Live ‘40s Radio Show Lets Kids Tune In History

It was talk radio, circa 1940s.

On a blustery New York City night around Christmas, an “On the Air” sign flickers and Voice of America broadcasts its holiday show. In a cozy radio booth, four men dressed in red and green vests and a blond diva with a white feather boa sing holiday tunes, chat with Bing Crosby and send warm wishes to troops stationed abroad. They even plug Ovaltine and Colgate Tooth Powder.

But their studio audience--1990s students from Walnut Elementary School--is more familiar with Bill Clinton than Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They know Alanis Morissette. They don’t know the Andrews Sisters.

No matter, they quickly caught on.

Led by the group Vocalworks--affiliated with the Los Angeles Music Center’s education division--the 275 students fast learned the rules of old-time radio. “On the Air” meant silence. An “Applause” card was greeted by clapping and stomping. A raised hand from a Vocalworks member brought the “shhhh-ing” of the wind necessary for weather segments.

Students listened intently to a sound-effects punctuated version of Clement C. Moore’s classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” Bells were rung to announce the arrival of Santa’s sleigh and nails were hammered into wood to evoke “stockings hung by the chimney with care.”

After the show, students said they were impressed. “That was cool,” said Cody Berntsen, 8. “I liked all the singing. My favorite was when we sang ‘Jingle Bells.’ ”

Third-grader Amanda Samaniego enjoyed the show “ ‘cause of all the singing and all the actions. You got to move your hands.”

The 8-year-old also noticed a difference between 1940s radio and its present-day equivalent. “It talks a lot more than radio now,” Amanda said.