One Day in 1939

The Complete September 21st, 1939, WJSV CBS Broadcast (Remastered)

De: CBS Radio - producer

Narrado por: Arthur Godfrey, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Joe E. Brown, Major Bowes, Agnes Moorehead, Louis Prima

Arthur Godfrey, The Romance of Helen Trent, Our Gal Sunday, The Goldbergs, President Roosevelt's Address to Congress, Amos and Andy, Joe E. Brown, Major Bowes, Louis Prima, and more all in a row! This is a recording of a full broadcast day, remastered (from the National Archives transcript disks) by Joe Bevilacqua.

On Thursday, September 21, 1939, radio station WJSV (CBS) in Washington, DC, recorded their entire broadcast day - from sign on to sign off. This was before the advent of magnetic recording tape, so transcription disks were used. The overall quality of these disk recordings is good to excellent except for a few spots of noticeable distortion and dropout.

This collection is the complete broadcast day of the Columbia Broadcasting System's radio station WJSV AM, Washington, DC, September, 21, 1939, recorded in part because of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's address to Congress. This 25th special session speech covered FDR's plans to change existing neutrality laws in light of the coming European war. You will hear everything as it was the day it was recorded - that includes the pops and crackles, the station breaks, and the technical difficulties, along with all the music, comedy, drama, soap operas, a quiz show, war news, baseball, and advertisements that were aired on September 21, 1939.

Let this One Day in 1939 be your personal time machine as you travel back to those days when 15 cents would buy a hamburger, a six-pack of Coke cost a quarter, and the future was on display at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

More details: WJSV originally came on the air in 1926 as WTRC in Brooklyn, New York, then was moved to Arlington, Virginia, the following year and became WJSV in 1928. CBS bought the station from the previous owner in 1931 and officially moved the station to Washington, DC, although the transmitter site remained in Virginia. CBS made WJSV its affiliate in the nation's capital.

Among the more famous events involving WJSV was the recording of its entire broadcast day on September 21, 1939. The recording includes many famous radio programs of the time (including Amos 'n' Andy and Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour), local programs featuring Arthur Godfrey and John Charles Daly before their national successes, a Cleveland Indians-Washington Senators baseball game, and a speech by President Franklin Roosevelt. The recording was saved in the National Archives.

©2015 CBS Radio (P)2015 Joe Bevilacqua, Waterlogg Productions

A blast from the past, and a warning.

To actually hear voices from over 80 years ago is amazing. Now, fair warning, if you are looking for 2021 sensibilities, it isn’t there. There are some pieces that are hard to hear, but it gives a picture of how far we have come from where we were then. Also, it’s recorded 22 days into World War 2, so it is Europe’s War.

My most interesting takeaways are:
FDR’s speech to Congress, swearing to keep the US out of “Europe’s War”, but to allow both sides to purchase “Cash and Carry” weapons.
The volume, and tone, of political commentary.
It’s over 80 years ago and game and talent shows are front and center.
300 anti-war protestors “flooding” the Capital.
The hours of “Recorded Music” to avoid paying fees and rights.
Baseball is build for radio.
Lots and Lots of Soap Operas. Such problems.

All in all, a pretty good trip down memory lane, with some potholes.

Charming step back in time

Narration: clear, charming, vintage.

Content: fun and relaxing to experience even if only limited way pre-ww2 Americana.

A glimpse into the (real) past

You can find music from the 1930s, and radio programs from the 1930s, but the all-day broadcast of a radio station is something special. This is a great way to experience an ordinary day in the United States in 1939. This recording starts at 6 a.m. in Washington, D.C. on September 21st; the autumnal equinox, as the radio reminds listeners a few times. From the a m. radio host Arthur sprinkling morning birthday greetings to listeners in between playing records ("check under your chair for a surprise from Mother and Daddy, little Earl...") to the morning soap operas sponsored by Wonder Bread and Colgate Toothpaste Powder, you go through the day much as your ancestors did 84 years ago. If your only glimpse into life in 1939 is a scripted radio programs or movie, this recording offers a more candid and authentic view. (Yes, people really did give out their home address on the radio during quiz shows!)