Listening to this recorded broadcast gives us a sense of what it was like to live in Washington, D.C. on a fall day in 1939. Much of the news provided throughout the hours is local (commissioners meeting today on the budget; a petition to improve Leesburg Pike) as are the announcements (a regatta on the Potomac; the jitterbug semifinals of the Harvest Moon Ball; an ice cream social hosted by the Grainsville Methodist Church). Area businesses sponsor many of the programs (Zlotnik the Furrier, "at the sign of the big white bear," 12th and G Northwest; Coast-In Pontiac, "in the 400 block of Florida Avenue Northeast"; Kinsman Optical Company, "since 1900"). Also, a number of the shows are locally originated, such as Sundial with Arthur Godfrey, Certified Magic Carpet (a quiz show aired from the Cabinet Room of the Willard Hotel), and a Washington Senators baseball game from Griffith Stadium. Nor is the larger world neglected. We hear news throughout the day of the war that broke out in Europe earlier in the month, and there are reports on such topics as the stock market and the cost of foodstuffs nationally. We hear music from artists who are popular throughout the country such as Horace Heidt, Bing Crosby and Artie Shaw. And there are plenty of network shows, including almost twenty soap operas, Amos 'n' Andy, and Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour. This fabulous relic of a bygone era would be one of the brightest gems in any old-time radio collection. September 21, 1939 On Demand 5 L Maupin 2007-01-24 19:38:07 2007-01-24 19:38:07 10:45 Aunt Jenny's True Life Stories is actually Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories corrected program name nightkey5 2007-05-14 12:02:37 2007-05-14 12:02:37 0 I downloaded all the audio files and saved them for a recent cross-country car trip. I haven't gotten through it all yet, but it was truly enjoyable. For me, it's a glimpse of an era way before I was born. What a treat to hear radio "as it happened," starting out from the station sign on (and their transmitter troubles) through morning shows, news, game shows and soap operas. The early Arthur Godfrey show, with his off-the-cuff banter, record spinning, and local guest interviews is a fascinating visit to a bygone time. Instead of carefully edited and canned programming, this recording provides both extemporaneous chat and music or scripted programming presented live; it's a typical day in the late 1930's unfolding via radio. The humanity and honesty translate down through the years, certainly in stark contrast to the colorless computerized pap of our current broadcasting. The audio quality is good. Since it's a full broadcast day, one or more of the programs will appeal to almost everyone. I recommend listening to it all, front to back, as it happened. It's the closest thing to being there. An audio time capsule Archive fan 2007-06-08 02:46:37 2007-06-08 02:46:37 5 There is so much here to recommend, but it's the surrealistic little things that grab the attention: shows sponsored by a defunct Baltimore brewery, a rendition of "You're Out of the Woods" from Wizard of OZ, cheesy daytime programming cutting away to news reports about WW2 starting up. surrealistic DougBee 2007-06-11 02:06:19 2007-06-11 02:06:19 5 This is definitely one of the most amazing documentations of AMERICAN LIFE ever made... its literally like getting in a time machine and travelling back in time - - and to boot, you get to hear your favorite radio shows in the context of when they were aired. Besides the D-day one, does anybody know if any others like this exist? One of the most AMAZING RADIO DOCUMENTATIONS ever! eddieintokyo 2007-06-12 23:48:51 2007-06-12 23:48:51 5 I never imagined I could ever get to hear an entire day's broadcasting from 1939. I only wish I could shake the hand of the person who took the decision to record all this. The local nature of the broadcast and the interviews with ordinary people are the most facinating for me. It must have been an absolute joy to listen to such variety on radio in those days. PS: In answe to 'uncleroy' the number is called 'Stardust' not sure of the artist except to say that the Glenn Miller orchestra and most of the other bands did versions of it, often at quite different tempos. Certainly a great little ditty and one that totally reflects the era. Its almost spooky to think that people actually listened to the early broadcast as they shaved for work or got the youngsters ready for breakfast with cornflakes or maybe wheetos. For all our technology and advances in medicine I believe people in the first half of the 20th century lived in a much better era. Its an honour to hear this janepowellfanclub 2009-05-15 05:17:55 2007-12-22 09:22:45 5 I am really impressed with this - I listened to a lot of radio shows before this, but it wasn't until I listened to this that I could imagine what people listened to when they gathered around the radio. Very much recommended. Wow, this is impressive. rastyk 2008-01-15 16:59:10 2008-01-15 16:59:10 5 My Grandmother was 10 years old in 1939. The Wizard of Oz had just been released. You can hear several of the songs from the movie during this broadcast. I also heard the original version of Mammy's Little Baby Loves Shortnin Bread.(It would not be PC to play it these days) When you listen to this, you are transported back in time. It is a great trip. Thank you for sharing it with all of us. I love this! Mayberry95 2008-02-10 01:02:47 2008-02-10 01:02:47 5 As a native of DC (although born in 1963), I am enjoying this set immensely. To hear Arthur Godfrey talk about different locations in DC is just incredible and a true history lesson. For the OTR fan in me, it is just incredible to listen how a typical day of radio was at that time! This would be great for any DC History class! digital25 2008-02-29 04:13:24 2008-02-29 04:13:24 5 It is one of my favorite listens right now...I plan on playing it on Sep. 21st, starting at 6am... To the person who asked about other reccordings like this...this one, and the D-Day one, are the only ones I have ever heard of, as far as being complete day...but, there are a lot of original broadcasts from stations...that last an hour or 2...you can find them by looking for "radio airchecks"...on the web... Question...does anyone know what the song at 9 minutes after 6am, is called on this reccording...it's a big band swing tune...love to know what it is... Thanks!!! And thanks for uploading this wonderful selection... This is great! uncleroy 2008-09-10 18:14:16 2008-09-10 18:14:16 5 A fascinating days broadcast just after the outbreak of WW2 ( it started in '39 in England). The music shows are good, the soaps have not improved with time, news is an insight to what we know now and the comedy is timeless. Download enjoy and be humbled. A Gem aratbag 2008-09-13 23:44:50 2008-09-13 23:44:50 5 This is great! I love old radio programs anyway, and to have the opportunity to hear the entire broadcast day of a radio station back in the day is simply amazing! To whoever found these recordings, thank you ever so much! Your hard work allows us to enjoy these programs. This is radio as I wish it still was, back when one had to use one's imagination to paint the pictures. A Great Slice of History RadioNojaa 2009-01-20 18:44:06 2009-01-20 18:44:06 5 Beautiful! Delicious! Happiness! Joy! What an incredible and absolute treasure! You'll never get any closer to a time machine than taking a day off, starting this up promptly at 6:00am and listening to the whole thing. Thank you, 1,000 times, Thank YOU! !!!YES!!! flameproof 2009-01-23 02:02:24 2009-01-23 02:02:24 5 I love OTR, but this is going to be such a treat for my 81 year old mother-in-law! She has no idea any of this stuff exists anymore... what a surprise for her! An absolute treasure! Meatpies 2009-02-07 21:01:37 2009-02-07 21:01:37 5 I first heard this collection in 1983 on a radio show that featured old time radio collections from the late 30's up to 1949. They played the collection over a three week period skipping some of the show. It's nice to be able to download the entire broadcast day to ad to my private old time radio collection. nice discovery robertsradio 2009-05-23 22:13:05 2009-05-23 22:13:05 4 A real treasure. happy 70th anniversary! rhouse 2009-09-21 18:07:05 2009-09-21 18:07:05 5 16 4.93