# The Big Show

Heard 1950–1952. 36 episodes.

THE BIG SHOW In 1950, the advent of television was not only causing concern in the film industry but radio was beginning to feel the effect as well. In short, audiences were dwindling. To combat the problem, NBC spent lots of money to produce The Big Show, a 90 minute radio program which would feature famous guests performing skits, songs, and comedic routines. Tallulah Bankhead was asked to host the show. She had guested in various radio programs in the past but had never done anything on an ongoing basis before. She was nervous and didn't really know what to expect or what her duty actually was so she approached the show with guarded anticipation. The Big Show premiered on November 5, 1950 and played every Sunday night for the next three years. It was a rousing success and Tallulah was a great success. The guest list varied but included such names as Ethel Merman, Danny Thomas, Fanny Brice, Phil Silvers, Bob Hope, Clifton Webb, Gloria Swanson, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Holliday, Ethel Barrymore, Jimmy Durante, Milton Berle, Josephine Baker, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, George Sanders, Yul Brynner, Shirley Booth, Peggy Lee, Rosalind Russell and Merv Griffin. NOTE: Updated Release! Fixed known issues with MP3 files freezing on Episodes 7 and 24, and other minor miscellaneous changes (12-Jul-2012). From the Old Time Radio Researchers Group. See "Notes" Section below for more information on the OTRR.

## Sets

- The Big Show - Single Episodes (Old Time Radio Researchers): CC BY-NC-ND 2.5, as its uploader states it at the Internet Archive. Source: https://archive.org/details/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles
- Big Show (Old Time Radio): the Internet Archive states no licence or rights for it. Source: https://archive.org/details/otr_bigshow
- The Big Show 50 11 12 Groucho Marx Fanny Brice (Old Time Radio): the Internet Archive states no licence or rights for it. Source: https://archive.org/details/TheBigShow501112GrouchoMarxFannyBrice
- Big Show 51 04 01 Groucho Marx And Bob Hope (Old Time Radio): the Internet Archive states no licence or rights for it. Source: https://archive.org/details/BigShow510401GrouchoMarxAndBobHope
- The Big Show 50 11 05 Fred Allen And Jimmy Durante (Old Time Radio): the Internet Archive states no licence or rights for it. Source: https://archive.org/details/TheBigShow501105FredAllenAndJimmyDurante
- The Big Show 50 11 26 Fred Allen, Ed Wynn, Jack Carson (Old Time Radio): the Internet Archive states no licence or rights for it. Source: https://archive.org/details/TheBigShow501126FredAllenEdWynnJackCarson

