and guest Robert Taylor do their own...
02.25.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (058) peggy lee	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "You Don't Have To Know The Language." The cast does a s...
03.03.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (059) jack benny	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "The Big Brass Band From Brazil." Guest Jack Benny takes...
03.10.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (060) jimmy stewart	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "One-Hundred-and-Sixty Acres." Bashful guest Jimmy Stewa...
03.17.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (061) margaret o'brien	+ABC, WJZ, New York aircheck. Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Dear Old Donegal." Bing and ...
03.24.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (062) wild bill elliott	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Manana." Bing and guest Wild Bill Elliott appear in a t...
03.31.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (063) dick powell	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Love Is So Terrific." Guest Dick Powell jokes with Bing...
04.07.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (064) fred astaire	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "At The Flying W." Bing, Peggy Lee and guest Fred Astair...
04.14.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (065) fibber mcgee and molly	+ABC, WJZ, New York aircheck. Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Love Is So Terrific." Guests...
04.21.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (066) clifton webb and crosby boys	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Hooray For Love!" Bing would like guest Clifton Webb to...
04.28.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (067) claudette colbert	+ABC net, WJZ New York aircheck. Sponsored by: Philco, Life Cigarettes (local). The first tune is, "...
05.05.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (068) barry fitzgerald	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "The Big Brass Bad From Brazil." Bing and guest Barry Fi...
05.12.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (069) henry fonda	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The program originates from New York. The first tune is, "Hooray For Love!"...
05.19.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (070) ethel merman	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The program originates from New York. The first tune is, "Baby Face." Bing ...