RUSC
Old-time radio, beautifully kept · established 1999
← Home
Soap Operas

The Goldbergs

1938–1945 · 200 episodes · 13 listens

Originally titled The Rise of the Goldbergs, this 15-minute daily serial drama portrayed the story of a poor Jewish family living in the Bronx, New York. The show was created, written, and starred by Gertrude Berg, who played the role of Molly Goldberg, the matriarch of the family.

What set The Goldbergs apart from other radio dramas of its time was its authentic portrayal of Jewish immigrant life in America. The show skillfully blended elements of situation comedy and soap opera, staying close to real-life situations and events that listeners could easily relate to. The series was performed in Jewish dialect, adding to its authenticity and charm.

The Goldbergs was more than just entertainment; it was a cultural phenomenon that resonated with millions of Americans. As described in Life magazine, "for millions of Americans, listening to The Goldbergs has been a happy ritual akin to slipping on a pair of comfortable old shoes that never seem to wear out". The show's popularity stemmed from its ability to address universal themes of family, community, and the immigrant experience, making it relatable to a wide audience despite its specific cultural setting.

Key Dates

  • November 20, 1929: "The Rise of the Goldbergs" debuts as a weekly 15-minute program on NBC's Blue Network.
  • 1931: The show becomes a daily program.
  • 1936: The series moves to CBS and is renamed "The Goldbergs".
  • 1945: James R. Waters, who played Jake Goldberg, passes away suddenly.
  • 1948: Gertrude Berg writes and stages "Me and Molly," a Broadway version of the show.
  • 1949: "The Goldbergs" transitions to television, running concurrently with the radio version.
  • 1949-1950: The radio show changes to a 30-minute weekly format.
  • 1956: The series concludes its run.

The Stars

The heart and soul of The Goldbergs was undoubtedly Gertrude Berg, who not only created and wrote the show but also starred as Molly Goldberg. Berg's portrayal of Molly, the loving, meddlesome, and somewhat stereotypical Jewish matriarch, became an iconic character in American popular culture.

Other key cast members included:

  • Jake Goldberg (Molly's husband): Initially played by Himan Brown, later by James R. Waters.
  • Rosalie Goldberg (daughter): Played by Roslyn Silber.
  • Sammy Goldberg (son): Played by Alfred Ryder.
  • Uncle David: Played by Menasha Skulnik.
  • Seymour Fingerhood: Played by Arnold Stang.
  • Eli Edwards: Played by Garson Kanin.
  • Sylvia Allison: Played by Zina Provendie.

The show also featured a rotating cast of announcers, including the well-known Bud Collyer, who would introduce Molly with the phrase, "here she is, folks: that's Molly Goldberg, a woman with a place in every heart and a finger in every pie".

Notable Facts

Catchphrase: The show's opening, with Molly's characteristic "Yoo-hoo! Is anybody..." became a national catchphrase.

Pioneering Female Creator: Gertrude Berg was one of the first women to create, write, produce, and star in her own radio series, making her a trailblazer in the entertainment industry.

Crossover Success: "The Goldbergs" was one of the few radio shows to successfully transition to multiple media formats. It began as a radio show, then became a Broadway play, and finally a television series.

Cultural Impact: The show was instrumental in bringing Jewish culture and the immigrant experience into mainstream American entertainment, helping to bridge cultural divides.

Longevity: "The Goldbergs" was one of the longest-running 15-minute serial comedies on radio, second only to "Amos 'n' Andy".

Innovative Storytelling: After James R. Waters (Jake Goldberg) died in 1945, Berg creatively worked around his absence by having Molly refer to Jake and set up dialogue where his replies were not heard.

Critical Acclaim: Gertrude Berg won an Emmy Award for Best Actress in 1950 for her portrayal of Molly Goldberg in the television version of the show.

Merchandising: The show's popularity led to the publication of "The Molly Goldberg Cookbook" in 1955.

Autobiography: Gertrude Berg published her autobiography, "Molly and Me," in 1961, further cementing the legacy of the show and its creator.

In conclusion

The Goldbergs stands as a testament to the power of radio storytelling and its ability to capture the hearts of millions. Through its authentic portrayal of Jewish immigrant life and universal family themes, the show not only entertained but also helped shape American popular culture. Its legacy continues to influence television sitcoms and family dramas to this day, making it a true classic of the Golden Age of Radio.

