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Radio Readers Digest

1943–1948 · 69 episodes · 68 listens

Sponsored by the makers of Hallmark Cards, Radio Reader’s Digest brought a delightful collection of short stories to the air, highlighting the American way of life. The show featured a variety of dramatic adaptations from the pages of the popular Reader’s Digest magazine, covering themes of love, adventure, and the human experience.

Radio Reader’s Digest was a compilation of unique short stories, each one genuinely enjoyable to hear. Many of the shows dealt with Americans in love with foreigners, often exploring a common affection for the American abundance and way of life.

The program was supported by the makers of Hallmark Greeting Cards, and shared a similar style and tone to other Hallmark-sponsored radio dramas.

The Stars

Radio Reader’s Digest did not feature any regular stars, as each episode presented a different story and cast of characters. The program relied on a rotating ensemble of talented radio actors to bring the diverse range of tales to life.

Key Dates

  • Radio Reader’s Digest debuted on September 13th, 1942 and ran for several years.
  • The final episode airing on June 3rd,1948.
  • The show maintained a consistent weekly schedule, with new episodes premiering each Sunday.

Other Information

Radio Reader’s Digest was one of several radio programs that adapted stories from the popular Reader’s Digest magazine for the audio medium. The show’s format and tone were similar to other Hallmark-sponsored dramas.

While specific listener figures are not available, Radio Reader’s Digest was likely a popular program during its run, as the Reader’s Digest magazine itself was one of the most widely-read publications in the United States at the time. The show’s adaptations of beloved stories from the magazine likely resonated with a broad audience of old-time radio listeners.

Radio Reader’s Digest provided a unique and entertaining listening experience, bringing the rich storytelling of the Reader’s Digest to life through the medium of radio.

The program’s focus on the American experience and its association with the trusted Hallmark brand made it a beloved part of the old-time radio landscape.

Cast & Crew

CConrad NagelMMarx B LoebDirectorCCampbell SoupsLLyn MurrayMusicHHallmark CardsJJack MillerMusicRRobert NolanDirector

