Complete Broadcast Day
Various
Complete Broadcast Day - WJSV 9/21/39-MP3 format WJSV Complete Broadcast Day On September 21, 1939, radio station WJSV in Washington, D.C. transcribed an entire day of broadcasting. If you are curious as to what radio was actually like in those days, there is no better way than by listening to these MP3 files. )
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
Chapters
Reviews
September 21, 1939 On Demand
L Maupin
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.
An audio time capsule
Archive fan
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.
Its an honour to hear this
janepowellfanclub
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.
Another source, with marked segments
bstepno
It's great to be able to download the entire day as MP3s. For another approach, a University of Virginia American Studies project turned these recordings into a Web site titled "A Day in Radio" (which Google can find), with each group of two or three 15 minute Quicktime mov audio clips presented on a separate Web page with some contextual information. For instance, the note on the 8 a.m. news cast says: "The Arrow News Show delivers up-to-date news and is brought to you by Arrow Beer of Baltimore. Today you will hear the latest on the European War and Roosevelt's attempts to repeal the Neutrality Act. After the news, enjoy local chatter featuring birthdays, some musical numbers, and of course, lots of commercials."
This is great!
uncleroy
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...
Fantastic!
Anubis4545
Really, REALLY enjoyed these! The music is great, and its such a pleasure to listen to a full day of what people back in '39 would've heard by tuning in their radios. I saw a reviewer mention that the Wizard of Oz song "You're Out Of The Woods" played in here, but I haven't been able to find where it plays, only heard "In the Merry Old Land Of Oz". Anyone mind elaborating on what part "You're Out of the Woods" plays? Thanks again for posting this wonderful collection!
I love this!
Mayberry95
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.
A Snapshot of the Past
ksundra
What a wonderful collection! Both the programs and the ads are fascinating to listen to. I was surprised when George Washington Carver showed up as an interviewee on Strange as it Seems, since it's not mentioned in the collection description. In my mind I had always assumed he died before the advent of recorded media, so hearing his voice was such an interesting addition to this time capsule of radio and cultural history.