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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 May 15, 2026
Episode 491: Crime Classics: The Death Of A Baltimore Birdie...and Friend
This week, we wrap up our 10-part Crime Classics series with an unusual true crime story. John Tefteller is once again joined by researcher Karl Schadow and Bernard Herrmann expert Steven C. Smith to take a last look at what made this show so unique. This 1954 episode leans into the series’ signature mix of dark humor and true crime, telling a gritty tale of a heist gone wrong on the streets of Baltimore. It’s clever, a little twisted, and very much in line with what Crime Classics did best. Along the way, the conversation highlights Bernard Herrmann’s unforgettable music, and the show’s almost literary style. It’s a fitting finale; dark, smart, and a great sendoff to one of radio’s most creative series.
Recent Episodes
Tuesday May 12, 2026
Episode 490: The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show
We’re on the final week on our Crime Classics series on Thursday, and today we’ve got a fun late-era episode of The Phil Harris–Alice Faye Show from March 1954 to feature the comedy work of Elliott Lewis. The police are after Phil for something, and of course he is hiding under the porch. All of the usual over-the-top Harris-Faye madness ensues from there. You’ll also hear RCA Victor ads up front, plus a few interesting notes about changes behind the scenes during the show’s final season.
Thursday May 7, 2026
Episode 489: Crime Classics: The Bloody, Bloody Banks Of Fall River
This week, we dive into another famous true crime story, Crime Classics brings us “The Bloody, Bloody Banks of Fall River.” Host John Tefteller is joined by researcher Karl Schadow and Bernard Herrmann biographer Steven C. Smith to unpack this 1950s take on the Lizzie Borden case. The episode walks us through the tightly wound world of the Borden household, leading up to the infamous murders and the trial that followed. It’s a familiar story, but Crime Classics gives it a unique edge with its dry narration and psychological focus. We also take an in-depth look at Bernard Herrmann’s score, which uses just a few instruments to build tension. It’s a perfect example of how this series could take a well-known case and make it feel fresh and unsettling.
Tuesday May 5, 2026
Episode 488: Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper
This week, to enhance our Crime Classics episode from last Thursday, we have a Robert Bloch story that was talked about in that episode called, “Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper,” presented on the Molle Mystery Theater. This story takes the infamous killer out of Victorian London and drops him into modern-day Chicago… with a twist. What if Jack the Ripper never died? What if he’s been staying alive all these years through something darker? The story follows Sir Guy Hollis, a man obsessed with tracking the killer, as his search leads him closer and closer to the truth.
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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.