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Burgess Meredith in Old Time Radio

Burgess Meredith Collection: Best known for his portrayal of trainer Mickey Goldmill in the Rocky pictures and The Penguin on TV's Batman, Burgess Meredith was a favored actor of both Arch Oboler and Norman Corwin.

Burgess Meredith

45 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 28 hours, 3343 min)
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2 MP3 CDs
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30 Audio CDs


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

Burgess Meredith
(1907 – 1997)

Burgess YoungMost character actors build their entire career on playing just one or two stock characters and adapting them to whatever movie they happen to be working on. Burgess Meredith was a versatile enough actor to become whatever character was needed. "I was born a character actor. I was never a leading man type" he said of his work.

No matter what character he was playing, from the quick-witted George in Of Mice and Men (1939) to correspondent Ernie Pyle in The Story of G.I. Joe (1945) to the delightfully evil supervillain Penguin in the campy 1960s TV hit Batman to the irascible boxing trainer Mickey Goldmill in the Rocky series to the bookish banker left alone "With Time Enough at Last" to read in the classic episode of The Twilight Zone, the audience only  had to glimpse that sympathetic face and hear a few words in that distinctively raspy voice to know it was Burgess Meredith before they were as lost in the character as he was. That same voice served him well on the radio, where he was a favored player for Norman Corwin, Arch Oboler, and Orson Welles.

Burgess Meredieth and Orson WellesBorn Oliver Burgess Meredith in Cleveland, Ohio, 1907, to a Canadian physician and the daughter of a Methodist revivalist. Meredith reported that he had a grim childhood, "If I close my eyes and think back, I see little except violence and fear." He graduated from the Hoosac School in 1926, and attended Amherst College as part of the Class of 1931, but dropped out after failing trigonometry. For a time, he drifted, making a living as a salesman, a clerk, reporter, editor, Wall Street runner, even as a merchant seaman, before discovering acting. He joined Eva Le Gallienne's Civic Repertory Theater troupe in 1929, and made his Broadway debut in 1932 in Alice in Wonderland, playing the Duck, the Dormouse, and Tweedledee. His breakout role was in Winterset, a 1935 play in verse which was based on the famous Sacco-Vanzetti case. He also starred in the movie version in 1936, and the play was selected for the premiere episode of radio's Best Plays in 1952.

Meredeith on Cavalcade of AmericaDuring the War, he served in the Army Air Corps and achieved the rank of Captain. He was selected to play the part of Ernie Pyle in part because he was relatively unknown at the time (the other choices were Walter Brennan and James Gleason). However, if Capt. Meredith appeared in the film, all the profits would have to be donated to Army Relief, and the Army refused to separate him from active duty. The Army was overruled by Presidential adviser Harry Hopkins, and Meredith's Honorable Discharge was personally signed by General George c. Marshall. The Army also provided 150 soldiers to appear as extras in the film. The troops were veterans of the Italian campaign and were undergoing training for redeployment to the Pacific. Their training continued during the shoot, and the Hollywood actors lived and trained with the troops during filming.

In Hollywood, he was known for violent mood swings, which he later revealed were related to cyclothymia, a form of bipolar disorder. His liberal politics brought Meredith to the attention of the House Un-American Activities Committee, which led to his blacklisting and a seven-year break in his movie career. Otto Preminger was instrumental in helping to restore Meredith's film career, casting him in Advise and Consent (1962), In Harm's Way (1965), Hurry Sundown (1967), Skidoo (1968), and Such Good Friends (1971).

Meredith as the PenguinMeredith became the Penguin on ABC TV's Batman in 1966. He took some criticism for engaging in a project that was "beneath" his talents, but after the first episodes were aired "Batman became the in-thing to do." Penguin became one of the series most popular villains, and the writers were instructed to have a "Penguin script' ready to go for whenever Meredith was free from other projects. One of the gimmicks he brought to the role was Penguin's distinctive grunting laugh. It came about because Meredith had given up smoking 20 years prior to beginning the series, but one of the character's props was a cigarette in a long cigarette holder. The smoke would get caught in his throat, and rather than ruining takes by coughing, he used the laugh. He said, "I sounded more like a duck." Penguin tied with the Joker (Cesar Romero) for most appearances on the Batman series.