## Episodes, in broadcast order

1. [Fred Allen & Jimmy Durante](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/4960ffcc6b00), aired 5 November 1950 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/TheBigShow501105FredAllenAndJimmyDurante/The%20Big%20Show%2050-11-05%20Fred%20Allen%20and%20Jimmy%20Durante.mp3
1. [Fred Allen, Jimmy Durante](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/3c49e485ca90), aired 5 November 1950 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/50-11-05_ep01_Fred_Allen_Jimmy_Durante.mp3
1. [Groucho Marx & Fanny Brice](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/72cfc5867f84), aired 12 November 1950 (1 h 29 min): https://archive.org/download/TheBigShow501112GrouchoMarxFannyBrice/The%20Big%20Show%2050-11-12%20Groucho%20Marx%20Fanny%20Brice.mp3
1. [Groucho Marx, Fanny Brice](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/abebdbfe228f), aired 12 November 1950 (1 h 29 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/50-11-12_ep02_Groucho_Marx_Fanny_Brice.mp3
1. [Eddie Cantor, Mindy Carson](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/5146ed10d36b), aired 19 November 1950 (1 h 27 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/50-11-19_ep03_Eddie_Cantor_Mindy_Carson.mp3
1. [Ed Wynn and Jack Carson](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/97b1569e43a2), aired 26 November 1950 (30 min): https://archive.org/download/otr_bigshow/Big_Show.1950.11.26_Ed_Wynn_and_Jack_Carson.mp3
1. [Fred Allen - Ed Wynn - Jack Carson](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/b02cf981d004), aired 26 November 1950 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/TheBigShow501126FredAllenEdWynnJackCarson/The%20Big%20Show%2050-11-26%20Fred%20Allen%2C%20Ed%20Wynn%2C%20Jack%20Carson.mp3
1. [Fred Allen, Ed Wynn, Jack Carson](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/def0b238f9d4), aired 26 November 1950 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/50-11-26_ep04_Fred_Allen_Ed_Wynn_Jack_Carson.mp3
1. [Fred Allen, Phil Silvers](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/7657175f0e4e), aired 3 December 1950 (1 h 30 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/50-12-03_ep05_Fred_Allen_Phil_Silvers.mp3
1. [Clifton Webb, Jimmy Durante](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/576efbd7e834), aired 10 December 1950 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/50-12-10_ep06_Clifton_Webb_Jimmy_Durante.mp3
1. [Bob Hope, Phil Harris](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/becb98057b1c), aired 17 December 1950 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/50-12-17_ep07_Bob_Hope_Phil_Harris.mp3
1. [Jimmy Durante, Robert Merrill](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/9229d03404ad), aired 24 December 1950 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/50-12-24_ep08_Jimmy_Durante_Robert_Merrill.mp3
1. [Vivian Blaine, Jose Ferrer](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/afc999c96c03), aired 31 December 1950 (1 h 27 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/50-12-31_ep09_Vivian_Blaine_Jose_Ferrer.mp3
1. [Fred Allen, Danny Thomas](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/2ffed001dc8e), aired 7 January 1951 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-01-07_ep10_Fred_Allen_Danny_Thomas.mp3
1. [Louis Calhern, Jack Carter](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/1693547aaecc), aired 14 January 1951 (1 h 26 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-01-14_ep11_Louis_Calhern_Jack_Carter.mp3
1. [Fred Allen, Eddie Cantor](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/fd9727f00643), aired 21 January 1951 (1 h 26 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-01-21_ep12_Fred_Allen_Eddie_Cantor.mp3
1. [Ray Bolger, Gary Cooper](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/18bbc007c1fc), aired 28 January 1951 (1 h 26 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-01-28_ep13_Ray_Bolger_Gary_Cooper.mp3
1. [Fred Allen, Robert Cummings](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/a1dc0aec9dd5), aired 4 February 1951 (1 h 26 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-02-04_ep14_Fred_Allen_Robert_Cummings.mp3
1. [Groucho Marx, Judy Garland](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/f06d50ffb984), aired 11 February 1951 (1 h 29 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-02-11_ep15_Groucho_Marx_Judy_Garland.mp3
1. [Fred Allen, Jack Carson](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/6d6aad046553), aired 18 February 1951 (1 h 26 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-02-18_ep16_Fred_Allen_Jack_Carson.mp3
1. [Jack Haley, Paul Kelly](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/d39f90f0fab5), aired 25 February 1951 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-02-25_ep17_Jack_Haley_Paul_Kelly.mp3
1. [Fred Allen, Clive Brook](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/1764b08ba697), aired 4 March 1951 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-03-04_ep18_Fred_Allen_Clive_Brook.mp3
1. [Bob Burns, Jimmy Durante](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/4a9fff971695), aired 11 March 1951 (1 h 26 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-03-11_ep19_Bob_Burns_Jimmy_Durante.mp3
1. [Fred Allen, Phil Baker](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/9b0086381bba), aired 18 March 1951 (1 h 29 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-03-18_ep20_Fred_Allen_Phil_Baker.mp3
1. [Judy Holliday, Carmen Miranda](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/0e9269dbf673), aired 25 March 1951 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-03-25_ep21_Judy_Holliday_Carmen_Miranda.mp3
1. [Groucho Marx and Bob Hope](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/c57f85fe2472), aired 1 April 1951 (1 h 29 min): https://archive.org/download/BigShow510401GrouchoMarxAndBobHope/Big%20Show%2051-04-01%20Groucho%20Marx%20and%20Bob%20Hope.mp3
1. [Groucho Marx, Bob Hope](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/d4ce8fa14294), aired 1 April 1951 (1 h 29 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-04-01_ep22_Groucho_Marx_Bob_Hope.mp3
1. [Fred Allen, Vivian Blaine](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/6939d9f49829), aired 8 April 1951 (1 h 23 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-04-08_ep23_Fred_Allen_Vivian_Blaine.mp3
1. [Eddie Cantor, Jack Carson](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/c2d69c3ef7ca), aired 15 April 1951 (1 h 27 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-04-15_ep24_Eddie_Cantor_Jack_Carson.mp3
1. [Fred Allen, Portland Hoffa](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/972d3b7c430c), aired 22 April 1951 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-04-22_ep25_Fred_Allen_Portland_Hoffa.mp3
1. [Jimmy Durante, Milton Berle](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/76f9f62de169), aired 29 April 1951 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-04-29_ep26_Jimmy_Durante_Milton_Berle.mp3
1. [fred allen groucho marx george jessel](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/291414e49501), aired 6 May 1951 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/otr_bigshow/big_show_510506_fred_allen_groucho_marx_george_jessel.mp3
1. [Fred Allen, Georgie Jessell](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/4032500dce03), aired 6 May 1951 (1 h 28 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-05-06_ep27_Fred_Allen_Georgie_Jessell.mp3
1. [George Sanders, Bea Lillie](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/e9a9ada336b5), aired 30 September 1951 (58 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-09-30_ep28_George_Sanders_Bea_Lillie.mp3
1. [Jimmy Durante, Jack Carson](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/e9200e4551d0), aired 28 October 1951 (31 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-10-28_ep32_Jimmy_Durante_Jack_Carson.mp3
1. [Richard Eatham, Joe Frisco](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/big/daebc3dfdce5), aired 9 March 1952 (1 h 26 min): https://archive.org/download/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/52-03-09_ep51_Richard_Eatham_Joe_Frisco.mp3

A set by the Old Time Radio Researchers Group (otrr.org), at the Internet Archive's Old Time Radio collection.

Nothing here is called public domain on this site's say-so. In the United States, sound recordings first fixed before 15 February 1972 have federal protection under the Music Modernization Act of 2018, for most until 2067 at the latest, so most American radio of the 1930s to the 1950s is not in the public domain there. Each set shows the licence, mark or statement its archive gives, and says whose it is.