Cast & Crew

GGertrude BergActorAAlfred RyderActorEEverett SloaneActorJJoan TetzelActorTTito VuoloActorAArlene McQuadeActorJJames R WatersActorRRoslyn SilberActorMMenasha SkulnikActorAAnne TeemanActorHHelene DumasActorSSidney SlonActorAArnold StangActorZZina ProvendieActorBBruno WickActorAArtie AuerbachActorJJoan VitezActorHHoward MerrillActorCCarrie WellerActorMMartha WilberforceActorJJeanette ChinleyActorPPhilip LoebActorLLarry RobinsonActorEEli MintzActor

Ratings & reviews

Loading reviews…

Episodes

Apr 11, 1945 · 14:17
Every hunter knows that a bear trap sometimes snares only a rabbit, but there are also times when a rabbit trap will…
Apr 12, 1945 · 13:27
A child's mind is somewhat like a penny magnet. Nobody can tell what it will attract, nor how long it will hold on to…
Apr 13, 1945 · 14:31
Like an advancing army, gossip has its forward scouts - but unlike an army gossip has no means of control over its…
Apr 14, 1942 · 13:03
Jake finally decided to take matters into his own hands, and nip Rosie's romance with Walter Jerome in the bud, only to…
Apr 15, 1942 · 12:39
Molly, Jake and Sammy are in New York at their friend's house, but their visit to Mrs Bloom's house isn't a social one.…
Apr 16, 1941 · 9:31
Sammy Goldberg followed Sylvia Allison to South Carolina because he believed her and trusted her. He loved her, and…
Apr 16, 1942 · 12:33
While the Goldberg's were passing the hours between their arrival in New York, and Rosie's arrival from Florida, a…
Apr 16, 1945 · 14:11
The real story of Edward Reynolds has at last come out into the light of day. That is, all but the mystery of Elizabeth…
Apr 17, 1941 · 9:22
Early this morning Sammy Goldberg got up, packed his bags, said goodbye and walked out of Sylvia's house but not out of…
Apr 17, 1942 · 14:41
It's early morning, and Sammy is milking the cow as Molly joins him. Rosie is still sleeping as she's tired from the…
Apr 17, 1945 · 14:30
The last scene of the tragedy of Edward Reynolds life has just been played. Elizabeth Neal, after a long and…
Apr 18, 1941 · 13:00
As soon as Sammy Goldberg realized that Sylvia Allyson was not the sweet, lovable girl she appeared to be - but a…
Apr 2, 1945 · 14:34
Normally Jake is not a man who allows his suspicions to lead him on, but his ride home in Edward Reynold's car has just…
Apr 20, 1942 · 13:50
The Goldberg's are back home and Rosie is home with them. This means that the problem of Walter and Rosie has to be…
Apr 21, 1941 · 12:41
The Goldberg family is at the very door of the Allyson house in South Carolina, and impatiently they're wondering why…
Apr 21, 1942 · 13:38
There are very few people with Molly's patience - most of us are like Jake - we jump in feet first and slash away…
Apr 22, 1941 · 9:25
The Goldbergs have just arrived in South Carolina for Sammy's wedding to Sylvia Alyson, and at this very moment they're…
Apr 22, 1942 · 13:46
Jake Goldberg has put his foot down, and order Walter Jerome not to see Rosie again. The role of the tyrannical parent…
Apr 23, 1941 · 12:37
As the Goldberg's sit in the bright dining room of the Alyson house, early on the morning of their surprise arrival,…
Apr 23, 1942 · 14:32
Being on the verge of seventeen, and deeply in love with a young man engaged to someone else, is like riding the…
Apr 24, 1941 · 10:55
The Goldbergs arrived at the Allyson's for Sammy's wedding, only to find Sammy gone. Mr Allyson and Sylvia explained…
Apr 24, 1942 · 14:13
If too many cooks spoil the broth, then we can rest assured that Rosie's love affair is being spoiled - for Jake,…
Apr 25, 1941 · 12:57
The Goldberg's are settling down in South Carolina as the guests of the Allison's. They have welcomed the family, and…
Apr 27, 1942 · 13:34
The Goldberg family has reached a new point in the saga of Rosie's love affair with Walter Jerome, because after a…
Apr 28, 1941 · 13:31
Molly and the rest of her family are basking in the pleasure of being south at the home of the Allisons. It's the new…
Apr 28, 1942 · 13:21
The Goldberg's listened, and Jake's head whirled around until his soul cried out for some bicarbonated soda. The cause…
