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The Big Show

By the early 1950's, sponsors were beginning to abandon radio for television, but nothing on the small screen had the class and sophistication of NBC's The Big Show. Although Mistress of Ceremonies, Tallulah Bankhead and her guests from the world of entertainment were definitely "upper crust", Miss Bankhead's friendly and accessible manner meant that the program was as entertaining in the parlor as it was in the garage.

Big Show

57 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 83 hours, 18 min)
available in the following formats:

4 MP3 CDs
or
2 Audio CDs


Choose your CD format
or order disks individually: Add to Cart
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Play a sample episode from December 03, 1950:

"Fred Allen Phil Silvers Margaret Truman"



... or click here to save the Mp3 file to your computer
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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2023 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

The Big Show
The Big Show

Spectacular Variety (1950 - 52)

Tallulah BankheadBig ShowHosted by Tallulah Bankhead, "mistress of ceremonies," The Big Show competed against The Jack Benny Program and The Charlie McCarthy Show for the attention of Sunday night radio listeners.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2023 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Money flowed like wine into this unusually large program, with some shows topping $100,000.The Big Show also competed against television, and how! The Big Show had big names – including Fred Allen, Jimmy Durante, Groucho Marx, Ethel Merman, Ethel Barrymore, Gary Cooper, Ray Bolger, Martha Raye, Frankie Laine, Celeste Holm, Ed Wynn, Bob Hope, Judy Garland, Joan Davis, and Danny Kaye, to mention a few.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2014 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved-Reproduction is prohibited.

Put on your high-flying slippers and pull your oversized armchair to the enormously roaring fire, because this is going to be an extravagant night full of huge laughs and grandiose entertainment.

Please note: These recordings are same contents later volumes of the Tallulah Bankhead Collection.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2023 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

  • Show Rating

    6
    5     1


    COMMENTS

    I've been listening to Tallulah Bankhead's "The Big Show" and I'm surprised that I wasn't previously aware of it. I think it's wonderful. It's a really nice show with something for everyone. I also love how everyone sings the closing song, "May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You."

    Carol

    Reply
    The Big Show was NBC's attempt to attract a Sunday radio audience using Tallah Bankhead and Meredith Wilson as hosts...also a lot of guest stars...As I recall, it was an hour show about 9 pm a little past my bedtime, but occasionally i would listen...The closing song "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You" had the actors singing a separate line. I have heard that it was also sung in churches for the boys entering the service.

    Mike Verified Purchase

    Reply
    Best variety show of all time and beautifully written by Goodman Ace. He caught Tallulah's personality.

    Ronald Verified Purchase

    Reply
    May the Good Lord...was written by Meredith Willson specifically for the show and was covered (recorded) by many artists over the years. It was actually a 90 minute show usually aired from 6-7:30..

    Tim Verified Purchase

    Reply
    I've had cassette tapes of the Big Show for many years but the sound quality has deteriorated to the point that I know what is being said only because I've just about memorized the dialogue while listening over the years. The MP3 is much clearer and each voice is easily recognized. Tom

    Thomas j Verified Purchase

    Reply
    A great program with wonderful music and all the great stars of the era. This is real enjoyment by the hour and a half per episode. I'm glad I bought this set. Excellent listening

    Carl Verified Purchase

    Reply

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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.



    57 recordings on 4 MP3 CDs for just $20.00. Total playtime 83 hours, 18 min
    57 recordings on 4 MP3 CDs for just $20.00
    total playtime 83 hours, 18 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart
    Print
    1. Volume 1 - 15 shows - total playtime 22 hours 26 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Big Show 501105 01 Fred Allen, Jimmy Durante.mp3
    3. Big Show 501112 02 Graucho Marx, Ezio Pinza, Fanny Brice.mp3
    4. Big Show 501119 03 Bob Hope, Eddie Cantor, Perry Como.mp3
    5. Big Show 501126 04 Fred Allen, Ed Wynn, Mindy Carson.mp3
    6. Big Show 501203 05 Douglas Fairbanks jr., Phil Silvers.mp3
    7. Big Show 501210 06 Edward Arnold, Charles Boyer.mp3
    8. Big Show 501217 07 Louis Armstrong, Bob Hope.mp3
    9. Big Show 501224 08 Robert Merrill, Bert Lahr.mp3
    10. Big Show 501231 09 Vivian Blaine, Jose Ferrer.mp3
    11. Big Show 510107 10 Fred Allen, Danny Thomas.mp3
    12. Big Show 510114 11 Jimmy Durante, Jack Carson.mp3
    13. Big Show 510121 12 Fred Allen, Eddie Cantor.mp3
    14. Big Show 510128 13 Danny Kaye, Gary Cooper, Ray Bolger.mp3
    15. Big Show 510204 14 Leo Durocher, Lorraine Day.mp3
    16. Big Show 510211 15 Gary Moore, Joan Davis, Judy Garland.mp3

