This May 19, 1953 episode of Adventures in Research tells the story of John James Audubon — the artist and naturalist whose devotion to studying and painting birds resulted in one of the most celebrated works in American scientific and artistic history: Birds of America.

From his early fascination with woodland songbirds to the years he spent traveling, sketching, and refining his craft, this broadcast traces Audubon’s lifelong effort to capture birds as they truly appear in nature — vivid, life-sized, and full of motion. His determination would carry him across continents and through hardship, driven by a belief that the beauty of the wild should be preserved and understood.

This short dramatization blends biography with atmosphere, presenting Audubon not only as a painter but as a man who saw the natural world with both precision and awe.

Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

Related links: 
The National Audubon Society
https://www.audubon.org

Birds of America Digital Collection
https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america

John James Audubon Biography:
https://www.nps.gov/people/john-james-audubon.htm

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

The Old Time Radio Snack Wagon celebrates its 100th episode by returning to one of its very first subjects — the incomparable Jimmy Stewart. This time, we catch the beloved actor in a rare comedic turn from a March 10, 1948 episode of Philco Radio Time with Bing Crosby. In this lighthearted broadcast, Bing and Jimmy spar over Stewart’s bachelor status, trading sharp quips about marriage, women, and independence. 

The exchange soon gives way to Stewart’s own tongue-in-cheek musical number, “The Wolf of Wolf Creek Pass,” offering listeners a playful look at the legendary actor’s sense of humor and self-deprecation.

Though Stewart was considered one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors at the time, life had other plans — he would marry Gloria Hatrick McLean the following year, remaining devoted to her for 45 years.

Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

This week’s Old Time Radio Snack Wagon features a chilling episode of Guest Star, a U.S. Treasury Department program promoting savings bonds. In this 15-minute broadcast, acclaimed actress Ida Lupino stars in Fear, a taut psychological drama about a woman convinced that someone is following her—though no one believes her story. As her terror mounts, listeners are drawn into a suspenseful world where reality and delusion blur until the truth is revealed in one unforgettable moment.

Produced as part of the Defense Bonds campaign, Guest Star often spotlighted top film and radio talent in short dramas or light comedies. This episode stands out for its dark tone and Lupino’s commanding performance, demonstrating why she became one of the era’s most respected and versatile actresses.

Original Air Date: August 2, 1953

Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

In this episode of The Adventures of Babe Ruth, the Bambino faces one of his toughest opponents — not a pitcher, but an umpire. When a long-simmering feud between Babe Ruth and umpire Tim Daly boils over during a crucial late-season game, tempers flare, fans riot, and the “Sultan of Swat” finds himself caught between pride and responsibility. What follows is a tale of sportsmanship, humility, and redemption — told with the flair and energy that made this U.S. Navy–produced series a hit among young listeners.

Though inspired by real headlines, Feud with Tim Daly is pure radio fiction — a dramatized look at the legend of Ruth as a moral hero and ambassador for the game. The episode captures the spirit of baseball’s golden age, where the crack of the bat echoed alongside lessons in fairness and self-control.

Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

In this 15-minute mystery from The Unexpected, Lyle Talbot stars as deep-sea diver Tom Stevenson, a man drawn into a web of deception and greed when a mysterious widow offers him a fortune to recover lost treasure from a sunken ship off the coast of Hawaii. But as the dive grows darker and the truth rises to the surface, Stevenson learns that fate—and fortune—can turn in the most unexpected ways.

Produced in Hollywood and syndicated across the country, The Unexpected ran during 1947–1948, offering compact dramas with twist endings reminiscent of Suspense and The Whistler. Cargo Unknown is a sharp example of the series’ flair for irony and moral surprise, delivered with brisk pacing and atmospheric sound design.

Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

In this episode of The Family Doctor, titled Once to Every Boy, mischief finds the Maynard twins when they decide to buy a cigar, pretending it's for their father. What begins as a seemingly innocent errand from the local drugstore quickly spirals into a secret experiment gone wrong. Soon, both the town doctor and minister must step in as the boys learn firsthand the consequences of their actions.

Produced in 1937, The Family Doctor was a syndicated drama series that combined gentle humor with small-town lessons, reflecting everyday dilemmas of American life. This episode shows how even common missteps were handled with compassion and understanding in the world of old-time radio storytelling.

Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

This April 1, 1943, segment of Kraft Music Hall pairs Bing Crosby with a rising comedy talent who would one day become one of television’s most iconic stars—Lucille Ball. At this point in her career, Ball was a hardworking film and radio actress, known for her quick wit and growing comedic presence.

In this sketch, she plays a regal “Queen Lucille” in a playful routine filled with wordplay, royal suitors, and plenty of laughs. Lucille Ball’s radio appearances like this one helped showcase her timing and charm long before I Love Lucy made her a household name. These performances built the foundation for her future reign as the “queen of comedy.”

Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

Aired: 1956–57 (Episode 42 of Greatest Sports Thrills)

On this episode of Greatest Sports Thrills, listeners are treated to the story of Frank Gifford, the versatile halfback of the New York Giants, who helped lead his team to the 1956 NFL Championship. Narrated by Harry Wismer, the program explores Gifford’s rise from USC standout to one of the most celebrated players of his era. Gifford himself shares the moments he considers his greatest sports thrills, from college glory to his years in the NFL spotlight.

 The series, originally produced as a U.S. Air Force recruiting program, combined profiles of athletic legends with messages of service and opportunity. This episode captures both the excitement of mid-century professional football and the personality of one of the sport’s enduring figures.

Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

Learn More

• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Frank Gifford– Career highlights and legacy.
• NFL.com: Remembering Frank Gifford – A look back at his impact on the game.
• ESPN Classic: Frank Gifford Biography – From his USC days to broadcasting fame.
• Monday Night Football and Frank Gifford – His long second career as a broadcaster.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

On this episode of Front Page Drama, drawn from the files of The American Weekly, a reporter sets out to interview a man who has just turned one hundred years old. What begins as a standard feature story soon takes an unexpected turn when the centenarian makes a startling declaration about his future. The encounter sets off a chain of events that reverberate far beyond the man’s modest home.

First broadcast on August 28, 1948, this program was the 801st episode of Front Page Drama. Produced to promote The American Weekly, the series dramatized stories ranging from the sensational to the heartfelt, reflecting both the anxieties and aspirations of postwar America. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net Learn More

• The American Weekly: A Brief History (American Heritage) – How the Sunday supplement shaped public tastes.
• Hearst’s American Weekly Magazine – Publisher background and cultural role.
• Collecting The American Weekly – A look at its artwork, stories, and legacy.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

On this episode of Old Time Radio Snack Wagon, we feature an installment of Behind the Story narrated by Marvin Miller: The Crypt of Civilization. This fascinating program, originally broadcast by the Armed Forces Radio Service, explores one of the most ambitious time capsule projects in history.

Conceived in 1936 by Dr. Thornwell Jacobs, president of Oglethorpe University, the “Crypt of Civilization” was designed to preserve a record of human culture and knowledge for 6,000 years. Sealed in 1939, the crypt holds microfilm books, recordings, everyday artifacts, and even devices meant to help future civilizations understand English. This episode dives into the origins, challenges, and aspirations of the project, raising timeless questions about what we choose to preserve and how we imagine the distant future. 

Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net



Relevant Links

• Oglethorpe University: The Crypt of Civilization – official background on the project.
• Smithsonian Magazine: The World’s First Time Capsule – an in-depth look at the crypt’s history and significance.
• New Georgia Encyclopedia: Crypt of Civilization – historical context and details of what was included

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

On this special episode of The Old Time Radio Snack Wagon, we're ringing in Public Domain Day (and New Year's too) and for once we're not bringing you old time radio. We've got our virtual record play out and are ready to ring in the New Year with some tracks from '23 (1923 that is) that've entered the public domaikn.

Among the '78 RPM recordings you'll hear:

Paul Whiteman's Orchestra brings us., "March of the Wooden Soldiers."

Then, next up 1923's biggest earworm, "Yes, we have no Bananas!" from Billy Jones.

Then, Radio Hall of Famer Eddie Cantor offers his response to the hit, ""I've Got the Yes! We Have No Bananas Blues."


Then we wrap up with composition from another Radio Hall of Famer, Jimmy Durante with, "I Ain't Never Had Nobody Crazy Over Me"

Subscribe to the Podcast at http://www.snackwagon.net or wherever you download your podcasts from.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

This week, we take a look at soldiers far from home and how the Armed Forces Radio Services brought them a taste of home with the help of local radio stations.

