The Radio Planet · the show that had to sell

TheAuditions

Every series began as one disc cut in an empty studio, played across a desk to a man selling soap.

The audition show was radio’s screen test: a complete episode recorded at the agency’s expense, pressed onto a single acetate, and carried to a sponsor who could say no. Most were thrown out. The ones that survive are the strangest listening in the archive — Our Miss Brooks with Shirley Booth instead of Eve Arden, Let George Do It with the detective still named George Lincoln, three different actors auditioning as Johnny Dollar. This wing gathers every audition and pilot transfer we hold and sorts them by what happened next.

Audition discs

Series represented

Matched to the broadcast

1931–1956

Years covered

The pitch that paid off best

Lum and Abner · 3,320 transfers survive
The audition disc
L&A (9) Cedric Auditions to Be Radio Announcer
26 February 1953 · 12 min

Judged the plain way: the audition whose series left the most surviving transfers behind it.

Room 1 · 1938–1955

The Pitch and the Broadcast

The audition disc and the aired programme, same script, months apart. Play them back to back and you can hear the notes the sponsor gave: a line cut, a laugh held longer, a name changed.

17 discs · 13 series

The Goldbergs · 1,199 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
Money for Seeds (Audition) (1938 03 18)
18 March 1938 · 13 min
As broadcast
Money For Seeds
18 March 1938 · 13 min
Duffys Tavern · 653 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
Duffy'sTavern-400411First Forecast Audition Broadcast
11 April 1940 · 29 min
As broadcast
Duffy'sTavern-430323 Susan Hayward and Frank Buck
23 March 1943 · 30 min
Dangerously Yours · 17 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
Masquerade (Audition 1)
20 June 1944 · 18 min
As broadcast
Masquerade
20 June 1944 · 18 min
Dangerously Yours · 17 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
The Highwayman (Audition 2)
21 June 1944 · 28 min
As broadcast
The Highwayman
21 June 1944 · 28 min
Mystery House · 50 transfers survive
The audition disc
The Thirsty Death (Audition)
3 July 1944 · 27 min
As broadcast
Bela Lugosi's Mystery House "The Thirsty Death"
3 July 1944 · 26 min
Easy Aces · 287 transfers survive
The audition disc
s (216) Johnny Has His Audition with Jane, Ace, Marge, and Laura
1945 · 11 min
As broadcast
s (098) Jane Hopes to Make Marge Jealous with Joyce
undated · 11 min
Let George Do It · 576 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
Audition #3 The First Client (now George Valentine)
14 May 1946 · 29 min
As broadcast
The First Client
14 May 1946 · 29 min
The Voyage of the Scarlet Queen · 74 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
The Death of David Malone (Audition)
2 February 1947 · 29 min
As broadcast
02 The Death of David Malone
2 February 1947 · 29 min
My Favorite Husband · 373 transfers survive
The audition disc
000 (Audition) (Cooper) George's Old Flame (aka George's Old Flame) (aka Cooper's 10th Wed Anniv)
5 July 1948 · 24 min
As broadcast
George's Old Flame
3 October 1948 · 24 min
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar · 1,881 transfers survive · 4 audition discs
The audition disc
000 Milford Brooks III (Dick Powell Audition)
7 December 1948 · 29 min
As broadcast
005 Milford Brooks III Matter
25 March 1949 · 29 min
Candy Matson Yukon 2 · 28 transfers survive
The audition disc
CandyM 1949-04-04 #Pilot (Audition Show) The Donna Dunham Case
4 April 1949 · 26 min
As broadcast
Aud) The Donna Dunham Case
4 April 1949 · 26 min
Night Beat · 292 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
The Elevator Caper (Audition)
13 January 1950 · 20 min
As broadcast
Elevator Caper
13 January 1950 · 29 min
Tales of the Texas Rangers · 354 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
Just a Number (audition)
19 April 1950 · 28 min
As broadcast
gers 1950-04-19 (AUD) Just a Number
22 June 1952 · 28 min
Rocky Jordan · 97 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
The Man from Damascus (Audition)
28 March 1951 · 30 min
As broadcast
The Man from Damascus
12 June 1949 · 29 min
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar · 1,881 transfers survive · 4 audition discs
The audition disc
000 The Trans-Pacific Matter Part A (John Lund Audition)
24 November 1952 · 16 min
As broadcast
063 The Trans-Pacific Import Export Company, South China Branch Matter
24 August 1950 · 29 min
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar · 1,881 transfers survive · 4 audition discs
The audition disc
000 The Trans-Pacific Matter Part B (John Lund Audition)
28 November 1952 · 15 min
As broadcast
063 The Trans-Pacific Import Export Company, South China Branch Matter
24 August 1950 · 29 min
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar · 1,881 transfers survive · 4 audition discs
The audition disc
000 The Trans-Pacific Matter Parts 1 & 2 (Gerald Mohr Audition)
29 August 1955 · 28 min
As broadcast
063 The Trans-Pacific Import Export Company, South China Branch Matter
24 August 1950 · 29 min

Room 2 · 1940–1956

Recast

More than one audition survives, because the first one didn't take. Different lead, different tone, sometimes a different character name entirely — the show being argued into existence.

