Radio Shows

Radio Shows

In their very first season, Carolina Creek Christian Camp outside Riverside has added a Winter Wonderland that is second to none. They call it Lone Star Lights and with over a million lights, it certainly lights up the night in a million different ways. Unlike many of the other Santa Lands, you don’t have to worry about lines, crowds, or payments for everything you see or do. The only charge is in the Adventure Park. Can you imagine a Zipline for only $5?

Most impressive of all is the Dinner Theater. The Filet Mignon is cooked to perfection and the Salmon, if you prefer, is flaky delicious, and who can resist the Molten Chocolate Raspberry cake? But the radio show that you watch as your dessert is served, takes you right back to 1945 in Harlem, New York.

Close your eyes and listen. “It’s a Wonderful Life” is a take-off on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Only five actors use their amazing voices to portray the dozens of characters in the movie version of the classic Jimmy Stuart black and white film. Here you can see them use the props that all radio shows used to imitate the sounds of the world—a scrub board and brush for a train, footsteps on a table, and ice in a bucket! And even the two commercials are entertaining.

This is the story of George Bailey and his Guardian Angel, Clarence in the town of Bedford Falls. Young George has high hopes for a life of travel and adventure. The death of his father forces George to give up his dreams to take over his father’s Bedford Building and Loan Company. Marriage and a family keep him anchored to town as he fights against the evil Scrooge-like character, Mr. Potter, to help his friends build their own homes. A financial disaster sends George to the brink of despair but Clarence, seeking his angel wings, saves the day by showing him what the town would have been like without him. Tears at the end are expected!

Even if you haven’t ever seen the movie, which is shown every year repeatedly on television, you can still understand the play. It helps if you close your eyes and let yourself drift back to 1945 and Radio WBFR in the early days of radio after World War II.  

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