Apr 29, 1941 · 13:21
The Goldberg family is staying in South Carolina with the family of Sylvia Allison, the girl whom Sammy Goldberg is…
Apr 29, 1942 · 13:32
Just when the Goldberg's decided that leaving well enough alone was the best way to act towards Rosie, the unexpected…
Apr 30, 1941 · 10:12
The Goldberg's are in South Carolina for Sammy's wedding to Sylvia Allison, but strangely enough when they arrived,…
Apr 30, 1942 · 13:07
The one thing a wise man never does, is avoid a problem, and so Jake wasn't too wise when he concealed from Molly that…
Apr 5, 1945 · 14:45
There's a belief among people that history repeats itself, but if it does it repeats itself under changed…
Apr 6, 1945 · 14:12
To judge a man by his external behaviour alone is akin to judging a man by his clothes - both can be misleading. Up…
Aug 1, 1941 · 10:24
Molly has been shuttling between the house and the railway station all day today trying to find out when Esther Miller…
Aug 10, 1942 · 13:32
A thrill of hope came to Molly, when she discovered that her own little insight into the character of Anne was matched…
Aug 11, 1941 · 10:01
Allison and Esther have decided that they can’t marry because of Sylvia but Molly is talking to Mrs Bloom to see if the…
Aug 11, 1942 · 13:23
Up to now, Molly Goldberg has spent her time trying to untangle the threads woven through the lives of Florence, Eugene…
Aug 12, 1941 · 10:32
Molly Goldberg is attempting to make it possible for Sylvia’s father to marry the woman he has loved for fifteen years.…
Aug 12, 1942 · 13:21
Molly Goldberg can hardly hide her feelings these days, because at last with assistance from her friend Dr Cater, she…
Aug 13, 1941 · 9:57
Molly Goldberg has set the stage for Mr Allison’s wedding to Esther Miller but only at the greatest risk to her own…
Aug 13, 1942 · 12:53
Thus far, Molly Goldberg's running from pillar to post has led her into one blind alley after another - but now she…
Aug 14, 1942 · 13:43
Molly jumped the last of the hurdles yesterday, and one of the worst ones in the race she was running with time, to…
Aug 17, 1942 · 14:12
The air at the Goldberg house is filled with promise, promises made by Rosie to a sick man, promises she doesn't want…
Aug 18, 1941 · 13:32
The wedding party is about to leave for the justice of the peace. Mr Allison and Esther Miller are about to be married,…
Aug 18, 1942 · 14:15
Sometimes it's important to know when you're defeated, because the defeat can be swallowed up in a more satisfying kind…
Aug 19, 1941 · 13:32
The wedding party is about to leave for the justice of the peace. Mr Allison and Esther Miller are about to be married…
Aug 19, 1942 · 14:23
The Jerome's have now left, and Walter has enlisted in the army, so there is no immediate need for Rosie to make up her…
Aug 20, 1941 · 9:28
While Molly and Jake go together with Allison and his future bride down to the Justice of Peace Dr Cater has made the…
Aug 20, 1942 · 13:23
Rosie Goldberg is 17, and so the history of her heart is just beginning, and her love affair has taken a new turn. It's…
Aug 21, 1941 · 9:32
While her father was being married Sylvia Allison took the train to the south, home to her sister Leah. There wasn’t…
Aug 21, 1942 · 12:49
The family car is returning from the express station, and the Goldberg's are talking about Mikey's sudden recall to the…
Aug 22, 1941 · 9:04
The Allison's are leaving. Sylvia has gone and Molly hopes that the past, with all of its tragedy and sorrow, are gone…
Aug 24, 1942 · 14:20
Jake put his foot down, he put it down flatly, and ended at once what might have involved him even slightly. Of course…
Aug 25, 1942 · 13:51
It's getting to be morning now, but it's still quite early, and yet Molly Goldberg is up and about. It's a little early…
Aug 26, 1941 · 9:24
If it isn't one thing, it's another at the Goldberg's, and right now the other thing is Seymour's sister Jessie. She's…
Aug 26, 1942 · 13:40
Uncle David knew whom he had to see when he wanted to place Emma in a new job, and when Molly saw this pretty young…
Aug 27, 1941 · 9:11
The tonic that the Goldberg's needed after the Allison's departure, arrived in the person of Seymour's sister, Bertie.…
