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Birdbrains Behind the Wheel

silly drivers from a variety of old time radio shows crash into fruit stands, buying lemons, and smashed judge's new cars.

Birdbrains Behind the Wheel

46 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 22 hours, 18 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
24 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from March 03, 1949:

"Gracie Smashes Into a Parked Car"



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Henry Ford invented the car and changed the world. He gave people a quick and easy way to span great distances. What he wasn't able to do, however, was to check the impulse in many of us to do some goofy things behind the wheel. Whether it's parking in the red zone, driving with one hand on a sandwich, or trying to fix the car with used lawn mower parts, all of us can relate to the characters on these old-time radio shows who get into trouble of the comically vehicular kind. This compilation has episodes about Birdbrains Behind the Wheel from a variety of shows.

Gracie AllenGeorge Burns and Gracie Allen, the quintessential couple of radio comedy, star in several car-themed episodes. Gracie the ultimate birdbrain, parked George's car in front of a hydrant and landed him a date in traffic court. The episode included an embedded ad for Swann's soap and references to the wartime effort, including an admonition to eat a large breakfast to fuel wartime production. In another Burns and Allen episode, Gracie sideswipes a parked car.

In Our Miss Brooks, Mr. Conklin at Madison High institutes a safe driving initiative right after Miss Brooks receives a ticket for "speeding, going through a red light, reckless driving, driving on the sidewalk, and hitting a fruit stand."

In My Favorite Husband with Lucille Ball and Richard Denning, Liz gets her driving license and, she gets into an accident; George thinks she's intentionally run over his old high school sweetheart. In the episode "Teaching Iris To Drive"...do you think it's a good idea for Liz to try to teach Iris Atterbury (Bea Benaderet) how to drive?

In the Milton Berle Show, "Salute To Motoring Season" Berle picks up a lemon at the local dealership, negotiating with a ruthless salesman whose catchphrase is "shaddap!"

The Great Gildersleeve, after a sales pitch for defense bonds, we listen as Gildy drives his nephew LeRoy to his rabbit breeding competition. After stopping for sandwiches, Gildy blunders his way into accidentally driving off with a state commissioner's car, and what happens next is explosive. Be sure to slow up before you blow up! In "Auto Accident with Judge Hooker", backing out of his driveway, Gildy bangs into Judge Hooker and the two men try to solicit Bertie to witness for their side of the story.

Fibber McGeeFibber McGee and Molly, in "Motorcycle Cop," Fibber is ticketed for running a red light. In front of the judge, he becomes The Irish Poet Fibber McGee by uncorking this breathless stream:

"If a red light is the kind of light a red light oughta be
It'd be a lit light not a dead light
A dead red light ain't no more a red light
Than a lit light is a dead light
And I claims that anytime my headlight sees
A red light dead light or no red light
And I ride right by the light
I'm in my right"

In "Traffic Conditions--Safe-Driving Campaign," the fictional home of the McGees, Wistful Vista, is waging a campaign to reward safe drivers and to punish unsafe ones. The police commissioner tries to talk Fibber into staying housebound during this campaign to avoid a flurry of citations. So strict were the officers that they "arrested a man for driving under the influence of his wife." Confusion ensues and you'll just have to listen to find out what kind of award Fibber ends up winning.

This collection of Birdbrains Behind the Wheel will have you rolling with laughter. See also: Highway of Horrors, Traffic in Old Time Radio, and Tales of the Brain in Old Time Radio.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

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    I am an aficionado of old time radio now for about 45 years since I was 15. I am a musician, entertainer and announcer/ broadcaster, and have hosted and produced radio shows over the years. I have been a customer of Otr Cat for about four years and have never been disappointed with anything that I have ordered. The sound quality is excellent and the fast service and "turn-a- round" from payment to delivery is superb. Keep doing what you are doing. I will always be a patron of your fine company. :-)

