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The C.P. MacGregor Show

A pioneer of Radio Transcription, C.P. MacGregor put together some great dramas for local broadcasters

CP MacGregor Show

46 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 20 hours, 2729 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
23 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from November 23, 1940:

"Tang of Autumn"



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

One of the most notable aspects of Radio from the Golden Age was that it was done live. Live performances came with several obvious troubles, including the need to repeat broadcasts for different time zones, delays, or unfilled air because of unpredictable show running times, not to mention the inevitable "blooper". However, the major networks, especially the National Broadcasting Company, dictated that if a performance was to be worthwhile, it had to go on the air live.

A popularly cited reason for effectively banning prerecorded broadcasts is that the quality of recording technology was insufficient for broadcasting. This is not completely accurate, the technology to create "electrical transcriptions" began to be available in the 1920s. However, creating a "transcription disc" of sufficient quality for broadcast was a relatively expensive proposition.

CP MacGregor

The pressing of commercial discs for play on home record players had been done on an industrial scale for some time. While relatively inexpensive, the mass-pressings came with a lot of "noise" or unwanted extra sound on the recording. This would have been unacceptable for a radio broadcast where an electrical transcription was expected to be indistinguishable from a live broadcast. This was possible but also required an expensive player.

For a small, local broadcaster, using transcription discs rather than using live actors and musicians made economic sense. Fortunately, there were several syndication services to provide programming for the smaller markets, including Bruce Eells, ZIV Syndications, RCA Thesaurus, World Broadcasting, and C.P. MacGregor.

C.P. "Chip" MacGregor's background is a bit of a mystery, but he was a prolific producer of syndicated radio content. His popular programs included Cecil and Sally, The Skippy Hollywood Theatre, Proudly We Hail for the Army, Jonathon Thomas and His Christmas on the Moon, Heartbeat Theatre for the Salvation Army, and several others. MacGregor got his first exposure to the recording industry as the manager of the San Francisco office of Brunswick Records.

The quality and fidelity of Brunswick discs were above average compared to those from competitors Edison Records, Pathe, Columbia, and Victor. MacGregor took the lessons e learned from Brunswick and opened C.P. MacGregor Studios at 729 S. Western Ave in Hollywood. He became so prolific at producing electrical transcriptions that he was called "the DeMille of the discs".

One of MacGregor's early patrons was West coast radio giant Don Lee, and several surviving early MacGregor discs are emblazoned with Don Lee-Mutual Network's San Francisco affiliate's call letters, KFRC. In 1932, the MacGregor Studios relocated to San Francisco's Mission Street where they produced "Hollywood-Style dramas" which sold to stations across the country for $17.50 per episode.

The Mission Street studios apparently closed around 1937, and by 1945 MacGregor had reestablished the facilities at 729 S. Western in Hollywood. In addition to the company's commercially released transcriptions, MacGregor also provided recording services for the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS). MacGregor helped to establish the standard of 16-inc discs for electrical transcriptions and made many air-check recordings for programs such as Lux Radio Theatre, The Shadow, and numerous others.

MacGregor aggressively promoted his dramas to broadcasters, including a "90 Days to Prove It Pays" campaign in radio trade organization publications. Not everything the C.P. MacGregor Company turned out to gold, however. There is no evidence that the series in this collection, The C.P. MacGregor Show was ever heard on the air. It was not for a lack of production quality.

Apparently recorded at the S. Western Avenue studios, many of the scripts would be reused on MacGregor's early 1950s mystery anthology series, Obsession for WBBM Chicago, albeit repackaged with an edgier, more ominous tone for the thriller audience. The MacGregor Show was generally uplifting and featured Hollywood Stars like Barry Sullivan, Robert Mitchum, Vera Ralston, Anne Jeffreys, Howard Duff, Virginia Grey, Elliot Lewis, and others. Whether these shows aired or not, they are genuine jewels of Old Time Radio drama.

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.