Meredith got a small measure of revenge on the HUAC in the 1977 made-for-television movie Tail Gunner Joe. He won an Emmy for his portrayal of attorney Joseph Welch, the lawyer who brought down Senator Joseph McCarthy ("Have you no sense of decency, sir?")

Twilight ZoneThe character of Mickey Goldmill was featured in the first three installments of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky series. Burgess Meredith was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for the original Rocky (1976). His character died in Rocky III (1982). The character appears in flashback using archival footage in Rocky V (1990).

Burgess Meredith published his autobiography, titled So Far, So Good, in 1994. He died in 1997 at his Malibu home of Alzheimer's Disease and melanoma. He was 89.

A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6904 Hollywood Blvd honors Burgess Meredith's contributions to Motion Pictures.

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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    COMMENTS

    His performance in the Twighlight Zone, Time Enough at Last, was spectacular!!

    Bruce Verified Purchase

    One of my favorites. That episode of Twilight Zone; classic!!!

    Rebecca Verified Purchase

    Excellent actor in some excellent shows!

    Patrick Verified Purchase

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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.



    45 recordings on 2 MP3 CDs for just $10.00. Total playtime 28 hours, 3343 min
    45 recordings on 2 MP3 CDs for just $10.00
    total playtime 28 hours, 3343 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. Volume 1 – 25 shows – total playtime 15 hours, 50 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Arch Obolers Plays 450614 10 Mr Pyle.mp3
    3. Barptcbsrn 600303 180 One Fellas Family.mp3
    4. Best Plays 520608 Winterset.mp3
    5. Best Plays 521017 High Tor.mp3
    6. Best Plays 530508 Of Mice And Men.mp3
    7. Campbell Playhouse 390113 Mutiny On Bounty.mp3
    8. Cavalcade Of America 410922 Native Land Ep01of02.mp3
    9. Cavalcade Of America 410929 Native Land Ep02of02.mp3
    10. Cavalcade Of America 450319 Sign Here Please.mp3
    11. Cavalcade Of America 450827 Assignment For Professor.mp3
    12. Cavalcade Of America 461230 Rain Fakers.mp3
    13. Cavalcade Of America 470203 Magnificent Failure.mp3
    14. Columbia Workshop 370411 Fall Of City.mp3
    15. Columbia Workshop 390928 Fall Of City.mp3
    16. Columbia Workshop 400229 Great Microphone Mystery.mp3
    17. Command Performance 450814 Victory Extra.mp3
    18. Fleischmanns Yeast Hour 351121 318 Winterset.mp3
    19. Forecast 410804 06 Song Without End.mp3
    20. Free Company 410223 People With Light Coming Out Of Them.mp3
    21. Free Company 410309 An American Crusader.mp3
    22. Free Company 410420 09 States Talking.mp3
    23. Free Company 410427 10 Miracle Of Danube.mp3
    24. Hallmark Playhouse 500309 079 Home To Hermitage.mp3
    25. Have Gun Will Travel 600313 069 Montana Vendetta.mp3
    26. Hildegardes Radio Room 451009 Burgess Meredith Walter Abel.mp3

