16" radio station transcription records
Prior to 1928, transcription recordings were limited to 5 minute segments on 78rpm 12" discs.
In 1928 new technology in electrical transcriptions was introduced.
Superior recording quality on 16" discs that were slowed to 33 1/3 rpm gave 15 minutes on each side.
16" Radio transcription discs were used as a method to
distribute content to radio stations in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.
Networks shared music recordings, syndicated old time radio drama recordings,
and other recorded content among their stations.
By the 1960s, 12" discs
returned, capable of 30 minutes per side.
Radio transcriptions were never available to the public - never sold commercially.
Record labels are commonly found with scribbled or stamped air dates.
The records were pressed using different materials over the years including aluminum, glass and
sometimes colorful vinyl in bright red or blue.
Early discs were very fragile and many haven't survived years of storage and handling.
Their large size require special turntables that can accommodate 16" discs.
Few copies were made of each disc, only enough for participating radio stations,
so they can be hard to find. Music transcriptions surface regularly,
but syndicated old time radio drama discs are scarce.
Many discs were originally licensed for a single airing,
then to be disposed of, or returned after airing, contributing to their scarcity.
Some were shared with sister stations before being returned and destroyed.
One policy example is stated on the ZIV transcription disc labels,
"This transcription licensed for single performance for Radio Broadcasting only
and remains property of the ZIV co. and must be returned to address below
immediately following broadcast." Then warning they will be invoiced if not returned.
After all these years, remaining survivers have mostly found their way into collections, that don't let loose of them.
Used record stores today are unfamiliar with 16" transcription records, many never seeing them before.
There were the network and big name transcription labels of the day,
and then there was the The Armed Forces Radio Services that produced an estimated
25,000 different transcription discs; a major producer of transcription records.
Created in 1940 to entertain and inform US troops around the world,
the United States War Department created a Morale Service Division.
It became the Special Service Division (SSD) July 20, 1942.
The SSD evolved into the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) November 1943 and
then into the Armed Forces Radio & Television Services (AFRTS) in 1949.
The AFRS produced much of their own material with big name stars contributing.
Most wartime AFRS programs were produced in Hollywood - AFRS was based in Los Angeles.
They also pressed and distributed other networks' entertainment show discs
with commercial content edited out.
These included Old Time Radio drama on 16" and 12" transcriptions from the 1940s into the 1980s,
These discs surface more often than the original network pressings, but can still be hard to find,
with value determined by the content; popular shows, big stars or big music acts bringing big prices.
The quality of the AFRS productions were considered superior in ways to commercial network radio,
as many network and radio professionals ended up in uniform and employed by the AFRS.
(see the many different SSD, AFRS & AFRTS labels below)
The popular '70s "CBS Radio Mystery Theater" episodes were transcribed to 12" discs by the AFRTS,
the only instances of the CBSRMT on vinyl that I know of.
Info was found that CBSRMT was originally distributed to CBS radio stations on reel-to-reel tape.
Many half hour radio drama transcriptions were split onto sides A and B
but many require 2 discs to complete each of 2 episodes.
(Disc one: sideA;episode 1-part 1 sideB;episode 2-part 1
Disc two: ep1-pt2 & ep2-pt2)
Many have lost there partners over the decades
and have become incomplete "orphan" discs.
The separate discs allowed the disc jockey to cue both parts up on two turntables
for an uninterupted segue between the records when airing.
Labels usually include a note to "Start Outside" or "Start Inside".
Some discs were pressed "backwards" so the record plays inside out,
I've heard this explained; it was for smoother transitions by matching the
fidelity differences between outside and inside grooves from one disc to the next.
(Listen and download many of these radio shows free at archive.org)
Boston Blackie
Boston Blackie was a top ten detective in the OTR Detective genre.
Its popularity brought about many Boston Blackie movies as well.
Blackie was "an enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friend".
Boston Blackie starred Chester Morris when it began June 23, 1944.
