About Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air | Old Time Radio
Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air | Old Time Radio brings you classic drama, mystery, suspense, horror, and literary adaptations from the golden age of radio, performed with the bold storytelling and cinematic sound that made Orson Welles a broadcasting legend. Each episode is an Old Time Retro Radio production, presenting the original broadcast with gently cleaned and mastered audio, a newly produced introduction and closing, and custom episode artwork. Featuring Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre company, the series transformed famous novels and stories into some of radio’s most ambitious dramatic productions. Rediscover classic old time radio drama, Orson Welles, Mercury Theatre, literary adaptations, mystery, suspense, horror, and vintage radio.
Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air - "Julius Caesar" (Old Time Radio, 1938)
Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air presents “Julius Caesar,” originally broadcast on CBS on September 11, 1938. Episode 10 adapts William Shakespeare’s political tragedy, directed by Orson Welles, who stars as Brutus alongside Martin Gabel as Cassius and George Coulouris as Mark Antony.
In ancient Rome, Caesar’s rising power stirs unease among senators and citizens alike. As loyalties are tested and public tensions mount, Brutus and Cassius confront urgent questions of ambition, duty, and the future of the republic. The production incorporates news-style commentary by H. V. Kaltenborn.
Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.
Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:43 Original Broadcast
01:07:17 Closing
Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio (https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio)
16 Aug 2026
Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air - "Treasure Island" (Old Time Radio, 1938)
Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air presents “Treasure Island,” originally broadcast on July 18, 1938. Episode 2 of the Mercury Theatre’s nine-program summer series, this CBS adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic was adapted, directed, and produced by Orson Welles.
Framed as Jim Hawkins’ recollection of events years later, the drama begins at the Admiral Benbow Inn, where a mysterious old sailor and a dangerous secret lead Jim toward a treasure map and a voyage aboard the Hispaniola. Welles stars as Long John Silver and the adult Jim Hawkins, with Arthur Anderson as young Jim; Bernard Herrmann composed and conducted the original music.
Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.
Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:47 Original Broadcast
01:04:41 Closing
Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio (https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio)
16 Aug 2026
Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air - "Heart of Darkness and Life with Father" (Old Time Radio, 1938)
Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air presents “Heart of Darkness and Life with Father,” originally broadcast on CBS on November 6, 1938. Episode 18 is a striking double bill adapted by Howard Koch from works by Joseph Conrad and Clarence Day, directed by Orson Welles and produced by Welles and John Houseman.
In Heart of Darkness, Marlow journeys up the Congo in search of the mysterious ivory agent Kurtz, portrayed by Welles, with Ray Collins as Marlow. The program then turns to the warm domestic comedy of Life with Father, featuring Welles as the formidable Father alongside Mildred Natwick as Mother. Broadcast one week after The War of the Worlds, this sustaining-program episode reveals the Mercury’s range from ominous adventure to family humor.
Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.
Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:44 Original Broadcast
59:13 Closing
Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio (https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio)
16 Aug 2026
Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air - "The War of the Worlds" (Old Time Radio, 1938)
Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air presents “The War of the Worlds,” originally broadcast October 30, 1938. The series’ seventeenth weekly program adapts H. G. Wells’s 1898 novel for CBS Radio, with a script by Howard E. Koch and direction by Orson Welles.
Framed as a seemingly ordinary evening of weather reports, dance music, and breaking bulletins, the drama follows astronomer Professor Richard Pierson and reporter Carl Phillips as unsettling news arrives from New Jersey. Orson Welles stars as Pierson and narrator, with Frank Readick as Phillips, in the celebrated simulated-news production later added to the National Recording Registry.
Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater on the Air presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.
Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:46 Original Broadcast
52:11 Closing
Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio (https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio)
30 Mar 2026
Mercury Theatre on the Air – “Julius Caesar” (Historical Radio Drama, 1938)
https://www.oldtimeretroradio.com
A powerful adaptation of Julius Caesar, brought to life by Mercury Theatre on the Air in one of its most ambitious broadcasts. Originally airing on September eleventh, nineteen thirty-eight, this episode transforms the political intrigue of ancient Rome into a gripping audio drama. The story follows the rise and fall of Caesar, the conspiracy against him, and the consequences that reshape an empire.
Directed by Orson Welles, this production is known for its intense pacing, modernized tone, and cinematic sound design. The broadcast reflects the tensions of its time, drawing subtle parallels between Roman politics and the growing unrest of the late nineteen thirties. Through powerful performances and immersive storytelling, this episode stands as one of the defining moments in early radio drama.
🎧 Fully restored and professionally remastered with enhanced audio.Source: OTRR.org – Certified Public Domain Collection.Restoration and curation by Old Time Retro Radio.
🎧 Listen to Mercury Theatre on the Air and all our restored shows on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.📻 Search Old Time Retro Radio on your favorite podcast app to explore the complete collection.