Aug 27, 1942 · 13:27
It's all settled now, Molly Goldberg is going to have an assistant in the house - someone to take the load off her…
Aug 28, 1941 · 9:19
After Sylvia left town putting an end to the confusion and turmoil in which she'd thrown everybody, Jake Goldberg was…
Aug 28, 1942 · 13:26
It's dinner time at the Goldbergs, and time for Emma's first appearance as Molly's hired help. Jake has ordered that…
Aug 29, 1941 · 9:18
Jake Goldberg is getting to the point where he'd like to build a high fence around his house and put up a big sign…
Aug 3, 1942 · 13:14
Molly is still puzzled, and since she is determined to solve the mystery of Anne Franklin's motives, she thought…
Aug 31, 1942 · 13:42
When Mikey Bloom arrived, Rosie was overjoyed - and Sammy was relieved, for Sammy needed some help in a very delicate…
Aug 4, 1941 · 9:14
Molly has discovered a new Peace in her own family now that Sammy has been returned to the fold. But Molly’s sense of…
Aug 4, 1942 · 13:36
In a way, Molly Goldberg is using her reserves in an effort to break through to the truth which lies behind the…
Aug 5, 1941 · 9:39
The Goldbergs’ strained every nerve to make the first dinner with Esther Miller and Albert Allison a success after all…
Aug 5, 1942 · 13:27
Molly Goldberg's little plan to find out the secret which is driving her niece and husband apart, is beginning to bear…
Aug 6, 1941 · 10:01
As if to top the unhappiness she’s already cast over her the Goldberg dinner for her father and Esther Miller, Sylvia…
Aug 6, 1942 · 13:05
The expert Molly called in on her little problem, is ready to leave, but just what light he is going to throw on Anne…
Aug 7, 1941 · 9:53
Molly Goldberg usually has courage enough to spare for all her friends and this time it seems she’ll need all she can…
Aug 7, 1942 · 13:26
Like a pair of conspirators, Molly and Dr Cater are meeting in secret to solve the case of Anne Franklin, for day by…
Aug 8, 1941 · 10:08
Molly Goldberg is cooperating with the medical profession in her own way. When she learned that Dr Carter ought to get…
Dec 1, 1944 · 13:14
You can reason with the reasonable, but with the other kind of people, only a little deception will work sometimes, at…
Dec 11, 1941 · 10:19
Molly Goldberg has a plan, one of those delicate, persuasive plans for disentangling the emotional commitments of other…
Dec 11, 1944 · 13:47
For Molly, and even for Mike and Joe, all that has gone before has been wiped out in the events of the past thirty…
Dec 12, 1944 · 13:24
When the police brought Jake's suit to Molly for identification, she took one look and fainted. This was the final link…
Dec 13, 1944 · 13:26
Like a clock that stops ticking, Molly's memory faltered at the sight of Jake's clothes brought to her by the police.…
Dec 14, 1944 · 13:30
Molly has almost recovered from the memory loss she suffered when the police brought her Jake's clothing, but she still…
Dec 15, 1941 · 9:38
Molly Goldberg has evolved a very delicate plan which will save the tangled situation in which two women and two men…
Dec 15, 1944 · 13:55
Just as man is given an anaesthetic when his physical pain is too great, so nature has created an antedote to mental…
Dec 16, 1941 · 10:04
There's one certain way of making a woman persist in her determination, and Molly Goldberg should have told…
Dec 18, 1944 · 13:51
There's an old belief in our land that every town and city has one charmed corner, and if you wait long enough on that…
Dec 19, 1944 · 13:52
Like the needle on a compass, Molly's whole being is pulled in only one direction - toward Jake, wherever he may be.…
Dec 20, 1944 · 12:50
It's morning now, after Molly's first night at the Hillcrest rest home, and she has just woken from her troubled sleep.…
Dec 21, 1944 · 13:01
It's still early morning of Molly's second day at the Hillcrest rest home, and already her compulsion to get back on…
Dec 22, 1941 · 13:54
With Orianne's marriage set, Molly has decided to make a desperate attempt to set the world right on its proper course.…
Dec 22, 1944 · 12:37