    1. Volume 2 – 20 shows – total playtime 13 hours, 5 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Inner Sanctum 411019 042 Hell Is Where You Find It.mp3
    3. Just Entertainment 560408 Burgess Meredith News Report.mp3
    4. Just Entertainment 560415 Burgess Meredith Easter Show.mp3
    5. Kate Smith Show 440428 Lands End.mp3
    6. Lux Radio 410217 295 Johnny Apollo.mp3
    7. Lux Radio 410908 Tom Dick And Harry.mp3
    8. OGCT 450304 Ep19 Standing Room Only.mp3
    9. Old Gold Comedy Theater 450304 Standing Room Only.mp3
    10. Radio Readers Digest 480513 114 Hound Dog Man.mp3
    11. Same Time Same Station 720430 19 Arch Oboler 3.mp3
    12. Screen Guild Theater 401117 Star Is Born.mp3
    13. Studio One 480309 Sometime Every Summertime.mp3
    14. Studio One 480720 Spanish Bayonet.mp3
    15. Texaco Star Theatre 391115 049 Criminal Code.mp3
    16. Theater Guild On Air 450909 001 Wings Over Europe.mp3
    17. Theater Guild On Air 451028 008 At Mrs Beams 1.mp3
    18. Theatre Guild 490508 155 Of Mice And Men.mp3
    19. We People 370418 Burgess Meredith.mp3
    20. We People 410708 Tobruk.mp3
    21. Yours Truly Johnny Dollar 600228 Look Before You Leap Matter.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    45 recordings on 2 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $10.00. Total playtime 28 hours, 3343 min
    45 recordings on 2 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $10.00
    795 MB – total playtime 28 hours, 55 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. Volume 1 – 25 shows – 435 MB – total playtime 15 hours, 50 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Arch Obolers Plays 450614 10 Mr Pyle.mp3
    3. Barptcbsrn 600303 180 One Fellas Family.mp3
    4. Best Plays 520608 Winterset.mp3
    5. Best Plays 521017 High Tor.mp3
    6. Best Plays 530508 Of Mice And Men.mp3
    7. Campbell Playhouse 390113 Mutiny On Bounty.mp3
    8. Cavalcade Of America 410922 Native Land Ep01of02.mp3
    9. Cavalcade Of America 410929 Native Land Ep02of02.mp3
    10. Cavalcade Of America 450319 Sign Here Please.mp3
    11. Cavalcade Of America 450827 Assignment For Professor.mp3
    12. Cavalcade Of America 461230 Rain Fakers.mp3
    13. Cavalcade Of America 470203 Magnificent Failure.mp3
    14. Columbia Workshop 370411 Fall Of City.mp3
    15. Columbia Workshop 390928 Fall Of City.mp3
    16. Columbia Workshop 400229 Great Microphone Mystery.mp3
    17. Command Performance 450814 Victory Extra.mp3
    18. Fleischmanns Yeast Hour 351121 318 Winterset.mp3
    19. Forecast 410804 06 Song Without End.mp3
    20. Free Company 410223 People With Light Coming Out Of Them.mp3
    21. Free Company 410309 An American Crusader.mp3
    22. Free Company 410420 09 States Talking.mp3
    23. Free Company 410427 10 Miracle Of Danube.mp3
    24. Hallmark Playhouse 500309 079 Home To Hermitage.mp3
    25. Have Gun Will Travel 600313 069 Montana Vendetta.mp3
    26. Hildegardes Radio Room 451009 Burgess Meredith Walter Abel.mp3

    1. Volume 2 – 20 shows – 360 MB – total playtime 13 hours, 5 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Inner Sanctum 411019 042 Hell Is Where You Find It.mp3
    3. Just Entertainment 560408 Burgess Meredith News Report.mp3
    4. Just Entertainment 560415 Burgess Meredith Easter Show.mp3
    5. Kate Smith Show 440428 Lands End.mp3
    6. Lux Radio 410217 295 Johnny Apollo.mp3
    7. Lux Radio 410908 Tom Dick And Harry.mp3
    8. OGCT 450304 Ep19 Standing Room Only.mp3
    9. Old Gold Comedy Theater 450304 Standing Room Only.mp3
    10. Radio Readers Digest 480513 114 Hound Dog Man.mp3
    11. Same Time Same Station 720430 19 Arch Oboler 3.mp3
    12. Screen Guild Theater 401117 Star Is Born.mp3
    13. Studio One 480309 Sometime Every Summertime.mp3
    14. Studio One 480720 Spanish Bayonet.mp3
    15. Texaco Star Theatre 391115 049 Criminal Code.mp3
    16. Theater Guild On Air 450909 001 Wings Over Europe.mp3
    17. Theater Guild On Air 451028 008 At Mrs Beams 1.mp3
    18. Theatre Guild 490508 155 Of Mice And Men.mp3
    19. We People 370418 Burgess Meredith.mp3
    20. We People 410708 Tobruk.mp3
    21. Yours Truly Johnny Dollar 600228 Look Before You Leap Matter.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



