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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
12.01.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (082) bob crosby and peggy lee	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Buttons and Bows." A Crosby family re-union.
11.24.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (081) bert lahr and dorothy kirsten	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Cuanta La Gusta." Bing and guest Bert Lahr do an routin...
11.17.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (080) kay starr	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Buttons and Bows." The terrible day that squadrons of g...
11.10.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (079) oscar levant	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Ain't Doin' Bad Doin' Nothin'." Bing and guest Oscar Le...
11.03.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (078) edgar bergen	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "You Call Everybody Darling." Bing's guests are Edgar Be...
10.27.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (077) william powell and peggy lee	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The program originates from San Francisco. The first tune is, "Hair Of Gold...
10.20.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (076) dan dailey and marilyn maxwell	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The program originates from Spokane, Washington. The first tune is, "Rambli...
10.13.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (075) ray milland and bill gargan (vancouver)	+ABC net, KGO, San Francisco aircheck. Sponsored by: Philco. The program originates from Vancouver, ...
10.06.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (074) judy garland	+ABC net, KGO, San Francisco aircheck. Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Love Somebody." Bin...
09.29.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (073) claudette colbert and crosby boys	+ABC net, KGO, San Francisco aircheck. Sponsored by: Philco. The first show of the season. The first...
06.02.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (072) fred allen and joe venuti	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "Baby Face." The last show of the season. The program or...
05.26.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (071) beatrice lilly and alec templeton	+ Sponsored by: Philco. Bing and Alex sing, "Just One More Chance" and "Dinah" at the same time! Th...
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 ...
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!"...
05.05.1948	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...
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, "...
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...
04.14.1948	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...
04.07.1948	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...
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...
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...
03.17.1948	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 ...
03.10.1948	philco radio time(46 49) (060) jimmy stewart	+ Sponsored by: Philco. The first tune is, "One-Hundred-and-Sixty Acres." Bashful guest Jimmy Stewa...
03.03.1948	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...
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...