Tag: WISL-AM

The Fun Shop – Radio Commercials 1987

by jjtreese, posted in Audio, Commercial Jingles
Masonic Building – Home of The Fun Shop – Google Street View August 2015

Anyone who grew up in Shamokin is sure to remember The Fun Shop. Located in the basement of the old Masonic Building at Eighth and Independence Street, The Fun Shop was a gift shop that offered something for every location. From the friendly staff to the novelties found inside, The Fun Shop was a Shamokin institution for over eighty years. The Fun Shop grew over time and expanded into many of the local malls that opened through the 1970s and 1980s including locations in the Columbia Mall in Buckhorn, The Schuylkill Mall in Frackville and The Lycoming Mall in Montoursville.

The Masonic Building with The Fun Shop in the Basement – 1950s

In 2016 it was announced that the Fun Shop was closing marking the end of an era and leaving another vacancy on Independence Street. To make matters worse, in the early morning hours of December 14th, 2017, a fire broke out in the building causing a total loss. What was left of the building had to be removed due to the extent of the damage. Today a Dollar General store stands at the former location of the Fun Shop.

Masonic Building Fire – Daily Item Photo December 14th, 2017
The Fun Shop Valentine’s Day Ad – Shamokin News-Dispatch February 12th, 1968

In this exhibit, we go back to 1987 for a series of radio advertisements that aired on WISL and other area radio stations promoting the goods and services that so many remember that made The Fun Shop a destination in Shamokin.

AUDIO EXHIBITS

The Fun Shop – Over The Hill

The Fun Shop – Penn State National Champions Salute

The Fun Shop – Stuffed Animals

The Fun Shop – Thanksgiving

The Fun Shop – Weddings

Courtesy Oldsmobile-Pontiac-Buick Radio Commercial – September 1990

by jjtreese, posted in Audio
Street view of the former Courtesy Oldsmobile-Pontiac-Buick at Thrid and Walnut in Shamokin from 2015

Third and Walnut street in Shamokin had been home to a car dealership for many years. In the 1960s it was Ford dealer Dusick and Hoberg. By 1990, the building served as a General Motors dealership selling Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs and Buicks and was operating under the name Courtesy.

Newspaper Advertisement Announcing the Name Change to Courtesy – Daily Item April 24th, 1990

In this exhibit, we present a radio commercial for Courtesy Oldsmobile-Pontiac-Buick from September of 1990 with Ron Hughes providing a rundown of the entire staff of the dealership.

WISL Testimonial Ad for Standard Rate & Data Service – 1950

by jjtreese, posted in Advertisements, Trade Magazine Ads

WISL was in competition for national advertising dollars in the 1950s. One way to get noticed by national advertising buyers was to purchase print ads in various trade publications. Standard Rate & Data Service published a directory of media outlets and their contact details. This directory was distributed to the marketing departments of companies and advertising agencies around the United States. SRDS is still around today serving the advertising buying community in the digital world.

In 1950, WISL radio ran a series of ads in the SRDS directory and provided a testimonial to the effectiveness of this promotion. Here we find a full-page advertisement produced by SRDS featuring this testimonial and published in the August 28th, 1950 edition of Broadcasting Telecasting.

Standard Rate & Data Service Advertisement from Broadcasting Telecasting – August 28th, 1950

Tom Kutza Says Goodbye to WISL

by jjtreese, posted in Audio, Pictures, WISL Airchecks, WISL Personalities
Tom Kutza in the WISL studio on his final day on the air

For those that lived in Shamokin from the 1960s through the 1990s it was impossible to thinnk that there would be a world where Tom Kutza would no longer be on the radio. However, that day came on May 22nd, 1998. After thirty-seven and a half years of being on WISL Tom Kutza said his final farewell to his WISL family.

WISL AM & FM Logos 1990s

So, Why would Tom Kutza leave WISL after so many years? Times were changing and WISL found itself in a tough position. Shamokin’s economy was not what it once was and owner Mick Haggerty was unable to provide the income and benefits that Kutza needed to continue in his role at the station. It was time to move on.

