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Adventures in Broadcast

Presented by OTR Archives

Adventures in Broadcast is a vintage radio podcast that revisits the greatest old-time radio shows from the Golden Age of Broadcasting. Each episode explores classic dramas, mysteries, comedies, and adventure programs that once captivated millions through the power of sound alone. From iconic radio performances and legendary storytellers to forgotten gems that helped shape modern audio entertainment, Adventures in Broadcast celebrates the artistry, history, and cultural impact of classic radio. Listeners will rediscover suspenseful thrillers, gripping crime stories, sweeping adventures, and unforgettable characters—preserved and presented for a new generation. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of old-time radio or discovering it for the first time, this podcast offers a curated journey through radio’s most influential era. Step back in time, tune the dial, and experience the magic of broadcasting as it was meant to be heard.

305 episodes

  1. A Date With Judy - Income Tax

    Jan 2, 2025 · 32 min

    Judy and her brother Randolph discuss Judy’s plan to file an income tax return despite only earning $11.25 the previous year. While trying to fill out the tax forms playfully in the home, Judy inadvertently causes a chaotic situation where their father mistakably picks up her half-filled return instead of his own. This leads to a miscommunication with Mr. Gibbons, who believes the Foster family is impoverished, resulting in him calling off a significant business contract. Judy, determined to rectify the situation, arranges for Mr. Gibbons to come over for dinner, hoping to give the impression of prosperity. During the dinner, various humorous interactions occur, and ultimately, Mr. Gibbons signs the contract after being charmed by Judy's innocent declaration of her income, reinforcing the idea that even small earnings contribute to the family’s financial health. The episode blends comedic misunderstandings with family dynamics and ends on a positive note of business success.

  2. A Date With Judy - The Pig (2nd half only)

    Jan 1, 2025 · 16 min

    Dora Foster is surprised to learn about a baby left on her desk, while her friend Jane expresses her excitement. Confusion arises as various characters assume the baby is a human infant, including Judy and Randolph, who are at home with the actual mascot of the high school baseball team—a pig named Baby. As they prepare to care for this "baby," a newspaper reporter contacts them, believing it to be a human baby, which complicates matters further. Mr. Foster is oblivious to the truth and even calls a pediatrician to check on the "baby." When he returns home, he discovers that what he thought was a baby is actually a pig, which leads to more misunderstandings as the doctor reveals that the pig has given birth to a litter. The situation becomes a comical mix-up involving the entire family, culminating in unexpected public attention for their new "family."

  3. A Date With Judy - Love In The Slums

    Dec 31, 2024 · 32 min

    Mr. Pringle contacts Judy Foster, initially complaining about his ailments, but shifts to discussing his nephew's interest in dating her. Judy and her friend Barbara return home after attending a matinee of a show titled "Love in the Slums," leading to a playful dispute with Judy's brother Randolph, who shuns their emotional display during the performance. The girls learn from Barbara that some cast members of the show are ill, creating an opportunity for local actors to audition for their parts. Judy decides to audition, enlisting Randolph as her agent despite his reluctance. They head to the opera house where they interact with Mr. Mulligan, the director. Judy misrepresents her financial situation, suggesting her family is desperately poor. Eventually, her mother is roped into auditioning for a role alongside Judy. After a series of comedic exchanges and misunderstandings, including a confrontation with Mrs. Whiteman about perceived family disgrace, Judy's deception unravels, leading to an eventual resolution as Mrs. Whiteman agrees to retract her disparaging remarks about their family's situation. The episode concludes with a humorous reflection on the events, emphasizing the chaotic yet loving dynamic of the Foster family.

  4. A Date With Judy - Love On The Run

    Dec 30, 2024 · 32 min

    Judy Foster's younger brother, Randolph, helps his friend Donald, who is nervous about asking Judy out on a date. After some encouragement from Randolph, Donald manages to call Judy and successfully sets up a date for Saturday night. However, the evening proves to be chaotic, with Donald struggling to navigate the situation, from waiting long in lines at the theater to washing dishes when he runs out of money. Throughout the night, Judy and Donald's plans keep getting disrupted, leading to misunderstandings and humorously heightened tensions, especially for Judy’s father, Melvin, who suffers a headache and believes that Judy has been kidnapped due to a mistaken phone call. Eventually, the evening concludes with Donald safely taking Judy home but not without a series of mishaps that leave everyone, including Melvin, thoroughly exhausted. Tums are promoted throughout as a remedy for his acid indigestion caused by the stressful events.

