Old Radio

November 15, 1926: The first professional radio opera , Samson Et Dalila was aired for the first time on KYW radio, Chicago, IL from the Chicago Auditorium.  BBC started its domestic radio service on this day in 1922. Samson and Delilah came from the French The Opera Scenes by Camille Saint-Saëns, who was known as the greatest French Romantic composer. Samson et Dalila  was originally planned as an oratorio based on the biblical story of Samson and Delila, but later on the story was adapted for a full opera. For additional classical and opera radio shows, see also: Andre Kostelanetz Show Bell Telephone Hour Encores Chicago Theater of the Air Concert Hall Enchanted Hour Hour of Charm Metropolitan Opera Telephone Hour (Music From America) The Magic Key Lauritz Melchoir Collection Voice of Firestone

November 14, 1922: Domestic Radio Service was started by The British Broadcasting Corp. That first transmission on November 14th of that year was aired from station 2LO, located at Marconi House in London. They were experimental radio services of the BBC. The BBC is owned by six telecommunications companies: Marconi, Radio Communication Company, Metropolitan-Vickers (MetroVick), General Electric, Western Electric, and British Thomson-Houston (BTH)

  November 21, 1944: The Roy Rogers Show went on air for the first time on Mutual Broadcasting System on this date. Roy Rogers also starred in The King of the Cowboys. Roy was assisted by the Whippoorwills and The Sons of the Pioneers. The show’s title song was "Happy Trails" that was sung by Rogers and its composer Dale Evans during the credits.

Happy Veterans Day! "This nation will remain the land of the free so long as it is the land of the brave."  - Elmer Davis, News Commentator

November 11, 1940: Mandrake the Magician  aired on Mutual for the first time, and the song ‘invovo legem magicarum’ (I invoke the laws of magic) was also broadcast for the very first time on the show. Mandrake the Magician  was a famous radio kids serial  established around the United States. The broadcast lasted for about 15 minutes. The radio show featured Raymond Edward Johnson, the unique host on Inner Sanctum , and ran for a year-and-a-half.

November 10, 1950: On this date, the Magnificent Montague was presented for the first time on NBC. Monty Woolley performed the title role. Anne Seymour played opposite Monty Woolley in the show as his wife. Together, the two captivated audiences with their charm and comedy . Monty became known for his white beard that became his trademark.

November 2, 1931: On this date, CBS aired the radio show Myrt and Marge for the first time. The program revolved around the competition of two chorus girls for the same parts and the same men. Myrtle Vail, who created the series and wrote the script as well (with help from Cliff Thomas), also played the part of Myrt. Vail's daughter, Donna Damerel, was the original Marge. Unfortunately, Donna died giving birth and three other performers took her place during its run. The program went on for 11 years. Vail based the story idea off of her experiences during her stay in Chicago where she worked as a vaudeville actor play along with her husband, George Damerel . Almost all the stories she wrote were based on their experiences.  She presented the idea to the chewing gum manufacturer Wrigley, which was then not yet a sponsor for his show.  Manufacturer Wrigley liked Vail's idea an Wrigley finally agreed to sponsor the show. Myrt & Merge debuted as a prime time program in th