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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
Thursday August 6, 2026
Episode 515: The Whistler: Death Sees Double
This week, John Tefteller and radio historian Dr. Joe Webb continue our Whistler series with a terrific 1944 episode titled “Death Sees Double.” At the center of the story are identical twin sisters whose lives are torn apart by jealousy. One of them is determined to take over the other’s life, including the man she loves, but things don’t unfold quite the way she planned. John and Joe spotlight the incredible double performance of Lurene Tuttle, playing both sisters. They also talk about the talent of Golden Age radio performers, who often delivered complex, polished performances with very little rehearsal.
Recent Episodes
Tuesday August 4, 2026
Episode 514: Henry Morgan
This week we have something unusual; two rare Henry Morgan broadcasts from the early days of World War II, both preserved from original transcription discs and unheard by collectors for decades. The first program aired on Christmas Day 1941, just weeks after Pearl Harbor. The broadcast is cut short for an interesting live report from Honolulu, offering a firsthand glimpse into life in Hawaii as the nation adjusted after the events of Pearl Harbor. The second show, from January 1942, finds Henry Morgan settling into the sharp satire that would later make him famous. He takes aim at everything from jukeboxes to offbeat inventors with the irreverence that became his trademark.
Thursday July 30, 2026
Episode 513: The Whistler: Married To Murder
This week, John Tefteller and radio historian Dr. Joe Webb continue our Whistler series with a 1944 episode about an artist who commits the perfect crime,,, or so he thinks. When a wealthy woman provides him with an unexpected alibi, the two are drawn together in a relationship built on secrets and mutual suspicion. As the years pass, the past refuses to stay buried, and what starts as a murder mystery gradually turns into a tense psychological battle. John and Joe take a closer look at what made The Whistler one of radio’s premier series. They discuss Signal Oil’s role in supporting the program’s high production values, the unforgettable narration of Bill Forman, and the performances of real-life husband-and-wife team Elliott and Cathy Lewis. It’s another excellent example of the clever writing and atmospheric storytelling that made The Whistler a radio classic.
Tuesday July 28, 2026
Episode 512: It Pays To Be Ignorant
We’ve got another round of ridiculous comedy with a 1945 Armed Forces Radio Service broadcast of It Pays to Be Ignorant. Host Tom Howard and his panel of “experts”, including Lulu McConnell and Harry McNaughton, take the stupid questions and from there pure chaos ensues. The puns come fast, and nobody is interested in getting the right answer. Originally distributed to American servicemen near the end of World War II, this episode also includes a few interactions with military guests. This comes straight from an original transcription disc, preserving the outstanding sound quality of this delightfully zany radio classic. If you’re in the mood for pure, carefree nonsense, this one’s hard to beat.
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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.