Old Time RadioOld Time Radio

Radio Shows from the 1920’s, Radio Shows from the 1920’s, 1930’s, and 1940’s1930’s, and 1940’sCollected by Aaron MitchellCollected by Aaron Mitchell

Amos and Andy – November 22, Amos and Andy – November 22, 19291929

This show was recorded just weeks following This show was recorded just weeks following the Stock Market crash of 1929. While you are the Stock Market crash of 1929. While you are listening:listening: Listen for evidence of the stock market crash Listen for evidence of the stock market crash

in the comments of the actors.in the comments of the actors. Try and figure out the setting of the radio Try and figure out the setting of the radio

show. What part of the country are they show. What part of the country are they fromfrom

Try and figure out the ethnic background of Try and figure out the ethnic background of Amos and Andy.Amos and Andy.

Amos and Andy – November 22, Amos and Andy – November 22, 19291929

Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers1.1. What comments did the actors make that refer to What comments did the actors make that refer to

the stock market crash of October 1929? the stock market crash of October 1929? A. Comments about times getting bad and the need for A. Comments about times getting bad and the need for work on a dairy farm.work on a dairy farm.

2.2. What part of the country are the actors pretending What part of the country are the actors pretending to be from?to be from?

A. They were from Georgia, but had since moved north.A. They were from Georgia, but had since moved north.

3.3. What was Amos and Andy’s ethnic background?What was Amos and Andy’s ethnic background?A. The characters were black men, but . . .A. The characters were black men, but . . .

Amos and Andy were played by white men.

Freeman Fisher Gosden from Richmond, VA and Charlie Correll from Peoria, Il met for the first time in Durham, NC.

The Amos and Andy show was extremely popular in the 1920’s and 1930’s.

One Third of Americans tuned in six nights a week to listen to the show.

Abbott and Costello – January Abbott and Costello – January 19451945

This show was recorded near the end of WWII. This show was recorded near the end of WWII. Listen for: Listen for: References to world events, especially WWII.References to world events, especially WWII. Ways it is the same and different from the Amos Ways it is the same and different from the Amos

and Andy show.and Andy show. Advertisements from cigarettes.Advertisements from cigarettes.

Abbott and Costello – Abbott and Costello – January 1945January 1945

What references are there to WWII?What references are there to WWII?A. Camel, best in the service. Shortages of items due to war.A. Camel, best in the service. Shortages of items due to war.

How is it the same and different from the Amos and How is it the same and different from the Amos and Andy show?Andy show?

A. It is the same because of the comic dialogue between the A. It is the same because of the comic dialogue between the two characters. It is different in that there are a lot more sound two characters. It is different in that there are a lot more sound effects.effects.

Why are there advertisements for cigarettes?Why are there advertisements for cigarettes?

A. A. The dangers of smoking cigarettes was not common The dangers of smoking cigarettes was not common knowledge yet.knowledge yet.

William Alexander Abbott on October 6, 1897 from Asbury Park, New Jersey, and Louis Francis Cristillo, born on March 6, 1906 in Paterson, New Jersey.

Became popular by performing their popular skit “Who’s on First?”

Bud and Lou's style and brand of comedy helped lift the morale of the American public during World War II. Eager to lend their time to the war effort, the boys funded (out of pocket) a cross-country tour to help raise much-needed funds on behalf of the War Bond Drive.