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World's Fair Collection

A World's Fair is an opportunity for people of various nations to come together and display the best advancements their Countries have to offer.

Worlds Fair

33 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 19 hours, 2371 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
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22 Audio CDs


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During the Middle Ages in Europe, every local church or parish had a festival on the day of its patron saint. Community-wide celebrations might also be held at important times of the year, such as the beginning of planting season, giving thanks after a successful harvest, when migratory game animals returned to the region, or even on the birthday of the local lords or noble folk. These celebrations may have featured a feast sponsored by the lord and often included music and dancing as well as athletic competitions of various sorts. Since many people lived on isolated farms, this was an important opportunity to attract a potential mate from outside the immediate or extended family.

Worlds Fair 1939In time, many of these annual celebrations attracted traveling merchants who came to trade their wares. The bigger crowds also brought traveling musicians, minstrels, storytellers, and acting troupes. Street Fairs in the towns tended to be more commercial while country fairs would display agricultural prowess. In both cases, local folk would make the most of the economic opportunity by selling food and renting lodgings to the visitors. In some regions, the winners of competitions held at local fairs would move on to larger, region-wide fairs. The tradition continues in modern North America in the county and state fair competitions between livestock as well as agrarian skills such as baking, food preservation, and sewing.

As transportation and infrastructural technologies improved throughout Europe in the nineteenth-century national expositions were held to solidify nationalist pride. One of the first true World Fairs was the Great Exhibition held in London, 1851. The Exhibition was largely the brainchild of Prince Albert who had Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland in 1840. As a Constitutional Monarch, Victoria had limited political authority and her husband would be granted almost none.  However, Albert was well connected to several of Europe's Royal Families and was an astute and ambitious operator. Although he had almost no political power, he certainly had influence and he made the most of it.

The organizing body of the Exhibition was the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturing, and Commerce. Other nations were invited and encouraged to add exhibits, but the overarching message of the Exhibition was Britain's economic and industrial domination of the world. England "held the lead in almost every field where strength, durability, utility and quality were concerned, whether in iron and steel, machinery or textiles", and was not shy in letting her people and the rest of the world know it. The host country is still the dominant force in World Fairs, but they tend to be more inclusive. Unlike most Olympic Games, a World Fair often brings a profit to the host city and country.  

Worlds Fair Map, 1940Avalon Time, NBC, 1939. In various episodes, Red Skelton talks about visiting the two different World Fairs going on in America this year, the Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco (which featured Sally Rand's Nude Ranch) and the New York World's Fair.

The Fred Allen Show, NBC, 1939-40. Fred talks to Billy Rose about the Aquacade Show starring Johnny Weissmuller and Eleanor Holm at the New York World's Fair. In another episode, he interviews Elmer, the Fair's mascot.

Kaltenborn Edits the News, CBS, October 1939. Commentators from Chicago apparently gloat over the failure of the New York World's Fair. With nearly 45 million visitors, one wonders what failure they mean.

The Jean Sheperd Show, WOR New York, 1964-65. Shep has a good deal to say about the 1964 New York World's Fair. This Fair is held on the same grounds as the 1939 Fair.

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.