After leaving WISL, Tom would begin a new chapter in his life as the Tourism Director of Northumberland County. This new role would allow Tom to travel the county sharing the rich history of the area meeting face to face with the the community that he broadcast to for so many years.

For WISL, the post-Kutza years wouldn’t be as happy. After Kutza’s departure, WISL would continue on with a series of syndicated programs. By the fall of 2001, Mick Haggerty’s MJR Media would sell both WISL AM & FM to Clear Channel Communications for $800,000. WISL-AM would be taken dark shortly thereafter and WISL-FM would become WBLJ-FM as a simulcast of WBYL “Bill 95” in Williamsport.

Bill 95 Logo

This was not the end of the line for WISL. In 2010, WISL1480.com began broadcasting Tom once again found himself back on the radio, but this time, internet radio. Tom now enjoys his retirement, doing his weekly polka show, Letter’s To Santa, live broadcasts from the annual Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts and doing what he loves, connecting to people.

Tom Kutza at The Anthracite Heritage Festival Of The Arts

Now, lets go back to 1998 as Tom Kutza says his final goodbye on WISL.

AUDIO EXHIBIT

WISL (Shamokin) Tom Kutza Says Goodbye May 22nd, 1998

Radio Annual – 1953 Market Estimates Advertisement

by jjtreese, posted in About WISL, Advertisements, Facts & Figures, Trade Magazine Ads

In the early days of radio, attracting national advertising accounts could make up a large portion of a radio station’s annual revenue. Radio stations were typically represented by national advertising firms that would broker advertising contracts for individual radio stations.

This advertisement was published in Radio Annual, a directory of all radio stations in the country. The directory would provide basic information on each radio stations including details such as, power, network affiliations and the names and roles of the station’s management team. These directories also sold advertising and radio stations could pay to include more specific messaging that would help to entice an advertiser to spend money in their market.

Here we have one such advertisement from WISL promoting the market estimates for Shamokin heading into 1953. We can see how economically robust Shamokin was in the early 1950s.

WISL Advertisement – Radio Annual 1953

RARE AUDIO: Crowning Of The 1952 Coal Township Football Queen

by jjtreese, posted in Audio, Sports Audio, WISL Airchecks
Crowning of The Coal Township Football Queen – Shamokin News-Dispatch October 18th 1952

In this post we are privileged to share some historic audio recorded by the WISL microphone way back in 1952, only four years after WISL began broadcasting. This clip takes us to the crowning ceremony of the Coal Township Football Queen of 1952.

Before we get to the main exhibit, let’s begin with some background information. In 1950, The Coal Township Boosters Association hosted the first Football Queen competition. The program was created to help raise money for the Boosters Association and their various activities throughout the year.

A total of ten girls would be selected from the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior classes of the West End High School and the Pulaski School. These girls would then compete, through a voting process, for the title of Coal Township Football Queen. Voting boxes would be placed at each one of the schools as well as at local businesses throughout Coal Township. For a nominal fee, five cents in the earliest years, a person could cast their ballot for queen.

First Week Results from 1950 – Shamokin News-Dispatch October 12th, 1950

Over the years, the fundraising event would grow and each girl would hold various fundraising events such as bake sales, to increase the amount of money raised.

The final year a Coal Township Football Queen would be crowned would be in 1964. The merger of the Shamokin School District and the Coal Township School District resulted in the dissolution of the Coal Township Boosters Association. Although the Coal Township program would come to an end, by the 1960s many other local schools would begin holding annual Football Queen competitions of their own.

Now, back to 1952. The Coal Township Football Queen was Mary Anne Apple who received a total of 8,606 votes. She was a junior at West End High.

Announcement of Mary Anne Apple winning Coal Township Football Queen – Shamokin News-Dispatch October 16th, 1952

The following clip features an unidentified WISL Radio announcer introducing the crowing ceremony. This program was recorded during the half-time program of the Coal Township vs. Mount Carmel Catholic football game and features remarks from third runner up Miss Rose Marie Krupa, Lady In Waiting (second runner up) Miss Betty Moore, Coal Township Boosters Association President Elmer Shuey as well as a few words from the queen.