    45 recordings on 30 Audio CDs. Total playtime 27 hours, 17 min
    45 recordings on 30 Audio CDs
    total playtime 27 hours, 17 min

    Burgess Meredith Disc A001

    1. Fleischmanns Yeast Hour 351121 318 Winterset

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A002

    1. Columbia Workshop 370411 Fall Of City
    2. We People 370418 Burgess Meredith

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A003

    1. Campbell Playhouse 390113 Mutiny On Bounty

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A004

    1. Columbia Workshop 390928 Fall Of City
    2. Texaco Star Theatre 391115 049 Criminal Code

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A005

    1. Columbia Workshop 400229 Great Microphone Mystery
    2. Screen Guild Theater 401117 Star Is Born

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A006

    1. Lux Radio 410217 295 Johnny Apollo

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A007

    1. Free Company 410223 People With Light Coming Out Of Them
    2. Free Company 410309 An American Crusader

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A008

    1. Free Company 410420 09 States Talking
    2. Free Company 410427 10 Miracle Of Danube

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A009

    1. We People 410708 Tobruk

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A010

    1. Forecast 410804 06 Song Without End

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A011

    1. Lux Radio 410908 Tom Dick And Harry

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A012

    1. Cavalcade Of America 410922 Native Land Ep01of02
    2. Cavalcade Of America 410929 Native Land Ep02of02

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A013

    1. Inner Sanctum 411019 042 Hell Is Where You Find It
    2. Kate Smith Show 440428 Lands End

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A014

    1. OGCT 450304 Ep19 Standing Room Only
    2. Old Gold Comedy Theater 450304 Standing Room Only

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A015

    1. Cavalcade Of America 450319 Sign Here Please
    2. Arch Obolers Plays 450614 10 Mr Pyle

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A016

    1. Cavalcade Of America 450827 Assignment For Professor

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A017

    1. Theater Guild On Air 450909 001 Wings Over Europe

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A018

    1. Hildegardes Radio Room 451009 Burgess Meredith Walter Abel

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A019

    1. Theater Guild On Air 451028 008 At Mrs Beams 1

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A020

    1. Cavalcade Of America 461230 Rain Fakers
    2. Cavalcade Of America 470203 Magnificent Failure

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A021

    1. Studio One 480309 Sometime Every Summertime
    2. Radio Readers Digest 480513 114 Hound Dog Man

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A022

    1. Studio One 480720 Spanish Bayonet

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A023

    1. Theatre Guild 490508 155 Of Mice And Men

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A024

    1. Hallmark Playhouse 500309 079 Home To Hermitage

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A025

    1. Best Plays 520608 Winterset

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A026

    1. Best Plays 521017 High Tor

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A027

    1. Best Plays 530508 Of Mice And Men

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A028

    1. Just Entertainment 560408 Burgess Meredith News Report
    2. Just Entertainment 560415 Burgess Meredith Easter Show

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A029

    1. Yours Truly Johnny Dollar 600228 Look Before You Leap Matter
    2. Barptcbsrn 600303 180 One Fellas Family
    3. Have Gun Will Travel 600313 069 Montana Vendetta

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Burgess Meredith Disc A030

    1. Same Time Same Station 720430 19 Arch Oboler 3

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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