Categories of old time radio are varied. Just as movies and TV shows now, there are westerns, comedy, detective, you name it! When you go to our On-Line store, all of our shows are broken down into separate categories. If you're in the mood for a certain kind of show, it makes it a little easier to find what you're looking for. Some shows fit into a couple of different categories.
Below are the following categories broken down for you. Browse around, at Eddies Old Time Radio we have something for everyone!
Adventure- Just as the name implies, there is usually some type of adventure involved. Whether it's a WWII spy on the trail of a Gestapo agent, or a thrill a minute ride in a police car, there's something here for those Type A personalities. A very popular genre of old time radio.
Audiobooks- Great classics, all unabridged, all very high quality. A little change from OTR, great for visually impaired, and for that college student who finds it easier to listen than to read! Effective Aug 10, 2012 we stopped selling Audio Books. We still do it for some charitable causes, but audio books don't really fit in with what we do here at eddiesotr.com. Thanks to all who have purchased in the past, we hope you enjoy them.
Audio Historical- This form of old time radio not only entertained you, but you usually learn something in the process. Most shows in this category are historically accurate, or very close. Some of them have been used in school curriculums. Many are still used today, especially by home schoolers.
Best Of The Best-Eddie's Picks-The shows in this category are our historically high sellers, and are regarded my most listeners and collectors to be some of the best shows in their particular category. We think all the shows we sell are good, but some are gooder than others! This category will hopefully be helpful to someone buying a gift of old time radio.
CBS Radio Mystery Theater- This category is only about one show, The CBS Radio Mystery Theater! It is by far our best seller, and is one of the most critically acclaimed shows on radio. Not really considered old time radio though, as these shows were aired after the golden age. But most radio listeners will agree that this is one of the best, if not the best radio shows of all time. The reason we have it in it's own category is that it's a large set, 1399 shows, which is the complete version, and consists of 24 MP3 CDs. Here you will have the option to buy the complete set at one time for a discount, or buy one part at a time, with one part being 8 MP3 CDs. We also offer it as a 5 disc MP3 DVD set, and on Regular Audio CDs. Please click here to read more.
Comedy- In this section you'll find some of the funniest people and shows of all time. When you need a laugh, this is the place to go. Say goodbye to the crude stuff...these are shows that will get you laughing without "crossing the line". You can enjoy them with the kids around, they'll laugh too! On a personal note....I have a son, who is older now, but me and him used to laugh like crazy listening to "Great Gildersleeve", even though he was a hardened 16 year old. Shows from this category are timeless. Enjoy.
Crime & Detective- Crime has always been around, and there has always been police, detectives, and private detectives to put the bad guys away. A very popular part of old time radio. Most, but not all, the crimefighters in old time radio were a little "hardboiled". Most shows from this category are about 30 minutes long, great shows to listen to when when you have a little free time.
Drama- Shows that usually told a story that had a more serious tone. The problems that we face today are pretty much the same problems that were faced 50 or more years ago! Also in this category we have put radio adaptations of many great books and stories. Some are heartwarming, some not, but all good.
Gift Certificates- Eddies sells gift certificates in any even dollar amount. You have your choice of either an eCertificate (emailed), or a paper certificate (regular post). Our paper gift certificates are professionally printed, and come in a gift envelope.
Gift Sets- These are packages that we have put together, with each show being from a particular category, such as all Western or Comedy. Ten disc sets, available in either MP3 CD or Regular Audio CD. We have picked the shows using our knowledge of old time radio shows, along with historically high sellers. The main reason we put these packages together was to help people buying gifts. If you need help picking out old time radio shows as gifts, and don't want to buy a gift set, call us, and we'll help you pick out the perfect shows. Gift package prices reflect an approx. discount of 10% over buying the shows individually.
Holiday- Some of the best radio shows were aired during holidays, with almost every type of show having "holiday" episodes. Most holidays were recognized with special shows, but Christmas by far has the largest collection of holiday shows. And out of all the genres, comedy and variety type shows have the best of the best. A great Christmas tradition to start would be to listen to some Old Time Radio Christmas shows while you're all together for Thanksgiving, trimming the tree, on your way Christmas shopping, or wrapping presents. We offer an excellent variety of Christmas shows on Regular Audio CDs that you can put in anything that accepts CDs. There are lots of people who only listen to old time radio during the Christmas season.
