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Christmas Day Programs of the Twentieth Century

During the Golden Age radio shows were broadcast live, many shows and their stars made a Christmas Day broadcast a chance to give a special gift to their listeners.

Christmas Day Programs

36 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 19 hours, 30 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
19 Audio CDs


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

One of the best things about Christmas is that it is a chance to take a day off to spend with your closest family and friends. The most important Christmas traditions enforce the importance of these gatherings, from the great feast to listening to Bing sing "Adeste Fideles" to Uncle Frank's hand-painted Santa Claus necktie.

Most businesses and employers are aware of the importance of these traditions and make special allowances to ensure that their people can enjoy them. The shop will be manned by a skeleton staff as the holiday approaches so that people have time to travel and of course, the doors will be closed early on Christmas Eve and will not even open on Christmas Day.

Jim MarrianSadly, some jobs simply cannot close shop for the Holiday. Most obvious are public safety and infrastructure workers. Especially on a Holiday, it is important to "keep the lights on and the trains running". In many cases, members of a grateful public will take time to express their gratitude for a job well done. Police stations are well stocked with Christmas cookies and fraternal organizations have been known to compete for the opportunity to serve a Holiday Feast to firefighters and servicemen.

Modern radio stations sometimes use the tactic of playing pre-recorded Christmas music on a continuous loop so that the studio can be manned by a couple technicians and perhaps a stand-by announcer. This was not an option during the Golden Age when everything went out live. Many shows and their stars made a Christmas Day broadcast a chance to give a special gift to their listeners.

One of the biggest radio Christmas presents was from Lux Radio Theatre and Walt Disney in 1939 when the cast of Disney's second animated feature, Pinocchio (1940) came into the studio and presented an adaptation of their film nearly two months before its general release. The movie would not have been the same without the animation, but it is easy to imagine the delight of the kids, old and young, gathered around the Christmas Evening Radio.

Cavalcade of America

Speaking of Christmas presents, Fibber McGee and Molly are filled with Christmas morning rapture in 1945 as they admire the gift sent by Doc Gamble, but they have no idea what it is or what it's for. "I'll be doggoned if I know whether to listen to this or cook with it!" exclaims Fibber. The real surprise comes when we find out where Doc got the present so that he could give it to the McGee's, but it leads to heartfelt wishes for everyone on the first peacetime Christmas in some time.

On what will be the last Christmas of the War, Cavalcade of America presents "America for Christmas", the story of a USO troupe and the servicemen they are serving on an isolated island in the South Pacific. Although there is a good deal of melancholy from being so far from home at this special time, the well-wishes are heartfelt. The same can be said in 1949 when Jack Benny shows up at the home of his band leader to play Santa Claus for the daughters on the Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show.

See also: Christmas Eve 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:

  • Show Rating

    16
    13     3


    COMMENTS

    Love it! A nice assortment!

    Harry Verified Purchase

    Absolutely enjoyed it!

    John Verified Purchase

    I really enjoy listening to the old time radio stories, especially the Christmas ones. Mr District Attorney and Suspense stories are my favorite. My only problem is that I'm getting a lot of duplicated stories.

    Jeff Verified Purchase

    The disc I purchased had 3 programs from December 25,1941. The first was Barrel of Fun, a slapstick sort of comedy starring Charlie Ruggles. The second was King George VI's Christmas message. If you've seen the film " The King's Speech" starring Colin Firth, you will agree Colin Firth did a pretty good take on the king. The third program was Terry and the Pirates exchanging Christmas presents with The Dragon Lady making an unexpected visit. They all capture Christmas during the tumultuous year of 1941.

    Dan Verified Purchase

    radio shows from the good old days

    Perry 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.



