The recent death of Brace Beamer who for years played the Lone Ranger on radio caused me to reflect on radio as it was. Because of TV the complexion of radio has had to change to survive, but do you remember back when there was no silver screen in your living room, when your own mind had to produce the “picture”. Who knows what evil lurks within the heart of men. The SHADOW knows… the SHADOW knows everything." Do you remember how you used to snuggle up just a little closer to your big brother when you heard those words. Do you recall how you’d pull the covers over your head when you heard that creaking door open on The Inner Sanctum? Can you think back to the anticipation you felt when you heard the Flight of the Bumblebee introduce the Green Hornet. But all was not horror. Do you remember Joe Penners great catch phrase, "Wanna buy a duck?" Or the many hours you spent listening to Eddie Cantor on Sunday evening or Al Jolson, or Fanny Brice with her wonderfully human Baby Snooks? No week was complete without Amos and Andy and Fibber McGee and Molly. You knew exactly what would happen when Fibber opened that closet door but that didn't matter. It was just as funny every time you heard it. Then there was Fred Allen in Allen's Alley with Mrs. Nusbomb and Senator Glaghorn, and if you want to go away back, there was Major Bowles. "The wheel of fortune spins. Around and around it goes and where it stops, nobody knows.” Were they the good all days of radio? I don't know. I am sure however that radio has enriched our lives and I for one will always be grateful to those great show people who gave us so much pleasure a way back when.
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