    1. Volume 2 - 16 shows - total playtime 23 hours 19 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Big Show 510218 16 Fred Allen, Ed Wynn, Jack Carson.mp3
    3. Big Show 510225 17 Jack Haley, Uta Hagen, Monty Woolley.mp3
    4. Big Show 510304 18 Herb Shriner, Fred Allen.mp3
    5. Big Show 510311 19 Jimmy Durante, Bob Burns.mp3
    6. Big Show 510318 20 Ethel Waters, Fred Allen.mp3
    7. Big Show 510325 21 Judy Holliday, Carmen Miranda.mp3
    8. Big Show 510401 22 Groucho Marx, Bob Hope.mp3
    9. Big Show 510408 23 Fred Allen, Jimmy Durante.mp3
    10. Big Show 510415 24 Eddie Cantor, Jack Carson.mp3
    11. Big Show 510422 25 Fred Allen, Joan Davis, Judy Holliday.mp3
    12. Big Show 510429 26 Jimmy Durante, Milton Berle.mp3
    13. Big Show 510506 27 Groucho Marx, Fred Allen.mp3
    14. Big Show 510930 28 George Sanders, Bea Lillie.mp3
    15. Big Show 511007 29 George Sanders, Gracie Fields.mp3
    16. Big Show 511014 30 Fred Allen, Jimmy Durante.mp3
    17. Big Show 511021 31 Marlene Dietrich, Frank Sinatra.mp3

    1. Volume 3 - 15 shows - total playtime 22 hours 13 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 3: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Big Show 511028 32 Jimmy Durante, Jack Carson, Ed Gardner.mp3
    3. Big Show 511104 33 Groucho Marx, Judy Holliday.mp3
    4. Big Show 511111 34 Sophie Tucker, Ken Murray.mp3
    5. Big Show 511118 35 Gertrude Berg, Fred Allen, Jack Pearl.mp3
    6. Big Show 511125 36 George Sanders, Martha Scott.mp3
    7. Big Show 511202 37 Fred Allen, George Sanders.mp3
    8. Big Show 511209 38 Jean Carroll, Hildegarde.mp3
    9. Big Show 511216 39 Jack Carson, Rosiland Russell.mp3
    10. Big Show 511223 40 Milton Berle, Margaret Truman.mp3
    11. Big Show 511230 41 Fred Allen, Joan Davis, Georgia Gibbs.mp3
    12. Big Show 520106 42 Vera Lynn, Claude Raines, Joan Davis.mp3
    13. Big Show 520113 43 Fred Allen, Vera Lynn, Phil Foster.mp3
    14. Big Show 520120 44 Vera Lynn, Jack Pearl, Earl Wrightson.mp3
    15. Big Show 520127 45 Jack Carson, Tony Bavaar, Vera Lynn.mp3
    16. Big Show 520203 46 Fred Allen, Vera Lynn, Ethel Merman.mp3

    1. Volume 4 - 11 shows - total playtime 15 hours 18 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 4: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Big Show 520210 47 Vera Lynn, Joan Davis, Claude Raines.mp3
    3. Big Show 520217 48 Fred Allen, Vera Lynn, Joan Davis.mp3
    4. Big Show 520224 49 Victor Borge, Ed Gardner.mp3
    5. Big Show 520302 50 Fred Allen, Rex Harrison.mp3
    6. Big Show 520309 51 Phil Foster, Richard Easthan.mp3
    7. Big Show 520316 52 Fred Allen, Frank Sinatra.mp3
    8. Big Show 520323 53 Victor Borge, Earl Wrightson.mp3
    9. Big Show 520330 54 Fred Allen, Phil Foster.mp3
    10. Big Show 520406 55 Jane Russell, Judy Canova.mp3
    11. Big Show 520413 56 Groucho Marx, George Sanders.mp3
    12. Big Show 520420 57 Fred Allen, Groucho Marx, Phil Foster.mp3

  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    57 recordings on 4 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $20.00. Total playtime 83 hours, 18 min
    57 recordings on 4 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $20.00
    total playtime 83 hours, 18 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart
    Print
    1. Volume 1 - 15 shows - total playtime 22 hours 26 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Big Show 501105 01 Fred Allen, Jimmy Durante.mp3
    3. Big Show 501112 02 Graucho Marx, Ezio Pinza, Fanny Brice.mp3
    4. Big Show 501119 03 Bob Hope, Eddie Cantor, Perry Como.mp3
    5. Big Show 501126 04 Fred Allen, Ed Wynn, Mindy Carson.mp3
    6. Big Show 501203 05 Douglas Fairbanks jr., Phil Silvers.mp3
    7. Big Show 501210 06 Edward Arnold, Charles Boyer.mp3
    8. Big Show 501217 07 Louis Armstrong, Bob Hope.mp3
    9. Big Show 501224 08 Robert Merrill, Bert Lahr.mp3
    10. Big Show 501231 09 Vivian Blaine, Jose Ferrer.mp3
    11. Big Show 510107 10 Fred Allen, Danny Thomas.mp3
    12. Big Show 510114 11 Jimmy Durante, Jack Carson.mp3
    13. Big Show 510121 12 Fred Allen, Eddie Cantor.mp3
    14. Big Show 510128 13 Danny Kaye, Gary Cooper, Ray Bolger.mp3
    15. Big Show 510204 14 Leo Durocher, Lorraine Day.mp3
    16. Big Show 510211 15 Gary Moore, Joan Davis, Judy Garland.mp3

