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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 21, 2026
Episode 493: Devil’s Due
We go all the way back to 1939 for one of the earliest surviving episodes of Lights Out, the sum total of which you can count on one hand. This one follows two hardened criminals on the run after a string of brutal crimes, thinking they’ve finally found a place to lay low. But on a foggy night, they cross paths with a snappy-dressed stranger who knows far too much about them. From there, the story takes a dark turn. This show certainly pushed the boundaries of what could be done on the air in ‘39, with gory sound effects and torture scenes throughout that make you wonder how they got away with some of this stuff. It’s also a bit of an oddity, since it was based on a Lights Out! fan-fic.
Recent Episodes
Tuesday May 19, 2026
Episode 492: Radio’s Biggest Show
This week, we’re stepping into a big, star-packed 1946 radio special celebrating 45 years of Walgreens. Bob Hope plays host (and hotel owner) in a fast-moving comedy variety show signature of the era, filled with one-liners, sketches, and a lineup of big budget guests including (but not limited to) the Andrews Sisters, Frank Morgan, and Dennis Day. We’re not sure if this was really radio’s “biggest” show, but it was a live entertainment event, and a snapshot of radio at its peak, when big names, live music, and comedy all came together for a full hour of A-list Hollywood glam.
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.
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.
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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.