A doctor's prescription can not always be administered as easily as a pill or a spoonful of medicine, and in Molly's…
Dec 23, 1941 · 13:36
Molly Goldberg is on her way to see Margaret Way, and Molly has a grand plan which will make the tangled lives of four…
Dec 24, 1941 · 13:36
Fixing other people's lives is something that hardly ever gets thanks, and all Molly Goldberg has been getting lately…
Dec 25, 1941 · 12:03
When Molly Goldberg get an inch head start, she can beat you by a mile, but right now Molly hasn't been able to break…
Dec 25, 1944 · 13:28
Some folks say there's no rest for the wicked, but there are times when the innocent too, go without rest. Two days…
Dec 26, 1941 · 8:12
Molly Goldberg has been talking, explaining, and pleading with Margaret Way, but to no purpose. Although Margaret…
Dec 26, 1944 · 13:02
When Mike put through a call a few minutes ago, it made Molly, David, Rosie and Mike anxious to rush back to Elsie…
Dec 27, 1944 · 13:07
After Molly's exit from the Hillcrest rest home, disguised as a scrub woman, she made straight for the police station…
Dec 28, 1944 · 12:51
Elsie Warren has just arrived home, and for Mike and Molly, she could not have chosen a more inappropriate time. Molly,…
Dec 29, 1941 · 12:03
When Molly Goldberg gets an inch head start, she can beat you by a mile - that's the way her mind runs. But right now…
Dec 29, 1944 · 13:09
Like chicken's coming home to roost, everybody involved in the near tragedy surrounding the $25,000 is descending upon…
Dec 30, 1941 · 12:30
There's one thing that Molly can do, and that's to follow her nose, see her goal, what she thinks is right and no…
Dec 31, 1941 · 12:58
Molly knows what is right for Orianne and Mr Way, and she knows that their intended marriage is wrong. Molly has been…
Dec 4, 1941 · 9:59
Molly Goldberg has had the experience of knowing people who are motivated by misunderstanding, by jealousy, and by…
Dec 4, 1944 · 13:16
Many a ship has sunk at the launching, and many a well-laid plan has done likewise. But with a faith known only to the…
Dec 5, 1944 · 13:05
If someone had told Mike Hilton that he would become the silver lining to the clouds hanging over Molly, he would have…
Dec 6, 1944 · 13:04
A leopard may not be able to change its spots, but with care, he can sometimes be changed from a jungle beast to a…
Dec 7, 1944 · 13:22
Birds who flock together are sometimes of a completely different feather. As the search for the $25,000 becomes more…
Dec 8, 1941 · 9:56
The battle lines of conflicting emotions are being drawn up, and Molly is trying to play General on both sides! This…
Dec 8, 1944 · 13:22
In the face of tragedy, even the most heartless soften and show signs of consideration. But Molly, sitting in Elsie's…
Dec 9, 1941 · 10:18
Sometimes silence means yes, and sometimes it means no. Earlier this afternoon, silence meant more than yes. It meant…
Feb 10, 1942 · 13:09
Jake's plan for the marriage of Orianne to Dr Cater is in full swing. While Viv and Sammy make sure that Orianne has…
Feb 11, 1942 · 13:09
Feb 12, 1942 · 25:23
Molly outmanoeuvred herself yesterday. She wants Orianne to marry Dr Cater, and so when Orianne went to leave town,…
Feb 12, 1945 · 14:54
It's one of those bright, crisp, winter mornings in Lastenbury, where the air feels cleaner and sharper than it seems…
Feb 13, 1942 · 25:23
Well Molly outmanouevered herself yesterday. She wants Orianne to marry Dr Cater, so when Orianne tried to get on the…
Feb 13, 1945 · 13:44
This morning, Amadaos, Molly's young cousin from Mexico got his wish - to be enrolled in an American school. Teresa had…
Feb 14, 1945 · 14:42
Earlier this morning, Molly began to see how fate was carefully - almost inevitably - tying her life to that of her…
Feb 15, 1945 · 14:11
For Amadeus and Molly, this has been a very full day so far, but for very different reasons. Molly's young cousin from…
Feb 16, 1942 · 12:45
Jake should have known from the very beginning that Molly was bound to take everything in her hands - and right now…
Feb 16, 1945 · 14:53
Molly and David are on their way to the little country school where Amadeus is now enrolled, but a chance meeting with…
