Posted on 09/03/2017 10:30:25 AM PDT by Sean_Anthony
Creating a fan base
I borrowed the title for this essay from a very popular weekly radio show (over 400 episodes) of the exact same name, broadcast during some of my growing up years 1945-1953. Before television became the focus of our attention we listened to radio, usually as a family gathered around the one piece of furniture providing our in-home entertainment. The show cited above was a favorite because it was exciting and reinforced our teachings from other sources (parents, schools, churches, the friendly constable on the beat) about distinguishing right from wrong. We came to accept the FBI as the worlds leading crime-fighting organization. We applauded its existence and personnel, were assured it could do no wrong, and even wondered how we could join up. A seemingly impossible dream.
I’ve learned to like the series and sometimes catch it on XM148.
I listen to old radio show every day at work and during my booze walks around Tokyo. I’m doing I Was A Communist For The FBI now. You can find all the shows that the podcasters use at Archive.org. However, if you enjoy the podcasts, please give a few bucks to the folks that provide commentary and historical information when the play the shows. My favorite shows are Your’s Truly, Johnny Dollar and Dragnet, among so many others from the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s. I wasn’t even born during that time, but it is my favorite form of entertainment over the last 10 years.
Yeh,,,TIYFBI way back b4 Efram Zimbalist Jr and the newer FBI version of narrow ties and button-down collars, etc.
How innocent/ignorant we were!
**************
I am listening this iTunes podcast now. Dragnet. He’s got a great daily upload and commentary.
This ain’t your father’s FBI........
I liked the very early Jack Webb ,Dragnet’ TV. With the partner Frank Smith, played by Ben Alexander. Always very morale episodes, showing that crime doesn’t pay.
As a kid I loved the show. L - A - V - A dan dee dan, its still in my head.
Two other great radio series by Jack Webb: Pat Novak for Hire, and Jeff Reagan Investigator. But my favourite of the old time police/detective series is Broadway is My Beat starring Larry Thor. Great writing and Thor had a rich radio voice that in my books was rivalled only by Gerald Mohr, who portrayed Philip Marlowe.
A good cold war era TV Spy versus Spy show was “I led 3 lives.”
He actually led 3 Lives. It is Herbert A. Philbrick’s classic memoir of his life in espionage. ... From 1949 till he quit, he led three lives: ordinary American citizen, communist conspirator. counter spy for the FBI. Some decent
Drama from the early 1950’s.
Also, not to be forgotten David Harding Counter Spy. Someday they will send me the badge I ordered with a Pepsi bottle cap and 25 cents of my hard earned allowance. Almost 70 years ago and still no badge. What a scam.
Ah Jack Webb!
Great Stuff!
He made a better DI flik than that pseudo-gunny (S/Sgt)...
I got afew links to webb.... DI/Dragnet on my blogs...
Dick G
*****
One of my favorite movies had Jack Webb and Robert Mitchum in the military together. It was called The Last Time I Saw Archie, and Mitchum’s bone-deep cynicism was hilarious.
I’d like to see your website then. I thrive on old time radio.
“Some decent
Drama from the early 1950s.”
I remember somebody would be shot with a .38 and they’d check all the local stores to see who had bought .38 ammo and...viola! They’d nail the killer. Even today the dramas act like the entire department jumps right on a murder case. Yeah, right. In reality, if the murderer doesn’t fall in their lap in 72 hours it joins the ocean of other unsolved murders.
I wish I could reply to every post here now, but I’ll try to do it tomorrow. I’m happy to see so many OTR fans here. I’ll add your names to my ping list on my profile page, along with the podcasts and show I like.
Thanks FRiends!!!
Put my name on the ping list as well, please; I love the crime dramas and SF on old radio. Thanks
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.