Speaking of Radio

Selected interviews we think you’ll like

Actor-comedian who rose to fame on as one of the “men on the street” on Steve Allen’s TV show. Before that he had worked a bit on radio and on other TV series and, later in a few films. He was born May 1, 1913 and was 59 when we met him backstage at the Arlington Park Theatre in suburban Chicago. He died October 9, 2005 at age 92.

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.

Chuck Schaden hosts

Fred Allen Centennial

Comedian Fred Allen was born one hundred years ago, on May 31, 1894. We observe his Centennial with an afternoon of fascinating Fred Allen radio material:

FRED ALLEN SHOW (4-11-48) Excerpt featuring Basil Rathbone, looking for a script for his new radio program. Fred comes up with a “One Long Pan” story.

LINIT BATH CLUB REVUE (1-22-33) A broadcast from Fred’s very first radio series which began on October 23, 1932. This show features popular sketches from previous shows.

FRED ALLEN SHOW (5-2-48) Excerpt. Fred didn’t finish writing the show for this broadcast. Guest Henry Morgan.

OMNIBUS (1955) Excerpt from the audio portion of the TV series featuring a monolog by Fred Allen discussing his book, “Treadmill to Oblivion” using clips from Allen broadcasts.

FRED ALLEN SHOW (4-18-48) Excerpt. Fred and Portland Hoffa take a
walk down Allen’s Alley. The question: What do you like about the circus?

INFORMATION PLEASE (2-15-43) Emcee Clifton Fadiman and regular panelists John Kiernan, Oscar Levant and Franklin P. Adams welcome guest panelist Fred Allen who assumes the role of emcee for part of the program.

FRED ALLEN SHOW (5-26-46) Excerpt featuring Jack Benny who sneaks into a studio tour. Fred tells Jack about Allen’s new give-away program, “King for a Day.”

FRED ALLEN SHOW (10-26-47) Excerpt. Fred wants Hollywood to make his life story. Guest is Jack Haley.

On the Air 1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 28, 1994 on WNIB, Chicago KEN ALEXANDER subs for Chuck Schaden on this broadcast.