#OldTimeRadio #MercuryTheatre #JuliusCaesar #ClassicDrama #GoldenAgeRadio
21 Feb 2026
Mercury Theatre on the Air – “The Man Who Was Thursday” (September 5, 1938)
https://www.oldtimeretroradio.com
A gripping adaptation of G.K. Chesterton’s surreal espionage thriller, performed by the legendary Mercury Theatre on the Air. In this mysterious tale, a poet is recruited into a secret anti-anarchist police force and assigned the code name “Thursday.” What follows is a shadowy descent into conspiracy, hidden identities, and philosophical intrigue as he infiltrates a council of masked revolutionaries—only to discover that nothing is what it seems.
Broadcast on September 5, 1938, this powerful radio drama showcases the dramatic intensity and innovative storytelling that made Mercury Theatre one of the most influential productions of the Golden Age of Radio. Atmospheric performances, layered suspense, and sharp dialogue transform Chesterton’s strange novel into an unforgettable audio experience.
🎧 Fully restored and professionally remastered with enhanced audio.Source: OTRR.org – Certified Public Domain Collection.Restoration and curation by Old Time Retro Radio.
🎧 Listen to Old Time Retro Radio on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.📻 Search Old Time Retro Radio on your favorite podcast app to explore the complete collection.
#OldTimeRadio, #GoldenAgeBroadcast, #ClassicRadioDrama, #MercuryTheatre, #VintageRadio
30 Jan 2026
The Mercury Theatre on the Air – The Count of Monte Cristo (August Twenty-Ninth, Nineteen Thirty-Eight)
https://www.oldtimeretroradio.com
A powerful radio adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’s timeless novel, The Count of Monte Cristo aired as part of The Mercury Theatre on the Air, the groundbreaking series produced and directed by Orson Welles. This episode brings the epic tale of betrayal, imprisonment, and calculated revenge to life through dramatic narration and immersive performances that defined radio’s golden age.
The story follows Edmond Dantès, a young sailor falsely accused and unjustly imprisoned, who reemerges years later under a new identity to execute a meticulously planned reckoning against those who destroyed his life. Condensed for radio yet rich in atmosphere and emotion, this broadcast captures the moral complexity and dramatic intensity that made the novel a literary classic.
🎧 Fully restored and professionally remastered with enhanced audio.Source: OTRR.org – Certified Public Domain Collection.Curated by Old Time Retro Radio.
🎧 Listen to Old Time Retro Radio on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.📻 Search Old Time Retro Radio on your favorite podcast app to explore the complete collection.
#OldTimeRadio #GoldenAgeBroadcast #MercuryTheatre #RadioDrama #VintageAudio
14 Jan 2026
Mercury Theatre on the Air – “The Affairs of Anatole” (Old Time Radio Drama, 1938)
https://www.oldtimeretroradio.com
A classic old time radio broadcast from the golden age of radio, featuring a dramatic adaptation from the renowned Mercury Theatre on the Air. This episode, “The Affairs of Anatole,” originally aired on August twenty-second, nineteen thirty-eight, and showcases the sharp dialogue, theatrical storytelling, and sophisticated performances that defined the series.
Mercury Theatre on the Air was famous for bringing literary works and original dramas to life through powerful narration, atmospheric sound design, and compelling voice performances. This episode blends intrigue, wit, and dramatic tension, reflecting the experimental and ambitious spirit that made the program one of the most influential radio series of its era.
Source: OTRR.org – Certified Public Domain Collection.Curated by Old Time Retro Radio.
🎧 Listen to Old Time Retro Radio on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.📻 Search Old Time Retro Radio on your favorite podcast app to explore the complete collection.
#OldTimeRadio #GoldenAgeBroadcast #RadioDrama #ClassicRadio #VintageAudio
14 Jan 2026
Mercury Theatre on the Air – “Abraham Lincoln” (Historical Radio Drama, 1938)
https://www.oldtimeretroradio.com
A powerful radio dramatization from Mercury Theatre on the Air, presenting a dramatic portrait of Abraham Lincoln during one of the most defining periods in American history. Performed with the intensity and theatrical precision that made the series famous, this episode blends historical reflection with compelling dramatic storytelling, capturing the moral weight, leadership struggles, and human depth of one of the nation’s most enduring figures.
Originally broadcast in nineteen thirty-eight, this production reflects the golden age of radio at its finest, when history, literature, and performance merged to create unforgettable audio experiences. The episode showcases the bold narrative style and immersive performances that would soon make the Mercury Theatre a cultural phenomenon.
🎧 Fully restored and professionally remastered with enhanced audio.Source: OTRR.org – Certified Public Domain Collection.Curated by Old Time Retro Radio.
🎧 Listen to Old Time Retro Radio on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.📻 Search Old Time Retro Radio on your favorite podcast app to explore the complete collection.