44 discs · 20 series · showing the first 30

Duffys Tavern · 653 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
DT #000 Forecast Audition (aka aka aka aka aka Pickled Pigs Feet aka Irish Tenor)
29 July 1940 · 29 min
Suspense · 1,006 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
CBS Forecast-The Lodger-Suspense audition
21 July 1940 · 30 min
Suspense · 1,006 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
Forecast 400722 The Lodger (audition)
22 July 1940 · 29 min
The Fred Allen Show · 405 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
The Visibility Was Poor, But The Pilot Could See His Finish
14 February 1940 · 46 min
The Life of Riley · 646 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
LOR 1943-07-25 (Pilot) Riley Wants To Build A House (Starts at 34 sec)
25 July 1943 · 28 min
I Love a Mystery · 318 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
ILAM 450521 But Grandma, What Big Teeth You Have (Audition)
21 May 1945 · 26 min
The Fred Allen Show · 405 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
Auditions
7 October 1945 · 30 min
The Fred Allen Show · 405 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
FredAllen-451007 The Fred Allen Show-Auditions, with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy
7 October 1945 · 27 min
Let George Do It · 576 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
Audition #1 (George Lincoln, not George Valentine)
1946 · 21 min
Let George Do It · 576 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
Audition #2 (George Lincoln, first scene is in elevator)
1946 · 22 min
My Friend Irma · 421 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
Audition Show
19 November 1946 · 30 min
The Phil Harris Alice Faye Show · 405 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
Audition Show
10 July 1946 · 34 min
The Phil Harris Alice Faye Show · 405 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
Audition Show
10 July 1946 · 32 min
The Smiths of Hollywood · 55 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
000 PILOT (Cracked Master Disk)
20 September 1946 · 29 min
Duffys Tavern · 653 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
rn 1940-07-29 (xx) Audition Show
3 December 1947 · 30 min
Escape · 228 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
Dead of Night (Audition)
21 March 1947 · 24 min
Escape · 228 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
Out Of This World (Audition)
28 February 1947 · 29 min
My Friend Irma · 421 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
001 (Pilot) Jane Meets Irma (Dinner 4 Jane's Boss)
11 April 1947 · 28 min
The Smiths of Hollywood · 55 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
000 Audition
7 January 1947 · 29 min
The Smiths of Hollywood · 55 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
Audition Show
1947 · 29 min
Father Knows Best · 506 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
000 (Pilot) Father Knows Best
20 December 1948 · 30 min
My Friend Irma · 421 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
ma 1946-11-19 (Aud) Audition Show
5 April 1948 · 30 min
Our Miss Brooks · 369 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
ks 480409 000 Audition Shirley Booth
9 April 1948 · 30 min
Our Miss Brooks · 369 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
ks 480623 000 Audition Eve Arden
23 June 1948 · 30 min
Father Knows Best · 506 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
st 1948-12-20 (Aud) Audition Show
29 December 1949 · 30 min
Night Beat · 292 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
xx The Ted Carter Murder Case(Audition)
19 May 1949 · 30 min
The Life of Riley · 646 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
000 06-24-49 Wally Brown Audition (DIALOGUE ONLY) (19m )
24 June 1949 · 19 min
Night Beat · 292 transfers survive · 3 audition discs
The audition disc
xx The Elevator Caper (Audition)
13 January 1950 · 30 min
The Goldbergs · 1,199 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
13 (AUD) Opening Day of Mill
11 March 1950 · 13 min
The Voyage of the Scarlet Queen · 74 transfers survive · 2 audition discs
The audition disc
06 Log Of The Black Parrot (pilot for series revival)
6 May 1950 · 29 min

Room 3 · 1931–1956

It Sold

One disc, then years on the air. These are the pitches that worked: hear the format before it hardened into a habit, when the cast was still finding the room.

