Any regular visitor to First Arkansas News knows that we’ve got a thing for old time radio (OTR) shows around here.

Since this site was started in April 2010, we’ve posted those fantastic shows in the Weekend OTR series and have run a few OTR features, too.

Most of the OTR programs we’ve posted have been of the “one shot” variety — the show starts, the plot unfolds and everything is wrapped up nice and tidy within 15 or 30 minutes. Those shows are great, but what about those great old serials featuring stories that unfolded over several episodes? What about the serials, man? Why not run some of those?

Well, we not have room for those great serials that have been missing from our extensive (some might say obsessive) collection of old time radio shows here at the site. We’re going to treat serials a little differently by grouping them on this page rather than tossing them in with the regular “news” articles. Why? Serials are great, but it’s essential to keep them well organized so that people can keep up with them.

To that end, we’ve got this “serials” page and a bunch of subpages dedicated to each series covered. Check back often as we’ll update the serials regularly. Furthermore, we at First Arkansas News would love to here from people who’d like to see their favorite serials posted — just click here to email a request and we’ll see what we can do.

The following is a list of the serials currently included in this section. Bear in mind that the list will expand as we add more programs, so check back regularly to see what’s new.

The Adventures of Superman

Superman has been saving the day since he first showed up in a comic book in 1932 and tormented evildoers on the radio from 1940 to 1951.

Is Superman the most famous superhero of all time? One could certainly make that argument as the Man of Steel has won over audiences through comic books, newspapers, movies, live action and animated television programs, radio shows and, yes, even the Internet. Superman has been an international pop icon for over eight decades now and that’s quite an accomplishment in a culture where entertainment is regarded as somewhat disposable in many quarters.

The Superman radio programs are phenomenal in that most of the characters we’ve come to know over the years are there and those shows rely on solid storytelling rather than visuals and special effects to win over audiences. Great stuff? You’d better believe it. Click here to listen to the Adventures of Superman.

Blue Beetle

The Blue Beetle appeared in newspaper comic strips, comic books and — of course — old time radio. For one reason or another, the character was never terribly popular even though he’s been around in one form or another since around the time Hitler was running loose in Germany. The Blue Beetle is currently a DC character and has been since 1983. He starred in a couple of series that — you guessed it — failed in a hurry.

In 1940, the Blue Beetle spent a few months in a radio serial. That program didn’t last long, but it was mighty entertaining and we’re posting those episodes here at First Arkansas News.

The series initially starred Frank Lovejoy and was turned over to an unnamed actor after 13 episodes (yes, the Beetle was the Rodney Dangerfield of the superhero universe — no respect). Click here to check out the adventures of this criminally underappreciated hero.

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

How wildly popular was Buck Rogers?

So popular that the Flash Gordon series was made specifically to compete with the popular space adventurer. So popular that the character has been a major figure in American pop culture since the hero was created in 1929.

In other words, Buck Rogers was popular as heck and, what’s more, the character was successful in comic strips, short stories, television and old time radio.

Sadly, not many episodes from the Buck Rogers radio series survived — and that’s quite a thing to say seeing how that show lasted for 15 years. We’ve got a dozen of the surviving episodes and are making those available to you cats. Click here for our Buck Rogers page and enjoy the fun.

The Amazing Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon

Is there a more popular serial from the early days of science fiction entertainment than Flash Gordon? Probably not.

Flash Gordon started off as a comic strip hero in 1934 and quickly made the transition to radio in 1935. Flash Gordon met some success in radio and reached cultural icon status in film serials starting in 1936. The character has persevered over the years and is still kicking around in our 21st century entertainment industry.

We’ve got the entire, 26-episode run of the 1935 serials on tap, so check those out by clicking here. Remember — an officially-licensed ray gun is optional, but it might enhance the fun.

One Man’s Family

As I mentioned at the first of this page, we do take requests. It didn’t take long for one to come in — a request for One Man’s Family.

Well, you asked for it and you’ve got it. One Man’s Family was a soap opera that featured plenty of drama, a good helping of pathos, a cheesy organ and everything else associated with the genre. This series started in 1932, made its way to television in 1949 and pretty much hung around in one form or another until 1959.

Overblown? You’d better believe it. Popular? Yes, indeed. Entertaining? Yep. Click here to listen to some episodes of One Man’s Family.

Speed Gibson of the International Police

It would simply border on criminal if we didn’t include some episodes of Speed Gibson in our overview of great old time radio serials.

Why? Speed Gibson was an incredibly successful and popular program and with good reason — it’s nothing if not pure entertainment that OTR fans of all ages can enjoy. Yes, speed is your typical, American boy — he’s interested in short wave radios, aviation and fighting international crime. The youth, indeed, did more than a bit of globe trotting as he fought the evil Octopus around the world.

It’s all international fiction that catered to the younger crowd. Adults liked the series, too.

Want to listen to a few episodes? Of course you do — just click here for some high flying adventure with Speed and his crew.

By the way, we’d like to thank the fine folks over at the Internet Archive’s Old Time Radio section for posting the episodes we’re presenting to you here. Any OTR fan needs to check out what’s available over there. Mike Davis — a Springdale, Ark., resident — helped set up that resource and you can read all about it here.

Christmas serials!

Christmas? Sounds like the perfect time for some classic old time radio entertainment, doesn’t it?

We at First Arkansas News sure think so, and we’ve gone all out to provide the OTR programs that — we hope — will make the holidays just that much enjoyable.

What are we doing? Posting episodes from three serials — Jump Jump and the Ice Queen, The Cinnamon Bear and Jonathan Thomas and His Christmas on the Moon — for your listening pleasure. These episodes will vanish after New Year’s Day, so get them before they’re gone! Click here to visit the Christmas serials.