While the popular World War I refrain, "How are you going to keep them back on the farm when they've seen Paree." While there was truth in this song, American servicemen and servicewomen often longed for home. Wayback Home was a daily fifteen minute series that featured listener requests answered by hometown radio stations.

The December 22, 1953 episode of Way Back Home featured a gospel acapella song, hog calling, and a country music performance by a forgotten radio band.

Subscribe to the Podcast at http://www.snackwagon.net or wherever you download your podcasts from.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

Today, we feature a segment from The Big Show on November 12, 1950.

Groucho Marx hosts a version of his classic game show You Bet Your Life with some unusual couples. First up is Baby Snooks (Fanny Brice) and Daddy (Hanley Stafford), then Tallulah Bankhead and Meredith Willson.

Support the show on a One-Time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net
and become one of our Patreon Supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

Subscribe to the Podcast at http://www.snackwagon.net or wherever you download your podcasts from.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

This episode we feature a story from he greatest radio storyteller of the 20th Century.

John Nesbitt tells the story of La Libre Belgique, a Belgian underground newspaper that published the truth about the German occupation during World War I at a stunningly high cost and how the paper is printing again in opposition to Nazi Germany.

The story was told on the July 21, 1942 episode of the Johnson Wax Summer program.

Support the show on a One-Time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net
and become one of our Patreon Supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

Subscribe to the Podcast at http://www.snackwagon.net or wherever you download your podcasts from.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

What would you do if a stranger showed up at your house saying some friends of yours had told her to look you up for a place to stay? And if you were inclined to show her a bit of hospitality, what would you do when she called her giant husband to come inside.

This was the basis of a stunt on a post-war episode of People Are Funny. And we'll find out in today's excerpt from that program hosted by Art Linkletter.

This comes from an Armed Forces Radio Services rebroadcast and I'm unable to ascertain the exact air date.

Support the show on a One-Time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net
and become one of our Patreon Supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

Subscribe to the Podcast at http://www.snackwagon.net or wherever you download your podcasts from.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

look at the early days of the comedy feud between legendary comedian, actor, and juggler W.C. Fields and the up-and-coming young ventriloquist's dummy, Charlie McCarthy (attached to Edgar Bergen.)

We start out with the first verbal barbs between Fields and McCarthy on May 1, 1937 and then on June 27, 1937, Fields has to talk his way out of a $12 million defamation lawsuit by Charlie McCarthy in response to Fields' barbs in the previous seven weeks.

Don Ameche also appears.


Support the show on a One-Time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net
and become one of our Patreon Supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

Subscribe to the Podcast at http://www.snackwagon.net or wherever you download your podcasts from.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

In this episode of Voice of the Army, Jimmy Stewart narrates the story of an ill-fated plane in the Pacific Theater during World War II...and a legend that goes along with it.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 1, 1949

Originated from Hollywood

Also featured: Jeff Chandler and Sam Edwards

Support the show on a One-Time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net
and become one of our Patreon Supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

Subscribe to the Podcast at http://www.snackwagon.net or wherever you download your podcasts from.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

Join us as we dig into the world of Archie Andrews in this special episode sponsored by YMCA as Archie decides whether to go on vacation with his family or the YMCA Summer Camp and finds a way to get into trouble either way!

Original Broadcast Date: May 7, 1946

Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

In this sketch from February 17, 1946 episode of Request Performance, a world-class violinist (David Niven) gets a tip that his missing Stradivarius is in the room of a poor musician (Eddie Cantor) who got his break.

Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.

Join us for a delightful journey back in time as we explore the enchanting world of Phil Spitalny's All Girl Orchestra in this episode of The Old Time Radio Snack Wagon.

Host Adam Graham takes us through the captivating history of The Hour of Charm, a groundbreaking radio program that showcased the immense talent of female musicians during an era dominated by male orchestras. In this nostalgic segment, we feature a special presentation from September 2, 1945, highlighting the beautiful choral arrangement of "The House I Live In," performed by the All-Girl choir with the mesmerizing voice of Francine.

 Additionally, enjoy a stunning violin solo by the talented Evelyn Kaye, who proves that her artistry is nothing short of magical. As we approach the July 4th weekend, let these American tunes resonate in your heart and remind you of the rich legacy of music that has shaped our culture. Tune in for a unique blend of history, melody, and charm that will leave you craving more Old Time Radio goodness!

Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.