  5. A Date With Judy - Father's Tuxedo ( 2nd Half Only)

    Dec 29, 2024 · 16 min

    Judy and Randolph are in a bind after discovering that the rented tuxedo for Lulu's father actually belongs to Judy's own father. They cleverly decide to inform Lulu, hoping she can come up with excuses for her father's confusion, as both men are unknowingly wearing each other's tuxedos at a fancy dinner party. As chaos ensues at the party, misunderstandings arise between the two fathers regarding the fit and condition of the tuxedos, leading to an escalating conflict. Amid the confusion, Judy later realizes they must find a way to resolve the situation to avoid further turmoil. Eventually, Judy's mother calls for their father's gray suit, signaling a desire to remedy the tuxedo mishap from home.

  6. A Date With Judy - Matrimonial Bureau

    Dec 28, 2024 · 32 min

    Judy and her friend Randolph decide to help Barbara's Aunt Carrie, who is single at age 38, find a husband through a matrimonial bureau. They write a letter while using Judy's mother’s photograph instead of Aunt Carrie’s, hoping to attract potential suitors. When they receive a response, they learn that Mr. Inglefinger, a man with an unfortunate history of broken limbs and romantic disappointment, is interested. Miscommunication leads him to believe he is pursuing Judy's mother, causing confusion and concern. Although Aunt Carrie initially expresses contentment with her single status, Mr. Inglefinger eventually visits, leading the two to find common ground over shared experiences, culminating in an unexpected engagement. Judy and Randolph realize their efforts inadvertently succeeded in pairing Aunt Carrie with Mr. Inglefinger, proving the matrimonial bureau effective.

  7. A Date With Judy - The Mayor

    Dec 27, 2024 · 32 min

    Judy Foster, the appointed mayor for Girls Day, enthusiastically takes on her role and decides to conduct a raid on what she believes is an illegal gambling house, only to discover during the operation that the house actually belongs to the real mayor, Ephraim Hagel. With her mother among those apprehended during the raid, Judy finds herself in a dilemma as she grapples with the consequences of her actions. Despite the chaos, Judy remains committed to her belief in good government and civic duty, even as her brother Randolph and a reporter navigate the unexpected fallout from their misguided raid. As the story progresses, Judy attempts to manage her responsibilities while facing the humorous and serious implications of her decisions, leaving a wake of confusion and lessons about authority, family, and the challenges of leadership.

  8. A Date With Judy - Bobby Socks Blues

    Dec 26, 2024 · 32 min

    Judy Foster's father asks her to help his friend find a girl, leading to a whirlwind situation when a troupe of movie stars arrives in town for a camp tour and need lodging. The Fosters decide to lend out a room in their house to the stars, specifically hoping to host Frank Sinatra. This stirs excitement among Judy and her friends, who are all vying for the opportunity to impress Sinatra. As the chaos unfolds, Judy grapples with her feelings for the older man, while the other girls in her circle become jealous and competitive. Although Judy aims to declare her affection, misunderstandings arise, especially when the attention falls on Sinatra rather than the man she actually likes. Ultimately, the girls' dreams of mingling with movie stars clash with the reality of their everyday lives, all while humorous chaos ensues at the Foster household as they prepare for their famous guests.

  9. A Date With Judy - The Measles

    Dec 25, 2024 · 32 min

    Judy Foster breaks a date with Oogie Pringle by fabricating a story about her brother Randolph having measles. Oogie, concerned for his health, relays the news to his mother, prompting a cascade of misunderstandings where other children are thought to be exposed to the disease. Kenneth Mackenzie, who has a date with Judy, learns of the supposed measles outbreak and decides to cancel their date as well. Meanwhile, Judy and Randolph become entangled in their own web of lies as they try to navigate the confusion and consequences of their actions. Ultimately, the situation escalates to the point where the school considers closing due to the supposed epidemic. As the chaos unfolds, Judy's lies start to unravel, leading to further comedic misunderstandings.

