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Roland Young in Old Time Radio

Roland Young worked on several broadcasts promoting his films, notably on Lux Radio Theater and MGM’s Good News series and was part of the company for The Dinah Shore Program during the 1943-44 season.

Roland Young

27 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 14 hours, 1692 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
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17 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from March 23, 1944:

"Roland Young on Dinah Shore Show"



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

Roland Young
(1887 – 1953)

Roland YoungSomewhere in the mythical world of Central Casting, there is a desk where they specialize in the Standard Brit. The Standard Brit is not a swinging playboy with ties to the "Landed Gentry". These are the Brits who play cold war spies, school headmasters, commando officers, or suave jewel thieves. Nor is the Standard Brit a working-class Cockney, wise to the ways of the streets and constantly working a scam to separate a "toff’ from the shillings in his pockets.

The Standard Brit lives in a world between these two. He leaves his flat in the morning after wiping the crumbs of marmalade and toast from his mouth and kissing his wife goodbye with morning tea still on his breath. He buys a newspaper on the way to the office, attends to his menial duties, may stop at the pub for a pint and some darts on the way home, and spends the evening tuned into the British Broadcasting. The Standard Brit sounds like a rather boring fellow, but to American audiences, he is the backbone of the British Empire.

The prototypical Standard Brit was Cosmo Topper, a rather stuffy bank president whose life is turned upside down by a pair of fun-loving ghosts played by Cary Grant and Constance Bennett. Although he has the title role in Topper (1937), Cosmo is only a supporting character, but he was played so well by Roland Young to earn an Oscar nomination.

Roland Young was born a Standard Brit in London, 1887. His father was an architect, and Roland was expected to follow in his father’s business until he was accepted to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He began working in London’s West End theaters in 1908. In 1912, he came to New York with the play Hindle Wakes and chose to stay in America. He became a US citizen in 1918 and joined the Army during WWI. He made his film debut in John Barrymore’s silent version of Sherlock Holmes (1922) as Dr. Watson.

Young signed a contract with MGM and made his talkie debut in The Unholy Night (1929) directed by Lionel Barrymore. He played a number of supporting roles as he completed his contract, then he became a freelance player. He still played mostly supporting parts in films, but as a freelancer it was easier to break away and appear on Broadway.

Roland YoungThere were plenty of Radio Row actors who could play "standard Brit" roles, but Young still put together an impressive radio resume. He worked on several broadcasts promoting his films, notably on Lux Radio Theater and MGM’s Good News series. He was part of the company for The Dinah Shore Program during the 1943-44 season. In 1945, he brought his most famous character to the radio in The Adventures of Topper as a summer replacement for The Dinah Shore Program.

Young’s movie career began to slow at the end of the forties, and he played in a few episodic TV show. He was not asked to reprise his role when CBS brought The Adventures of Topper to the small screen in 1953, the year he died of natural causes at the age of 65 in New York City.

Two  Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame were dedicated honoring Roland Young on February 8, 1960, one at 6523 Hollywood Blvd for his contributions to Motion Pictures and the other at 6315 Hollywood Blvd for Television.

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

    He was a great comedy actor...just loved him all three "Topper" films...His comedic timing was perfect. I enjoyed Mr. Young on the radio, but really loved all three "Topper" movies where he played Cosmo Topper...His comedic timing was brilliant...Included "Topper", "Topper takes a trip", and "Topper Returns"

    Art Ciccarelli

    He was brilliant in the three "Topper" movies!

    Matt 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.