Richard Kollmar took over the role the following year.
Over 200 episodes were produced through Oct 1950.
These 16" ZIV label discs from the 1940s split two 2-part shows onto 2 discs,
some with part 2 on red vinyl.
"The Brandon Jewel Robbery" 02/05/46
|
Episode 43
|
|
"The Condon Ransom" 02/12/46
|
Episode 44
|
|
Episode 197 (January 19, 1949)
notes from the record sleeve:
A Boat, the Viking, Is On Montgomery Street with a Body in It
AKA: "boat in the Street" - "the 'High and Dry' Murder"
First line: "If any more calls come in, hand 'em to Sgt. Matthews. I'm busy."
A dead body is found on a boat, the Viking, in the middle of Montgomery Street.
It is a stunt to publicize the movie "High and Dry". But the body turns out to be the
director of the movie, Eduardo Bernetti. This one's so weird that Faraday wants
Blackie to solve it.
Episode 198 - January 26, 1949
from the sleeve notes:
The John Frawley Imposter Murder
AKA: "Unknown Man"
"John Frawley, While In Africa, Reads That He Is Dead"
First line: "I wonder what the Natives are up to now, John."
John Frawley reads a newspaper while in Afreica and finds out he has bee reported as dead.
His brother Eddie is trying to grab all the money. Frawley want Blackie to
help him prove who he is. Before he can talk to Frawly's old nurse, Martha Blake,
she is murdered. The butler Charles is killed as well.
The Lone Ranger
Below are original Lone Ranger 16" transcription records issued to radio stations in the late '30s, early '40s.
The First King-Trendle NBC labels contained two episodes that were divided between a 2 disc set.
The War Department, NBC and RCA labels contained 1 episode per disc; parts 1 & 2 on sides A & B.
|
The Lone Ranger
"Crooked Banker & Sheriff"
(003-1, MS018470) (003-2, MS018471)
Program 3: 38/01/19 Jan 19, 1938
(777 "Crooked Banker and Sheriff")
alt date/# found:
( May 10, 1937, ep 668)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Silver Mine Surprise"
(004-1, MS018475) (004-2, MS018476)
Program 4: Missouri and Sleepys' Silver Mine and the Brugan Brothers
Jan 24, 1938 (779 "Silver Mine Surprise")
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Panamint Nash"
(015-1, MS016415) (015-2, MS016416)
Program 15: Feb 02, 1938
(790 "Amy Holcomb")
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Jim Flood's Mine"
(016-1, MS016923) (016-2, MS016924)
Program 16: Feb 21, 1938
791 "Jim Flood's Mine"
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Stage to Dodge City"
(021-1, MS020000) (021-2, MS020001)
Program 21: Sept 3, 1943
Program #1657/870 "Sam Slater"/"The Stage To Dodge City"
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Jim Murdock's Mine"
(022-1, MS020007) (022-2, MS020008)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Don Diego Sanchez"
(131-1, MS029180) (131-2, MS029181)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Ezra Pike"
(132-1, MS029660) (132-2, MS029661)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"The Hawk"
(135-1, MS029682) (135-2, MS029683)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Link Hamlin"
(135-1, MS029826) (135-2, MS029827)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Cattle Stampede"
(137-1, MS029698) (137-2, MS029699)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Trouble in Arrowhead"
(138-1, MS029847) (138-2, MS029848)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"The Black Caballero (Episode 1 of 3)"
(169-1, MS029983) (169-2, MS029984)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"The Black Caballero (Episode 2 of 3)"
(170-1, MS034031) (170-2, MS034032)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"The Black Caballero (Episode 3 of 3)"
(171-1, MS034038) (171-2, MS034039)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Oklahoma Homesteaders"
(172-1, MS034203) (172-2, MS034204)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Mysterious Wagons"
(173-1, MS034058) (173-2, MS034059)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Great Winston Repertory Co"
(174-1, MS034068) (174-2, MS034069)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Banker Kline"
(175-1, MS034137) (175-2, MS034138)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Contraband Whiskey"
(176-1, MS034079) (176-2, MS034080)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Snake River Dam"
(177-1, MS034084) (177-2, MS034085)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
"Mr King (Mistreated Boy)"
(178-1, MS034088) (178-2, MS034089)
|
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
#1562
(NBC)
43/01/25 Trail's End
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
#1587
(NBC)
43/03/24 On the Two Front Wheels
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
#1598
(NBC)
43/04/19 The Sheriffs Son
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
#1956
45/08/03 Water Hole
(RCA)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
#2099
46/07/05 Dead Man's Justice
(RCA)
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
#26 Gopher Gage Wants Revenge
Sam Slater robs woman on stagecoach and is murdered by Gopher Gage. (War Department SSD release)
|
Our OTR 16" transcription collection includes a few orphan shows that are missing their partner discs.
