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Homefront Christmas Collection

While the nation was working together to defeat the forces of Fascism and defend Freedom, there was still time to remember how important Christmas was for everyone.

Christmas on the Home Front

39 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 20 hours, 2200 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
19 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from December 21, 1942:

"Fibber Mcgee - Christmas Carols"



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

Good times seemed to be just around the corner. Depression Era Recordings was finally drawing to a close, folks were getting back to work, and the War in Europe seemed so far away.  As December of 1941 opened, businessmen took to wrapping up in scarves for their commute to the office, moms made sure their children were bundled against the seasonal cold, and school kids began preparing to sing in their Christmas programs.

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Many Americans were, in fact, following the news about the European War. There was concern that American Boys might be drawn into the fight as their fathers had been during the Great War. However, there was still hope that the men in Washington might keep us out of the fracas. What many people did not realize was that the European War was part of a global conflict and Uncle Sam would be drawn into it from the East.

On the Date that Lives in Infamy, the Empire of Japan made a sneak attack on the US Fleet on what was, until that moment, a peaceful Hawai'ian Sunday morning. The President called on Americans to mobilize for War, and Americans nearly universally rolled up their sleeves to win the conflict. Those already serving in the military found themselves restricted to their bases while those not in uniform began anticipating a draft notice.

As immediate as America seemed to respond to Pearl Harbor, this was 1941 and the US Military and the Nation's Industrial base were not prepared to jump directly into the fight. An editorial comment in Chicago's Star-Tribune stated that "We are the same people we were yesterday and yet we are different". Citizens National Bank took out an advertisement that "Nothing can take Christmas away from us".

Christmas Overseas Gifts

Christmas was less commercialized in the early 1940s than it is in modern times, and the concept of "Black Friday" would not arise until later decades. With the austerity of The Great Depression such a recent memory, most Christmas presents came in the form of practical items like clothes and treats like oranges and nuts. As the War progressed, higher incomes should have allowed parents to purchase more toys for their kids, but because materials were restricted for the War Effort toys made of metal were not available. One popular Wartime present was the Bild-A-Set construction toy, made from cardboard cutouts with an often military theme.

Those serving on the Frontlines were never far away from the hearts and minds of the Home Front. During the 1941 Holiday Season, when those already serving were largely restricted to their camps, Santa Claus donned a steel-pot helmet, mounted a Jeep, and visited the troops. The Jolly Old Elf was joined by several Hollywood celebrities, many of whom shared their exploits over the Radio waves with Mom and Pop at home.

Perhaps the hardest part of life on the Home Front was worrying about how things were going on the actual Front Lines. If there was not someone from your own household in uniform, it was a good bet that someone in your circle of friends or neighbors did. The second Christmas of the War, 1942, had Americans glued to their Radios as their Boys fought at Guadalcanal, New Guinea, and Tunisia. During the 1943 Holidays, there was action in the Pacific and the Invasion of Italy. The end finally seemed to be nearing by the 1944 Holidays, half a year after D-Day and while our Boys were taking back the Philippines.

War Time Christmases may have influenced the current "Black Friday" early shopping culture. The economic boom created by the War meant that Americans had more money to spend on Presents, even if the selection was limited. Naturally, it was important to send a token of affection to the Boys serving overseas, but getting the package to them on time through the Military Postal Service meant mailing it by mid-October. That meant early Christmas shopping, which would become the cornerstone of Black Friday sales.

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.



