SOUNDS LIKE RADIO

Nero Wolfe Returns just in time to go to a Christmas Party.  That's today's Nero Wolfe Christmas feature on Volume 60 originally broadcast on February 13, 1982.   Based on the Rex Stout original story from 1958's "Four To Go" novel.   Santa Claus & mystery have always gone together and so they do on a Christmas Edition of Sounds Like Radio's Nero Wolfe from our Vast Library of Sound!

It's Volume 65 & Time to saddle up on your reindeer and head on out with Hopalong Cassidy and this Christmastime Adventure.   From the Vast Library of Sound comes this Hopalong Cassidy Christmas show originally broadcast March 15, 1952.   Join Andy Clyde as Hoppy's pal along with Your Humble Host as we find out all about the case of the "Santa Claus Rustlers"!   Today's Hoppy Christmas Western!

Your Humble Host today will be playing another of my very own Jean Shepherd tapes I recorded in the '70's. And bonus it just happens to be a Christmas Jean Shepherd show originally heard December 6, 1974 but I recorded it from an FM radio source on March 17, 1975. It's the Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 383 as we'll hear Shep talk about his precious gift while in the army, a 5 foot salami!! It was a perfect gift if you're in the army and the boys around all love a good chunk of tasty salami. Mmm, I'm getting in the mood for some myself. Drat, none in the house, put that on my shopping list. Enjoy this Christmas present from your Humble Host's very own Shepherd Vault.

From Sounds Like Radio's Library of Sound come Volume 67, a Bing Crosby short show originally broadcast December 13, 1954.  In this show you'll hear Bing talk about the Christmas time happening at the Della Robbia Boys Republic.  Della Robbia wreaths are produced through a work experience program that teaches kids the true value of honest labor. A lesson many an adult today could learn.  Listen as Bing sings some songs and talks about the wreaths at Della Robbia.   An early Bing Christmas present here from Your Humble Host.   Enjoy this 15 minute short show.

Today we have another goodie for you from The Shadow. Even better its an all new Christmas episode of The Shadow from December 21, 1947 called, (get ready for it) "Gift of Murderrrr". Oh boy, this definitely sounds like a job for the Shadow. Well, be calm Your Humble Host is here on the Library of Sound Volume 382 to bring in Christmas with this new episode of The Shadow! I know one guy who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men, do you? Well, listen and find out.

Well, by Golly, it's already that time of year again for a brand new Sounds Like Radio Christmas Special Volume 12!! Your Humble Host has some great Christmas music for you as we always have on our Christmas specials and another Great Gildersleeve Christmas show. A new GIldy from December 10, 1952 where Leroy gets a Christmas job working for Mr. Peevey. A funny show and with our neat Christmas music you may never have heard before (some was new to me too) please enjoy. Happy Yuletide to you.

Welcome to your Humble Host's Annual Christmas Poetry Corner.  Today I'll tell you the tale of The Boy Who Laughed At Santa Claus.   A cautionary ode to those that scoff at Santa. A fun little poem I think you'll enjoy.

Sounds Like Radio Presents Vol. 4 of our Special Christmas shows featuring music galore, surprises here too(!) & a Great Gildersleeve 12/22/48 episode.   It's a special Christmas program celebrating with a lot of rare music classics and just plain good music along with a very nice Gildy show.   Sit back and enjoy the show in your home or as you  drive your way thru Christmas shopping & festivities all with Sounds Like Radio's Vol. 4 call-back Christmas Show.  

Welcome to a special edition of the Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 381 as Your Humble Host presents Judy Garland in her classic role of Dorothy in the Lux Radio Theater version of The Wizard of Oz!! It was December 25, 1950 Christmas night itself when this special show was first heard. Sit back use your imagination and relax or enjoy this show as you drive around this Christmas season, it's time for the Wizard of Oz!

Your Humble Host is happy to bring you this post-Thanksgiving & Early Christmas Bing Crosby Philco Radio Time show with very special guest, Al Jolson!! This was one of the early appearances of the World's Greatest Entertainer on Bing ring dang do. And it's a Doozy. From December 3, 1947 to you on the Library of Sound Volume 380, enjoy.

