Remembering Mary Tyler Moore

TV icon Mary Tyler Moore passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, after being hospitalized in Connecticut. She was 80. Mary Tyler Moore is best remembered for her starring role as Laura Petrie on the "Dick Van Dyke Show", and her role as Mary Richards on the "Mary Tyler More Show".  In addition, she appeared in television commercials, motion pictures, and as a guest on many TV programs.  Baby Boomers have a special relationship with MTM.  She was a very prominent part of our growing-up years.  On an upcoming episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, we'll look back on the life and career of this girl "Who Could Turn the World on with Her Smile".  Join us for this tribute to one of our favorite actresses. 

The 75th Anniversary of the "War of the Worlds" Broadcast (Program 125)

Seventy-five years ago, on October 30, 1938, Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater on the Air, broadcast a dramatization of H. G. Wells' novel "The War of the Worlds". This broadcast caused widespread panic in the United States as listeners believed that we were truly being invaded by Martians.  Join us on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, we look back to that evening 75 years ago, and discuss the many contributing factors that made this broadcast believable. The state of the world then which was heading toward war, the listening habits of the American public, and the infallibility of radio at that time, all contributed toward the panic that engulfed thousands of listeners. This fascinating event is truly worth remembering and more so on the 75th anniversary of this famous broadcast. In addition, we ask the question could something like this happen again? For the answer, as well as an enjoyable look back at the Golden Age of Radio, listen in to Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site!

Remembering the "Ford 50th Anniversary Show", Sixty Years Later

On Program 113, we recall the Ford 50th Anniversary Show, a two-hour live television special broadcast on June 15, 1953.  The program was seen on NBC and CBS at the same time.  This was the only way Ford could assure the maximum number of people would be able to see the show, since this was still the early days of television, and each network by itself did not cover the whole United States.  The program was hosted By Edward R. Murrow and Oscar Hammerstein, and featured a history of the U.S. and the world from 1903-1953.  Appearing on the show were Mary Martin and Ethel Merman, as seen above, along with Wally Cox, Lowell Thomas, Marian Anderson, Rudy Vallee, Burr Tilstrom's Puppets Kukla and Ollie, and appearing on film, Bing Crosby, Eddie Fisher, and Frank Sinatra.  The program was produced by Leland Hayward, and featured an appearance by Henry Ford II at the conclusion.  A well-remembered special from the early days of television!

"Shotgun Tom" Kelly to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! (Program 108)

We are proud to announce that our dear friend "Shotgun Tom" Kelly will be the recepient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  The ceremonies are scheduled for Tuesday, April 30, at 11:30 AM Pacific Time.  All are invited to attend this event.  If you are not in the Southern California area, the event will be streamed live at this site: www.walkoffame.com  The video of the ceremony will be available at the site for a time after the event.  For further information on Shotgun and this event, please go to: http://www.walkoffame.com/pages/upcoming-ceremonies

On program 108, Shotgun joins us to tell us the story of how he came to receive this honor, and he shares with us some details of the process involved.  He also recounts a few of his memories and achievements that have led up to his being recognized by this honor, for his years of radio broadcasting.

Galaxy Nostalgia Network salutes Shotgun, and we offer him our most hearty congratulations on the occasion of this great tribute!

The 70th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor (Program 72)

We remember the 70th anniversary of the attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, bringing the United States into World War II. On Podcast 72, Smitty and Mike look back on that day, and share information on the events leading up to the attack, the state of the world at that time, and we listen to some radio news broadcasts from December 7, 1941. In addition, we recall the aftereffects of that day such as blackouts and the internment of Japanese-Americans. The attack would signal four long years of struggle and hardship by our fighting forces, and sacrifice by people on the homefront. Pictured above, is a helmet that was worn by an Air Raid Warden of that time. We remember those who served, and those who sacrificed their lives on that day and throughout the war, that we might live in a free country today.

New Year's Eve with Guy Lombardo (Podcast 35)

For many, many years New Year's Eve was not complete without Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians ringing in the New Year. Coming up in Podcast 35, Smitty remembers Guy and the orchestra, and their signature New Year's tune, "Auld Lang Syne".

Remembering The Big Show (Podcast 29)

Smitty recalls "The Big Show", radio's last, big, lavish program. It debuted in 1950 as radio audiences were declining with the impact of television. An NBC program, the network was still smarting from the Talent Raids, in which many of their top-flight stars moved to CBS. Can you name the stars in this picture? Hear all about it on Podcast 29!

Vintage Radio Show Tickets (Podcast 10)

In Podcast 10, we talk about the radio show tickets that were handed out to people who wanted to watch a radio program and be in the audience. Here are some examples of these tickets, which would have gotten you into some CBS/KNX radio programs in Hollywood, CA. These tickets were free, and not to be sold, as you can see above!