Ratings & reviews

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Episodes

Apr 1, 1948 · 28:14
Tonight's tale is a gay and light-hearted story about a surprising marriage that had London society buzzing with gossip…
Apr 10, 1947 · 29:46
In 1773, when Nathan Hale was 19 years old, he graduated from Yale with a first class honors degree and travelled to…
Apr 15, 1948 · 28:26
If there is genius amongst criminals, we have its proof tonight, as you're about to hear one of the most incredible…
Apr 17, 1947 · 29:55
In the Intelligence section of the British Ministry of Economic Warfare, an important short wave message was being…
Apr 22, 1948 · 28:14
In the sandy pinelands of South Carolina, in the hot afternoon stillness, Tyler Somerset is a man meeting justice.…
Apr 24, 1947 · 29:39
Here's a story we are all familiar with. It's the story of the most colourful, best loved and most universally popular…
Apr 25, 1943 · 28:10
A drama about warm human people Two for a Penny comes from chapter 15 in the story The Grapes of Wrath by John…
Apr 29, 1948 · 29:04
Bernard Shaw once said "Youth is so wonderful, it's a shame to waste it on the young." Our story tonight is a true…
Apr 3, 1947 · 29:34
Over the jungle there was a vapour rising up from the depths of the swamp. There was stillness all around, with a slow…
Apr 8, 1948 · 28:28
A successful young couple are making the move from the city to Wide Ruins, Arizona to run the family's Indian Trading…
Aug 21, 1947 · 29:06
Grandma and the Seagull is the deeply moving story of an enduring friendship and a bitter hate. This is an unusual…
Aug 28, 1947 · 28:52
A true and hilarious tale of a young adventurer and of his bewildered family who received his letter saying 'Dear…
Aug 7, 1947 · 28:22
This is a wonderful romance which will reach right down into your heart. In a small factory in Denmark, a young man…
Dec 11, 1947 · 27:04
Based on a real incident in the war when a six foot three inch tall American Sergeant has to parachute from his plane…
Dec 18, 1947 · 28:06
This is a delightful story about the Christmas carol Silent Night and how it spread from the mountains of Saxony…
Dec 19, 1946 · 29:40
It was December 24th 1943 and Lieutenant Joe Scott injured Navy Flyer and was going to have his leg operated on in two…
Dec 4, 1947 · 26:58
A spirited tale of a young girl's unbridled passion for ranch life unfolds in this charming radio drama.…
Feb 12, 1948 · 30:25
The story of the most remarkable swindle in American history. The true story of a man who actually convinced the United…
Feb 12, 1948 · 29:03
"It all started when I met a United States Army nurse. I was very fortunate to meet her. I was serving as a Liaison…
Feb 13, 1947 · 30:10
This is the true but little known story of a young man who risked political defeat in order to help a friend. His name…
Feb 20, 1947 · 30:48
This is the true and exciting story of a three years search for criminals conducted by a one man posse. When Frank an…
Feb 26, 1948 · 28:15
The story begins in New York's fashionable brown stone, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, thirty years ago. The house detective,…
Feb 27, 1947 · 30:13
This is story about a young American agent sent to Casablanca in November 1942 during the war to fool the Germans in to…
Feb 5, 1948 · 28:13
Today's story is a surprising crime story, based on an actual happening. It centers around a mysterious little box.…
Feb 6, 1944 · 28:25
Hallmark Cards present this gay light-hearted story about a surprising marriage that had London society buzzing with…
Jan 1, 1948 · 30:00
A dramatic and strange story of intrigue and one man's ambition, this was one of the most starting stories to come out…
Jan 15, 1948 · 27:04
"It's snowing, the straight down kind of snow, except when the fingers of the wind would suddenly catch some flakes and…
Jan 22, 1948 · 26:36
When a man would rather go to prison than give up the work that he loves, he's either crazy or a genius! It will be up…
Jan 29, 1948 · 26:11
Some time ago, in a New England attic, a diary was found. It was over one hundred years old, but the true story it had…
Jan 8, 1948 · 27:00
An inspiring story of what one woman accomplished in Europe after the first world war. It is a true story of gallantry…
Jul 10, 1947 · 29:41
This is a story about a kid named Variety, and ten million dollars. The kid didn't make the money himself, he didn't…
Jul 17, 1947 · 30:05
Joe was a great one for running. He doesn't talk much though... In fact there are whole days at a time where Joe's…
Jul 24, 1947 · 31:17
We're promised a chill up our spine with this broadcast... An honest-to-goodness chill that you haven't felt since you…
Jul 3, 1947 · 29:47
A story packed with humor, strength and courage. It's a true story of a gentleman the folks of Frog's Hollow once…
Jul 31, 1947 · 28:14
Tonight, the Radio Readers Digest brings you a story about a married couple who spent many years of their lives on the…