By Golly, it's Sounds Like Radio Volume 185 time as we celebrate Mrs. Potter's (better known as I Love Lucy's Mrs. Trumble) birthday on this Great Gildersleeve from December 3, 1952. That sneaky Egg Man has done it again and tricked Gildy into getting 2 ducks. Perfect for a Mrs. Potter birthday dinner. Your Humble Host enjoyed listening to this one and joining us today for Mrs. Potter's birthday are Burl Ives, Barbara Mandrell, Bing Crosby, Wanda Jackson (that's her in our picture with this show), Vaughn Monroe to head us out to the stores for Christmas shopping & Dinah Washington. Then we all get down with George McCrae for a little '70's style dancin'.

Boris Karloff returns in today's Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 106 as he tells us the Rudyard Kipling Just So Story of How The Whale Got His Throat.  Your Humble Host is proud to present these little stories and we hope you and your whole family will enjoy them too. Gather the kids for this short little tale from the Story Corner of the Library of Sound. 

Today Your Humble Host has a double bonus for Thanksgiving for you. A Bing Crosby thanks song & an all new Jean Shepherd Thanksgiving show from November 25, 1965. Grab one more slice of pumpkin pie and enjoy Bing & Shep.

Your Humble Host is proud to present our annual presentation of the True Story of Thanksgiving. I added some background music and have a special introduction with a bit of music you might recognize.  Let's all learn what Thanksgiving is really all about from a man who spent over 30 years on the radio teaching, Rush Limbaugh.

Sounds Like Radio's Library of Sound Volume 57 Presents: Sam Spade has a terrified turkey and it ain't because he's about to be eaten.  The action's top notch even at Thanksgiving time with Sam Spade from November 24, 1950 and The Terrified Turkey Caper.  Pass the cranberries and listen to this tasty morsel of Thanksgiving.

Your Humble Host is back with an all new Holiday Thanksgiving edition of The Great Gildersleeve. This one from November 26, 1952 as Gildy is distracted from the turkey for just a moment when he gets a letter from the lovely Miss Tuttle. Well, suddenly things are just a bit brighter or is this call just for the birds. You'll find out what we is talking about when Bob Hope, Jaye P. Morgan, Jimmy Durante, Bing Crosby, Jo Stafford, William DeVaughn & the wonderful Doris Day (that's her in our picture with this show) all join us at this joyful Thanksgiving time. I give thanks for our musical Sounds Like Radio with Gildersleeve and our always fascinating Library of Sounds. Happy Turkey Day!

It's time for the Library of Sound Volume 50 Thanksgiving Edition.  Oh, this is a funny one and even better it's a Thanksgiving episode as Phil & his gang manage to stir things up in their own particular manner.  From November 19, 1950, get ready to laugh with one of the funniest shows on radio, The Phil Harris Alice Faye Show!

Your Humble Host, quite unconsciously has created a very happy and uplifting show.   While I didn't plan it I have selected some really great and positive songs.  I had to ask myself, why?   Then I realized I am feeling so very very good for our country the best I've felt since the 1980's.   Yes, our country's back on the right track again.   And for that matter so is little Leroy on the Great Gildersleeve.   In fact Leroy's been so good recently that Gildy's worried.   Well, we have a few people here that can give Gildy a hint as to why Leroy's feeling so good (and Your Humble Host too).   On hand today to add to our cheer are Mitch Miller (yes, we're going to Sing Along with Miitch!), Joni James, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Buddy (Uncle Jed from the Beverly Hillbillies) Ebsen, Sergio Mendez & Wanda Sa, David Allyn & Annette Hanshaw.   Time to smile again and boy am I smilin'.

On the Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 377 Your Humble Host is here with The Shadow as he goes up against "The Black Rock". You talk about hardened criminals that Black Rock is the hardest. From November 13, 1938 get ready, here comes The Shadow.

