Épisodes

  • Passing Parade: Special Defense Program Broadcast

    Passing Parade: Special Defense Program Broadcast
    Mar 2 2026

    This episode features a rare and powerful recording from John Nesbitt’s Passing Parade—a special defense-themed program created in the tense months before America’s entry into World War II.

    Unlike his regular sponsored broadcasts, this installment was produced as a voluntary contribution, intended to stir public awareness and engagement in national defense. Through three vivid true stories—a Hollywood prop man’s unexpected military innovation, a Chicago laborer’s quiet patriotism, and a haunting image from Dunkirk—Nesbitt builds a layered argument about preparedness, responsibility, and the human cost of delay.

    The final segment shifts from storytelling to purpose, as Nesbitt outlines his belief in radio’s unique ability to reach not just the mind, but the emotions of a nation. Part narrative craft, part historical document, this broadcast captures a moment when entertainment, persuasion, and patriotism converged on the airwaves. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

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    19 min
  • Family Doctor: Cupid Without Wings

    Family Doctor: Cupid Without Wings
    Feb 23 2026
    Aired: 1937

    This episode of The Family Doctor, titled “Cupid Without Wings,” returns listeners to the small town of Cedarton, where Dr. Grant Adams finds himself entangled in matters of the heart rather than matters of health. When a church sociable brings together old friends, new faces, and unspoken feelings, a well-intentioned effort to help one troubled young woman sets off a chain of unexpected consequences.

    As romantic tensions simmer beneath Cedarton’s polite surface, misunderstandings grow and emotions spill over, reminding listeners that even in a close-knit town, good intentions don’t always lead to simple solutions. The episode blends gentle humor with quiet drama, capturing the rhythms of everyday life in a community where everyone knows everyone else—and where personal affairs rarely stay private for long.

    "Cupid Without Wings" is a representative example of The Family Doctor’s approach to storytelling: intimate, character-driven, and rooted in the belief that small moments can carry great weight. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

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    20 min
  • Guest Star with Jimmy Durante and Garry Moore

    Guest Star with Jimmy Durante and Garry Moore
    Feb 16 2026
    Aired: May 22, 1947

    This episode of Old Time Radio Snack Wagon features a lively installment of Guest Star showcasing the unlikely but memorable comedy pairing of Jimmy Durante and Gary Moore.

    Brought together by circumstance rather than long partnership, the two performers blend contrasting styles—Durante’s gravel-voiced exuberance and Moore’s quick, urbane wit—into a warm, fast-moving half hour of radio comedy.

    Originally produced as a U.S. Savings Bonds public service program, Guest Star often placed top talent in playful sketches that folded advertising into the humor itself. In this episode, Durante and Moore lean into wordplay, character bits, and a spoof of haunted-house theatrics, illustrating how mid-century radio could turn even a promotional framework into a showcase for personality and timing.

    The broadcast captures a brief but distinctive moment in radio comedy, when performers from different generations found common ground through rhythm, warmth, and shared delight in the audience’s laughter.

    Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

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    21 min
  • Nancy Reagan interviews Ronald Reagan (1960)

    Nancy Reagan interviews Ronald Reagan (1960)
    Feb 9 2026
    Aired: April 1–2, 1960

    This episode of Old Time Radio Snack Wagon features a rare and engaging interview from Hollywood Profile, a syndicated series connected with General Electric Theater. In this special edition, the usual interviewer, Ronald Reagan, finds himself on the other side of the microphone, questioned by Nancy Reagan in a wide-ranging and remarkably candid conversation.

    Recorded in 1960, the interview captures Reagan at a transitional moment in his public life, known nationally as an actor, television host, and corporate spokesman, but years before his entrance into elected office. Over the course of several short segments, Reagan reflects on his upbringing in the Midwest, his years as a lifeguard and sports announcer, his discovery in Hollywood, and his work in film and television.

    He also speaks warmly about life on his California ranch, revealing a personal philosophy shaped by physical labor, the outdoors, and self-reliance. The relaxed back-and-forth between Ronald and Nancy Reagan gives the program an unusually intimate tone, offering listeners a glimpse of a media figure whose ease behind the microphone was forged long before politics entered the picture.

    As a piece of broadcast history, the episode highlights how radio and television interviews helped shape public personas in the mid-20th century.

    Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net

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    25 min
  • Wings Over Jordan (Second Helping)

    Wings Over Jordan (Second Helping)
    Feb 8 2026
    Journey back to the 1940s and listen to an episode of Wings Over Jordan, a top-rated network radio program originating from Cleveland.

    The series featured a performance by all-Black Choir based in Cleveland, Ohio. We talk about the group's history and then listen to one of their network radio programs.


    Subscribe to the Podcast at http://www.snackwagon.net or wherever you download your podcasts from.


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    21 min
  • Abroad with the Lockharts: Sailing Day (Second Helping)

    Abroad with the Lockharts: Sailing Day (Second Helping)
    Feb 2 2026
    Join Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart as they navigate the humorous and sometimes frustrating intricacies of international travel from New York to Europe. With witty banter and relatable travel mishaps, this episode is sure to bring a smile to your face.

    Starts Gene and Kathleen Lockhart

    Originally Aired in 1930

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    17 min
  • Pat O'Brien's from Inside Hollywood: Ghost Rider (Second Helping)

    Pat O'Brien's from Inside Hollywood: Ghost Rider (Second Helping)
    Jan 19 2026
    In this episode, we delve into 'Pat O'Brien's Inside Hollywood' and experience a story of a rider on a dark night that has galloped through American history.

    Originally Aired in 1949

    Subscribe to the Podcast at https//www.snackwagon.net or wherever you download your podcasts from.




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    17 min
  • Show Stoppers: Abbott and Costello (Second Helping)

    Show Stoppers: Abbott and Costello (Second Helping)
    Jan 12 2026
    Today, the fascinating tale of Abbott and Costello's rise to stardom—a journey sprinkled with hot dogs, mustard, and a dash of destiny. We feature "Show Stoppers," a 15-minute radio program that highlighted the pivotal moments when stars were born.

    Dive into the duo's candid interview as they reminisce about their early days, from the struggle for their next gig to their big break on Kate Smith's radio show. But it's their legendary mustard routine that truly transformed their careers, turning a simple hot dog stand banter into a show-stopping act that catapulted them to fame on Broadway and beyond.

    Relive the magic of their iconic sketch and learn how a condiment controversy became their ticket to the limelight. It's a classic comedic tale that proves sometimes, the recipe for success is as simple as a hot dog... with or without the mustard.

    Original Air Date: March 13, 1946

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    22 min