Maybe it's a long shot, but I thought I would try to put these three Lone Ranger 16" radio transcription discs back together with their missing discs.
I am willing to sell these discs or buy the missing discs. Perhaps you know a OTR radio transription collector you could pass this along to.
They are:
The Lone Ranger - Programs 13, 14 part 1 (missing part 2 disc)
The Lone Ranger - Programs 17, 18 part 2 (missing part 1 disc)
The Lone Ranger - Programs 19, 20 part 2 (missing part 1 disc)
Box Thirteen featuring Alan Ladd

Box Thirteen, Program #39

Calling All Cars
Calling All Cars was one of the first police dramas on the radio and aired from 1933 to 1939.
Citing Archive.org, "Calling All Cars aired from 29 Nov 1933 until 8 Sep 1939 and originated
on the West coast over the Columbia Broadcasting System. The show was sponsored by
the Rio Grande Oil Company which was a part of the Sinclair Oil Corporation.
The show only ran in areas where Rio Grande "Cracked" gasoline was sold.
The writer-director of the show was William N Robson.
Each episode was dramatization of a true crime story, how each crime was solved and justice served.
Episodes were introduced mainly by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Sgt Jesse Rosenquist, a police dispatcher was a part of the entire run of the series."
These early, 1930s discs were very heavy and one-sided transcriptions.
Calling All Cars #70-A "The Rhythm of the Jute Mill"
March 26, 1935
Chandu the Magician

Chandu the Magician were 15 minute episodes, pressed only one episode per disc,
The single-sided 16" disc had the Columbia Records logo on the unused side.
This is a very early, and heavy, 1935 transcripton disc.
"Clash of the Wizards"
from the sleeve notes:
Chandler Goes to the Jungle Temple & Clashes with Vitras.
8/7/35
Wiki episode guide: 05/31/33 #323 "The Temple Of Death"
Frontier Town starring Tex Chandler
These discs split 2 shows onto 2 discs, all on red vinyl.
(dozen left to scan yet, hopefully added soon)
Front Page Drama
Front Page Drama was a 15-minute weekly show promoting American Weekly magazine.
Each show dramatized a story in the upcoming magazine issue.
Front Page Drama aired for many years, from 1933 to the mid-'50s.
Front Page Drama #924 "Chester Graham"
|
Front Page Drama #925 "John Rogers Alias Ramsey"
|
Metropolis
All the "Metropolis" episodes were pressed on blue vinyl.
(dozens more yet to scan)
The Planet Man
All the "Planet Man" episodes were pressed on red vinyl.
(dozens more yet to scan)
Globe Theatre
Episode #155
|
"Phantom Lady"
|
Guest Star
Humphrey Bogart #85 "Incident in Freedom"
|
Bonita Granville #86 "The Road to Yesterday"
|
I Was a Communist for the FBI
"I was a Communist for the FBI" starred Dana Andrews.
This is a 16" first episode audition promotional copy as the label shows.