    33 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 19 hours, 2371 min
    33 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 19 hours, 2371 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 33 shows – total playtime 19 hours, 39 minutes
    2. Adopted Daughter 390804 New York Worlds Fair.mp3
    3. Avalon Time 390225 08 Talks About San Francisco.mp3
    4. Avalon Time 390401 13 April Fools Day.mp3
    5. Avalon Time 390527 21 Ednas Birthday Party.mp3
    6. Avalon Time 391011 41 Richard B Gilbert.mp3
    7. Barptcbsrn 591119 104 Arthur Srank From Lansing.mp3
    8. Cavalcade Of America 400507 Story Of Nancy Hanks.mp3
    9. Chase Sanborn Hour 390709 Guests Stuart Irwin Tony Galento.mp3
    10. Columbia Workshop 390206 126 Do Not Open For 5000 Years.mp3
    11. Dr Christian 390411 051 Doctor Doctor! Come Quick.mp3
    12. Fred Allen Show 391025 004 Prairie Predicament.mp3
    13. Fred Allen Show 400529 035 Death Takes Pretzel Baron.mp3
    14. Fun With Revuers 400514 Worlds Fair.mp3
    15. Hear It Now 510105 04 Fall Of Seoul Korea.mp3
    16. HV Kaltenborn 391020 Slurs Against Ny World Fair.mp3
    17. Jean Shepherd 650331 Sybaritic Life Is Rampant In Chicago.mp3
    18. Jean Shepherd 650626 Taste Cut Plug Steel Mill Ball Park.mp3
    19. Jean Shepherd Show 640915 That Famous Army Training Film.mp3
    20. Jean Shepherd Show 650401 Great Hamburger Blowup.mp3
    21. Magic Key 390430 185 Katherine Parr Halfhour Show.mp3
    22. Screen Guild Theater 390604 022 Revue D.Powell R.Russell.mp3
    23. This Is Radio 400830 Mutual Ny Worlds Fair.mp3
    24. Town Hall Tonight 380504 156 Who Killed Hula Hula Dancer.mp3
    25. Town Hall Tonight 390405 191 Studios Plight.mp3
    26. Vox Pop 390909 New York Worlds Fair New York New York.mp3
    27. Vox Pop 390923 Ny Worlds Fair.mp3
    28. Vox Pop 391214 New York Ny.mp3
    29. Vox Pop 400815 Ny Worlds Fair Buster Crabbe.mp3
    30. Worlds Fair 390512 Opening British Pavilion.mp3
    31. Worlds Fair 390520 Dedication Cuban Pavilion.mp3
    32. Worlds Fair 390603 Dedication National Youth Exhibit.mp3
    33. Worlds Fair 390922 Mayor LaGuardia Pan Am Day Ceremony.mp3
    34. Worlds Fair 391031 NY Closing Ceremonies.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    33 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 19 hours, 2371 min
    33 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    533 MB – total playtime 19 hours, 39 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 33 shows – 533 MB – total playtime 19 hours, 39 minutes
    2. Adopted Daughter 390804 New York Worlds Fair.mp3
    3. Avalon Time 390225 08 Talks About San Francisco.mp3
    4. Avalon Time 390401 13 April Fools Day.mp3
    5. Avalon Time 390527 21 Ednas Birthday Party.mp3
    6. Avalon Time 391011 41 Richard B Gilbert.mp3
    7. Barptcbsrn 591119 104 Arthur Srank From Lansing.mp3
    8. Cavalcade Of America 400507 Story Of Nancy Hanks.mp3
    9. Chase Sanborn Hour 390709 Guests Stuart Irwin Tony Galento.mp3
    10. Columbia Workshop 390206 126 Do Not Open For 5000 Years.mp3
    11. Dr Christian 390411 051 Doctor Doctor! Come Quick.mp3
    12. Fred Allen Show 391025 004 Prairie Predicament.mp3
    13. Fred Allen Show 400529 035 Death Takes Pretzel Baron.mp3
    14. Fun With Revuers 400514 Worlds Fair.mp3
    15. Hear It Now 510105 04 Fall Of Seoul Korea.mp3
    16. HV Kaltenborn 391020 Slurs Against Ny World Fair.mp3
    17. Jean Shepherd 650331 Sybaritic Life Is Rampant In Chicago.mp3
    18. Jean Shepherd 650626 Taste Cut Plug Steel Mill Ball Park.mp3
    19. Jean Shepherd Show 640915 That Famous Army Training Film.mp3
    20. Jean Shepherd Show 650401 Great Hamburger Blowup.mp3
    21. Magic Key 390430 185 Katherine Parr Halfhour Show.mp3
    22. Screen Guild Theater 390604 022 Revue D.Powell R.Russell.mp3
    23. This Is Radio 400830 Mutual Ny Worlds Fair.mp3
    24. Town Hall Tonight 380504 156 Who Killed Hula Hula Dancer.mp3
    25. Town Hall Tonight 390405 191 Studios Plight.mp3
    26. Vox Pop 390909 New York Worlds Fair New York New York.mp3
    27. Vox Pop 390923 Ny Worlds Fair.mp3
    28. Vox Pop 391214 New York Ny.mp3
    29. Vox Pop 400815 Ny Worlds Fair Buster Crabbe.mp3
    30. Worlds Fair 390512 Opening British Pavilion.mp3
    31. Worlds Fair 390520 Dedication Cuban Pavilion.mp3
    32. Worlds Fair 390603 Dedication National Youth Exhibit.mp3
    33. Worlds Fair 390922 Mayor LaGuardia Pan Am Day Ceremony.mp3
    34. Worlds Fair 391031 NY Closing Ceremonies.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



