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Empire Builders

Sponsored by the Great Northern Railway, this collection contains all seven known episodes to be in existence. In these historical-drama, we get a glimpse of the history of railroads in the development and use of the Columbia River.

Empire Builders

7 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 3 hours, 34 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
4 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from November 11, 1930:

"Armistice Day"



... or click here to save the Mp3 file to your computer
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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Empire Builder
Empire Builders: History drama (Circa early 1930s)

don ameche
Don Ameche

This early, enthralling radio drama is all but lost since its assumed first broadcast in 1931. Featuring radio greats such as Don Ameche and Betty White and was Sponsored by the Great Northern Railway, and created by the Chicago affiliate of the National Broadcasting System, these few episodes have so far come to light. But here they are, for you to enjoy more than 70 years later! It is amazing to think that before the late 1940s, network old time radio shows were broadcast live only to be heard once and never again! Luckily, we do have many "air checks," or "recorded transcriptions" that were the local radio station's commercial alternative to the flush national networks that shunned the broadcasting of recordings. Some shows on shellac disks were cut and kept by their creators for posterity, or local stations for potential sales. Some shows were archived bysponsors, such as the Johnson Wax Company's treasure, Fibber McGee and Molly. But many fine local shows similar to "Empire Builders" were unrecorded or not archived, and are assumed lost and gone forever.

betty whiteEmpire Builders tells of America and its history. A somewhat mystical character, the "Old Timer," is an American rail worker who sees history in the making. In these episodes, we get a glimpse of the history of railroads in the development and use of the Columbia River

The World War I show "Armistice Day," is a wonderfully evocative tribute to the American "doughboys" who were sent by Uncle Sam to fight the Huns in the fields and trenches of Europe. The use of sound effects are adventurous, as is the pacing of the show, veering between the boys coming back home in a celebratory mood, but ready to "flash back" to the front as talk and other soldiers reminisce. The sound quality is decent, and what little remains seems to represent a first class show. For its time, the writing and acting are admirable.

Please note this collection contains the seven recordings of this rare series known to be in existence. Some of the rare recordings in this collection may be of inferior sound quality.

For more railroad theme old time radio shows, see also: Grand Central Station, Railroad Hour, Railroad Collection, Green Valley Line, and Mysterious Traveler.

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.



    7 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 3 hours, 34 min
    7 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 3 hours, 34 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 7 shows - total playtime 3 hours 34 minutes
    2. 301201 Amistice Day Reunion.mp3
    3. 301222 Chrstms Columbia Rvr Girl Business Man meet hospitl.mp3
    4. 301229 Girl Leaves Boy for Singing Job in Seattle.mp3
    5. 310105 Burt Pond Worrier and Baby.mp3
    6. 310112 Dispatcher at Havre, MY - A Job for Jimmy.mp3
    7. 310119 Glacier NtlPrk-Cwby Actr Nan Monroe Mistaken Sheriff.mp3
    8. 310126 Joachin Noriega.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    7 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 3 hours, 34 min
    7 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    total playtime 3 hours, 34 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 7 shows - total playtime 3 hours 34 minutes
    2. 301201 Amistice Day Reunion.mp3
    3. 301222 Chrstms Columbia Rvr Girl Business Man meet hospitl.mp3
    4. 301229 Girl Leaves Boy for Singing Job in Seattle.mp3
    5. 310105 Burt Pond Worrier and Baby.mp3
    6. 310112 Dispatcher at Havre, MY - A Job for Jimmy.mp3
    7. 310119 Glacier NtlPrk-Cwby Actr Nan Monroe Mistaken Sheriff.mp3
    8. 310126 Joachin Noriega.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



    7 recordings on 4 Audio CDs. Total playtime 3 hours, 34 min
    7 recordings on 4 Audio CDs
    total playtime 3 hours, 34 min

    Empire Builders Disc A001

    1. 301201 Amistice Day Reunion
    2. 301222 Chrstms Columbia Rvr Girl Business Man meet hospitl

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Empire Builders Disc A002

    1. 301229 Girl Leaves Boy for Singing Job in Seattle
    2. 310105 Burt Pond Worrier and Baby

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Empire Builders Disc A003

    1. 310112 Dispatcher at Havre, MY - A Job for Jimmy
    2. 310119 Glacier NtlPrk-Cwby Actr Nan Monroe Mistaken Sheriff

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Empire Builders Disc A004

    1. 310126 Joachin Noriega

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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