Old Time Radio Snack Wagon|Rare Historic Radio Programs

Kids Say the Darnedest Things

Aired: October 6, 1949 This episode of House Party features an early edition of “Kids Say the Darndest Things,” the beloved segment hosted by Art Linkletter that would later become one of the most enduring concepts in television history. Long before it became a TV staple, Linkletter was already charming radio audiences with candid conversations featuring schoolchildren and their wonderfully unpredictable answers. In this broadcast, a group of Los Angeles schoolchildren share their ambitions, opinions, and observations about life—from movie-star impressions and business ventures to future dreams of acting, marriage, and radio. Linkletter’s gentle humor and quick reactions allow the comedy to emerge naturally, creating a warm portrait of childhood curiosity in postwar America.  Originally part of the long-running House Party radio program, the segment captured something timeless: the unexpected honesty and imagination of children speaking entirely for themselves. More than seven decades later, the conversations remain funny, revealing, and surprisingly familiar. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net [https://www.snackwagon.net] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

The Unexplained: Heard But Not Seen

This episode of The Unexpected stars acclaimed radio actress Virginia Gregg in “Heard but Not Seen,” a tense psychological thriller set on a stormy night near a state asylum. Alone in a remote house, an elderly blind woman becomes increasingly frightened after hearing reports that a homicidal escapee is roaming the surrounding woods. As the storm intensifies and isolation closes in, ordinary sounds begin to take on terrifying meaning. A dead telephone line, rattling doors, and uncertain voices create an atmosphere of mounting dread where appearances—and even trust itself—become uncertain. Known for delivering compact suspense stories with sharp twists, The Unexpected condensed the style of larger anthology thrillers into a tightly paced quarter-hour format. Virginia Gregg’s performance anchors the episode, capturing fear, vulnerability, and growing panic in one of the series’ most chilling installments. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net [https://www.snackwagon.net] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Yarns for Yanks: The Man Who Could Work Miracles

Aired: World War II Era (Yarns for Yanks) This episode of Yarns for Yanks features acclaimed actor Ronald ColEman reading H.G. Wells’ imaginative fantasy tale “The Man Who Could Work Miracles.” Unlike Wells’ darker works of science fiction, this story takes a lighter and more whimsical approach, following an ordinary clerk who suddenly discovers he has the power to bend reality simply by willing things to happen. What begins with small experiments and harmless tricks soon grows into a series of increasingly extraordinary events, as the bewildered miracle worker struggles to understand the consequences of unlimited power. Combining dry humor, fantasy, and gentle satire, the story explores how even the most impossible gifts can become overwhelming in the hands of an ordinary person. Produced during World War II for Allied servicemen, Yarns for Yanks brought well-known performers together to share stories from celebrated authors, offering entertainment and a reminder of home to listeners serving around the world. Ronald Colman’s warm, expressive narration gives this classic Wells story an especially charming touch. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net [https://www.snackwagon.net] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Ports of Call: From New Zealand

Aired: 1935 (Ports of Call series) This episode of Ports of Call takes listeners on a journey to New Zealand, blending travelogue, history, and storytelling to bring a distant land vividly to life. Through a series of dramatized vignettes, the program explores both the natural wonders and cultural legends of the islands. The journey begins along the coastal waters, where sailors encounter the famous dolphin Pelorus Jack, long said to guide ships safely through treacherous passages. From there, the program shifts inland to the rolling hills of Otago, where the discovery of gold sparks excitement, ambition, and unexpected consequences for a quiet farming community.  Combining fact, folklore, and music, Ports of Call offered audiences of the 1930s a chance to experience the wider world from their own living rooms—capturing not just geography, but the stories and traditions that shape a place. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net [https://www.snackwagon.net] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Front Page Drama: A Child is Born

This episode of Front Page Drama presents “A Child is Born,” a gripping dramatization drawn from real-life accounts of the fight against narcotics trafficking. The story follows Julia Kaye, once a celebrated Broadway figure, whose life has been upended by morphine addiction. When she discovers she is expecting a child, she turns to a determined physician who offers a slim but urgent hope: saving the baby from the same fate. As Julia undergoes a difficult and closely guarded treatment, forces beyond her control begin to close in—threatening both her recovery and the fragile future of her child. The tension builds through a race against time, where secrecy, courage, and trust become as vital as medicine. Produced as part of a long-running series tied to The American Weekly,  Front Page Drama often dramatized stories drawn from contemporary social concerns. This episode stands as a stark and emotional example of how radio sought to confront difficult issues through storytelling that was both urgent and deeply personal. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net [https://www.snackwagon.net] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].