Classic Radio 04-15-26 - The Big Show and Jack vs the IRS, Part 2

Classic Radio 04-15-26 - The Big Show and Jack vs the IRS, Part 2

Author: Wyatt Cox April 15, 2026 Duration: 2:41:22
Variety on a Wednesday

First, a look at the events of the day.

Then, The Big Show starring Tallulah Bankhead, originally broadcast April 15, 1951, 75 years ago.  Jack Carson gives Tallulah a singing lesson. Olivia de Havilland and Evelyn Vardin do a scene from "Romeo and Juliet." Martha Raye does a baseball skit. Eddie Cantor appears as "Maxie the Taxi," a Brooklyn cab driver he made famous with a series of skits on television. Baseball player Tommy Hendrick gives Tallulah some of the fine points of the game. Phil Foster remembers life in old Brooklyn. Tallulah reads "Casey At The Bat," as De Wolfe Hopper might have done it. Jack Carson and Martha Raye describe what might have happened to Casey when he got home that night!.

Followed by The Lucky Strike Program starring Jack Benny, originally broadcast April 15, 1951, 75 years ago, the IRS comes back.  After archery in the backyard, the men from the Internal Revenue Service visit Jack for a second time! Guests Ronald Colman and Benita Hume tell the men from the I.R.S. how Jack managed to take them to the Mocambo and spend only $3.90! 

Finally, Claudia, originally broadcast April 15, 1948, 78 years ago, The Last Night in New York.  An evening at the theatre.  Kathryn Bard and Paul Crabtree star.  
 
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Step back into an era when imagination was fueled by voices and sound effects, where families gathered around a console to be transported by story. Classic Radio Theater with Wyatt Cox is a daily journey into that rich audio past. Host Wyatt Cox doesn't merely present these episodes; he resurrects them with the dual perspective of a devoted fan who has loved these shows for over fifty years and a seasoned journalist who spent four decades in news. Each session begins with more than just a classic program. Wyatt dedicates the first hour to providing historical context for the broadcast date, weaving the cultural and world events of the time into the listening experience. This approach transforms each episode from simple nostalgia into a living history lesson. You'll hear the crackling dramas, uproarious comedies, and thrilling mysteries that defined generations, but you'll also understand the world that produced them. The podcast serves as both an archive and a commentary, offering a deeply informed appreciation for the artistry of radio. Tune in for the warmth of familiar voices and the surprising depth that comes from understanding their original context, all guided by Wyatt's knowledgeable and heartfelt narration. It's a carefully curated preservation of sound, ensuring these pioneering performances continue to warm hearts and spark the imagination.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Classic Radio Theater with Wyatt Cox
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