Your Humble Host, quite by unconsciously has created a very happy and uplifting show. While I didn't know it at the time I have selected some really great and positive songs. I had to ask myself, why? Then I realized I am feeling so very very good for our country the best I've felt since the 1980's. Yes, our country's back on the right track again. And for that matter so is little Leroy on the Great Gildersleeve. In fact Leroy's been so good recently that Gildy's worried. Well, we have a few people here that can give Gildy a hint as to why Leroy's feeling so good (and Your Humble Host too). On hand today to brighten us all are Mitch Miller (yes, we're going to Sing Along with Miitch!), Joni James, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Buddy (Uncle Jed from the Beverly Hillbillies) Ebsen, Sergio Mendez & Wanda Sa, David Allyn & Annette Hanshaw. Time to smile again and now we have something we can finally smile about.

It's story time on Volume 97 from the old Vast Library of Sound show today.  The one and only Boris Karloff is here to tell us all about How The Rhinoceros Got his Skin.  This is a classic Rudyard Kipling tale Boris is here to tell us in his own unique style.   I love listening to Boris' stories even when they're not scary ones.  Gather the kids or just relax and listen yourself to this very short and sweet Boris Karloff story.

Jean Shepherd's back here on the Library of Sound. This week Shep talks all about that Magic Twig and having success thru casting spells. Is it possible?, well it seems that way on November 8, 1965 when Jean talked all about it. What was then is here right now thru the magic of tape and Your Humble Host. Jean Shepherd lives again on the Library of Sound podcast!

It's time for the Whistler to make a return to the Library of Sound Volume 375. Your Humble Host brings you Whistler episode "The Letter" originally hear August 29 , 1942. It's weird, strange and a bit fun. Enjoy The Whistler.

It's Bing Movie Time on the Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 374.  Today Your Humble Host will be bringing you the radio version of Bing's classic movie, "Welcome Stranger".   The original movie's stars are here too, Barry Fitzgerald & Bing Crosby.   That's Barry & Bing you see in our picture with this show in a scene from the movie when Bing's annoying Barry as he shaves and sings at the same time.   A funny scene and a very enjoyable story.  Get ready to smile with Bing & Barry!

Your Humble Host is back with an all new Sounds Like Radio! It's Volume 181 as Gildersleeve thinks it would be a good idea to install a suggestion box in the family home. What could go wrong, huh? Well now a few folks could tell you like Slim Whitman, Shelley Fabares (our picture with this show), Bing Crosby, Helen Kane/Betty Boop, Jimmy Dean, Tammy Wynette & Arthur Godfrey. From October 29, 1952 let's listen to The Great Gildersleeve and some fine music.

Your Humble Host is feeling great once again, our country's back on the right track and Jean Shepherd is here with some inspirational messages & self-improvement to boot.   It's the Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 373 and our Jean Shepherd show for today was originally taped by me on April 8, 1975, that's right these are MY own original tapes recorded back in the day when Shep ruled the airwaves, well, sort of.

Sam Spade returns to the Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 373 to investigate the "Dry Martini Caper".   It was originally heard August 1, 1948.   Your Humble Host has applied gobs of Wild Root Cream Oil to his hair just to get in the mood for Sam Spade.  I love the Wild Root Cream Oil song Sam sings at the end of the show.

Your Humble Host returns to his Bing Vault and finds an excellent Philco Radio Time show from March 2, 1949.   Today Bing Crosby welcomes special guests Burl Ives & Dinah Shore, 2 really great singers and almost legends in their own time.  It's Bing time on the Library of Sound Volume 372 and it's happening now!

Your Humble Host finds it necessary to remind all of what it is to be an American.  President Reagan in his farewell address reminded us all of what We The People means.  Freedom is not free it needs to be guarded and protected.   President Ronald Reagan left us these wise words of wisdom for our future.  So let's "do this for the Gipper" (that's President Reagan for you young folks) and be proud once more as we Make America Great again.

Your Humble Host feels it's long past time to get serious.  In that spirit we offer a true horror.  Not for Halloween, for our country.  It was 1965 when the great broadcaster Paul Harvey made this chilling prophesy. Sadly it has become all too true.  Is it too late?   Not if we get serious and turn this around.  Listen as Paul Harvey in 1965 predicted a sad future.   Let's not continue down this path. A great country with great freedom demands great responsibility from the people. 

The week of Halloween Specials concludes today with our favorite spooky type crime fighter, The Shadow! Your Humble Host travels with you and the Shadow to "The Isle of Fear" as it was originally heard Halloween Eve on October 30, 1938.  The Shadow knows Crime Does Not Pay, a very good lesson for all.

