MGM Theater Of The Air

The Joe Hehn Memorial Collection

(5 stars; 4 reviews)

The MGM Theater of the Air was MGM's prestigious effort to use the airwaves to promote their classic lineup of films and upcoming films. The programs featured many of MGM's best known talent on the program. The radio productions were syndicated, with most cities starting their broadcasts Friday, October 14, 1949. The series was one of the radio programs produced by MGM under the general title of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Radio Attractions. MGM Theater of the Air was first broadcast on radio station WMGM in New York and then released for syndication to other stations. Programs were not always broadcast in order and dates could vary for the individual shows once they were syndicated. The host for the program was the Vice-President of MGM Howard Dietz. Howard was internationally known for his successful career as a composer/writer for many musical hits. Marx B. Loeb, a well known New York based radio director, handled the direction of the many programs within the series and other MGM radio productions. Musical production was handled by Joel Herron who was music director for radio station WMGM for ten years. The series was similar in concept to the Lux Radio Theatre and other well known radio series that adapted famous movies over the years. The productions for the MGM radio series were based on past MGM films. Many New York radio actors performed in supporting roles in the productions, usually headlined by one or two major film stars. Some of the productions featured movie actors who appeared in the original film releases. * * * These recordings are part of the Joe Hehn Memorial Collection. Mr. Hehn (1931-2020) was a pioneering collector of radio recordings when the hobby emerged in the 1960s. Digitizing his collection of reel tapes and discs is the effort of a wide range of North American volunteers, and includes assistance of some international collectors. The groups supporting this effort with their funds, time, technology and skills are the Old Time Radio Researchers and a small group of transcription disc preservationists who refer to themselves as the "The Knights of the Turning Table."

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.