36 discs · 36 series · showing the first 30

Myrt Marge · 111 transfers survive
The audition disc
M&M #000 (Pilot) Story of Two Chorus Dancers
2 November 1931 · 12 min
Eb Zeb · 60 transfers survive
The audition disc
E&Z (PILOT) Taking Inventory
9 May 1932 · 12 min
Dick Tracy · 77 transfers survive
The audition disc
Tess Disappears (Audition)
4 February 1935 · 11 min
Claudia · 392 transfers survive
The audition disc
Audition
28 September 1941 · 15 min
Hopalong Cassidy · 271 transfers survive
The audition disc
Audition Program
11 August 1941 · 28 min
Mr and Mrs North · 134 transfers survive
The audition disc
Picnic (CBS Audition Show With Peggy Conklin & Car Eastman)
1941 · 29 min
Radio News 1941 · 161 transfers survive
The audition disc
NBCR The Metropolitan Auditions Of The Air
7 December 1941 · 28 min
The Great Gildersleeve · 536 transfers survive
The audition disc
Audition Show
16 May 1941 · 33 min
Aunt Mary · 693 transfers survive
The audition disc
Aunt Mary 1942 - 000) Pilot-The Story Of Aunt Mary
1942 · 16 min
Challenge of the Yukon · 637 transfers survive
The audition disc
Bob Hite Announces (Audition)
27 December 1943 · 28 min
Day in the Life of Dennis Day · 77 transfers survive
The audition disc
Masquerade Ball (Audition)
18 April 1946 · 29 min
Jungle Jim · 478 transfers survive
The audition disc
JJ461123 JUNGLEJIM N578 CAPTURED PILOT TO BE EXECUTED
23 November 1946 · 14 min
Proudly We Hail · 495 transfers survive
The audition disc
001 (Audition) Repercussion (With Clark Gable) (128-48) [T]
10 July 1946 · 15 min
Strange Wills · 33 transfers survive
The audition disc
Audition and Sales Presention
15 January 1946 · 30 min
The Judy Canova Show · 34 transfers survive
The audition disc
Judy at the Radio Audition
19 October 1946 · 29 min
You Bet Your Life · 180 transfers survive
The audition disc
ife (Aud) Secret Word - Air
15 September 1947 · 16 min
Martin and Lewis · 86 transfers survive
The audition disc
Bob Hope(Audition)
21 December 1948 · 38 min
Fire Fighters · 481 transfers survive
The audition disc
Promotion and Audition Material
1949 · 5 min
Honest Harold · 76 transfers survive
The audition disc
d Audition
23 August 1950 · 32 min
The Harold Peary Show · 38 transfers survive
The audition disc
Audition Show
23 August 1950 · 32 min
The Line Up · 80 transfers survive
The audition disc
The Anita Cameron Case (audition)
27 May 1950 · 32 min
The Bickerson · 41 transfers survive
The audition disc
s (xx) The Pink Slip (Unbroadcast Pilot)
1 June 1951 · 28 min
The Lone Ranger · 3,287 transfers survive
The audition disc
er -LRanger (1909) Audition Paul Sutton
21 February 1951 · 12 min
The Magnificent Montague · 80 transfers survive
The audition disc
South Pacific Auditions
4 May 1951 · 28 min
Whitehall 1212 · 88 transfers survive
The audition disc
2 This is Scotland Yard (Audition)
13 November 1951 · 29 min
Crime Classics · 66 transfers survive
The audition disc
s (000) (Audition)
3 December 1952 · 26 min
I Was a Communist for the Fbi · 145 transfers survive
The audition disc
IWCF (AUD) Little Red Schoolhouse
16 April 1952 · 27 min
The Roy Rogers Show · 80 transfers survive
The audition disc
Audition bloopers and false starts
1952 · 5 min
Lum and Abner · 3,320 transfers survive
The audition disc
L&A (9) Cedric Auditions to Be Radio Announcer
26 February 1953 · 12 min
The Six Shooter · 46 transfers survive
The audition disc
Audition Program
15 July 1953 · 23 min

Room 4 · 1948

The Short Run

It sold, barely. A handful of transfers is all that follows the audition — a series that was cancelled, moved, or quietly forgotten after a season.

2 discs · 2 series

Shorty Bell · 4 transfers survive
The audition disc
Audition, with Mickey Rooney
28 March 1948 · 29 min
Aunt Jemima · 19 transfers survive
The audition disc
a -- Audition Program
undated · 16 min

How these are gathered

A disc joins this wing only when the transfer’s own title says audition or pilot, so nothing here is guesswork — and aviation stories with the word “pilot” in the title are excluded by hand. Where the same acetate was uploaded twice under different filenames we keep the better-described copy. The pairing in the first room comes from matching an audition to a later broadcast of the same script in the same series, the same engine that drives the Rehearsal Room.

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