Now from the vaults of The Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 41 comes a real goodie just for Halloween, BORIS KARLOFF starring in the bad guy role he originated on the stage in “Arsenic & Old Lace”!  Boris didn't get to play the role in the movies due to contract restrictions but he originated it and was perfect in it You'll hear how perfect today in our radio production from July 6, 1952 on a show called “Best Plays”. Your Humble Host presents a real Halloween tradition, Arsenic & Old Lace now finally starring Boris Karloff right where he belongs. Listen and enjoy.

Your Humble Host is pleased to present our Halloween Spooktacuar Volume 3. It was the last of only 3 Gildersleeve Halloween shows. The Halloween Sounds Like Radio Special filled with spooky stories, music & the Great Gildersleeve's October 31, 1951 episode. You know this wouldn't be a Halloween Sounds Like Radio special if we didn't present some Halloween songs and scary type Halloween short stories told by some real classic spooks. I'm not giving away any spooky surprises, it's more fun to find out for yourself. Happy Halloween from Your very own Humble Host!

Your Humble Host says time to take a break from the shudders and have a laugh right here.  It's the Phil Harris Alice Faye Halloween Show and a funny one too from October 30, 1949.   The Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 369 is here for Halloween with our ukulele too.

Your Humble Host asks the proverbial question, are you ready for a week of spooks here on Sounds Like Radio?  Hmm?  Well, let's start the week by getting quiet, Quiet Please it's time for Quiet Please.   But they say "Don't Tell Me About Halloween" as it was originally heard on October 27, 1947.  I wonder why?  Are they spooked already?  Now I'm curious.  

It's time for Jean Shepherd to get us in the mood for Halloween from the Library of Sound Shep Shack Volume 145.   Your Humble Host is proud to present another great Halloween type story of Jean's. Today he's talkin' Monsters!  Yipe, he even tells of his meeting a real monster!   Yipe.  I'll try to control myself as we listen to this fun show originally broadcast October 7, 1969, just about the year I first ever heard a Jean Shepherd show too.   

The Library of Sound (LOS) for Halloween is here for some great fun.  The Classic game show Your Humble Host watched as a kid is here as it was on radio at Halloween time with none other than the perfect Halloween guest, Boris Karloff!!   I feel like a kid again when I hear that Truth Or Consequences theme song and with Boris here to have fun too, how can you go wrong?

A Halloween Favorite Classic Story returns to Sounds Like Radio's Library of Sound (LOS) Holiday Specials! It's Halloween and what better way to celebrate than with Bing Crosby's classic story-time record presentation of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow! One of our most popular podcasts is back, enjoy it and have fun listening to the tale of Ichabod as told as no one else can by our own Sounds Like Radio House Singer who's with us every week all through the year, the one and only Bing Crosby!

On Volume 180 of Sounds Like Radio it seems everyone's off to the mountains for a vacation except for Leroy & the Great Gildersleeve. Why go to the mountains when you can stay home? That's the way Gildy feels about it, too bad Leroy doesn't agree. So instead Gildy & Leroy will camp in their own backyard. Sounds good, huh? Well, we'll find out if perhaps Al Jolson, Helen O'Connell, Burl Ives, Billie Holiday, Roy Rogers, Peggy Lee & Bing Crosby agree. And our 70's flashback to Your Humble Host's own original album collection with a neat song you never hear anymore. You'll feel the Joy of Cooking once again.

Your Humble Host brings you another funny Jack Benny Show on the Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 366.  From February 13, 1946 Jack and wife Mary are looking to buy a house in Palm Springs.  A very funny Phil Harris will also be heard in today's show. Start the festivities!

Your Humble Host is always pleased to bring you a Bing edition of the Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 365. Today we listen to one of the entertaining Bing & Rosie Clooney Shows they did in the early '60's. This is one of my original tapes so sound quality is beautiful. From April 5, 1960 Bing & Rosie & Ken Carpenter have a bit of fun with the "Light Classics". Enjoy this relaxing show.