WISL Transcription Disc Label – Part One
WISL Transcription Disc Label – Part Two

So, let’s go back in time and give a listen to the official crowning of the 1952 Coal Township Football Queen.

AUDIO EXHIBIT

WISL – Coal Township Football Queen Crowning: Mary Anne Apple October 17th 1952

RARE AUDIO: Mary Roebling at National-Dime East End Branch Opening July 15th 1958

by jjtreese, posted in Advertisements, Audio, Celebrity Interviews, Local Newspapers, News Articles, Newspaper Advertisements, Pictures, WISL Airchecks
National-Dime Bank East End Branch – Photo from Shamokin News-Dispatch July 1958

In 1932 the Dime Trust and Safe Deposit Company merged with the Shamokin National Bank to become the National-Dime Bank of Shamokin. National-Dime was one of the largest financial institutions in Shamokin serving customers with personal and commercial loans, Christmas clubs, and savings and checking accounts. The bank’s corporate offices and main branch were located at the corner of Market and Independence Streets in downtown Shamokin, the current location of M&T Bank. In March of 1968 the National-Dime Bank merged with The Pennsylvania National Bank and Trust Company of Pottsville.

Pennsylvania National Bank And Trust Company Logo, circa 1968

In 1958, The National-Dime Bank of Shamokin was in expansion mode. A merger with the First National Bank of Trevorton was completed on May 28th 1958 with the Trevorton Branch of The National-Dime Bank opening on June 2nd. Around the same time, renovations were underway at the corner of Independence and Shamokin Streets for what would become the East End branch of National-Dime and their third location.

Advertisement promoting the National-Dime Bank East End Branch Open House – Shamokin News-Dispatch July 14th 1958

The official grand opening of the East End branch commenced on July 15th 1958 with an open house celebration. The open house was attended by directors of the National-Dime Bank, local leaders and featured a live broadcast by WISL Radio.

National-Dime Bank East End Branch ribbon cutting – Shamokin News-Dispatch July 16th 1958

It’s not surprising that WISL Radio would be on-hand to help promote the opening of the new, modern banking facility considering Henry W. Lark, owner of WISL Radio, was also the president of The National-Dime Bank of Shamokin.

National-Dime Bank Grand Opening article – Shamokin News-Dispatch July 16th 1958

The WISL Broadcast took place from 4pm to 10pm and featured interviews with a number of people of interest who were in attendance. The audio clip that we have to share includes one of those notable persons, Mary Roebling.

Mary Roebling 1958

Mary Roebling was a pioneer for women in banking, becoming the President of Trenton Trust in 1937 and also the first woman ever to become president of a banking institution. When Roebling took control of Trenton Trust, the country was in the throws of The Great Depression and the bank was facing $4 million dollars in debt with only $11 million dollars in assets. By 1951, she not only was able to pull her bank through the financial crisis but also increased the banks assets to $70 million dollars. That same year she also scored the bank’s biggest client to date by securing the business of U.S. Steel.

Roebling lent her success to the cause of women’s rights and constantly promoted women in business and spoke out against sexism in the boardroom. In addition to becoming the first woman to serve as a bank president she was also the first woman governor on the American Stock Exchange, was the founder of the first female-owned bank, the Woman’s Bank of Denver in 1978 and first woman member of Union League Club in Philadelphia.

WISL transcription disc Label from Mary Roebling Interview

Roebling was a friend and colleague of Henry Lark and made the trip from Trenton to Shamokin for the open house event. In the following audio exhibit, we have a rare recording of Roebling as she congratulates Henry Lark on his expansion of National-Dime. This recording was likely made on premise at the new East End branch and broadcast during the 4pm to 10pm broadcast.

AUDIO EXHIBIT

Mary Roebling at the Grand Opening of The National-Dime Bank East End Branch, July 15th, 1958

WISL Radio Turns Three Years Old in 1951

by jjtreese, posted in Advertisements, Newspaper Advertisements

WISL Radio celebrated their third birthday on January 27th 1951 by running a full-page advertisement in the Shamokin News-Dispatch. In the advertisement you will see a massive list of all of the sponsors heard on WISL as well as a list of some of the Mutual Network programs aired by WISL.