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    46 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 22 hours, 18 min
    46 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 22 hours, 18 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 46 shows - total playtime 22 hours 18 minutes
    2. Amos Andy 531115 Ship Leroys Car To La.mp3
    3. Burns Allen 430601 Gracie Appears In Traffic Court.mp3
    4. Burns Allen 440307 Alan Ladd The Poker Game.mp3
    5. Burns Allen 490303 Gracie Smashes Into A Parked Car.mp3
    6. Burns Allen 490519 Gracie Adopts Mickey Rooney.mp3
    7. Burns Allen 490602 Gracie The Magician.mp3
    8. Burns Allen 490609 Gracie Joins A Womens Rights Group.mp3
    9. Burns Allen 490616 George Gracie Watch Neighbor.mp3
    10. Burns Allen 490623 Preparing For England.mp3
    11. Charlotte Greenwood 441112 05 Charlottes Car Mix Up Wedding.mp3
    12. Columbia Workshop 410202 Help Me Hannah.mp3
    13. Father Knows Best 500914 047 Family Car Stolen.mp3
    14. Fkb 510621 086 Mother Drives A Car.mp3
    15. Fmm 350416 0001 Motorcycle Cop Judge And Fibber.mp3
    16. Fmm 360420 0054 Street Car Motorman.mp3
    17. Fmm 371011 0131 Shopping For New Car.mp3
    18. Fmm 410401 0281 Molly Loses Leftrear Fender.mp3
    19. Fmm 411014 0296 Acting Fire Commissioner Mcgee.mp3
    20. Fmm 430518 0365 Mcgee Steals Car And Goes To Jail.mp3
    21. Fmm 460402 0473 Protectorejecto Ignition Lock.mp3
    22. Fmm 471021 0524 Late Car Payment Carl Snarl Finance Co.mp3
    23. Fmm 480406 0548 Fixing Docs Car.mp3
    24. Fmm 490301 0577 Old Jalopy.mp3
    25. Fmm 491129 0601 One Hundred Nineteen Dollar Innertube.mp3
    26. Fmm 501128 0637 Parking Meter Returns Razors.mp3
    27. Fmm 510424 0658 Soapbox Derby Racer For Teeny.mp3
    28. Fmm 510522 0662 Running Red Light.mp3
    29. Fmm 530609 0737 Traffic Court Campaign.mp3
    30. Gg420111 Arrested As A Car Thief.mp3
    31. Gg420208 Auto Mechanics.mp3
    32. Gg430404 Gildy Repairs His Car.mp3
    33. Gg430411 Car Wreck With Hooker.mp3
    34. Gg470129 Marjories Hotrod Boyfriend.mp3
    35. Hardy Family Hot Rod.mp3
    36. Life Of Riley 501013 Rileys First Car Traffic Court.mp3
    37. Lor 501013 288 Rileys First Car Traffic Court.mp3
    38. Lor 501110 292 Wins Hudson Guessing Number Beans In A Jar.mp3
    39. Milton Berle 470923 29 Automobile Industry.mp3
    40. Milton Berle 480406 Salute To Motoring.mp3
    41. My Favorite Husband 481113 018 Learning To Drive.mp3
    42. My Favorite Husband 500113 071 Liz Teaches Iris To Drive.mp3
    43. Our Miss Brooks 500528 094 Reckless Driving.mp3
    44. Phil Harris 491002 A Car For Alice.mp3
    45. Phil Harris 500319 Alices New Car.mp3
    46. Phil Harris 531127 Traffic Problems In Los Angeles.mp3
    47. Redsk 470401 Willie Lump Lump And Traffic Court.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    46 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 22 hours, 18 min
    46 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    total playtime 22 hours, 18 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 46 shows - total playtime 22 hours 18 minutes
    2. Amos Andy 531115 Ship Leroys Car To La.mp3
    3. Burns Allen 430601 Gracie Appears In Traffic Court.mp3
    4. Burns Allen 440307 Alan Ladd The Poker Game.mp3
    5. Burns Allen 490303 Gracie Smashes Into A Parked Car.mp3
    6. Burns Allen 490519 Gracie Adopts Mickey Rooney.mp3
    7. Burns Allen 490602 Gracie The Magician.mp3
    8. Burns Allen 490609 Gracie Joins A Womens Rights Group.mp3
    9. Burns Allen 490616 George Gracie Watch Neighbor.mp3
    10. Burns Allen 490623 Preparing For England.mp3
    11. Charlotte Greenwood 441112 05 Charlottes Car Mix Up Wedding.mp3
    12. Columbia Workshop 410202 Help Me Hannah.mp3
    13. Father Knows Best 500914 047 Family Car Stolen.mp3
    14. Fkb 510621 086 Mother Drives A Car.mp3
    15. Fmm 350416 0001 Motorcycle Cop Judge And Fibber.mp3
    16. Fmm 360420 0054 Street Car Motorman.mp3
    17. Fmm 371011 0131 Shopping For New Car.mp3
    18. Fmm 410401 0281 Molly Loses Leftrear Fender.mp3
    19. Fmm 411014 0296 Acting Fire Commissioner Mcgee.mp3
    20. Fmm 430518 0365 Mcgee Steals Car And Goes To Jail.mp3
    21. Fmm 460402 0473 Protectorejecto Ignition Lock.mp3
    22. Fmm 471021 0524 Late Car Payment Carl Snarl Finance Co.mp3
    23. Fmm 480406 0548 Fixing Docs Car.mp3
    24. Fmm 490301 0577 Old Jalopy.mp3
    25. Fmm 491129 0601 One Hundred Nineteen Dollar Innertube.mp3
    26. Fmm 501128 0637 Parking Meter Returns Razors.mp3
    27. Fmm 510424 0658 Soapbox Derby Racer For Teeny.mp3
    28. Fmm 510522 0662 Running Red Light.mp3
    29. Fmm 530609 0737 Traffic Court Campaign.mp3
    30. Gg420111 Arrested As A Car Thief.mp3
    31. Gg420208 Auto Mechanics.mp3
    32. Gg430404 Gildy Repairs His Car.mp3
    33. Gg430411 Car Wreck With Hooker.mp3
    34. Gg470129 Marjories Hotrod Boyfriend.mp3
    35. Hardy Family Hot Rod.mp3
    36. Life Of Riley 501013 Rileys First Car Traffic Court.mp3
    37. Lor 501013 288 Rileys First Car Traffic Court.mp3
    38. Lor 501110 292 Wins Hudson Guessing Number Beans In A Jar.mp3
    39. Milton Berle 470923 29 Automobile Industry.mp3
    40. Milton Berle 480406 Salute To Motoring.mp3
    41. My Favorite Husband 481113 018 Learning To Drive.mp3
    42. My Favorite Husband 500113 071 Liz Teaches Iris To Drive.mp3
    43. Our Miss Brooks 500528 094 Reckless Driving.mp3
    44. Phil Harris 491002 A Car For Alice.mp3
    45. Phil Harris 500319 Alices New Car.mp3
    46. Phil Harris 531127 Traffic Problems In Los Angeles.mp3
    47. Redsk 470401 Willie Lump Lump And Traffic Court.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    46 recordings on 24 Audio CDs. Total playtime 22 hours, 18 min
    46 recordings on 24 Audio CDs
    total playtime 22 hours, 18 min