    36 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 19 hours, 30 min
    36 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 19 hours, 30 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 36 shows - total playtime 19 hours 30 minutes
    2. Barrel Of Fun 411225 21 Charlie Is Held Up.mp3
    3. Blondie 391225 Scrooge.mp3
    4. Bob Hope 431225 The Christmas Package.mp3
    5. CALV 401225 206 The Green Pastures.mp3
    6. CALV 441225 415 America for Christmas.mp3
    7. Christmas Reunion 431225 Part 1.mp3
    8. Command Perf 431225 1943 Christmas Special.mp3
    9. Command Performance 441225 Christmas Special.mp3
    10. Dinah Shore 421225 A Merry American Christmas.mp3
    11. Fibber Mcgee Molly 451225 0459 Doc Gambles Present.mp3
    12. Fred Allen 401225 12 Otto Hottendorf.mp3
    13. Fred Waring Christmas 441225 AFRS Jingle Bells.mp3
    14. Horace Heidt Show 441225 Santa Claus Express.mp3
    15. Info Please 441225 F Allen J Wallace St Alban S Ny Nvl Hosp.mp3
    16. Information Please 421225 James Wallace Leon Henderson.mp3
    17. Information Please 441225 Fred Allen James Wallace St Alba.mp3
    18. Jubilee 421225 005 Ernie Whitman.mp3
    19. King George Vis Christmas Message 411225.mp3
    20. LR 421225 0762 A Nephew Found.mp3
    21. LR 441225 1862 Present for Janey.mp3
    22. Lux 391225 Pinocchio (W.Catlett, Davey Lee, Cliff Edwards).mp3
    23. Lux 441225 Vagabond King ( Dennis Morgan, Kathyrn Grayson).mp3
    24. Lux Radio Theater 391225 243 Pinocchio.mp3
    25. NBC 441225 Xmas on the blue network part 3.mp3
    26. NBC 441225 Xmas on the blue network part 1.mp3
    27. NBC 441225 Xmas on the blue network part 2.mp3
    28. NBC 441225 Xmas on the blue network part 4.mp3
    29. News 431225 King George Christmas Speech.mp3
    30. Nick Carter 431225 Christmas Adventure.mp3
    31. Phil Harris And Alice Faye 491225 Jack Benny As Santa.mp3
    32. Quiz Kids 401225 027 Marley Was Dead.mp3
    33. Terry The Pirates 411225 Christmas Presents Exchanged.mp3
    34. Treasury Star Parade 421225 132 A Modern Scrooge.mp3
    35. Two On Clue 441225.mp3
    36. Whistler 441225 Christmas Bonus.mp3
    37. Worlds Greatest Short Stories 401225 Tomorrows Paul.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    36 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 19 hours, 30 min
    36 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    total playtime 19 hours, 30 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 36 shows - total playtime 19 hours 30 minutes
    2. Barrel Of Fun 411225 21 Charlie Is Held Up.mp3
    3. Blondie 391225 Scrooge.mp3
    4. Bob Hope 431225 The Christmas Package.mp3
    5. CALV 401225 206 The Green Pastures.mp3
    6. CALV 441225 415 America for Christmas.mp3
    7. Christmas Reunion 431225 Part 1.mp3
    8. Command Perf 431225 1943 Christmas Special.mp3
    9. Command Performance 441225 Christmas Special.mp3
    10. Dinah Shore 421225 A Merry American Christmas.mp3
    11. Fibber Mcgee Molly 451225 0459 Doc Gambles Present.mp3
    12. Fred Allen 401225 12 Otto Hottendorf.mp3
    13. Fred Waring Christmas 441225 AFRS Jingle Bells.mp3
    14. Horace Heidt Show 441225 Santa Claus Express.mp3
    15. Info Please 441225 F Allen J Wallace St Alban S Ny Nvl Hosp.mp3
    16. Information Please 421225 James Wallace Leon Henderson.mp3
    17. Information Please 441225 Fred Allen James Wallace St Alba.mp3
    18. Jubilee 421225 005 Ernie Whitman.mp3
    19. King George Vis Christmas Message 411225.mp3
    20. LR 421225 0762 A Nephew Found.mp3
    21. LR 441225 1862 Present for Janey.mp3
    22. Lux 391225 Pinocchio (W.Catlett, Davey Lee, Cliff Edwards).mp3
    23. Lux 441225 Vagabond King ( Dennis Morgan, Kathyrn Grayson).mp3
    24. Lux Radio Theater 391225 243 Pinocchio.mp3
    25. NBC 441225 Xmas on the blue network part 3.mp3
    26. NBC 441225 Xmas on the blue network part 1.mp3
    27. NBC 441225 Xmas on the blue network part 2.mp3
    28. NBC 441225 Xmas on the blue network part 4.mp3
    29. News 431225 King George Christmas Speech.mp3
    30. Nick Carter 431225 Christmas Adventure.mp3
    31. Phil Harris And Alice Faye 491225 Jack Benny As Santa.mp3
    32. Quiz Kids 401225 027 Marley Was Dead.mp3
    33. Terry The Pirates 411225 Christmas Presents Exchanged.mp3
    34. Treasury Star Parade 421225 132 A Modern Scrooge.mp3
    35. Two On Clue 441225.mp3
    36. Whistler 441225 Christmas Bonus.mp3
    37. Worlds Greatest Short Stories 401225 Tomorrows Paul.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