    39 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 20 hours, 2200 min
    39 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 20 hours, 2200 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 39 shows – total playtime 20 hours, 36 minutes
    2. Aldrich Family 420618 E150 Selling Christmas Cards.mp3
    3. Aldrich Family 420618 Ep150 Christmas Cards And War Bonds.mp3
    4. Amos And Andy 441222 Annual Christmas Show.mp3
    5. Bergen Mccarthy 441224 Night Before Christmas.mp3
    6. Billy Mills Orchestra 1942.12.22 Night Before Christmas.mp3
    7. Bing Crosby 441221 Christmas Program.mp3
    8. Bob Hope 431225 Christmas Package.mp3
    9. Bob Hope 441200 Third Christmas.mp3
    10. Books Bring Adventure 1944 013 In Clean Hay Christmas Story.mp3
    11. Burns And Allen 441219 18 Christmas Presents.mp3
    12. Calv 441225 415 America For Christmas.mp3
    13. Campbell Playhouse 391224 42 Christmas Carol.mp3
    14. Cavalcade Of America 421221 Child Is Born.mp3
    15. Command Perf 431225 1943 Christmas Special.mp3
    16. Command Perf 441225 1944 Christmas Special.mp3
    17. Dinah Shore 421225 39 Merry American Christmas.mp3
    18. Dinah Shore 441225 Merry American Christmas.mp3
    19. Duffys 441222 Christmas Program With Monty Woolley.mp3
    20. Durante 441222 Christmas Show.mp3
    21. Fibber Mcgee And Molly 411216 0305 Cuts Christmas Tree.mp3
    22. Fibber Mcgee And Molly 421222 0344 Christmas Carols.mp3
    23. Fibber Mcgee And Molly 431221 0383 Looking Christmas Tree.mp3
    24. Fibber Mcgee And Molly 441219 0419 Early Christmas Presents.mp3
    25. Fountain Of Fun 431219 Christmas Tree.mp3
    26. Gg 421220 061 Christmas Program.mp3
    27. Gg 441224 149 Twas Night Before Christmas.mp3
    28. Great Gildersleeve 421220 061 Christmas Program.mp3
    29. Jack Benny 411221 426 Christmas Tree.mp3
    30. Jack Benny 431219 495 Jack And Mary Go Christmas Shopping.mp3
    31. Jack Carson Show 441220 Milwaukee Style Christmas.mp3
    32. Kraft Music Hall 431216 Phil Silvers.mp3
    33. Life Of Riley 441217 049 Christmas Present.mp3
    34. Life Of Riley 441224 050 Roswells For Christmas.mp3
    35. Mayor 421224 213 Christmas Carol.mp3
    36. Nick Carter 431225 Christmas Adventure.mp3
    37. Suspense 431223 Back For Christmas.mp3
    38. This Is My Best 441219 16 Plot To Overthrow Christmas.mp3
    39. Vic Sade 431126 Christmas Present.mp3
    40. Whistler 441225 Christmas Bonus.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    39 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 20 hours, 2200 min
    39 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    566 MB – total playtime 20 hours, 36 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 39 shows – 566 MB – total playtime 20 hours, 36 minutes
    2. Aldrich Family 420618 E150 Selling Christmas Cards.mp3
    3. Aldrich Family 420618 Ep150 Christmas Cards And War Bonds.mp3
    4. Amos And Andy 441222 Annual Christmas Show.mp3
    5. Bergen Mccarthy 441224 Night Before Christmas.mp3
    6. Billy Mills Orchestra 1942.12.22 Night Before Christmas.mp3
    7. Bing Crosby 441221 Christmas Program.mp3
    8. Bob Hope 431225 Christmas Package.mp3
    9. Bob Hope 441200 Third Christmas.mp3
    10. Books Bring Adventure 1944 013 In Clean Hay Christmas Story.mp3
    11. Burns And Allen 441219 18 Christmas Presents.mp3
    12. Calv 441225 415 America For Christmas.mp3
    13. Campbell Playhouse 391224 42 Christmas Carol.mp3
    14. Cavalcade Of America 421221 Child Is Born.mp3
    15. Command Perf 431225 1943 Christmas Special.mp3
    16. Command Perf 441225 1944 Christmas Special.mp3
    17. Dinah Shore 421225 39 Merry American Christmas.mp3
    18. Dinah Shore 441225 Merry American Christmas.mp3
    19. Duffys 441222 Christmas Program With Monty Woolley.mp3
    20. Durante 441222 Christmas Show.mp3
    21. Fibber Mcgee And Molly 411216 0305 Cuts Christmas Tree.mp3
    22. Fibber Mcgee And Molly 421222 0344 Christmas Carols.mp3
    23. Fibber Mcgee And Molly 431221 0383 Looking Christmas Tree.mp3
    24. Fibber Mcgee And Molly 441219 0419 Early Christmas Presents.mp3
    25. Fountain Of Fun 431219 Christmas Tree.mp3
    26. Gg 421220 061 Christmas Program.mp3
    27. Gg 441224 149 Twas Night Before Christmas.mp3
    28. Great Gildersleeve 421220 061 Christmas Program.mp3
    29. Jack Benny 411221 426 Christmas Tree.mp3
    30. Jack Benny 431219 495 Jack And Mary Go Christmas Shopping.mp3
    31. Jack Carson Show 441220 Milwaukee Style Christmas.mp3
    32. Kraft Music Hall 431216 Phil Silvers.mp3
    33. Life Of Riley 441217 049 Christmas Present.mp3
    34. Life Of Riley 441224 050 Roswells For Christmas.mp3
    35. Mayor 421224 213 Christmas Carol.mp3
    36. Nick Carter 431225 Christmas Adventure.mp3
    37. Suspense 431223 Back For Christmas.mp3
    38. This Is My Best 441219 16 Plot To Overthrow Christmas.mp3
    39. Vic Sade 431126 Christmas Present.mp3
    40. Whistler 441225 Christmas Bonus.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



