"Good News of 1939" Episode 51 (December 15, 1938) - Part 1

"Good News of 1939" Episode 51 (December 15, 1938)
Director: Edward L. Marin
Scrooge: Reginald Owen

We head back 20 years from Stan Freberg to visit the old-time radio show "Good News of 1939," which was a co-venture between MGM and Maxwell House to promote movies and sell coffee. And both of those goals were accomplished!

So, why are we talking about this show? Well, when the episode of December 15, 1938 rolled around, the movie MGM needed to promote was... "A Christmas Carol!"

That is, of course, the version starring Reginald Owen, who had taken over the role when Lionel Barrymore was incapacitated.

Lionel is here to narrate the proceedings, which is fun.

The whole show is an hour long with material that doesn't necessary hold up or at least suit our purposes, so I edited it down to about 20 minutes to showcase the movie adaptation.

Give it and listen, then we'll break it down...