    27 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 14 hours, 1692 min
    27 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 14 hours, 1692 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 27 shows – total playtime 14 hours, 28 minutes
    2. Birds Eye Open House 431007 Birdseye Donald Oconnor.mp3
    3. Birds Eye Open House 431014 003 Phil Silvers.mp3
    4. Birds Eye Open House 431021 004 Ill Be Home For Christmas.mp3
    5. Birds Eye Open House 431028 005 Thank Your Lucky Stars.mp3
    6. Birds Eye Open House 431202 010 My Heart.mp3
    7. Birds Eye Open House 431209 011 For First Time.mp3
    8. Birds Eye Open House 431216 012 Paper Doll.mp3
    9. Birds Eye Open House 431223 013 Exactly Like You.mp3
    10. Birds Eye Open House 440210 020 Sleepy Time Girl.mp3
    11. Birds Eye Open House 440217 021 Speak Low.mp3
    12. Birds Eye Open House 440224 022 I Couldnt Sleep Wink.mp3
    13. Birds Eye Open House 440309 024 They Ask About You.mp3
    14. Birds Eye Open House 440323 026 Take It Easy.mp3
    15. Columbia Presents Corwin 440502 09 Cliche Expert 6444.mp3
    16. Good News 391116 46 W Marlene Dietrich.mp3
    17. Hollywoods Open House 000000 Piece Of String.mp3
    18. Hollywoods Open House 480715 Boogie Woogie Washerwoman.mp3
    19. Information Please 410321 150 Roland Young, Deems Taylor.mp3
    20. Information Please 420522 211 Roland Young, Deems Taylor.mp3
    21. It Pays To Be Ignorant 441013 106 Do Married Men Live Longer.mp3
    22. Lux Radio Theater 441204 460 Unguarded Hour.mp3
    23. Magic Key 351103 005 Touch Of Brimstone.mp3
    24. Radio Hall Of Fame 460414 124 Roland Young.mp3
    25. Screen Guild Theater 390528 Review With Nelson Eddy.mp3
    26. Suspense 430323 Customers Like Murder.mp3
    27. Texaco Star Theatre 421011 02 Wee Bonnie Baker Is Engaged.mp3
    28. Topper 450705 Examined Psychiatrists Telephone Repairman.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    27 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 14 hours, 1692 min
    27 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    397 MB – total playtime 14 hours, 28 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 27 shows – 397 MB – total playtime 14 hours, 28 minutes
    2. Birds Eye Open House 431007 Birdseye Donald Oconnor.mp3
    3. Birds Eye Open House 431014 003 Phil Silvers.mp3
    4. Birds Eye Open House 431021 004 Ill Be Home For Christmas.mp3
    5. Birds Eye Open House 431028 005 Thank Your Lucky Stars.mp3
    6. Birds Eye Open House 431202 010 My Heart.mp3
    7. Birds Eye Open House 431209 011 For First Time.mp3
    8. Birds Eye Open House 431216 012 Paper Doll.mp3
    9. Birds Eye Open House 431223 013 Exactly Like You.mp3
    10. Birds Eye Open House 440210 020 Sleepy Time Girl.mp3
    11. Birds Eye Open House 440217 021 Speak Low.mp3
    12. Birds Eye Open House 440224 022 I Couldnt Sleep Wink.mp3
    13. Birds Eye Open House 440309 024 They Ask About You.mp3
    14. Birds Eye Open House 440323 026 Take It Easy.mp3
    15. Columbia Presents Corwin 440502 09 Cliche Expert 6444.mp3
    16. Good News 391116 46 W Marlene Dietrich.mp3
    17. Hollywoods Open House 000000 Piece Of String.mp3
    18. Hollywoods Open House 480715 Boogie Woogie Washerwoman.mp3
    19. Information Please 410321 150 Roland Young, Deems Taylor.mp3
    20. Information Please 420522 211 Roland Young, Deems Taylor.mp3
    21. It Pays To Be Ignorant 441013 106 Do Married Men Live Longer.mp3
    22. Lux Radio Theater 441204 460 Unguarded Hour.mp3
    23. Magic Key 351103 005 Touch Of Brimstone.mp3
    24. Radio Hall Of Fame 460414 124 Roland Young.mp3
    25. Screen Guild Theater 390528 Review With Nelson Eddy.mp3
    26. Suspense 430323 Customers Like Murder.mp3
    27. Texaco Star Theatre 421011 02 Wee Bonnie Baker Is Engaged.mp3
    28. Topper 450705 Examined Psychiatrists Telephone Repairman.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



    27 recordings on 17 Audio CDs. Total playtime 14 hours, 28 min
    27 recordings on 17 Audio CDs
    total playtime 14 hours, 28 min

    Roland Young Disc A001

    1. Hollywoods Open House 000000 Piece Of String

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A002

    1. Magic Key 351103 005 Touch Of Brimstone

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A003

    1. Screen Guild Theater 390528 Review With Nelson Eddy

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A004

    1. Good News 391116 46 W Marlene Dietrich

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A005

    1. Information Please 410321 150 Roland Young, Deems Taylor
    2. Information Please 420522 211 Roland Young, Deems Taylor

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A006

    1. Texaco Star Theatre 421011 02 Wee Bonnie Baker Is Engaged
    2. Suspense 430323 Customers Like Murder

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A007

    1. Birds Eye Open House 431007 Birdseye Donald Oconnor
    2. Birds Eye Open House 431014 003 Phil Silvers

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A008

    1. Birds Eye Open House 431021 004 Ill Be Home For Christmas
    2. Birds Eye Open House 431028 005 Thank Your Lucky Stars

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A009

    1. Birds Eye Open House 431202 010 My Heart
    2. Birds Eye Open House 431209 011 For First Time

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A010

    1. Birds Eye Open House 431216 012 Paper Doll
    2. Birds Eye Open House 431223 013 Exactly Like You

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A011

    1. Birds Eye Open House 440210 020 Sleepy Time Girl
    2. Birds Eye Open House 440217 021 Speak Low

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A012

    1. Birds Eye Open House 440224 022 I Couldnt Sleep Wink
    2. Birds Eye Open House 440309 024 They Ask About You

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A013

    1. Birds Eye Open House 440323 026 Take It Easy
    2. Columbia Presents Corwin 440502 09 Cliche Expert 6444

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A014

    1. It Pays To Be Ignorant 441013 106 Do Married Men Live Longer

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A015

    1. Lux Radio Theater 441204 460 Unguarded Hour

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A016

    1. Topper 450705 Examined Psychiatrists Telephone Repairman
    2. Radio Hall Of Fame 460414 124 Roland Young

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Roland Young Disc A017

    1. Hollywoods Open House 480715 Boogie Woogie Washerwoman

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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