It included this large promo 10 page brochure.
The Lives of Harry Lime
"The Lives of Harry Lime" starred Orson Welles.
These are 16" discs of the first 2 episodes
Cue sheets dated 1-12-51 are still with the discs.
Episode 1
|
"Too Many Crooks"
|
Episode 2
|
"See Naples and Live"
|
Mystery Playhouse
"Mystery Playhouse" was hosted by Peter Lorre,
who introduced re-airings of some classic OTR episodes from
"The Inner Sanctum" to "The Whistler".
These 16" discs included one 2-part episode on side A & B.
Mystery Playhouse #44 - The Inner Sanctum
|
"Deadman's Vengeance"
|
Mystery Playhouse #49 - Mr. District Attorney
|
"Comical Corpse"
|
Mystery Playhouse #139 - The Whistler
|
"Final Returns"
|
Philo Vance
Philo Vance was one of the great private eyes,
These 16" discs included one 2-part episode on side A & B.
Philo Vance #35
|
"Curtain Call Murder"
|
Philo Vance #36
|
"Million Dollar Murder"
|
Philo Vance #37 (disc 37-1, 38-1 dark red vinyl)
|
"White Willow Murder"
|
Philo Vance #38
|
"High Hat Murder"
|
Philo Vance #39
|
"Movie Murder"
|
Philo Vance #40
|
"Green Girls Murder"
|
Philo Vance #59
|
"Blue Penny Murder"
|
Philo Vance #60
|
"Brotherly Murder"
|
Radio Theatre of Famous Classics
A 16" red vinyl disc with inside-out tracking.
Radio Theatre of Famous Classics #7
|
"The Inn"
|
Suspense
"Suspense", perhaps the finest produced mystery drama aired more than 900 episodes from 1940 through 1962.
These records were pressed for the War Dept Special Service Division (SSD).
In November 1943, the SSD became Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS),
dating these discs to the early 40s.
Suspense (War Dept #9)
|
"The ABC Murders"
|
Suspense (War Dept #17)
|
"In Fear and Trembling"
|
Suspense (War Dept #20)
|
""
|
Suspense (War Dept #25)
|
"Philomel Cottage"
|
Suspense (War Dept #38)
|
"The Sisters"
|
The Adventures of Frank Race
Frank Race was first broadcast in 1949 and ran for 43 episodes.
Frank Race #28 Nov 6, 1949
|
"The Six Week Cure"
|
Frank Race #29 Nov 13, 1949
|
"The Fairway Beauty"
|
Frank Race #32 Dec 4, 1949
|
"The Silent Tongue"
|
Frank Race #33 Dec 11, 1949
|
"The Kandy Killing"
|
The Cisco Kid
The Cisco Kid was first introduced on the radio October 2, 1942.
Over 600 episodes were produced through 1956.
The Cisco Kid also ran on television, movies and comic books.
These early 1950s 16" transcriptions of the "Cisco Kid"
were 1/2 hour episodes each having 2 parts, split between 2 discs.
Episode 47 (1-29-52)
|
"Quarter Horse"
|
Episode 48 (2-5-52)
|
"Jewelry Holdup"
|
Episode 49 (2-12-52)
|
"Ghost Town"
|
Episode 50 (2-12-52)
|
"Quicksilver Murder"
|
Episode 51 (2-19-52)
|
"Buried Treasure"
|
Episode 52 (2-19-52)
|
"Spanish Dagger"
|
Episode 55 (8-17-52)
|
"The Talking Dog"
|
Episode 55 (10-5-52)
|
"Pancho and the Pachyderm"
|
Episode 85 (11-12-53)
|
"Bandaged Badman"
|
Episode 86 (11-19-53)
|
"Chinese Gold"
|
Episode 87 (11-26-53)
|
"The Faded General"
|
Episode 88 (12-3-53)
|
"The Fugitive"
|
Episode 91 (12-24-53)
|
"Outlaws Gallery"
|
Episode 92 (12-31-53)
|
"The Black Terror"
|
Episode 105 (9-25-54)
|
"Six-Gun for No-Pain"
|
Episode 106 (10-2-54)
|
"The Haunted Stage Stop"
|
Episode 107 (10-9-54)
|
"Gold Strike"
|
Episode 108 (10-16-54)
|
"Trouble in Tonopah"
|
Episode 257
|
""
|
Episode 258
|
""
|
Orphan disc Episodes #141-142 part 2
|
MISSING #141-142 PART ONE disc
|
The Unexpected
These 16" discs had two 15 minute stories.