Horror- A great area of old time radio, where you can get a little frightened, without having to see the sometimes too realistic versions now on movies and TV. These shows lack of visuals were more than made up by great writing and acting.
Juvenile- Shows that were targeted to younger audiences, from K-12. Of course lots of adults listened as well. Different types of shows are in this category, comedy, adventure, etc.
Musicals and Music Shows- Swing, western, ballads, you name it. All here. Some great talent such as Bing Crosby, Dennis Day, Dinah Shore, Jack Benny, and lots more. Some of these shows consist of one singer or group, others were variety shows, with new guests each week. Lots of great wartime shows here.
Mystery- Who doesn't like a who-done-it? Again, these are the types of shows where good writing and acting overcame the lack of visuals. See if you can figure out the culprit before the end of the show! Some of our best sellers are from this category.
New Arrivals- When we put a new show on our site, we'll put it in this section for a while. Take a peek every now and then and see what's new. We upgrade and add new shows on a regular basis. We constantly upgrade our shows, or add new episodes to a series we already offer. If we make major changes to one of our shows, it will be here as well.
On Sale- Sometimes we'll put a show, or set of shows on sale. This link will only work if we are having a sale or promotion. Also, this category will only display on store when we are having a promotion. We'll put it here so it's easy to find. There are some great deals here, especially when combined with coupon codes that we occasionally put out. Sometimes we'll put a coupon code on the front page of our site that anyone can use. To get the best coupons though, just sign up for our newsletter.
Other- Every now and then a show doesn't neatly fit into a particular category. Well, now these shows have their own home in our "Other" category section. Some interesting finds here.
Regular Audio CD- 99.9% of our shows are available on both MP3 and Regular Audio CD. When you are on the listing page for a series and it does not have the option to buy it on Regular Audio CD, it will be listed here. The shows in this category are from series which have more than one MP3 CD available.
Sampler or Variety- Occasionally we produce sampler discs, which will have a mixture of shows, such as all detective, or all horror. When we do that,this is the section we'll put it in.
Science Fiction- In old time radio, a lot of what was considered Sci-Fi is reality today, such as going to the moon, laser rays, etc. Travel in space was one of the more common type of these shows. Some great shows! If you're buying a gift for someone, and you know they like sci-fi...get them "X Minus One", one of the best of the best.
Sit-Com Style- Just like TV, old time radio had situation comedies. Some great ones too, like Life Of Riley and Great Gildersleeve. Turn off the TV and listen to some of these classics.
Soaps- Before there was Luke and Laura on TV, there was Young Widder Brown, and Mary Noble. Some of the longest running shows from radio were soaps, but, sad to say, this was one type of old time radio show where not too many shows survived. The ones that did are good though!
Sports- If it has anything to do with sports, this is where you'll find it.
Stories and Plays- Old time radio did a lot of dramatic adaptations from works of literature. Great stories to be told here, some classic, and some modern. A lot of these shows are an hour long. You'll be very surprised at all the Hollywood film stars that also did these type of radio shows.
Travel & Adventure- Usually an adventure yarn in a faraway place. Back in these days, travel was a rare and expensive luxury few could afford. So they "traveled" while sitting in an easy chair in front of their radio.
Variety Shows- Similar to variety shows on TV now. Usually a host who told jokes or sang, then had guests who were usually comedians or musicians. Sometimes doing short skits. A great way to pass some time.
Westerns- One of the most popular type of radio shows, also producing some of the best, and longest lasting shows. Just think of Gunsmoke and The Lone Ranger. Those just come to mind real quick, but a lot of shows in this area. Some fact, some fiction, all good.
World War II- Shows in here are about, directly related to, or heavily influenced by World War II. Anything from musicals to historically accurate dramas. Another very popular genre of old time radio.