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TuneInVintage Radio For Modern Listeners.
The Good Old Days of Radio Show is a podcast that presents the period of American radio commonly known as “The Golden Age”. During this time, audiences were thrilled by comedy, mystery, suspense, and horror, produced by the some of the greatest writers, directors, composers, and famous stars of the time.
In this show we present the best of these radio shows. Each show is carefully selected by record collector John Tefteller as an outstanding example of this classic art form.
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The Story Behind The Good Old Days of Radio Show.
In 1992, John Tefteller brought the first Good Old Days Of Radio Show to the airwaves on local Southern Oregon station, KOPE-FM. For three hours every Saturday and Sunday night, thousands of listeners of all ages tuned in to hear the show, earning it ‘the highest rated radio program’ in its time slot.
Latest Episode
Tuesday September 15, 2026
Episode 526: Robert Bloch: Almost Human
We’re joined this week by researcher Karl Schadow to take a look at the remarkable career of writer Robert Bloch, best known today as the author of Psycho, but whose work in radio deserves a look. Bloch got his start writing for the pulp magazines, including Weird Tales, where he developed his style of horror influenced by H. P. Lovecraft. In this episode, we hear a radio adaptation of Bloch’s “Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper,” which brings the legendary murderer into the modern world. We also hear “Almost Human,” a story about a robot that appears to possess a mind of its own. Together, these broadcasts show just how versatile Bloch could be, moving between horror, mystery, and science fiction long before artificial intelligence became part of everyday conversation.
Recent Episodes
Thursday September 10, 2026
Episode 525: The Whistler: Death of Mr. Penny
Once again John Tefteller and radio historian Dr. Joe Webb are here to continue our 10-part series featuring the popular radio series, The Whistler. Today we are featuring a story about a man who has built a comfortable life through deception and is now working with a blackmailer to take advantage of his wealthy wife. But when Mr. Penny threatens to reveal secrets from his past, the partnership quickly turns into a dangerous game. John and Joe discuss the talented writers behind the episode and the challenges of identifying many of radio’s uncredited performers.
Tuesday September 8, 2026
Episode 524: The Horn Blows At Midnight Part 5
Finally we come to the broadcast we’ve been building toward: Jack Benny’s 1949 Ford Theater radio adaptation of The Horn Blows at Midnight. After spending the past few weeks hearing the incredible build-up to this broadcast on his own show, we finally get to hear the story itself. Benny stars as Nathaniel, an inexperienced angel sent to Earth with a very serious assignment: blow his trumpet at midnight and signal the destruction of the world. But after meeting a few ordinary people and seeing both their struggles and their capacity for kindness, Nathaniel begins to wonder whether humanity deserves another chance. Claude Rains co-stars in this unusual fantasy-comedy, which turns one of the most famous “failures” of Benny’s film career into a warm story about peace, compassion, and the possibility of redemption.
Thursday September 3, 2026
Episode 523: The Whistler: A Concerto For Death
This week, John Tefteller and radio historian Dr. Joe Webb continue our 10-week Whistler series. We’re in 1948 today with a story that follows a gifted violinist whose obsession with owning a rare instrument drives him to commit an unthinkable crime. But while week after week people tuned into Lights Out! to hear villains getting their gruesome comeuppance, The Whistler reminded listeners that getting what you want always comes at a price, dealt by our old friend, “the fickle finger of fate.” John and Joe take a look behind the scenes at one of the more unusual chapters in Whistler history. They explain how sponsor Household Finance Corporation requested a toned-down version of the series, resulting in a second production of the same script with a different cast, a softer narrator, and a less cynical feel.
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Meet Your Host
John Tefteller has been collecting vintage radio programs since 1971. He is one of the foremost collectors of records and original radio transcriptions in the world.
John grew up in Southern California, and for decades he scoured flea markers, thrift stores, estate sales, garage sales, and private collections for records. Over the past almost 50 years of hunting, John amassed one of the largest private archives of vintage records and radio recordings.