The Unexpected #102 "Solid Citizen"
|
The Unexpected #103 "Finale"
|
The Unexpected #104 "Cargo Unknown"
|
The Unexpected #105 "Find the Man"
|
The Unexpected #106 "Revenge"
|
The Unexpected #107 "The Cripple"
|
The Unexpected #108 "Fool's Silver"
|
The Unexpected #109 "Horoscope"
|
The Unexpected #110 "Eavesdropper"
|
The Unexpected #111 "Legacy"
|
The Unexpected #114 "King Champion"
|
The Unexpected #115 "The Mink Coat"
|
The Unexpected #120 "Shipwreck"
|
The Unexpected #121 "The Winfield Diamond"
|
The Weird Circle
The Weird Circle was a 30-minute, syndicated, supernatural/fantasy series.
78 episodes were produced from 1943 through 1945.
These are the first 2 episodes of The Weird Circle from 1943.
The first is Edgar Allen Poe's, "The Fall of the House of Usher"
and show number two is "The House and the Brain"
12" Radio Station Transcription Records
Transcription discs changed to a 12" format in the 1960s
capable of holding 1/2-hour programs on a single side.
The CBS Radio Mystery Theater
The popular CBS Radio Mystery Theater (CBSRMT) ran from 1974 to 1982 airing 1399 different episodes.
Armed Forces Radio & Television Service (AFRTS) transcribed the CBSRMT episodes to 12" discs,
the only instances of the CBSRMT on vinyl that I know of.
Information found says CBSRMT was originally distributed to CBS radio stations on reel-to-reel tape.
These AFRTS discs have two programs split onto 2 separate discs and many are split among 3 record sets,
numbered so that all 3 records were required for 3 complete programs.
(disc one A-1 & B-1, disc two B-2 & C-1, disc three C-2 & A-2)
|
|
AFRTS RU 40-0 26A and 27B
1M "The Face in the Coffin"
Official Episode #1077
CBS Air Dates
First Run - April 16, 1980
(Repeat - August 7, 1980)
actors included Fred Gwynn
|
|
|
AFRTS RU 40-0 26B and 27A
2T "The Return of Edward Blair"
Official Episode #1109
CBS Air Dates
First Run - August 13, 1980
(Repeat - November 27, 1980)
actors include John Lithgow
|
|
|
AFRTS RU 52-2 26A and 27B
586M "Tony's Market"
Official Episode #1380
CBS Air Dates
First Run - October 11, 1982
(Repeat - December 23, 1982)
|
|
|
AFRTS RU 52-2 26B and 27A
586M "The Romance of Mary Oates"
Official Episode #1347
CBS Air Dates
First Run - July 5, 1982
(Repeat - October 12, 1982)
|
Dozens are still waiting to be scanned,
The Whistler
These 12" Armed Services transcription discs of "The Whistler" included one episode,
with each disc backed with the gospel music program "Amen Corner"
see also the 16" transcription disc of The Whistler that aired on "Mystery Playhouse".
The FBI in Peace and War
These 12" Armed Services transcription discs of "The FBI in Peace and War" included one episode,
with each disc backed with a music program.
Johnny Dollar & Theater Five
These 12" Armed Services transcription discs of "Johnny Dollar" included one episode,
with each disc backed with a "Theater Five" episode or music programs.
