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Mark Twain Tales in Old Time Radio

America's Greatest Humorist and one of the Giants of American Literature, Mark Twain's stories were a natural for Old Time Radio.

Mark Twain Collection

37 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 21 hours, 2270 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
26 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from July 02, 1944:

"Treasury Salute: Mark Twain"



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

Mark Twain
(1835 – 1910)

Young Mark TwainJohn Clemens probably did not place any significance to the spectacular comet which lit the sky as his wife, Jane, gave birth to his sixth child, a boy they would name Sam, on November 30, 1835. There were other issues to worry about on the banks of Missouri's Salt River. Only four of Jane and John's seven children would survive to adulthood. Like most of the residents of the village of Florida, John was invested in bringing trade to the confluence of the North, South, and Middle forks of the Salt River, nearly fifty miles upstream from where the Salt emptied into the Mississippi. Sam was around five years old when the Clemens' moved to Hannibal, seeking more opportunities.

The great river dominated life in Hannibal, although Sam would develop many happy memories of visiting his uncle's farm back in Florida, Missouri. Missouri fairly crackled with the tensions of the impending War Between the States, especially in a bustling port city like Hannibal, but for a boy like Sam, between the farm and the river, life was a great adventure. Father John had become a judge but passed away when Sam was 11. The boy began apprenticing in the tedious work of typesetter at his older brother's newspaper, and when he was 18, he left Missouri to work as a printer in Eastern cities and joined the newly formed International Typographical Union. He took the opportunity to study in the great libraries, but his boyhood dream of working on the river continued to call. 

Sam paid to apprentice with Mississippi River pilot Horace Bixby and eventually gained his own license. When the riverboat's leadsman, a crewman tasked with measuring the depth of water under the boat, discovered that the craft was in two fathoms of water, he would cry out "Mark Twain" to indicate that it was safe for the boat to operate. In time, Samuel Langhorne Clemens would adopt the cry "Mark Twain" as his pen name.

The riverboat business fell on hard times during the War Between the States. Sam Clemens joined a local Confederate unit, but the outfit only lasted two weeks before disbanding and Clemens traveled to Nevada where his older brother had been appointed Territorial Secretary. Sam would be less than successful as a gold or silver miner, but while traveling to Angel's Camp, California, he gathered material for his first successful story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County", published as Mark Twain. 

Tom Sawyer IllustrationThe story's success led to his being hired by a Sacramento paper which sent him to the Sandwich Islands (Hawai'i) and later on a tour of Europe and the Middle East. Twain claims to have "fallen in love at first sight" with a portrait of a traveling companion's sister, Olivia Langdon. Twain and Olivia began corresponding and wed in February 1870, settling in upstate New York and eventually Hartford, Connecticut. While in Hartford, Twain composed some of his most famous works, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876), The Prince and the Pauper (1881), Life on the Mississippi (1883), Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885), and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1889).

Although his writing was bringing in considerable wealth, Twain invested heavily in the Paige typesetting machine. The machine was a mechanical marvel and could save hours of the printing process but was difficult to keep properly adjusted and before it could be perfected it was replaced by linotype technology. By this time, Twain had invested most of his earnings and a good deal of Olivia's inheritance. The Twain family moved to Europe for a time where Twain wrote and lectured, beginning the road to financial recovery. He embarked on a tour of the British Empire which resulted in Following the Equator (1897), a social commentary in the form of a travelogue which cast light on racism towards blacks, Asians, and indigenous peoples as well as the religious intolerance of Missionary Workers. In addition to profits from the book, the route was selected to allow Twain opportunities to lecture in English.

Mark Twain finally took up residence in Manhattan for the final years of his life. His beloved Olivia passed away in 1904. In 1910, Halley's Comet began to appear in the night sky, the same comet which John Clemens would have seen at the time of his birth. Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Mark Twain, passed away after a heart attack on April 21, 1910, a day after Halley's Comet's closest approach to the Earth.

  • NBC University Theatre, April 17, 1949, NBC, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". Tom Sawyer's companion and best friend Huckleberry Finn escapes the civilizing influence of the Widow Douglas only to fall into the hands of his alcoholic father. Huck gets away from his father by faking his own death, which leads to more trouble. He floats down the river with a runaway slave and finds more adventure than imaginable. Although the story is a fun sequel of Tom Sawyer it is listed as one of the Great American Novels.
  • The Railroad Hour, September 3, 1951, NBC, "Innocents Abroad". Gordon McRae leads the cast of this musical adaptation in  what was Twain's best-selling work during his lifetime. Using the name Samuel Clemens, the author joins the passengers and crew of the Quaker City, a former Union Navy sidewheel steamer for a cruise across the Atlantic, through the Mediterranean, and finally to the Holy Land. The people he meets on the ship are nearly as fascinating as the things and places they see.
  • Mark TwainCBS Radio Workshop, October 5, 1956, CBS, "Roughing It". The story of Sam Clemens' adventures in Nevada and California is adapted as a "Do-It-Yourself" guide to making a Western movie.
  • CBS Radio Mystery Theatre, January 9, 1976, CBS, "The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg". CBSRMT loves stories of pride being destroyed. The little town of Hadleyburg has a reputation for honesty and the ability to resist temptation is a matter of considerable civic pride. One night, a heavy bag is deposited on a doorstep with a note. The one hundred and sixty pounds of gold in the sack will go to the Hadleyburg resident who helped a stranger to reform some time ago, but first, that resident must identify himself by passing a specific test. The test will bring out some deep secrets about the town and its people.