Feb 17, 1942 · 12:46
The train bearing Orianne, Dr Cater and Sammy to New York, has brought serious passengers and serious situations to the…
Feb 18, 1942 · 12:57
Poor Molly Goldberg is feeling pretty low, for all of the bright plans for the wedding of Dr Cater to Orianne were…
Feb 19, 1942 · 13:19
The gloom at the Goldberg house is so thick you could cut it with knife, and all because Molly got a garbled message…
Feb 19, 1945 · 14:00
Ever since Molly arrived home, life has been in a turmoil. To top it all off, there was Elizabeth Neil's telephone…
Feb 2, 1942 · 12:46
Strange and mysterious conversations appear to be going on at Dr Cater's house, and Jake, who told Molly he was going…
Feb 20, 1942 · 13:34
Poor Molly is doing everything wrong. Sammy called to say that Chris and Orianne are married, but she left just before…
Feb 20, 1945 · 13:31
Some decisions can be put off indefinitely. Other require immediate action. So it is with the Molly for council…
Feb 21, 1945 · 13:00
When the idea of nomination to the village council first was broached to Molly, she dismissed it as a fantastic notion.…
Feb 22, 1945 · 14:33
Try as Molly will, to figure out Edward Reynolds reasons for wanting the post of council man in so small a town as…
Feb 23, 1942 · 13:01
If there ever was a frenzy of excitement, that frenzy is now blowing full force at the Goldbergs. Chris and Orianne are…
Feb 23, 1945 · 14:22
Fate in its workings, respects no-one's wishes, and sometimes even has a habit of flying in the face of people's…
Feb 24, 1942 · 13:15
There was quite a tense little moment in the Goldberg house an hour ago. Rosie just tried to get her brother to take…
Feb 26, 1945 · 14:00
With every passing hour, the village of Lastenbury has narrowed its immediate interests until almost the only topic of…
Feb 27, 1942 · 13:27
Poor Seymour can't make head nor tail to what's happening with Rosie. First she wants to go to the movies, and then…
Feb 27, 1945 · 14:27
Earlier this afternoon, Elizabeth Neil came over to see Molly. It was obvious that she wanted to talk with her alone,…
Feb 28, 1945 · 14:33
A little caution can go a long way, but over caution can obscure the truth - so Molly has just deduced after the…
Feb 3, 1942 · 12:46
There are ministers, and there are ministers. One of them is the man who came up to the Goldberg's door, who Seymour…
Feb 4, 1942 · 13:24
For once, Jake is involved in a little bit of planning, and Molly is being left out. The plan is Dr Cater's and…
Feb 5, 1942 · 13:30
Well the making of marriages is an activity that Molly thinks belongs especially to her - and the truth of the matter…
Feb 6, 1942 · 13:30
The making of marriages is an activity that Molly thinks belongs especially to her, and the truth of the matter is,…
Feb 9, 1942 · 13:34
With considerable skill and dexterity, Molly has tracked down a clue which makes her believe the men around her are…
Feb 9, 1945 · 15:11
Molly's modesty as a natural self-effacing quality of a wife who has devoted her married life to home, children and…
Jan 1, 1942 · 13:00
Jake is tired of all the bickering and quarrelling. If Orianne wants to marry Mr Way, then they should just let her...
Jan 1, 1945 · 13:44
A bird's eye view of Elsie Warren's house, would seem to indicate that all roads leads to it at 202 Jennifer Street.…
Jan 10, 1945 · 13:19
The bad people in this world are made up of two types. Those who wilfully set out to do evil, and those who through…
Jan 11, 1945 · 13:18
Molly has finally succeeded in winning Jake over to the idea of inviting Mike to come and live in Lastenbury, but so…
Jan 12, 1942 · 13:00
The long and argumentative night which Molly planned to help her friends had passed, and like a long wave falling back,…
Jan 12, 1945 · 13:21
Molly, Uncle David, and Rosie are alone now. Elsie went down to the station to meet her daughter, and Jake went with…
Jan 13, 1942 · 12:51
Molly is finding the recent events almost too great to bear now. The plan she had to help her friends worked most of…
Jan 14, 1942 · 13:03
Just at the very moment when Molly and all of her plans seemed to be halted, a breakthrough occurred! Now it's a…
