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David Niven Collection

was such a cool British chap that Ian Fleming based the persona of James Bond on David Niven.

David Niven

23 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 16 hours, 10 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
18 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from March 05, 1946:

"Bob Hope Show with David Niven"



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

David Niven
(1910 – 1983)

David Niven

David Niven was one of Hollywood's iconic personalities and a delight to audiences for years. Niven's screen personality was that of a British gentlemen with a bit of disdain for authority and at least a slight taste for adventure. These traits came directly from Niven's own life; so much so that creator of the prototypical British spy, 007 author Ian Fleming, admitted that the persona of James Bond was based on David Niven.

David NivenNiven was born into the lower aristocracy by way of the military. His maternal grandfather had been killed in Africa during the Zulu Wars and his own father died during the Battle at Gallipoli. As a young student David was given to pranks and was no stranger to harsh corporal punishment, but he eventually enrolled in the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. David did very well at Sandhurst were he developed the "Officer and a Gentleman" traits that would serve him for the rest of his career. However he found service in the peacetime army tedious. After being detained for insubordination, Niven escaped through the connivance of his guard (with whom he finished a bottle of whiskey) and sent a telegram from the ship to America, announcing his resignation.

After his arrival in America, Niven had a series of unsuccessful ventures in New York, Atlantic City, Bermuda and Cuba. Finally he found himself in Hollywood at the doors of Central Casting. There seemed to be movie work available, but not without a work permit, so he left for Mexico and survived on odd jobs until his Resident Alien Visa was processed.

Before the War, Niven landed several supporting roles in films like Dodsworth (1936), The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936) and the Prisoner of Zenda (1937). He also had a few leading roles, such as The Dawn Patrol (1938) and Wuthering Heights (1939). Niven was part of the Hollywood Raj, a semi-notorious band of English actors that included Rex Harrison, Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone, and Ronald Colman.

When war broke out in 1939 Niven was alone among the Hollywood Raj to return to England for military service (most of the rest were beyond the age of military service, and lacked Niven's training). He was re-commissioned a Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade, but soon wished for more action and transferred to the Commandos. Later in the War he worked with the Army Film Unit in propaganda films, when he became friends with Peter Ustinov (the friendship was not regulation, Ustinov was a Private, so he was forced to become Niven's batsman).

Niven was reluctant to share his war-time experiences, and seems to have looked down on those who did, especially those who had relatively little to contribute. One story that did come out had to do with preparing to lead his men into action. In order to ease their nervousness he told them "Look, you chaps only have to do this once. But I'll have to do it all over again in Hollywood with Errol Flynn!"

David NivenNiven's post war film career certainly took off with many more starring roles, including The Bishops Wife (1947), The Moon Is Blue (1953), playing Phileas Fogg in Around the World in Eighty Days (1956) and winning an Oscar for Separate Tables in 1958.

David Niven's radio contributions were pretty typical for an actor supporting his movies, but they are marked with the Niven charm and sophistication. These included guest appearances on variety programs like Rudy Vallee's Royal Gelatin Hour and the Chase and Sanborn show with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, as well as creating laughs a number of times with Bob Hope after the War. Many of both his pre- and post war films were adapted for the various anthologies, Lux Radio Theater and Screen Guild Theater, including adaptations of his Christmas masterpiece The Bishops Wife, as well as a pair of appearances on Hallmark Playhouse. A pair of "straight radio" projects include an appearance on the Suspense! episode "Grand Theft" as a suspicious and shifty insurance appraiser, and an ambitious adaptation of George Orwell's 1984 for NBC University Theater.

After winning the Academy award, Niven appeared in 30 more films through the sixties and seventies, including The Guns of Navaronne (1961), The Pink Panther (1963), Murder By Death (1976), Death on the Nile (1978) with Peter Ustinov, and The Sea Wolves (1980).

One of the all time memorable incidents in the history of the Academy Awards occurred during the 1974 ceremony when Niven, one of the program's hosts, was introducing Elizabeth Taylor to make a presentation. Suddenly a streaker ran naked behind Niven, flashing a peace sign at the crowd. Niven then quipped "Isn't it fascinating to think, that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life, is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?"

In 1983 David Niven succumbed to ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease. David Niven is honored with a pair of stars on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, one at 1724 Vine Street for Motion Pictures, and at 1754 Vine for Television.