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.



    37 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 21 hours, 2270 min
    37 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 21 hours, 2270 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 37 shows – total playtime 21 hours, 37 minutes
    2. American Novels 470718 Tom Sawyer Part 1.mp3
    3. American Novels 470725 Tom Sawyer Part 2.mp3
    4. Bob Hope 481012 Jack Kirkwood Tom Sawyer Sketch.mp3
    5. CALV 390130 150 Mark Twain.mp3
    6. CALV 440501 381 The Adventures of Mark Twain.mp3
    7. CALV 530224 Life On Mississippi.mp3
    8. Campbell Playhouse 400317 54 Huckleberry Finn.mp3
    9. Cbs Radio Workshop 561005 36 Roughing It.mp3
    10. CBSRMT 760105 Tom Sawyer Detective.mp3
    11. CBSRMT 760106 Is He Living Or Is He Dead.mp3
    12. CBSRMT 760107 Russian Passport.mp3
    13. CBSRMT 760108 Connecticut Yankee In King Arthurs Court.mp3
    14. CBSRMT 760109 Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg.mp3
    15. CBSRMT 760110 Stolen White Elephant.mp3
    16. CBSRMT 760111 Mysterious Stranger.mp3
    17. Columbia Workshop 390619 143 Journalism TN Salesmanship.mp3
    18. Eftb 440215 05 Man To Remember.mp3
    19. Favorite Story 471108 009 Huckleberry Finn.mp3
    20. Favorite Story 480619 40 Adventures of Tom Sawyer.mp3
    21. Ford Theater 471005 Connecticut Yankee In King Arthurs Court.mp3
    22. Ft 500308 160 Prince And Pauper.mp3
    23. Hallmark Hall Of Fame 540117 36 Mark Twain.mp3
    24. Jack Benny 380522 298 Adventures Of Tom Sawyer Part One.mp3
    25. Jack Benny 380529 299 Adventures Of Tom Sawyer Part Two.mp3
    26. Jack Benny 380605 300 Adventures Of Tom Sawyer Part Three.mp3
    27. Life History Plays Mark Twain.mp3
    28. Maxwell House Good News 390202 58 Mickey Rooney.mp3
    29. Nbc University 490417 036 Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn.mp3
    30. Nbc University 500723 098 Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn.mp3
    31. Nbc University 510124 121 Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg.mp3
    32. Railroad Hour 510903 153 Innocents Abroad.mp3
    33. Railroad Hour 530914 259 Million Pound Bank Note.mp3
    34. Request Perf 451014 02 Huckleberry Finn F.Morgan R.Vallee.mp3
    35. Treasury Salute 440703 086 Mark Twain.mp3
    36. Worlds Great Novels 480604 Conn Yankee-King Arthurs Ct 1-3.mp3
    37. Worlds Great Novels 480611 Conn Yankee-King Arthurs Ct 2-3.mp3
    38. Worlds Great Novels 480618 Conn Yankee-King Arthurs Ct 3-3.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    37 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 21 hours, 2270 min
    37 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    594 MB – total playtime 21 hours, 37 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 37 shows – 594 MB – total playtime 21 hours, 37 minutes
    2. American Novels 470718 Tom Sawyer Part 1.mp3
    3. American Novels 470725 Tom Sawyer Part 2.mp3
    4. Bob Hope 481012 Jack Kirkwood Tom Sawyer Sketch.mp3
    5. CALV 390130 150 Mark Twain.mp3
    6. CALV 440501 381 The Adventures of Mark Twain.mp3
    7. CALV 530224 Life On Mississippi.mp3
    8. Campbell Playhouse 400317 54 Huckleberry Finn.mp3
    9. Cbs Radio Workshop 561005 36 Roughing It.mp3
    10. CBSRMT 760105 Tom Sawyer Detective.mp3
    11. CBSRMT 760106 Is He Living Or Is He Dead.mp3
    12. CBSRMT 760107 Russian Passport.mp3
    13. CBSRMT 760108 Connecticut Yankee In King Arthurs Court.mp3
    14. CBSRMT 760109 Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg.mp3
    15. CBSRMT 760110 Stolen White Elephant.mp3
    16. CBSRMT 760111 Mysterious Stranger.mp3
    17. Columbia Workshop 390619 143 Journalism TN Salesmanship.mp3
    18. Eftb 440215 05 Man To Remember.mp3
    19. Favorite Story 471108 009 Huckleberry Finn.mp3
    20. Favorite Story 480619 40 Adventures of Tom Sawyer.mp3
    21. Ford Theater 471005 Connecticut Yankee In King Arthurs Court.mp3
    22. Ft 500308 160 Prince And Pauper.mp3
    23. Hallmark Hall Of Fame 540117 36 Mark Twain.mp3
    24. Jack Benny 380522 298 Adventures Of Tom Sawyer Part One.mp3
    25. Jack Benny 380529 299 Adventures Of Tom Sawyer Part Two.mp3
    26. Jack Benny 380605 300 Adventures Of Tom Sawyer Part Three.mp3
    27. Life History Plays Mark Twain.mp3
    28. Maxwell House Good News 390202 58 Mickey Rooney.mp3
    29. Nbc University 490417 036 Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn.mp3
    30. Nbc University 500723 098 Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn.mp3
    31. Nbc University 510124 121 Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg.mp3
    32. Railroad Hour 510903 153 Innocents Abroad.mp3
    33. Railroad Hour 530914 259 Million Pound Bank Note.mp3
    34. Request Perf 451014 02 Huckleberry Finn F.Morgan R.Vallee.mp3
    35. Treasury Salute 440703 086 Mark Twain.mp3
    36. Worlds Great Novels 480604 Conn Yankee-King Arthurs Ct 1-3.mp3
    37. Worlds Great Novels 480611 Conn Yankee-King Arthurs Ct 2-3.mp3
    38. Worlds Great Novels 480618 Conn Yankee-King Arthurs Ct 3-3.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



