In one parallel universe, Mr. Potter gets his comeuppance from Bedford Falls
Last night we had the pleasure of watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” with a friend who had never seen it complete before, and had only seen snippets – so it was almost as new to him as it was for Dimitra Giannakoulias, who wrote about why it’s still important to catch IAWL once a year.
Let’s just say that Dimitra, in her article, is far more magnanimous towards mean old Mr. Potter than I am… and if you agree, you’ll like this comedy sketch from 1986:
It's A Wonderful Life – The Lost Ending (Warning: cartoonish violence).
Holiday radio picks to catch live, and on the web – OTR, new drama, swing and more!
So, once you’re done listening to our holiday rarity playlists on Youtube, what else can you dig that’s retro-fied for Christmas? Here’s a list of some of the great original and classic audio dramas, and retro swing and jazz shows, plus a wonderful classic ’60s pop documentary, airing on local stations. All stations stream off the web; all times local.
Northern California’s Northstate Public Radio will be playing “Hep to the Holidays”, groovy classic jazz, on Christmas Night.
Washington DC’s WAMU plays the “Retro Cocktail Hour Christmas Party” (lots of Christmas lounge!) at 2 pm Christmas Eve, and “The Big Broadcast: Christmas Eve” (OTR fun) starting at 8 pm also on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, listen to the Colonial Radio Christmas Special at 1 pm, followed by The Colonial Radio’s “A Christmas Carol” and Quicksilver Radio’s “The Blue Carbuncle” – a Sherlock Holmes Christmas tale – airing at 2 and 3 pm respectively, and then “Christmas Day Recollections” – more classic radio drama – at 8 pm. They also air “A Car Talk Christmas”. Not retro – unless you count the guys themselves – but still worth catching!
Indiana’s NIPR is playing Quicksilver’s “A Christmas Carol” at 6 pm Christmas Eve.
Kentucky’s WFPL is playing “A Christmas Gift for You,” the documentary story of the penultimate Christmas rock album of the ’60s, at noon on Christmas Day. Features a lot of insight into the 1963 winter creation – known as one of the best Christmas albums of all time – made with Darlene Love, Bob B. Soxx, the Ronettes and Crystals.
North Carolina’s WCQS airs “A 40s Radio Christmas” at 2 pm, “Hep to the Holidays” at 10 pm on Christmas Eve, and a “Retro Cocktail Hour Christmas” on 9 pm, Christmas Night.
Northern Michigan’s Public 90 is airing “The Retro Cocktail Hour Christmas” on Sunday the 27th, at 3 pm.
Oklahoma’s KGOU is airing “Hep to the Holidays” when the clock strikes midnight, Christmas Eve (12 AM). Christmas morning at 8:30, a “Car Talk Christmas Carol” will be airing; at 10 am catch the “Retro Cocktail Hour Christmas Hour”.
Virginia’s WHRV is airing “A Christmas Carol” at 12 noon on Christmas Day, followed by “One Silent Night,” Walter Cronkite’s narration of the Christmas armistice. At 3 pm, it airs “A Christmas Gift for You”.
Wyoming Public Radio airs “The Retro Cocktail Hour Christmas Party” at 12 noon on Christmas Eve.
Want to hear something right now? Check out SOMAFM’s streaming Christmas Lounge -mp3 feed here, pls (Windows Media) here. Don’t forget to donate!