Internet Archive — Gunsmoke Old Time Radio
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Static and Stories: the Golden Age Radio Shows That Still Captivate
Between the 1930s and 1960s, radio was the dominant entertainment medium in the world — and it produced some of the finest storytelling in American cultural history. These shows, preserved and freely shared by the Old Time Radio Researchers Group on the Internet Archive, have been downloaded a combined total of tens of millions of times. They were downloaded by people who were not alive when these shows originally broadcast. That is what preservation means: not just saving something from destruction, but keeping it alive long enough for people who weren't there to love it. Put on a detective drama from 1948. Drive home in the dark. You'll understand.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Golden Age Radio
What is the Golden Age of Radio? The Golden Age of Radio generally refers to the period from the early 1930s through the late 1950s, when network radio drama reached its creative and commercial peak in the United States.
Where can I listen to these shows today? All ten shows on this list are available for free streaming and download on the Internet Archive, preserved by the Old Time Radio Researchers Group.
Why did radio drama decline? The rise of television in the 1950s drew audiences and advertising dollars away from radio, and by the early 1960s most network drama had moved to the TV screen.
Are these shows in the public domain? The majority of golden-age radio episodes are in the public domain in the United States, which is why groups like the Old Time Radio Researchers are able to digitize and share them freely.
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