Jun 12, 1947 · 31:08
Written by A. J. Cronin the courageous and heart warming story of The Doctor of Lennox is a true and deeply moving…
Jun 19, 1947 · 28:56
Have you ever met a really bad boy? You may think you have, but I'll wager you've never met any like the fire breathing…
Jun 26, 1947 · 29:25
A true story of a little girl who didn't have a penny in her pocket, but who carried the riches of the world in her…
Jun 3, 1948 · 24:09
A light hearted comedy for all the men who think that being a home maker is an easy business! Looking after the…
Jun 5, 1947 · 31:05
The easiest things in the world to believe in, are dreams - but few of us make them come true. Tonight's broadcast…
Mar 11, 1948 · 26:51
We have a warm hearted story tonight, with the unexpected kind of situation and plot that could only be found in life…
Mar 13, 1947 · 29:31
This is the true and tender story of a girl and a boy and a golden shamrock starring Miss Dorothy McGuire as an Irish…
Mar 14, 1943 · 30:00
Written by A. J. Cronin the courageous and heart warming story of The Doctor of Lennox is a true and deeply moving…
Mar 18, 1948 · 29:12
Steven Spotswood still hasn't managed to get himself published as a playwright. After being rejected time after time,…
Mar 20, 1947 · 29:44
Step back in time with this heartwarming adaptation of O. Henry's beloved short story, 'The Gift of the Magi'. Gene…
Mar 25, 1948 · 28:40
Today we bring you the story of a tough old sea dog, whose bark is loud and fierce, but whose heart is as warm as a…
Mar 27, 1947 · 29:42
Somewhere on the muddy road to Chancellorsville, a company of Union soldiers was moving up through the early morning…
Mar 4, 1948 · 28:06
The immigration authorities were very busy that morning. An ocean liner had just dropped anchor off Ellis Island, and…
Mar 6, 1947 · 29:27
This is a heart-warming story about a Greek immigrant, Pete Dimitric and his American Irish wife who move to settle in…
May 1, 1947 · 29:38
The wonderfully, tender and heart warming true story of a doctor who faced a momentous decision. Mike's parents were…
May 12, 1947 · 30:17
One of the most serious problems in America today is the rising divorce rate. In 1900 one out of twelve marriages ended…
May 13, 1948 · 29:18
Tonight we have a rip snortin', blood chilling story for you, right out of the Texas brush country. We're going to take…
May 22, 1947 · 30:32
"I'm Mousy - well, at least that's what the girls call me at the office. Mousy. A timid little rose who sits at her…
May 27, 1948 · 29:18
One of the most extraordinary and inspiring stories of one man's honor. It was the early 1900s, and great masses of…
May 29, 1947 · 31:02
Tonight's charming fairy tale is a story is for the young in years, and the young in heart. It's about a little…
May 6, 1948 · 29:20
On the ship, the "Southern Belle" bound for South America from the port in New York, there was a simple man aboard, a…
May 8, 1947 · 29:58
"She wasn't really my aunt. She was married to my Uncle By, but everybody in town called her Aunt Paulina, and up in…
Nov 14, 1946 · 29:11
This is the romantic story of the great American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne (July 4, 1804 - May 19, 1864) and how the…
Nov 20, 1947 · 27:27
This is a heartwarming tale of courage and change set in a small Midwestern town. The incomparable Ethel Barrymore…
Nov 21, 1946 · 28:27
Anne Martin is on her way home from India on a steam ship after losing her husband. Since she has become widowed her…
Nov 27, 1947 · 27:54
A poignant Thanksgiving radio drama that explores the delicate threads of family reconciliation and personal…
Nov 28, 1946 · 28:28
The true and inspiring heart warming story of middle aged George Saxton, a lonely man who conquered his loneliness when…
Nov 6, 1947 · 27:28
Death Across the Table is a dramatic story of a girl, a priest and a killer based on an actual incident. Joe Hagen…
Nov 7, 1946 · 28:36
An exciting story of murder, mystery and intrigue. In London Mrs Barham rushes frantically to her neighbor Mr Broadman…
Oct 24, 1946 · 28:08
Mrs Cougat thought it was going to be fun to have Mr Cougat at home with a cold but she's going to enjoy nursing her…
Oct 30, 1947 · 28:08
This tells the story of a simple French peasant named Hauchecorne, an honest man, and the day at the country fair, the…
Oct 31, 1946 · 28:10
A drama about warm human people Two for a Penny comes from chapter 15 in the story The Grapes of Wrath by John…
Sep 11, 1947 · 29:17
Radio Readers Digest presents a truly inspiring story of a great international scientist Marie Curie. The story of…
Sep 4, 1947 · 29:07
The true and inspiring story of a great-hearted woman and a great-hearted land - Arizona's Aunt Adeline Gray. A woman…
Ned, your old-time-radio guide
Ned · your guide to the archive

Ah, Radio Readers Digest — a fine choice. Let me set a few more down beside it that I think you'll take to.

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