    37 recordings on 26 Audio CDs. Total playtime 21 hours, 37 min
    37 recordings on 26 Audio CDs
    total playtime 21 hours, 37 min

    Mark Twain Collection Disc A001

    1. Life History Plays Mark Twain
    2. Jack Benny 380522 298 Adventures Of Tom Sawyer Part One

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A002

    1. Jack Benny 380529 299 Adventures Of Tom Sawyer Part Two
    2. Jack Benny 380605 300 Adventures Of Tom Sawyer Part Three

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A003

    1. CALV 390130 150 Mark Twain

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A004

    1. Maxwell House Good News 390202 58 Mickey Rooney

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A005

    1. Columbia Workshop 390619 143 Journalism TN Salesmanship

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A006

    1. Campbell Playhouse 400317 54 Huckleberry Finn

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A007

    1. Eftb 440215 05 Man To Remember
    2. CALV 440501 381 The Adventures of Mark Twain

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A008

    1. Treasury Salute 440703 086 Mark Twain
    2. Request Perf 451014 02 Huckleberry Finn F.Morgan R.Vallee

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A009

    1. American Novels 470718 Tom Sawyer Part 1
    2. American Novels 470725 Tom Sawyer Part 2

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A010

    1. Ford Theater 471005 Connecticut Yankee In King Arthurs Court

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A011

    1. Favorite Story 471108 009 Huckleberry Finn
    2. Worlds Great Novels 480604 Conn Yankee-King Arthurs Ct 1-3

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A012

    1. Worlds Great Novels 480611 Conn Yankee-King Arthurs Ct 2-3
    2. Worlds Great Novels 480618 Conn Yankee-King Arthurs Ct 3-3

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A013

    1. Favorite Story 480619 40 Adventures of Tom Sawyer
    2. Bob Hope 481012 Jack Kirkwood Tom Sawyer Sketch

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A014

    1. Nbc University 490417 036 Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A015

    1. Ft 500308 160 Prince And Pauper

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Mark Twain Collection Disc A016

    1. Nbc University 500723 098 Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Mark Twain Collection Disc A017

    1. Nbc University 510124 121 Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg
    2. Railroad Hour 510903 153 Innocents Abroad

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A018

    1. CALV 530224 Life On Mississippi
    2. Railroad Hour 530914 259 Million Pound Bank Note

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Mark Twain Collection Disc A019

    1. Hallmark Hall Of Fame 540117 36 Mark Twain
    2. Cbs Radio Workshop 561005 36 Roughing It

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A020

    1. CBSRMT 760105 Tom Sawyer Detective

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Mark Twain Collection Disc A021

    1. CBSRMT 760106 Is He Living Or Is He Dead

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Mark Twain Collection Disc A022

    1. CBSRMT 760107 Russian Passport

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Mark Twain Collection Disc A023

    1. CBSRMT 760108 Connecticut Yankee In King Arthurs Court

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Mark Twain Collection Disc A024

    1. CBSRMT 760109 Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A025

    1. CBSRMT 760110 Stolen White Elephant

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    Mark Twain Collection Disc A026

    1. CBSRMT 760111 Mysterious Stranger

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