    46 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 20 hours, 2729 min
    46 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 20 hours, 2729 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 46 shows – total playtime 20 hours, 45 minutes
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 01 The Power of Faith.mp3
    3. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 02 The Powder Puff Kid.mp3
    4. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 03 Transcontinental.mp3
    5. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 04 Garden of Kilcraney Ln.mp3
    6. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 05 The Silver Teapot.mp3
    7. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 06 World Series Widow.mp3
    8. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 07 The Whimsical Spriit.mp3
    9. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 08 Husband of Convenience.mp3
    10. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 09 Gulfstream.mp3
    11. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 10 Heart to Heart.mp3
    12. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 11 The Dress.mp3
    13. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 12 The Lady Takes a Ride.mp3
    14. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 13 Taken From Heaven.mp3
    15. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 14 We Who Forget.mp3
    16. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 15 The Premier.mp3
    17. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 16 Let's Be Illogical.mp3
    18. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 17 Where Did You Get Hat.mp3
    19. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 18 It's a Game.mp3
    20. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 19 The Most Enchanted.mp3
    21. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 20 Leave It to Libby.mp3
    22. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 21 Tabloid.mp3
    23. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 22 Seal of the Pharoh.mp3
    24. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 23 Only in Hollywood.mp3
    25. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 24 Sponsor in the House.mp3
    26. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 25 Ticket to Hollywood.mp3
    27. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 26 For Weekends Only.mp3
    28. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 29 Hometown.mp3
    29. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 30 Party of the 1st Heart.mp3
    30. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 31 Tang of Autumn.mp3
    31. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 32 Lady Member.mp3
    32. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 35 Comes the Revolution.mp3
    33. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 36 Ashes of Victory.mp3
    34. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 37 Every Times It Rains.mp3
    35. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 38 The Yankee Hunch.mp3
    36. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 39 Harringtons Ghost.mp3
    37. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 40 One Twenty Avenue Nine.mp3
    38. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 41 Wind Song.mp3
    39. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 42 Up Above the World So Far.mp3
    40. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 43 Marriage.mp3
    41. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 44 Pedro Lopez.mp3
    42. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 45 Strictly Business.mp3
    43. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 46 Love Divided by Two.mp3
    44. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 47 Tommy Connecticut.mp3
    45. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 48 Happy Going Lucky.mp3
    46. C P MacGregor Show 1940s Ill See My Lawyer.mp3
    47. C P MacGregor Show 1940s Peacocks Scream.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    46 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 20 hours, 2729 min
    46 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    570 MB – total playtime 20 hours, 45 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 46 shows – 570 MB – total playtime 20 hours, 45 minutes
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 01 The Power of Faith.mp3
    3. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 02 The Powder Puff Kid.mp3
    4. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 03 Transcontinental.mp3
    5. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 04 Garden of Kilcraney Ln.mp3
    6. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 05 The Silver Teapot.mp3
    7. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 06 World Series Widow.mp3
    8. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 07 The Whimsical Spriit.mp3
    9. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 08 Husband of Convenience.mp3
    10. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 09 Gulfstream.mp3
    11. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 10 Heart to Heart.mp3
    12. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 11 The Dress.mp3
    13. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 12 The Lady Takes a Ride.mp3
    14. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 13 Taken From Heaven.mp3
    15. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 14 We Who Forget.mp3
    16. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 15 The Premier.mp3
    17. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 16 Let's Be Illogical.mp3
    18. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 17 Where Did You Get Hat.mp3
    19. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 18 It's a Game.mp3
    20. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 19 The Most Enchanted.mp3
    21. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 20 Leave It to Libby.mp3
    22. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 21 Tabloid.mp3
    23. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 22 Seal of the Pharoh.mp3
    24. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 23 Only in Hollywood.mp3
    25. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 24 Sponsor in the House.mp3
    26. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 25 Ticket to Hollywood.mp3
    27. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 26 For Weekends Only.mp3
    28. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 29 Hometown.mp3
    29. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 30 Party of the 1st Heart.mp3
    30. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 31 Tang of Autumn.mp3
    31. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 32 Lady Member.mp3
    32. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 35 Comes the Revolution.mp3
    33. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 36 Ashes of Victory.mp3
    34. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 37 Every Times It Rains.mp3
    35. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 38 The Yankee Hunch.mp3
    36. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 39 Harringtons Ghost.mp3
    37. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 40 One Twenty Avenue Nine.mp3
    38. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 41 Wind Song.mp3
    39. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 42 Up Above the World So Far.mp3
    40. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 43 Marriage.mp3
    41. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 44 Pedro Lopez.mp3
    42. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 45 Strictly Business.mp3
    43. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 46 Love Divided by Two.mp3
    44. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 47 Tommy Connecticut.mp3
    45. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 48 Happy Going Lucky.mp3
    46. C P MacGregor Show 1940s Ill See My Lawyer.mp3
    47. C P MacGregor Show 1940s Peacocks Scream.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



    46 recordings on 23 Audio CDs. Total playtime 20 hours, 45 min
    46 recordings on 23 Audio CDs
    total playtime 20 hours, 45 min

    CP MacGregor Show Disc A001

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 01 The Power of Faith
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 02 The Powder Puff Kid

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A002

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 03 Transcontinental
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 04 Garden of Kilcraney Ln

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A003

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 05 The Silver Teapot
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 06 World Series Widow

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A004

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 07 The Whimsical Spriit
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 08 Husband of Convenience

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    CP MacGregor Show Disc A005

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 09 Gulfstream
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 10 Heart to Heart

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A006

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 11 The Dress
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 12 The Lady Takes a Ride

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    CP MacGregor Show Disc A007

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 13 Taken From Heaven
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 14 We Who Forget

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A008

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 15 The Premier
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 16 Let's Be Illogical

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A009

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 17 Where Did You Get Hat
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 18 It's a Game

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    CP MacGregor Show Disc A010

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 19 The Most Enchanted
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 20 Leave It to Libby

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A011

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 21 Tabloid
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 22 Seal of the Pharoh

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A012

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 23 Only in Hollywood
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 24 Sponsor in the House

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A013

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 25 Ticket to Hollywood
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 26 For Weekends Only

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    CP MacGregor Show Disc A014

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 29 Hometown
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 30 Party of the 1st Heart

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A015

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 31 Tang of Autumn
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 32 Lady Member

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A016

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 35 Comes the Revolution
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 36 Ashes of Victory

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A017

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 37 Every Times It Rains
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 38 The Yankee Hunch

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A018

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 39 Harringtons Ghost
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 40 One Twenty Avenue Nine

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A019

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 41 Wind Song
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 42 Up Above the World So Far

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A020

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 43 Marriage
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 44 Pedro Lopez

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A021

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 45 Strictly Business
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 46 Love Divided by Two

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A022

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 47 Tommy Connecticut
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s 48 Happy Going Lucky

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    CP MacGregor Show Disc A023

    1. C P MacGregor Show 1940s Ill See My Lawyer
    2. C P MacGregor Show 1940s Peacocks Scream

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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