Mysteryshows.com

[Brad]

On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio by John Dunning


I think a couple of our club members own this book. It's rather expensive. A new copy costs around $50.00 on amazon.com

Would someone who owns it like to do a review of the book. This may be helpful to some of our members who are considering the purchase.


Thanks,


Brad
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[revlarry]

I've had a copy of this book for about a year. As a newcomer to the OTR hobby, I find it very helpful in determining whether a particular show will be of interest to me.

There are over 1500 shows listed, and each listing contains information such as length of run, actors, directors, sponsors, and a synopsis. Most listings contain a narrative history of the show. The more popular and long-running the program, the longer the listing. For example, the Jack Benny Show has seven and a half pages of content, whereas Box 13 has about half a column (one-quarter of a page.)

There is a very comprehensive index--useful for looking up names of actors and directors as well as shows. There are no pictures. While the book is a little pricey, there are over 800 pages of content and it is very well written.

[Brad]

[crich70]

I agree with revlarry. It's a very useful guide to OTR data. I used it when working out some of the stuff for some spreadsheets that I submitted to the group a while back. What show started on what station and so on. I don't think there is a better book on the subject (I haven't heard of one anyway). Can't remember what my copy cost me on amazon though it was worth every penny whatever it finally cost me with s/h included.

[Jimbo]

I have read quite a bit of this book although I am sorry to say I do not own it. It is a searchable book on Google Books http://books.google.com/books?id=EwtRbXNca0oC&printsec=frontcover&client=firefox-a#v=onepage&q&f=false and it will only allow you search the book so much a day. If you are clever you can read 20 or more pages a day and in time read the whole book.

It does not cover local, Canadian, Australian, British or South African Shows.

It some subjects I find it is overwhelming and other subjects I find it is not done very well at all.

I have a list of many searchable books about radio and the 1930's-150's on my web site if anyone is interested.
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[crich70]

It's still not cheap but they have it in a Kindle edition now.
http://www.amazon.com/Air-Encyclopedia-Old-Time-Radio-ebook/dp/B004WN4VUQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1306284531&sr=1-4