Jan 15, 1942 · 12:56
Unfortunately, Molly wasn't able to be present and the scene between Edward Way and his former wife, but if she had,…
Jan 15, 1945 · 13:10
Elsie Warren's rejection of Mike has not shaken his new determination to lead a different kind of life. Spurred on by…
Jan 16, 1942 · 12:10
In the goal Molly set for herself, she weathered many a confusing storm of feelings, but now just as she's packed up…
Jan 16, 1945 · 12:51
Molly, David and Rosie are keeping a sharp lookout at the window of Elsie's house, and at this point, no-one is quite…
Jan 17, 1945 · 13:00
Molly's devise for bringing Mike and Elsie together again, seems to have worked out. When the two came back from their…
Jan 18, 1945 · 13:13
Mike's eagerness to rid himself of the $25,000, the last tie with his past, almost lost him Elsie all over again. When…
Jan 19, 1942 · 12:57
In all her dealings with people, Molly has discovered that a man's worst enemy is his pride, and that a woman's worst…
Jan 19, 1945 · 12:42
Life in the house in Jennifer Street has resumed its normal, peaceful course. Through Molly's intervention, Mike and…
Jan 2, 1945 · 13:07
Despite Mike and Molly's fervent attempt to reach Elsie before she learns about the $25,000 and her daughter Mary's…
Jan 20, 1942 · 13:10
Today is Molly's big day, the last day perhaps from the long war she waged on behalf of what she thought was right. And…
Jan 21, 1942 · 12:48
Molly is beginning to feel like a General who ordered her troops into battle, and then found that the struggle is…
Jan 22, 1942 · 13:29
There are feelings in Molly's heart, ideas in Molly's mind, for which she can't find words. And at this moment, those…
Jan 22, 1945 · 13:50
It's bedtime now in Greensville, Texas and Molly's last day on Jennifer Street has come to an end. In the morning,…
Jan 23, 1942 · 13:23
Now at last, the whole truth, which Molly has manipulated for the advantage of the friend she was trying to help, is…
Jan 23, 1945 · 13:23
In another few hours, Molly and her little group will bid farewell to Elsie Warren and Greensville, Texas farewell for…
Jan 24, 1945 · 13:28
The remaining few hours in Greensville have raced by with a speed known only to such hours. Gone now are the memories…
Jan 25, 1945 · 13:41
Once again, Molly and her little band are on a train speeding through the countryside, but this time there are no…
Jan 26, 1942 · 13:19
About an hour ago, a motor car drove off from the Goldberg house, and in it were Mr and Mrs Way. With that departure…
Jan 26, 1945 · 13:30
Being away from home has its advantages, and among them are those moments during the return journey when familiar…
Jan 27, 1942 · 13:08
Well all of the loose ends which Molly tried to weave into a happy pattern for her friends, are not completely tied.…
Jan 28, 1942 · 14:10
Molly had tried a little bit of her practical old fashioned know-how, but she tried it on a modern up-to-date physician…
Jan 29, 1942 · 11:47
Yesterday, Molly's hopes for Orianne rose and fell like a thermometer, but at the end the temperature was freezing with…
Jan 29, 1945 · 13:57
During Molly's absense, Birdie's enthusiasm about solving the housing shortage overreached itself. With Molly's…
Jan 3, 1945 · 13:04
After an eventful cab ride from Hillcrest, Molly, Mike, Uncle David and Rosie finally arrived at Elsie's. A little…
Jan 30, 1942 · 13:30
Jake Goldberg is in a terrible difficulty. He has a slight cold and an important meeting which he wants to hold in his…
Jan 4, 1945 · 13:45
The people in the house on Jennifer Street are a study in moods. Molly is filled with joy after weeks of separation.…
Jan 5, 1942 · 10:29
All the people involved in the drama which Molly has tried to direct, have gathered in the parlor of the Goldberg's…
Jan 5, 1945 · 13:04
With every passing moment, Molly's impatience grows as she waits for Jake's arrival. Like a young girl on the eve of…
Jan 6, 1942 · 12:21
Jake Goldberg has directed a wonderful little bit of drama right there in his own home. He took Molly's plans, which…
Jan 7, 1942 · 13:21