  10. A Date With Judy - The Scale

    Dec 24, 2024 · 32 min

    Judy Foster and her brother Randolph visit the Super Duper Sugar Bowl, where Judy is excited about a fortune-telling scale that predicts her future. After receiving a fortune about meeting a tall, dark, and handsome man, Judy's life takes a turn when she actually meets Eric Cooper, who, however, later breaks their date in favor of another girl, Lulu. Meanwhile, their father Melvin is preoccupied with a lucrative business contract decision but finds himself entangled in the family's superstitious antics surrounding the fortune-telling scale. As chaos unfolds, including Melvin unwittingly inviting trouble with Lulu, the family ultimately resolves their issues, and Judy's fortune seems to come to fruition when Eric re-establishes contact and expresses interest again, all while Melvin navigates his own business dilemmas. The episode ends with a comedic resolution as the family reflects on the absurdity of their situations. Throughout, Tum's is promoted as a remedy for acid indigestion that can interrupt their daily lives.

  11. A Date With Judy - Meatloaf

    Dec 23, 2024 · 32 min

    Judy is excited about her date with Oogie Pringle, who is overly affectionate after writing her a song, while her father and brother, Randolph, express disapproval of Oogie’s frequent visits. Judy and Randolph go to the dog pound to choose a new mascot for Oogie’s baseball team, eventually deciding on a large dog, whom they name Tiny. Judy's mother, Dora, is strongly against having a dog at home, putting Judy in a difficult position. Meanwhile, Judy's father, Melvin, finds himself tasked with cooking dinner for the family and is unaware that the ground meat he plans to use for meatloaf has already been eaten by Tiny. Melvin and his friend, Henry, end up accidentally using dog food instead, which leads to a series of humorous misunderstandings when Aunt Eva arrives for dinner. In the end, the mix-up resolves itself when it’s revealed that the butcher mistakenly swapped Judy’s dog food with ground round steak for a neighbor, leaving everyone finally able to enjoy dinner without knowing they nearly ate dog food.

  12. A Date With Judy - The President

    Dec 22, 2024 · 32 min

    Judy Foster believes her father, Melvin Foster, is running for president of the United States after overhearing a phone conversation, but he is actually a candidate for president of the Heave Ho Businessmen's Association. The misunderstanding escalates when news spreads, leading to phone calls from various media outlets as they mistake his candidacy for the presidency. Meanwhile, Judy's brother Randolph and his friend Curly work on their mimeographed paper, inadvertently amplifying the confusion. As the fallout from the miscommunication unfolds, Melvin becomes the butt of jokes but ultimately finds himself elected president of the Heave Ho Association as a consolation for his supposed political ambitions. The episode humorously explores the chaos and excitement that ensues from a simple mix-up combined with the challenges of family dynamics.

  13. A Date With Judy - Father's Birthday

    Dec 21, 2024 · 31 min

    Judy and her brother Randolph prepare a special celebration for their father's birthday, planning to spend the entire day together to show him how much they appreciate him. They initially struggle to find a suitable gift, eventually deciding on a smoking jacket, which they charge to his account. When they try to surprise him at his office, their father is preoccupied with an important business meeting. Determined to give him a happy birthday, they take him to an amusement park, where chaos ensues as they accidentally involve his business associate, Mr. Quigley, and attempt to set him up with a date. Throughout the day, their father becomes increasingly exasperated with the situation, ultimately leading to a humorous conclusion where Mr. Quigley expresses his enjoyment of the day and even asks for a date with someone from the gang.

  14. A Date With Judy - The Harpist

    Dec 20, 2024 · 32 min

    Zoogie asks Judy to go steady, and she enthusiastically agrees. Later, Judy and her friend Mitzi lament their lack of dates and decide to throw a party with only boys invited, aiming to increase their chances at romance. Unbeknownst to Judy, her mother, Mrs. Foster, is planning her own party at the same time for a business client. As the two parties collide, chaos ensues when a harpist struggles to enter the house, and the boys arrive only to find the girls are vastly outnumbered. After a series of mix-ups and misunderstandings about the nature of the gatherings, Mrs. Miller, a guest at Judy's mother’s party, ends up enjoying the festivities, eventually joining in on the conga line. The night concludes with laughter and unexpected fun as both parties merge, leaving everyone pleasantly surprised.

  15. A Date With Judy - Mr Cotten's Fan Letters

    Dec 19, 2024 · 25 min

    Judy is a teenage girl living with her family, who is enamored with the famous actor Joseph Cotten. While writing him fan letters, she inadvertently draws the attention of her brother Randolph, who reveals that one of their friends, Curly, has a cousin in Hollywood who has been responding to her letters pretending to be Cotten. As the story unfolds, Cotten arrives in town for a blood donation event, and Judy's excitement grows upon receiving flowers and an invitation to a date from "Cotton," not realizing the ruse. Eventually, Randolph confronts Cotten, leading to a discussion about the importance of honesty and love. Cotten ultimately agrees to help Randolph by pretending to be the romantic rival, allowing Judy to experience a wonderful evening with him, while also guiding her toward the boy who truly cares for her. Through this comedic twist, themes of ambition, teenage crushes, and the realities of Hollywood emerge.