#OldTimeRadio #GoldenAgeBroadcast #RadioDrama #HistoricalDrama #VintageAudio
14 Jan 2026
Mercury Theatre on the Air – “I’m a Fool / My Little Boy / Open Window” (1938)
https://www.oldtimeretroradio.com
A classic broadcast from Mercury Theatre on the Air, originally aired in August of nineteen thirty-eight. This episode features a trio of dramatic adaptations—I’m a Fool, My Little Boy, and Open Window—presented in the bold, experimental style that made the Mercury Theatre one of the most influential programs of radio’s golden age. Known for its innovative storytelling and theatrical intensity, the series brought sophisticated drama and literary adaptations to life through sound alone.
Source: OTRR.org – Certified Public Domain Collection.Curated by Old Time Retro Radio.
🎧 Listen to Old Time Retro Radio on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.📻 Search Old Time Retro Radio on your favorite podcast app to explore the complete collection.
#OldTimeRadio #MercuryTheatre #GoldenAgeBroadcast #RadioDrama #VintageAudio
14 Jan 2026
Mercury Theatre on the Air – “The Thirty Nine Steps” (Radio Drama, 1938)
https://www.oldtimeretroradio.com
A classic old time radio broadcast from the golden age of radio, presented by Mercury Theatre on the Air. This episode features “The Thirty Nine Steps,” a suspenseful radio adaptation of the famous espionage thriller, originally broadcast on August first, nineteen thirty-eight. Starring Orson Welles, this dramatic production delivers intrigue, danger, and international conspiracy through powerful performances and atmospheric storytelling.
Mercury Theatre on the Air was known for its bold adaptations of literary classics and its innovative approach to radio drama. This episode showcases the tension, pacing, and cinematic imagination that made the series one of the most influential programs of its era.
Source: OTRR.org – Certified Public Domain Collection.Curated by Old Time Retro Radio.
🎧 Listen to Old Time Retro Radio on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.📻 Search Old Time Retro Radio on your favorite podcast app to explore the complete collection.
#OldTimeRadio #GoldenAgeBroadcast #RadioDrama #ClassicRadio #VintageAudio
17 Dec 2025
The Mercury Theatre on the Air – "A Tale of Two Cities" (Historical Drama, 1938)
https://www.oldtimeretroradio.com
Orson Welles presents Charles Dickens’ sweeping story of sacrifice and revolution in this unforgettable dramatization of A Tale of Two Cities. Broadcast in July of nineteen thirty-eight, this episode blends historical drama with haunting emotion, capturing the turmoil of the French Revolution through unforgettable characters and powerful narration.
🎧 Fully restored and professionally remastered with enhanced audio.Source: OTRR.org – Certified Public Domain Collection.Restoration and curation by Old Time Retro Radio.
🎧 Listen to The Mercury Theatre on the Air and all our restored shows on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.📻 Search Old Time Retro Radio on your favorite podcast app to explore the complete collection.
#OldTimeRadio, #OrsonWelles, #MercuryTheatre, #HistoricalDrama, #ClassicRadioPlays
8 Dec 2025
The Mercury Theatre on the Air – Treasure Island (1938-07-18)
https://www.oldtimeretroradio.comSet sail with one of radio’s greatest live broadcasts as the Mercury Theatre brings Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure to life. Orson Welles leads a masterful cast through a tale of danger, buried treasure, mutiny, and mystery on the open sea. This legendary 1938 production remains one of the finest examples of dramatic radio storytelling from the golden age of broadcasting.
🎧 Fully restored and professionally remastered with enhanced audio.Source: Archive.org – Public Domain Audiobook Collection.All works are verified public domain recordings.Restoration and curation by Old Time Retro Radio.
🎧 Listen to The Mercury Theatre on the Air and all our restored shows on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.📻 Search Old Time Retro Radio on your favorite podcast app to explore the complete collection.
#OldTimeRadio, #GoldenAgeBroadcast, #MercuryTheatre, #OrsonWelles, #ClassicDrama
3 Dec 2025
Mercury Theatre on the Air – “Dracula” (Horror Radio Drama, 1938)
https://www.oldtimeretroradio.com
An unforgettable broadcast that changed radio forever. This chilling adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic unfolds through haunting performances, atmospheric sound design, and the unmistakable tension that made the Mercury Theatre legendary. First aired in July nineteen thirty-eight, this dramatic retelling draws listeners into the shadow of Count Dracula as he journeys from Transylvania to England, leaving fear and mystery in his wake.
🎧 Fully restored and professionally remastered with enhanced audio.Source: OTRR.org – Certified Public Domain Collection.Restoration and curation by Old Time Retro Radio.
🎧 Listen to Mercury Theatre on the Air and all our restored shows on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.📻 Search Old Time Retro Radio on your favorite podcast app to explore the complete collection.
#OldTimeRadio, #GoldenAgeBroadcast, #RadioHorror, #MercuryTheatre, #VintageDrama
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