    33 recordings on 22 Audio CDs. Total playtime 18 hours, 15 min
    33 recordings on 22 Audio CDs
    total playtime 18 hours, 15 min

    Worlds Fair Disc A001

    1. Town Hall Tonight 380504 156 Who Killed Hula Hula Dancer

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    Worlds Fair Disc A002

    1. Columbia Workshop 390206 126 Do Not Open For 5000 Years
    2. Avalon Time 390225 08 Talks About San Francisco

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Worlds Fair Disc A003

    1. Avalon Time 390401 13 April Fools Day

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    Worlds Fair Disc A004

    1. Town Hall Tonight 390405 191 Studios Plight

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    Worlds Fair Disc A005

    1. Dr Christian 390411 051 Doctor Doctor! Come Quick
    2. Magic Key 390430 185 Katherine Parr Halfhour Show

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    Worlds Fair Disc A006

    1. Worlds Fair 390512 Opening British Pavilion
    2. Worlds Fair 390520 Dedication Cuban Pavilion

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    Worlds Fair Disc A007

    1. Avalon Time 390527 21 Ednas Birthday Party
    2. Screen Guild Theater 390604 022 Revue D.Powell R.Russell

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    Worlds Fair Disc A008

    1. Chase Sanborn Hour 390709 Guests Stuart Irwin Tony Galento

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Worlds Fair Disc A009

    1. Adopted Daughter 390804 New York Worlds Fair
    2. Vox Pop 390909 New York Worlds Fair New York New York
    3. Worlds Fair 390922 Mayor LaGuardia Pan Am Day Ceremony

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    Worlds Fair Disc A010

    1. Vox Pop 390923 Ny Worlds Fair
    2. Avalon Time 391011 41 Richard B Gilbert

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    Worlds Fair Disc A011

    1. HV Kaltenborn 391020 Slurs Against Ny World Fair

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    Worlds Fair Disc A012

    1. Fred Allen Show 391025 004 Prairie Predicament

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    Worlds Fair Disc A013

    1. Worlds Fair 391031 NY Closing Ceremonies
    2. Vox Pop 391214 New York Ny

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    Worlds Fair Disc A014

    1. Cavalcade Of America 400507 Story Of Nancy Hanks
    2. Fun With Revuers 400514 Worlds Fair

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    Worlds Fair Disc A015

    1. Fred Allen Show 400529 035 Death Takes Pretzel Baron

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    Worlds Fair Disc A016

    1. Vox Pop 400815 Ny Worlds Fair Buster Crabbe

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    Worlds Fair Disc A017

    1. This Is Radio 400830 Mutual Ny Worlds Fair

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Worlds Fair Disc A018

    1. Hear It Now 510105 04 Fall Of Seoul Korea

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Worlds Fair Disc A019

    1. Barptcbsrn 591119 104 Arthur Srank From Lansing
    2. Jean Shepherd Show 640915 That Famous Army Training Film

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Worlds Fair Disc A020

    1. Jean Shepherd 650331 Sybaritic Life Is Rampant In Chicago

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Worlds Fair Disc A021

    1. Jean Shepherd Show 650401 Great Hamburger Blowup

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    Worlds Fair Disc A022

    1. Jean Shepherd 650626 Taste Cut Plug Steel Mill Ball Park

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