    36 recordings on 19 Audio CDs. Total playtime 15 hours, 48 min
    36 recordings on 19 Audio CDs
    total playtime 15 hours, 48 min

    Christmas Day Programs Disc A001

    1. Blondie 391225 Scrooge

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A002

    1. Lux 391225 Pinocchio (W.Catlett, Davey Lee, Cliff Edwards)

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A003

    1. Lux Radio Theater 391225 243 Pinocchio

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A004

    1. CALV 401225 206 The Green Pastures

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A005

    1. Fred Allen 401225 12 Otto Hottendorf

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    Christmas Day Programs Disc A006

    1. Quiz Kids 401225 027 Marley Was Dead
    2. Worlds Greatest Short Stories 401225 Tomorrows Paul

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A007

    1. Barrel Of Fun 411225 21 Charlie Is Held Up
    2. King George Vis Christmas Message 411225
    3. Terry The Pirates 411225 Christmas Presents Exchanged

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A008

    1. Dinah Shore 421225 A Merry American Christmas
    2. Information Please 421225 James Wallace Leon Henderson
    3. Jubilee 421225 005 Ernie Whitman

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A009

    1. LR 421225 0762 A Nephew Found
    2. Treasury Star Parade 421225 132 A Modern Scrooge

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A010

    1. Bob Hope 431225 The Christmas Package
    2. Christmas Reunion 431225 Part 1
    3. News 431225 King George Christmas Speech

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A011

    1. Nick Carter 431225 Christmas Adventure
    2. CALV 441225 415 America for Christmas

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A012

    1. Fred Waring Christmas 441225 AFRS Jingle Bells
    2. Horace Heidt Show 441225 Santa Claus Express

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A013

    1. Info Please 441225 F Allen J Wallace St Alban S Ny Nvl Hosp
    2. Information Please 441225 Fred Allen James Wallace St Alba

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A014

    1. LR 441225 1862 Present for Janey

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A015

    1. Lux 441225 Vagabond King ( Dennis Morgan, Kathyrn Grayson)

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    Christmas Day Programs Disc A016

    1. NBC 441225 Xmas on the blue network part 3
    2. NBC 441225 Xmas on the blue network part 1

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A017

    1. NBC 441225 Xmas on the blue network part 2
    2. NBC 441225 Xmas on the blue network part 4

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A018

    1. Two On Clue 441225
    2. Whistler 441225 Christmas Bonus

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas Day Programs Disc A019

    1. Fibber Mcgee Molly 451225 0459 Doc Gambles Present
    2. Phil Harris And Alice Faye 491225 Jack Benny As Santa

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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