Sounds Like Radio is back with Volume 179 and today Your Humble Host will be talkin' all about The Great Gildersleeve from July 9, 1952 and his plans to go out on that lake with his new found girlfriend (or so he thinks) Miss McKinley. She's pretty fickle though as she already has plans of her own. Uh oh, trouble in paradise. But if I know Gildy he'll figure a way. To help out our hero we have the wild and wonderful Wanda Jackson (our featured picture this week), Vaughn Monroe,, Kay Starr, Bing Crosby & the Mills Brothers, Ella Mae Morse (she's another spitfire) & Eddy Arnold. But Your Humble Host is never satisfied until he plays you a bonus song and this is from our own record collection of the 1970's, a beautiful song by Tim Moore. You might want to get out your hanky for them tears when listening to this one.

Boris Karloff has returned to the Library of Sound's Reading Corner with a story appropriate enough for this time of year. Boris tells us the Charles Dickens story, "The Goblins Who Stole A Sexton." A sexton works for a church taking care of the building and more commonly tending to the graveyard. This sounds like the kind of story Boris is known for. Your Humble Host will be here with you as I talk this one over with "Boris".

Your Humble Host figures it's about time we bring back good old Shep for another funny and interesting show on our Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 364. Today's show is from one of Your Humble Host's own personal tape recordings of Jean Shepherd I made on April 4, 1975. The sound quality is beautiful as it was recorded off an FM station in my area. Sounds like it was just on today. Enjoy the world of Jean Shepherd.

Today on the Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 363 we present the very last episode of the 1982 Nero Wolfe radio series. I'm sorry that the show ended so soon after only 13 episodes, but today's finale is a dandy. Today Nero finds that "Murder Is No Joke" as it was originally heard April 10, 1982. The story originally appeared in the book "And 4 To Go" which is one of my favorites as it also featured 3 holiday related stories. We've presented all the episodes of this 1982 series in the order they were originally heard. I've enjoyed this series just as I really enjoyed reading all of the Nero Wolfe books. Still my recommendation to you if you want to read some good books with mystery and a lot of humor mixed in. Very enjoyable. Now let's enjoy this last episode.

Your Humble Host is here with Volume 178 of Sounds Like Radio as The Great Gildersleeve from June 25, 1952 meets an interesting gal behind the counter of the store's complaint department. He went there to show Leroy how to step up and return an item but once Gildy sees who's handling the complaints he loses his. Oh my, not a shining example for Leroy but Gildy just can't help it, he thinks he's found a million dollar baby. To help out our boy here we've asked Dinah Shore, Fred Astaire, Joni James, Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, Andy Williams & Teresa Brewer for their advice. Then it's a special bonus time stereo song from Hank Williams.

Your Humble Host is back with one of our favorite detectives, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar! On today's Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 362 Johnny is hired to solve the case of the Templeton Matter just as it was originally heard on February 10, 1957.

Your Humble Host returns to the Library of Sound (LOS) and Volume 361 as we feature, The Saint! Today from July 30, 1947 the Saint solves the case of the Doll With The Broken Head. Vincent Price stars as radio's The Saint, Simon Templar.

Oh Your Humble Host has eaten a bowl of beans (mixed with his chili) in honor of today's Great Gildersleeve on Sounds Like Radio Volume 177. Gildy tries to help out Leroy win a bean counting contest as they both discover Beans, Beans are The Magical Fruit. Like magic today's Gildy was broadcast June 18, 1952. Joining in our beans the magical fruit fest are: Patsy Cline, Grandpa, Dorothy Shay, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Ink Spots & a little heard bonus from Jonathan Edwards.

It's September and the perfect time for thinking Fall thoughts like apples & joining a sing-a-along to a kid favorite of mine.  A Favorite annual Sounds Like Radio Vast Library of Sound Edition of Vol. 6.   Hear now & enjoy the story and song of Johnny Appleseed & you won't want to miss singing along with Tom Lehrer and the kids to a true kid classic, "On Top of Spaghetti"!!    A real entertaining & fun show for all.

Your Humble Host has returned with an odd one, it's Quiet Please and they dare ask the question, "Is This Murder?" It's the Library of Sound (LOS) Volume 360 and a goodie too from January 16, 1949. Now everybody, Quiet Please.