The Chronic Rift Network

Presenting the Transcription Feature 200: JACK BENNY and THE GREAT GILDERSLEEVE

It's Episode 200 of "Presenting the Transcription Feature" and Christmas in the land of Old Time Radio. On "The Jack Benny Program," Jack and company are visiting New York in December. This allows him to try shopping in a Manhattan department store, which provides a little variety. Then, on "The Great Gildersleeve," will the members of the Jolly Boys Club turn a charitable project into an exercise in egos, or will the true spirit of Christmas win out? Episodes The Jack Benny Program December 11, 1938 "Christmas Shopping in New York" 3:04 The Great Gildersleeve December 23, 1953 "Selling Trees for Needy Children's Party"31:13

Presenting the Transcription Feature 199: THE LIVES OF HARRY LIME & BOB HOPE

It's been a long time since we checked in with that loveable con man Harry Lime, in the person of Orson Welles. Not quite the psychopathic murderer he was in the movie "The Third Man," where he originated the role, radio's Harry was more of a ne'er-do-well criminal. In this episode, of "The Lives of Harry Lime," Harry is on the Orient Express, hoping to work a counterfeit scam when someone tries to scam him. Then, on "The Bob Hope Show," Bob is broadcasting from the campus of USC just before a game against UCLA. Now that the war is over, he's leaving behind the military-themed jokes, and this episode is just packed with delightful college cliches and slang. Episodes The Lives of Harry Lime February 22, 1952 "It's In The Bag" 1:54 The Bob Hope Show November 27, 1945 "Guests: Peggy Ryan and Red Skelton" 31:18

Presenting the Transcription Feature 198: INFORMATION PLEASE & PHIL HARRIS-ALICE FAYE

We start off tonight with another episode of that great quiz show, "Information Please." Are you up on babies and their guardians, military insignia, and devils in literature? Then, since it's almost time for Easter, here's the Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble of OTR: Phil Harris and Elliot Lewis. "The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show" starred actual married couple, Phil Harris, who was the band leader on "The Jack Benny Program," and popular film star Alice Faye. Tonight, Phil and his band's guitarist, Elliot, attempt to use a drugstore chemistry set to color Easter eggs. What could possibly go wrong? Episodes Information Please March 13, 1944 "Guest: Quentin Reynolds" 2:11 The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show April 5, 1953 "Coloring Easter Eggs Phil's Way" 32:46

Presenting the Transcription Feature 197: BOB HOPE & INFORMATION PLEASE

We start off tonight with an episode of "The Bob Hope Show." It's December of 1945, and the war is over. Hope had spent much of it broadcasting from military bases, but now he is back at the NBC studios in Hollywood. His guest, Jimmy Durante, promises to take Bob to a swanky party, but is Bob ready for Society, and vice-versa? Then, time for that excellent quiz show, "Information Please." It's an Armed Forces recording, which means the original was transcribed and then all the ads were taken out. Are you up on literary in-laws, animal gestation periods, and places to climb? Episodes The Bob Hope Show December 4, 1945 "Guest: Jimmy Durante" 3:48 Information Please April 24, 1944 "Guests: Deems Taylor and Irene Dunne" 35:02

Presenting the Transcription Feature 196: THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR

For our New Year's treat, here's "The Lux Radio Theater" adaptation of the classic 1947 film "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir." The film is an unconventional romance of sorts starring Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney as the title characters. She's a vibrant young widow, and he's the ghost of a rollicking sea captain. The captain isn't French, so I'm not sure why they cast Charles Boyer in the role, except that he does have sonorous voice. Madeleine Carroll takes on Tierney's role. Episode The Lux Radio Theater December 1, 1947 "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" 2:30