  16. A Date With Judy - The Sinatra Dream

    Dec 18, 2024 · 32 min

    The story revolves around Judy, who is enamored with Frank Sinatra and is excited to attend a movie featuring him with her friend Oogie Pringle. Oogie expresses his jealousy and frustration over Judy's infatuation with Sinatra, highlighting their contrasting personalities—Judy is captivated by Sinatra's unattainable charm while Oogie feels overshadowed. Throughout their conversation, they discuss idealized love, personal insecurities, and the dynamics of young romance, with Oogie often taking a humorous stance on his competition with the star. Eventually, Oogie and Judy prepare for their date at the movies, interspersed with advertisements for Tums, emphasizing their comical struggles with feelings of inadequacy and competition against a fictional ideal. The story concludes with Judy and Oogie heading to the cinema, leaving behind their humorous back-and-forth about celebrity worship and the nature of love.

  17. A Date With Judy - Lamour

    Dec 17, 2024 · 31 min

    Judy Foster prepares for a movie date with her crush, Oogie Pringle, while excitedly discussing her admiration for Frank Sinatra with her family. Oogie's jealousy of Sinatra is evident as Judy expresses how Sinatra represents her idealized notions of love, contrasting it with her relationship with Oogie. Despite Oogie's attempts to impress Judy with his singing, she remains enchanted by Sinatra's screen presence and the romantic ideals he embodies. After a night at the movies, Judy expresses appreciation for Oogie, realizing that she enjoys his tangible presence compared to unattainable movie stars. The episode concludes with Judy acknowledging the appeal of both the movies and her real-life connection with Oogie.

  18. A Date With Judy - Monsieur Boyer

    Dec 16, 2024 · 32 min

    Judy Foster excitedly prepares for a special interview with famous actor Charles Boyer, who is in town for a Red Cross event. Amidst her preparations and her family's teasing, Judy reflects on the significance of the meeting, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. When she finally meets Boyer, she unexpectedly charms him, leading to a conversation where he encourages her to sing at the upcoming rally, mistakenly believing her to be another girl, Nanette, whom he also knows from France. After performing a humorous rendition of "Bobby Sox Blues," Judy feels guilty for taking the opportunity away from the deserving Nanette. Determined to make amends, she writes a heartfelt editorial for her school paper advocating for Nanette, ultimately resulting in Boyer presenting a scholarship to Nanette for music school, recognizing her talent. Judy's journey emphasizes the importance of humility, friendship, and support in pursuing one's dreams.

  19. A Date With Judy - Used Cars

    Dec 15, 2024 · 32 min

    Judy Foster is at home when she receives a call from her crush, Oogie, who asks her for a date, but they agree to sit on the porch due to his lack of money. Meanwhile, Judy's father, Melvin Foster, excitedly reveals he has bought an old car he believes is a great bargain, despite his family teasing him about its age and condition. When discussing the car, the engine unexpectedly falls out, leading to further ridicule. Meanwhile, Melvin's friend, Ed Emerson, decides to prank him by sending comedian Al Pierce to sell him ridiculous items, including a 1908 Stanley steamer and later a motorcycle. Melvin, unaware of the joke, ends up buying the motorcycle, which turns out to be stolen, leading the police to arrest Al. The mix-up is resolved when Melvin clears everything up with the judge, finding humor in the entire situation, while Al's fate hangs in the balance at the end as he reflects on being caught in the prank.

  20. A Date With Judy - Father's Night of Rest

    Dec 14, 2024 · 30 min

    Oogie Pringle's orchestra gets evicted from his father's garage due to noise complaints, which complicates his preparation for the upcoming tryouts for the senior prom band. Desperate to help, Judy Foster offers their living room for the practice, much to her father's dismay, who is intent on getting a good night's sleep. Mr. Foster takes extreme measures by putting cotton in his ears and disconnecting the doorbell, leading to chaos when the family returns home late from a movie, unable to wake him. They eventually enlist the police to investigate, believing he may be in danger. The misunderstanding is resolved when Judy confirms her father's identity, allowing the family to navigate their way through the night's mishaps while juggling the comedic elements of Oogie's band troubles and Mr. Foster's attempts to avoid disturbance.

