Speaking of Radio
Selected interviews we think you’ll like
Actor who starred on radio as The Shadow and also appeared in such dramas as First Nighter, Hollywood Hotel, Lux Radio Theatre and many soap operas. He was born May 5, 1912 and was 61 at the time we sat down beside a grandfather’s clock in the living room of his Hollywood, California home, sharing stories of his career that began in Chicago. He died September 25, 1978 at age 66.
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Those Were the days, we produced a limited series of audio vignettes selected from programs originally heard between 1970 and 2020.
Twenty episodes were presented on selected TWTD programs between October 2019 and April 2020.
Guest Host Dan McGuire presents
Treadmill to Comedy
BING CROSBY SHOW (12-20-54) The first of three related and consecutive programs as Bing talks about Fred Allen’s new book Treadmill to Oblivion. Bing reads a letter from Fred.
TEXACO STAR THEATRE (12-12-43) Fred Allen stars in his first show after a six-month vacation for his health. Regulars include Portland Hoffa, Alan Reed (as Falstaff Openshaw), announcer Jimmy Wallington and Al Goodman and the orchestra. Guests are Lauritz Melchior and John J. Anthony.
BING CROSBY SHOW (12-21-54) The second of three programs as Bing talks about Fred Allen. In this segment, Bing reads Allen’s foreword to Champaign For Sale, a book by Broadway columnist Hy Gardner.
INFORMATION PLEASE (2-15-43) Fred Allen is guest panelist as he joins regulars John Kieran, Oscar Levant and Franklin P. Adams. Clifton Fadiman is emcee. Fred assumes the role of master of ceremonies.
JACK BENNY PROGRAM (5-19-46) Guest Fred Allen joins Jack and the gang in a broad-cast from New York. Don Wilson, Mary Livingstone, Dennis Day, Phil Harris, Eddie Rochester Anderson. Fred and Jack negotiate Fred’s fee for appearing on Jack’s show.
BING CROSBY SHOW (12-22-54) The last of three related programs as Bing reviews Fred Allen’s book Treadmill to Oblivion and talks about the differences between radio and TV.
OMNIBUS (1955) Fred Allen appears on the TV show to discuss his new book, Treadmill to Oblivion, using audio clips from past radio shows and quoting from scripts in the book.
SONGS BY SINATRA (12-11-46) Frank Sinatra welcomes guest Fred Allen in a program featuring lots of fun and lots of great Sinatra music.
On the Air 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 1983 on WNIB, Chicago