The list of advertisers is transcribed below. It is truly incredible to see just how many businesses operated in the Shamokin area in the post-war era.

WISL Advertisement – Shamokin News-Dispatch January, 27th 1951

LoCal Advertisers

Albertini Motors
Alexander’s Restaurant
Amato Cleaners
Double-A Wafers
Anchor Diner
Ann’s Dress Shop
Anthracite Auto
Leonard Appichel, Contractor
Arcade Beauty Salon
Arena Gardens
Joseph Arnoldin & Sons
Atlas Rug Cleaners
Baker’s Auto Exchange
Midnight Cafe
Ballentine’s Radiator Shop
Baum’s Sport Center
John A. Belsky
Ben’s Fur Shop
Kaiser Frazer Dealers
Black Diamond
M. R. Bodner-Studebaker Dealer
The Bootery
Bowl-Mor Rowling Alleys
Raymond Boyle, Service Station
Burkett’s Service Station
Burns Furniture
Bycoskie Motors
Camera & Music Mart
Caravella Amusement Enterprises
Catino & Krayniak Auto Sales
Central Sales & Service
Choplick’s Cafe
Cohen’s Men’s Shop
John J. Chowka, Mortician
Crissincer Motors
Croll Furniture
Crone’s
Crowl Tire Company
Dale Circus
Daniel’s Pottery
Danville Livestock Market
James A. Davis
Davis Hosiery Company
Dell Cleaners
Sam Dluge
Dobroski Furniture
Dornbach Motors
Durdach Brothers
Dusick & Hoberg
John J. Dusick
Eagle Shoe Shop
East End Beverage Company
Edgewood Park
Edgewood Restaurant
Eisenhart’s
Ely’s Sample Shoe Store
Emily’s Corset Shop
Emworth’s Poultry
Fetterolf Chevrolet
Firestone Store
Follmer’s Florist
Forman’s Furniture
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Fryling Stationery
Fun Novelty Company
Fuhrmann & Schmidt
Gallagher’s
Charles N. Geist
Ghezzi’s
Girard Investment Company
Wlllard P. Graber, Insurance
Guinan’s Department Store
V. C. Hack & Sons
Hazel’s Gift Shop
Herr Gas & Oil Company
Economy Stores
Ben Hirsh Shoe Store
Hodrick’s Appliance
Home Furniture Company
Horowitz’s
Houghton’s Summer Resort
Household Appliance
Ideal Park
Island Park
Jay’s New York Store
Jeddo Store
Jepko’s
Jones Hardware Company
Katch Furniture
Keystone Auto Electric
King Music House
Kirby Sales & Service
Kiwanis Club
Ernest Klase
Kline Motors
Knoebel’s Groves
Charles Krebs Stores
Kresge Store
Kulpmont Athletic Club
Kulpmont Auto Wreckers
Kuzo Brothers
James LaCross Store
1st Roundup Cafe
Lazarus Store
Leader-Hamilton Company
Leaven’s & Donlan
Liachowitz Jewelers
Little Giant
Loyal Order of Moose
Lupold’s Furniture
Little Norway
M&L Cleaners
McElwee’s Jewelry Store
Madden’s Vacuum Cleaner Service
Maine Fire Company
B. Mallett A Sons
Mallett’s Variety
M. J. Marcinek
Martin & Kohler
C. E. Hoover
Mertz Motor Sales
Miller Brothers Shoes
Miller’s Cafe
Reba Miller
Mount Carmel Motors
Modern Dress Shop
Monarch Laundry
Moser’s Department Store
Mowery’s Radio Service
Moyer’s Sunoco Service
Murphy & Scovern
Natalie Drive-In
Natalie Grove
National-Dime Bank
J. J. Newberry
Thomas Nicholas, Plating
Nu-W’ay Drive-In
Dunkleberger’s Furniture
Pearock Shop
Parenzan’s Music Store
Peter Patti
Penn Premier Shows
J. C. Penney Company
Peter’s Hardware Store
Peter’s Furniture Store
Peter’s Appliances Store