There's something about the closeness of four walls and four human wills that makes emotional explosions inevitable,…
Jan 8, 1942 · 12:46
Time seems to have stopped dead in its tracks at the Goldberg house, because so many things have happened and Molly's…
Jan 8, 1945 · 13:37
Once again, the Goldberg family is reunited, and now as Jake concludes the story of his experiences these last few…
Jan 9, 1942 · 12:43
Sometimes we try so hard, work with so much enthusiasm, and think with so much logic that our noses are never lifted…
Jan 9, 1945 · 12:41
With Jake safely beside her, Molly is now able to turn her attention to Mike's dilemma, because as all other things are…
Jul 1, 1941 · 9:05
Mr Allyson, Sylvia's father has arrived, ready to take his daughter home - not that Molly wants this. Molly has become…
Jul 1, 1942 · 14:15
There was a bargain made between Sammy Goldberg and his friend Mikey, and the object of the bargain, Emma, wasn't…
Jul 10, 1941 · 8:50
Sammy and Sylvia are united in their unhappiness and it is Dr Carter who is trying to separate them from the bond that…
Jul 11, 1941 · 9:00
The world of emotion in to which Sylvia and Sammy have descended is not like our own it is one where people are bound…
Jul 12, 1938
Step into a world of family drama and young love with this charming episode. The Goldbergs find themselves in a…
Jul 14, 1941 · 9:46
In every day life, it is sometimes the understanding and sympathy among those we live with, that we never notice. These…
Jul 15, 1941 · 9:45
Sylvia says she has fallen in love with Dr Carter and just where it will lead her and just what effect it will have on…
Jul 16, 1941 · 9:28
Yesterday as Sammy Goldberg walked home with Sylvia from the strangest picnic he had ever been on Sammy saw for the…
Jul 17, 1941 · 9:31
Sylvia is no longer anxious to marry Sammy and Sammy has accepted it. Now Sylvia feels that she’s in love with the…
Jul 17, 1942 · 13:43
Sammy Goldberg has been waiting a long time for his orders, and they finally came. He leaves for the army in a few…
Jul 2, 1941 · 9:04
To Molly’s relief Mr Allison, Sylvia’s father has arrived ready it seems to take his daughter home. Not that Molly…
Jul 20, 1942 · 13:11
On the verge of his departure for the army, Sammy finds his personal life demanding a very definite answer to its…
Jul 21, 1942 · 13:11
Ready to leave for the army, along with all the others, Sammy found himself winding up his personal affairs. One of the…
Jul 22, 1942 · 14:54
It's late, and everybody is in bed, or should be! The tone at the house is rather quiet, rather sober, for Sammy is…
Jul 23, 1942 · 13:10
It's train time at the big station in New York, and under the vast roof, lighted by vast windows, the pygmy crowds are…
Jul 24, 1942 · 13:14
Defeated for a moment yesterday, Molly Goldberg, like a good general, marshalled her forces and turned defeat into a…
Jul 25, 1941 · 8:33
Sammy has settled down to his old life again but the girl who nearly ruined her life has not been reconciled to her…
Jul 27, 1942 · 13:06
After floundering in the maze which Florence and Anne brought to her house, Molly Goldberg feels she has her feet set…
Jul 28, 1941 · 9:51
Molly has been trying to give advice again and this time with the experience of her own recent troubles close to her…
Jul 28, 1942 · 12:51
It seems that all Molly Goldberg has to do, is touch a little leather, to reveal that Anne Franklin is a liar. It's…
Ned, your old-time-radio guide
Ned · your guide to the archive

Ned here. Forty-odd years I've spent with these old shows — and if you took to The Goldbergs, I'd wager my last valve you'll love this lot.

Abie's Irish Rose
Both are warmhearted comedic dramas about immigrant families navigating American life, centered on strong family bonds.
Life With Luigi
Both explore the immigrant experience in America through a central character adapting to a new culture with warmth and humor.
Myrt and Marge
Both feature strong female characters and working-class social settings in a warmhearted comedy-drama format.
One Man's Family
Both are multigenerational family stories following the triumphs and tribulations of an extended family unit.