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This is My Best

This series began as a kind of book-of-the-week show. Popular modern authors were asked to select their best writings, which were created into radio scripts. In 1945, Orson Welles took over the show, directing, acting, narrating, and adapting scripts to his liking.

This is My Best

14 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 6 hours, 2028 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
7 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from March 13, 1945:

"Heart Of Darkness"



... or click here to save the Mp3 file to your computer
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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Dramatic Anthology (1944-1946)

Orson Welles looking sharp in a bowtie.This is My Best began as a kind of book-of-the-week show. This is My BestPopular modern authors were asked to select their best writings, which were created into radio scripts. Many authors chose works that were not well known, and had not been dramatized before. Authors such as John Steinbeck and Thornton Wilder were guest authors on the show.

In 1945, Orson Welles took over the show, directing, acting, narrating, and adapting scripts to his liking. He changed the format of the show, insisting that they only recreate classics such as Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. Welles, notoriously stubborn and difficult to work with, was criticized by the network for changing the concept of the show and making it too highbrow. He was also criticized for using the show to further his own career by doing one show that he was interested in making into a movie, even though the bigwigs insisted he not do so.

Orson was fired April 24, 1945 after only a little over a month on the show. At this time it became a vehicle for Hollywood movies - potential big movie productions were tried out on this program to gauge audience approval.

For additional Orson Welles recordings, see the extensive Orson Welles Collection.

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

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    COMMENTS

    This is my Best. Music composed and conducted by Bernard Katz. (My Father)

    Nolan Katz

    I don’t know what is different on this updated version. As I mentioned to you in the past, my Father, Bernard Katz, wrote the music and directed the orchestra on these radio programs. I attended most of the live shows when I was growing up in L.A. They never allowed recordings on the radio at that time so the show was presented to the East Coast at 5:00 p.m. then done again at 8:00 p.m. for the West Coast. I saw almost all the shows live sitting in the sponsor’s booth above the control room. Between shows we ate at the Brown Derby in Hollywood. Paul Gulgiano was our Maiter’D and hand tossed the Caesar Salad at the table for us. At that time I was 10 years old. Paul used to do walk throughs on TV because he looked like Harry Truman. Also, Mel Blanc is my first cousin (once removed). My Father also did the music on The Mayor of the Town with Lionel Barrymore, and Point Sublime with Cliff Arquette and Mel Blanc.

    Nolan 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.



    14 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 6 hours, 2028 min
    14 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 6 hours, 2028 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 14 shows – total playtime 6 hours, 33 minutes
    2. This Is My Best 441121 12 Around World In 80 Days.mp3
    3. This Is My Best 441128 Ep012 Romance Of Rosey Ridge.mp3
    4. This Is My Best 441219 16 Plot To Overthrow Christmas.mp3
    5. This Is My Best 441226 17 Secret Life Walter Mitty No Open.mp3
    6. This Is My Best 450109 18 Harold Peavys Fast Cow.mp3
    7. This Is My Best 450313 28 Heart Of Darkness.mp3
    8. This Is My Best 450320 29 Miss Dilly Says No.mp3
    9. This Is My Best 450327 30 Snow White And Seven Dwarfs.mp3
    10. This Is My Best 450403 31 Diamond As Big As Ritz.mp3
    11. This Is My Best 450410 32 Master Of Ballentrae.mp3
    12. This Is My Best 450417 33 I Will Not Go Back.mp3
    13. This Is My Best 450424 34 Anything Can Happen.mp3
    14. This Is My Best 450529 37 Babes In Woods W Jack Benny.mp3
    15. This Is My Best 451204 49 Happily Ever After-Mr Mrs Cugat.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    14 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 6 hours, 2028 min
    14 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    180 MB – total playtime 6 hours, 33 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 14 shows – 180 MB – total playtime 6 hours, 33 minutes
    2. This Is My Best 441121 12 Around World In 80 Days.mp3
    3. This Is My Best 441128 Ep012 Romance Of Rosey Ridge.mp3
    4. This Is My Best 441219 16 Plot To Overthrow Christmas.mp3
    5. This Is My Best 441226 17 Secret Life Walter Mitty No Open.mp3
    6. This Is My Best 450109 18 Harold Peavys Fast Cow.mp3
    7. This Is My Best 450313 28 Heart Of Darkness.mp3
    8. This Is My Best 450320 29 Miss Dilly Says No.mp3
    9. This Is My Best 450327 30 Snow White And Seven Dwarfs.mp3
    10. This Is My Best 450403 31 Diamond As Big As Ritz.mp3
    11. This Is My Best 450410 32 Master Of Ballentrae.mp3
    12. This Is My Best 450417 33 I Will Not Go Back.mp3
    13. This Is My Best 450424 34 Anything Can Happen.mp3
    14. This Is My Best 450529 37 Babes In Woods W Jack Benny.mp3
    15. This Is My Best 451204 49 Happily Ever After-Mr Mrs Cugat.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



    14 recordings on 7 Audio CDs. Total playtime 6 hours, 33 min
    14 recordings on 7 Audio CDs
    total playtime 6 hours, 33 min

    This is My Best Disc A001

    1. This Is My Best 441121 12 Around World In 80 Days
    2. This Is My Best 441128 Ep012 Romance Of Rosey Ridge

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    This is My Best Disc A002

    1. This Is My Best 441219 16 Plot To Overthrow Christmas
    2. This Is My Best 441226 17 Secret Life Walter Mitty No Open

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    This is My Best Disc A003

    1. This Is My Best 450109 18 Harold Peavys Fast Cow
    2. This Is My Best 450313 28 Heart Of Darkness

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    This is My Best Disc A004

    1. This Is My Best 450320 29 Miss Dilly Says No
    2. This Is My Best 450327 30 Snow White And Seven Dwarfs

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    This is My Best Disc A005

    1. This Is My Best 450403 31 Diamond As Big As Ritz
    2. This Is My Best 450410 32 Master Of Ballentrae

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    This is My Best Disc A006

    1. This Is My Best 450417 33 I Will Not Go Back
    2. This Is My Best 450424 34 Anything Can Happen

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    This is My Best Disc A007

    1. This Is My Best 450529 37 Babes In Woods W Jack Benny
    2. This Is My Best 451204 49 Happily Ever After-Mr Mrs Cugat

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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