    1. Volume 2 - 16 shows - total playtime 23 hours 19 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Big Show 510218 16 Fred Allen, Ed Wynn, Jack Carson.mp3
    3. Big Show 510225 17 Jack Haley, Uta Hagen, Monty Woolley.mp3
    4. Big Show 510304 18 Herb Shriner, Fred Allen.mp3
    5. Big Show 510311 19 Jimmy Durante, Bob Burns.mp3
    6. Big Show 510318 20 Ethel Waters, Fred Allen.mp3
    7. Big Show 510325 21 Judy Holliday, Carmen Miranda.mp3
    8. Big Show 510401 22 Groucho Marx, Bob Hope.mp3
    9. Big Show 510408 23 Fred Allen, Jimmy Durante.mp3
    10. Big Show 510415 24 Eddie Cantor, Jack Carson.mp3
    11. Big Show 510422 25 Fred Allen, Joan Davis, Judy Holliday.mp3
    12. Big Show 510429 26 Jimmy Durante, Milton Berle.mp3
    13. Big Show 510506 27 Groucho Marx, Fred Allen.mp3
    14. Big Show 510930 28 George Sanders, Bea Lillie.mp3
    15. Big Show 511007 29 George Sanders, Gracie Fields.mp3
    16. Big Show 511014 30 Fred Allen, Jimmy Durante.mp3
    17. Big Show 511021 31 Marlene Dietrich, Frank Sinatra.mp3

    1. Volume 3 - 15 shows - total playtime 22 hours 13 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 3: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Big Show 511028 32 Jimmy Durante, Jack Carson, Ed Gardner.mp3
    3. Big Show 511104 33 Groucho Marx, Judy Holliday.mp3
    4. Big Show 511111 34 Sophie Tucker, Ken Murray.mp3
    5. Big Show 511118 35 Gertrude Berg, Fred Allen, Jack Pearl.mp3
    6. Big Show 511125 36 George Sanders, Martha Scott.mp3
    7. Big Show 511202 37 Fred Allen, George Sanders.mp3
    8. Big Show 511209 38 Jean Carroll, Hildegarde.mp3
    9. Big Show 511216 39 Jack Carson, Rosiland Russell.mp3
    10. Big Show 511223 40 Milton Berle, Margaret Truman.mp3
    11. Big Show 511230 41 Fred Allen, Joan Davis, Georgia Gibbs.mp3
    12. Big Show 520106 42 Vera Lynn, Claude Raines, Joan Davis.mp3
    13. Big Show 520113 43 Fred Allen, Vera Lynn, Phil Foster.mp3
    14. Big Show 520120 44 Vera Lynn, Jack Pearl, Earl Wrightson.mp3
    15. Big Show 520127 45 Jack Carson, Tony Bavaar, Vera Lynn.mp3
    16. Big Show 520203 46 Fred Allen, Vera Lynn, Ethel Merman.mp3

    1. Volume 4 - 11 shows - total playtime 15 hours 18 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 4: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Big Show 520210 47 Vera Lynn, Joan Davis, Claude Raines.mp3
    3. Big Show 520217 48 Fred Allen, Vera Lynn, Joan Davis.mp3
    4. Big Show 520224 49 Victor Borge, Ed Gardner.mp3
    5. Big Show 520302 50 Fred Allen, Rex Harrison.mp3
    6. Big Show 520309 51 Phil Foster, Richard Easthan.mp3
    7. Big Show 520316 52 Fred Allen, Frank Sinatra.mp3
    8. Big Show 520323 53 Victor Borge, Earl Wrightson.mp3
    9. Big Show 520330 54 Fred Allen, Phil Foster.mp3
    10. Big Show 520406 55 Jane Russell, Judy Canova.mp3
    11. Big Show 520413 56 Groucho Marx, George Sanders.mp3
    12. Big Show 520420 57 Fred Allen, Groucho Marx, Phil Foster.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



    57 recordings on 2 Audio CDs. Total playtime 1 hours, 28 min
    57 recordings on 2 Audio CDs
    total playtime 1 hours, 28 min
    Add Collection on Audio CD to Cart
    57 recordings on 2 Audio CDs
    $10.00

    Or buy individual audio CDs below:

    Big Show Disc A001

    1. Big Show 510930 28 George Sanders, Bea Lillie
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Show Disc A002

    1. Big Show 520302 50 Fred Allen, Rex Harrison
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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