    39 recordings on 19 Audio CDs. Total playtime 17 hours, 3 min
    39 recordings on 19 Audio CDs
    total playtime 17 hours, 3 min

    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A001

    1. Billy Mills Orchestra 1942.12.22 Night Before Christmas
    2. Books Bring Adventure 1944 013 In Clean Hay Christmas Story

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A002

    1. Campbell Playhouse 391224 42 Christmas Carol

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A003

    1. Fibber Mcgee And Molly 411216 0305 Cuts Christmas Tree
    2. Jack Benny 411221 426 Christmas Tree

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A004

    1. Aldrich Family 420618 E150 Selling Christmas Cards
    2. Aldrich Family 420618 Ep150 Christmas Cards And War Bonds

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A005

    1. Gg 421220 061 Christmas Program
    2. Great Gildersleeve 421220 061 Christmas Program

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A006

    1. Cavalcade Of America 421221 Child Is Born
    2. Fibber Mcgee And Molly 421222 0344 Christmas Carols

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A007

    1. Mayor 421224 213 Christmas Carol
    2. Dinah Shore 421225 39 Merry American Christmas
    3. Vic Sade 431126 Christmas Present

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A008

    1. Kraft Music Hall 431216 Phil Silvers
    2. Fountain Of Fun 431219 Christmas Tree

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A009

    1. Jack Benny 431219 495 Jack And Mary Go Christmas Shopping
    2. Fibber Mcgee And Molly 431221 0383 Looking Christmas Tree

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A010

    1. Suspense 431223 Back For Christmas
    2. Bob Hope 431225 Christmas Package

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A011

    1. Nick Carter 431225 Christmas Adventure
    2. Bob Hope 441200 Third Christmas

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A012

    1. Life Of Riley 441217 049 Christmas Present
    2. Burns And Allen 441219 18 Christmas Presents

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A013

    1. Fibber Mcgee And Molly 441219 0419 Early Christmas Presents
    2. This Is My Best 441219 16 Plot To Overthrow Christmas

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A014

    1. Jack Carson Show 441220 Milwaukee Style Christmas
    2. Bing Crosby 441221 Christmas Program

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A015

    1. Amos And Andy 441222 Annual Christmas Show
    2. Duffys 441222 Christmas Program With Monty Woolley

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A016

    1. Durante 441222 Christmas Show
    2. Bergen Mccarthy 441224 Night Before Christmas

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A017

    1. Gg 441224 149 Twas Night Before Christmas
    2. Life Of Riley 441224 050 Roswells For Christmas

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A018

    1. Calv 441225 415 America For Christmas
    2. Dinah Shore 441225 Merry American Christmas

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    Christmas on the Home Front Disc A019

    1. Whistler 441225 Christmas Bonus

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