    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A001

    1. Hardy Family Hot Rod
    2. Fmm 350416 0001 Motorcycle Cop Judge And Fibber

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A002

    1. Fmm 360420 0054 Street Car Motorman
    2. Fmm 371011 0131 Shopping For New Car

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A003

    1. Columbia Workshop 410202 Help Me Hannah
    2. Fmm 410401 0281 Molly Loses Leftrear Fender

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    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A004

    1. Fmm 411014 0296 Acting Fire Commissioner Mcgee
    2. Gg420111 Arrested As A Car Thief

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    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A005

    1. Gg420208 Auto Mechanics
    2. Gg430404 Gildy Repairs His Car

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A006

    1. Gg430411 Car Wreck With Hooker
    2. Fmm 430518 0365 Mcgee Steals Car And Goes To Jail

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    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A007

    1. Burns Allen 430601 Gracie Appears In Traffic Court
    2. Burns Allen 440307 Alan Ladd The Poker Game

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A008

    1. Charlotte Greenwood 441112 05 Charlottes Car Mix Up Wedding
    2. Fmm 460402 0473 Protectorejecto Ignition Lock

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A009

    1. Gg470129 Marjories Hotrod Boyfriend
    2. Redsk 470401 Willie Lump Lump And Traffic Court

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A010

    1. Milton Berle 470923 29 Automobile Industry
    2. Fmm 471021 0524 Late Car Payment Carl Snarl Finance Co

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A011

    1. Fmm 480406 0548 Fixing Docs Car
    2. Milton Berle 480406 Salute To Motoring

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A012

    1. My Favorite Husband 481113 018 Learning To Drive
    2. Fmm 490301 0577 Old Jalopy

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    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A013

    1. Burns Allen 490303 Gracie Smashes Into A Parked Car
    2. Burns Allen 490519 Gracie Adopts Mickey Rooney

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A014

    1. Burns Allen 490602 Gracie The Magician
    2. Burns Allen 490609 Gracie Joins A Womens Rights Group

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A015

    1. Burns Allen 490616 George Gracie Watch Neighbor
    2. Burns Allen 490623 Preparing For England

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A016

    1. Phil Harris 491002 A Car For Alice
    2. Fmm 491129 0601 One Hundred Nineteen Dollar Innertube

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A017

    1. My Favorite Husband 500113 071 Liz Teaches Iris To Drive
    2. Phil Harris 500319 Alices New Car

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A018

    1. Our Miss Brooks 500528 094 Reckless Driving
    2. Father Knows Best 500914 047 Family Car Stolen

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A019

    1. Life Of Riley 501013 Rileys First Car Traffic Court
    2. Lor 501013 288 Rileys First Car Traffic Court

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A020

    1. Lor 501110 292 Wins Hudson Guessing Number Beans In A Jar
    2. Fmm 501128 0637 Parking Meter Returns Razors

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A021

    1. Fmm 510424 0658 Soapbox Derby Racer For Teeny
    2. Fmm 510522 0662 Running Red Light

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A022

    1. Fkb 510621 086 Mother Drives A Car
    2. Fmm 530609 0737 Traffic Court Campaign

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A023

    1. Amos Andy 531115 Ship Leroys Car To La

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Birdbrains Behind the Wheel Disc A024

    1. Phil Harris 531127 Traffic Problems In Los Angeles

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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