"The Happy Family Matter"
|
"A Genuine Grenot"
|
|
|
"The Mojave Red Matter"
|
#569
|
21st Precinct
These 12" Armed Services transcription discs of the police drama, "21st Precinct" included one episode,
with each disc backed with a music program.
Crime Classics
These 12" Armed Services transcription discs of the police drama, "Crime Classics" included one episode,
with each disc backed with a music program.
Mutual Radio Theater
Radio theater production from the '80s that was introduced by famous movie stars.
This 3 record, 12" box set included Leonard Nimoy, Lorne Greene and Vincent Price.
They were distributed to radio stations in box sets to cover a week of programs.
The shows were intended for only one licensed airing on a specific date.
The labels include the instuctions to destroy the records after broadcast.
Box set cover (week of Nov 24, 1980)
|
November 28, 1980 with Leonard Nimoy
|
Golden Age Radio Theatre
Golden Age Radio Theatre from the 1980s rebroadcast shows from the '40s.
Each show included comedy shows like Duffy's Tavern and Abbott & Costello,
paired with a radio drama like X minus One and other classics. (12")
National Lampoon Radio Hour
National Lampoon's great cast included John Belushi and Gilda Radner.
Each weekly single 12" disc show arrived in a record jacket with the same artwork on the front.
Radio Canada
Radio Canda produced many different documentary radio shows.
This example discusses the sinking of the Titanic including survivor interviews. (12")
12" MUSIC radio show transcriptions
In the 1970s, '80s and into the '90s, syndicated music radio shows were distributed
to radio stations on 12 inch discs, for scheduled, licensed airings.
Music programs and concerts were delivered to radio stations with specific air dates.
Transcription records were usually sent in just a paper sleeve with cue sheets,
but they starting releasing them with picture cover jackets or in box sets for some multi-part shows.
They were licensed for broadcast only and never available to the public
with much of the content in the shows never published commercially.
Some of the radio shows' concert and interview recordings are the only source for the material.
In the '90s, the format for distribution switched to compact discs.
AFRTS #RL39-0 (programs P-11840 and P-11839)
The Armed Forces Radio & Television Services (AFRTS) released highlights from current
albums of the day with 2 albums chosen per disc.
This release highlights the albums "Burnt Weenie Sandwich" by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention (SIDE A)
and "Construction #1" from Ten Wheel Drive (SIDE B).
MUSIC Radio Shows on Compact Disc
In the late 1980s, new CD technology gave DJs a much easier job;
CDs were easier to cue than vinyl discs and able to hold 1 hour of content.
Dozens and dozens of syndicated music shows were produced and licensed for single airings.
Although many were released with full packaging artwork, they were never commercially released
with the intent to have the discs destroyed after broadcast,
as indicated on the "Rockline" radio show disc below.
They included commercials in the audio tracks, with cue sheets provided for the DJ.
(Audiotronics 425VT Transcription Record Player)
These are a couple photos of my wife and I as DJs on KTEQ-fm Rapid City from 1983 to 1994.
KTEQ was a low power, non-profit college radio station that broadcast from the
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology campus, covering Rapid City and the Black Hills region.
DJs enjoyed a completely open format, with no restrictions other than "No Top 40".
Included in our weekly Blues & Rock show we aired 1/2 hour of "Sci Fi Radio Theater"
playing "Dimension X", "X minus 1", "Bradbury 13" and other OTR recordings.
Inspiration came from the legendary Clyde Clifford on KAAY Little Rock's AM Superstation,
hosting "Beaker Street" and "Beaker Theater" which I grew up on in the 70s.
It was the beginning of my obsession with Radios, Records and Old Time Radio.
Click on the photo above to hear a sample of us on the radio many years ago on KTEQ-fm.
(double-click to pause/stop)
(hover for a "KTEQ" stereogram and click for sign-on audio clip)