  21. A Date With Judy - A New Dress for the Dance

    Dec 13, 2024 · 32 min

    Judy Foster is anxiously waiting for her classmate Oogie to call her about the upcoming school dance, feeling nervous and uncertain about whether he will ask her to go. After a series of humorous and dramatic exchanges with her family, it becomes evident that Judy feels she has nothing suitable to wear. She insists that she must have a new dress to attend the dance, which leads to a confrontation with her father, who believes that she is being spoiled. Eventually, Oogie does call and invites Judy, but her father's refusal to buy her a new dress leads her to threaten not to go at all. In the end, despite initially rejecting her father's offer to buy the dress out of a sense of pride, Judy realizes her selfishness and decides to wear an older dress, demonstrating maturity and a change of heart. The episode concludes with Judy and Oogie having a wonderful time at the dance, highlighting themes of adolescent angst, family dynamics, and personal growth.

  22. A Date With Judy - Horse Races

    Dec 12, 2024 · 32 min

    Judy and her mother are concerned about Father working too hard and missing family time. When Father returns from a long meeting with Mr. Emerson, they discuss the pressures of business and the evils of betting. Judy expresses her admiration for a dress she saw and inadvertently mentions a small bet she made with a friend over the dress's price, which angers Father. To teach Judy a lesson about betting, he proposes that she use her allowance to bet on horses at the racetrack, with him covering her bets. Despite her initial reluctance, Judy ends up picking horses based on their names and wins multiple races, causing Father to reconsider his stance as he loses a significant amount of money. The family’s outing highlights the thrill and pitfalls of gambling, with Judy finally asserting her independence by wanting to change her last bet just as it is too late, ultimately keeping the comedic tone as she skilfully navigates the world of betting while her father learns a valuable lesson.

  23. A Date With Judy - Judy and the Diamonds

    Dec 11, 2024 · 32 min

    Judy Foster, facing the evening of a lecture by international relations expert Gregory Hickson, feels inadequate compared to her friend Tootsie, who plans to wear an eye-catching dress. She seeks her father's help for the lecture but instead ends up getting him to agree to go with her family. However, he later concocts an excuse to avoid attending. Meanwhile, a misunderstanding arises when Judy believes her father is buying her mother a diamond bracelet, leading to a series of comic miscommunications. In the end, it is revealed that the supposed diamond bracelet is actually a bison head meant for the lodge. The episode wraps up with Judy's father promising to attend the remaining lectures after realizing he missed out on an educational opportunity, only for the focus to shift back as Judy's mother prioritizes a hen party over the lectures.

  24. A Date With Judy - Love on the Run

    Dec 10, 2024 · 33 min

    Judy is anxiously waiting for a call from her boyfriend, Oogie, who hasn't contacted her for two days, leading to misunderstandings and jealousy involving another girl, Gwendolyn. After a quarrel, Oogie calls Judy and they reconcile, making plans for a celebratory date. However, a series of comic mishaps ensue as both struggle with logistics, including lost coats and communication breakdowns. Oogie finds himself in a long line at the theater and unable to reach Judy, who waits for him at Henry's ice cream parlor. Throughout the evening, Judy’s parents are caught in the chaos of misunderstandings and overreactions regarding their daughter’s whereabouts, fearing she might be in trouble. Eventually, it turns out that Judy is perfectly fine and having a good time at Gwendolyn's party, leading to a happy reunion after the series of comedic misadventures.

  25. A Date With Judy - Spring Fever

    Dec 9, 2024 · 32 min

    The narrative centers around the morning routine of the Foster family, where each member exhibits their unique personalities and dynamics. Judy, the teenage daughter, feels unusually happy and engages in a conversation about responsibilities with her father, Frank. He hints at troubles concerning Judy’s school attendance and behavior while also navigating the day's events with his wife. The characters express concerns about Judy's actions of playing hooky and the implications it might have on her education and reputation. As tension builds, the local atmosphere is contrasted with Judy's carefree demeanor, leading to an exploration of themes about accountability and the challenges of adolescence. Throughout the interactions, there are references to taking TUMS for acid indigestion, which serves as a recurring motif in the dialogue, connecting the characters’ experiences with common everyday issues like stress and discomfort. The episode concludes with heightened emotions regarding the family dynamic and the looming consequences of Judy’s decisions.