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



    23 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 16 hours, 10 min
    23 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 16 hours, 10 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 23 shows - total playtime 16 hours 10 minutes
    2. Bergen McCarthy 390924 125 Anita Louise.mp3
    3. Bob Hope 460305 W David Niven.mp3
    4. Bob Hope 530823 David Niven.mp3
    5. Bob Hope 540305 W Glenn Ford David Niven Corrine Calve.mp3
    6. Chesterfield 520514 107 David Niven Teresa Brewer.mp3
    7. Hallmark Playhouse 490303 037 Barclay Square.mp3
    8. Hallmark Playhouse 491124 062 Courtship Miles Standis.mp3
    9. Hedda Hoppers Hollywd 510225 19 David Niven.mp3
    10. Hollywood Byline 500208 08 Guest David Niven.mp3
    11. Jolson 400226 David Niven.mp3
    12. Kraft Music Hall 480226 276 Guest David Niven.mp3
    13. Lux 361228 113 Cavalcade.mp3
    14. Lux 370111 115 Gilded Lily.mp3
    15. Lux 380509 175 My Man Godfrey.mp3
    16. Lux 391009 232 Sisters.mp3
    17. Lux 470210 558 Frenchmens Creek.mp3
    18. Lux 491219 681 Bishops Wife.mp3
    19. NBCUT 490827 055 1984.mp3
    20. Rudy Vallee Royal Gelatin Hour 381117 Benita Hume.mp3
    21. Screen Guild 460506 296 Bachelor Mother.mp3
    22. Screen Guild 480301 377 Bishops Wife.mp3
    23. Sealtest Variety 490324 27.mp3
    24. Suspense 540405 546 Grand Theft.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    23 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 16 hours, 10 min
    23 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    total playtime 16 hours, 10 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 23 shows - total playtime 16 hours 10 minutes
    2. Bergen McCarthy 390924 125 Anita Louise.mp3
    3. Bob Hope 460305 W David Niven.mp3
    4. Bob Hope 530823 David Niven.mp3
    5. Bob Hope 540305 W Glenn Ford David Niven Corrine Calve.mp3
    6. Chesterfield 520514 107 David Niven Teresa Brewer.mp3
    7. Hallmark Playhouse 490303 037 Barclay Square.mp3
    8. Hallmark Playhouse 491124 062 Courtship Miles Standis.mp3
    9. Hedda Hoppers Hollywd 510225 19 David Niven.mp3
    10. Hollywood Byline 500208 08 Guest David Niven.mp3
    11. Jolson 400226 David Niven.mp3
    12. Kraft Music Hall 480226 276 Guest David Niven.mp3
    13. Lux 361228 113 Cavalcade.mp3
    14. Lux 370111 115 Gilded Lily.mp3
    15. Lux 380509 175 My Man Godfrey.mp3
    16. Lux 391009 232 Sisters.mp3
    17. Lux 470210 558 Frenchmens Creek.mp3
    18. Lux 491219 681 Bishops Wife.mp3
    19. NBCUT 490827 055 1984.mp3
    20. Rudy Vallee Royal Gelatin Hour 381117 Benita Hume.mp3
    21. Screen Guild 460506 296 Bachelor Mother.mp3
    22. Screen Guild 480301 377 Bishops Wife.mp3
    23. Sealtest Variety 490324 27.mp3
    24. Suspense 540405 546 Grand Theft.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



    23 recordings on 18 Audio CDs. Total playtime 16 hours, 10 min
    23 recordings on 18 Audio CDs
    total playtime 16 hours, 10 min

    David Niven Disc A001

    1. Lux 361228 113 Cavalcade

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    David Niven Disc A002

    1. Lux 370111 115 Gilded Lily

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A003

    1. Lux 380509 175 My Man Godfrey

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A004

    1. Rudy Vallee Royal Gelatin Hour 381117 Benita Hume

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A005

    1. Bergen McCarthy 390924 125 Anita Louise

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A006

    1. Lux 391009 232 Sisters

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A007

    1. Jolson 400226 David Niven
    2. Bob Hope 460305 W David Niven

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A008

    1. Screen Guild 460506 296 Bachelor Mother

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A009

    1. Lux 470210 558 Frenchmens Creek

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A010

    1. Kraft Music Hall 480226 276 Guest David Niven
    2. Screen Guild 480301 377 Bishops Wife

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A011

    1. Hallmark Playhouse 490303 037 Barclay Square
    2. Sealtest Variety 490324 27

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A012

    1. NBCUT 490827 055 1984

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A013

    1. Hallmark Playhouse 491124 062 Courtship Miles Standis

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A014

    1. Lux 491219 681 Bishops Wife

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A015

    1. Hollywood Byline 500208 08 Guest David Niven
    2. Hedda Hoppers Hollywd 510225 19 David Niven

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A016

    1. Chesterfield 520514 107 David Niven Teresa Brewer
    2. Bob Hope 530823 David Niven

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A017

    1. Bob Hope 540305 W Glenn Ford David Niven Corrine Calve

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    David Niven Disc A018

    1. Suspense 540405 546 Grand Theft

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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