Radio Almanac with Orson Welles
One of the greatest anthology series in radio history, Radio Almanac with Orson Welles brought classic literature and variety entertainment to the airwaves from 1941 to 1944. Also known as Orson Welles Theater, this rare collection showcases the genius of Welles as both director and performer, featuring dramatizations of timeless works like Treasure Island, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Dracula. After a brief hiatus in 1943, the series returned in 1944 with a stellar lineup of Hollywood talent, offering a rich blend of drama, comedy, and music that captivates collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Collection Highlights
- Features 20 complete episodes from the 1944 run, totaling over 9 hours of vintage radio entertainment, with standout broadcasts like the D-Day program and the Texarkana special.
- Boasts an extraordinary roster of guest stars, including Lucille Ball, Groucho Marx, Charles Laughton, Betty Hutton, Lana Turner, and Susan Hayward, alongside Mercury Theater favorites Agnes Moorehead, Rita Hayworth, John Barrymore, and Ray Collins.
- Offers a rare glimpse into Welles’ tumultuous career—his creative clashes with sponsor Mobil Oil cut the series short, making these surviving broadcasts a treasured artifact for fans of classic radio and 1940s popular culture.
- Delivers a dynamic mix of dramatized short stories, comedy bits, and variety numbers, with popular singers of the era adding a musical flourish to Welles’ unmistakable presence.
Track Listing
Show all 40 tracks (9 hours, 24 min)
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440126 01 Groucho Marx
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440223 05 Hedda Hopper
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440301 06 Victor Moore
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440308 07 Lucille Ball
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440315 08 Charles Laughton
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440322 09 Betty Hutton
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440329 10 Mary Boland
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440405 11 Dennis Day
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440412 12 Monty Woolley
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440503 15 Lucille Ball Fragment
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440517 17 Ann Sothern
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440524 18 Lee Lyn Wilde L.Collier
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440531 19 Marjorie Reynolds
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440607 20 Dday Program
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440614 21 Texarkana Program
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440621 22 Martha Odriscoll
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440628 23 Lynn Bari
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440705 24 Lana Turner
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440712 25 Susan Hayward
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440719 26 Ruth Terry
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440126 01 Groucho Marx
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440223 05 Hedda Hopper
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440301 06 Victor Moore
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440308 07 Lucille Ball
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440315 08 Charles Laughton
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440322 09 Betty Hutton
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440329 10 Mary Boland
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440405 11 Dennis Day
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440412 12 Monty Woolley
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440503 15 Lucille Ball Fragment
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440517 17 Ann Sothern
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440524 18 Lee Lyn Wilde L.Collier
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440531 19 Marjorie Reynolds
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440607 20 Dday Program
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440614 21 Texarkana Program
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440621 22 Martha Odriscoll
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440628 23 Lynn Bari
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440705 24 Lana Turner
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440712 25 Susan Hayward
- Orson Welles Radio Almanac 440719 26 Ruth Terry
