Home

With John Tefteller

Vintage 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. 

Subscribe and listen
Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicTuneIniHeartRadioPlayer.fmListen NotesPodchaserDeezerPodcast Addict

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 June 9, 2026

Episode #498: The Jack Benny Show

This week, we’re spending some time with Jack Benny and the gang in a March 1947 episode of The Jack Benny Program, as Jack gets ready for a vaudeville tour that will take him to Chicago and New York. Jack’s sophisticated neighbor Ronald Colman is his guest on this show, and is forced to ride in his famously worn-out car. John shares a little background on the show’s writing team and the feud between Jack Benny and Fred Allen.

Recent Episodes

Thursday June 4, 2026

Episode 497: Inner Sanctum Mystery

This week, we’ve got a rare find: Inner Sanctum Mystery with the long-lost 1944 episode “The Dream,” with an appearance by Orson Welles, of all people, as star on the show, at a time where Welles had reached the peak of his celebrity status. Host John Tefteller shares the story behind the recording, made by engineer Rudy Van Gelder. The story follows Judge Robert Branscolm, a respected man troubled by a vivid, violent dream, one where he murders a stranger with a silver-handled cane. Disturbing enough… until he finds himself presiding over a case involving that exact crime. A true rediscovery, and a great moment for vintage radio fans and historians alike.

Tuesday June 2, 2026

Episode 496: The Henry Morgan Show

It’s the first Tuesday of the month again, and that means we’re bringing out a “lost” show. This week, we’re turning to comedy, and this one we consider quite special, as it belongs to the off-beat and somewhat infamous comedy series, The Henry Morgan Show. From about late in its first season in ‘47, most of the episodes are missing, which has left much about the series strictly lore. This is one of those missing ones, from an original transcription disc found on a sidewalk years ago. This is the finale of the first season, and Morgan takes aim at everything from breakfast shows to Lights Out! with his sarcastic style. It’s smart, fast, and a little ahead of its time. There’s even a surprise celebrity appearance, which you will just have to hear to believe.

Tuesday May 26, 2026

Episode 494: Fanny Brice and Frank Morgan

Today we’ve got a 1944 broadcast featuring Fanny Brice as Baby Snooks and the Wizard of Oz himself, Frank Morgan. They partnered together for a short time on Maxwell House Coffee Time, a condensed half-hour comedy/variety show. This version comes from an Armed Forces Radio Service recording, so instead of the original commercials, you’ll hear music filling those breaks, the way it went out to the troops during the war. This is a direct disc transfer, with no restoration, so it is a little scratchy. The show itself is classic Snooks chaos. Frank Morgan spins some wild stories about his “inventions,” while Snooks does everything she can to keep her poor father from getting a moment of peace.

What Listeners Say

"Thanks for bringing back these wonderful programs! Some bring a chuckle, others a tingle of fear.....and the old advertisments are a hoot!"
-Eve
"Episode 3 was a killer episode! I’m saving episode 2 for daylight but thank you again for this series, I truly enjoy the yarn they spin!"
-Josh
"Superb story. This podcast series is addicting."
-John

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.

John Tefteller

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.