Phil’s Men’s & Boys’ Store
Picarelli Markets
Pipa’s Beverage Company
Pitello’s Kiddies Shop
Pitello’s Dairy Lunch
Ralph Pupo
R-Radio & Appliance
Raker Lumber & Planing Company
Raup Lumber & Construction Company
Reed’s Milk & Ice Cream
George H. Reitz Jewelry
J. T. Rhoades, Florist
Rolling Green Park
Rosini Brothers Restaurant
Rosini Brothers Coal
Helen Rosini, Beautician
Rummel’s Nursery
SOS Radio Electric
Sam’s Restaurant
Same Day Vacuum Service
Shoener’s Millinery
Schneider’s Philco Dealer
Shades’ Venetian Blind Service
Shamokin Bible Depot
Shamokin Christian Laymen’s Association
Shamokin Cycle Shop
Shamokin Equipment Company
Shamokin Flying Service
Shamokin Home Association
Shamokin Sports Supply
Shamokin Tire Service
Shamokin Upholstering
Shamokin Ready Mixed Concrete Company
Shusner’s House of Glass
Silverman’s Variety
Smart Shop
Smink’s Book Shop
Marlin B. Snyder, Roofing
Sperry & Hutchinson
E. C. Stashinski
Style Shop
Superior Furniture
Superior Electric
George Swank
Switzer’s Cafe
Tomol’s
Troutman Motors
Union Fire Company
Union Beverage Company
Vallish Furniture
Stank’s
Victory Fur Shop
S. Watral & Son
Weller Brothers
West Ward Building & Loan Association
O. K. Wetzel
Wolfe’s Department Store
Wolfgang’s Electric Service
Workmen’s Supply
Worth’s
Yellow Cab Company
Youth For Christ
Harold Zeigler Appliances
H. A. Zimmerman, Jeweler
Roy Zimmerman Appliances
Capitol Theatre
Victoria Theatre
A & P Stores
Albermarle Hotel, Atlantic City
Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania
Big Boy Auto Parts
Brest Packing Company
Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators & Paperhangers of America
Buckley Amusement Enterprises
Butter Krust Baking Company
Clark Packing Company
Clark’s Feed Mills
Congress of Industrial Organizations
Theron D. Conrad, Investment Securities
Chevrolet Dealers
Crosley Shelvador Dealers
Cluckey’s Fur Studios
Crowl Chemical Company
Dayton Tire Dealers
D & H Distributing Company
Eastern Press
Edward’s Lakes-to-Sea System
Electro-Metallurgical Company
Insulation Service Company
International Ladies Garment Workers Union
K-B Frosted Foods
Keller Auto Racing
Bloomsburg Fair
Lycoming County Fair
Reading Fair
Selinsgrove Fair
Maurer’s Dairy
Miller’s Auto Stores
Neighborhood Bakery
Northumberland Memorial Park
Philco Dealers
Rea & Derick, Inc.
Real French Cleaners
Roaring Creek Water Company
Rusco Products Company
Sanitary Diaper Service
Shamokin Packing Company
Spaulding Bakeries
Shamokin Sanitary Milk Company
Stegmaier Brewing Company
Styletex Clothes
Tharp’s Ice Cream
Textile Workers Union Local No. 173, U. T. W. U. of A.
Triangle Shoes
Upholstering Schools
Wise Potato Chips
Williams Grove Park
Yoch’s Bakery Company
Academy Distributors
Alamo Restaurant
Anna Jane Beauty Shop
Avellino Cafe
Art’s Coffee Shop
American-Australian Wool Shop
Atkins Store
Bardex Medicine
Blue Goose
Beaney’s Produce
Bashore’s
Ben Reimer’s Men’s Store
Black Diamond Garage
Broscious Farm Supply
Capital Hospital Service
Castetter’s Cafe
Concannon’s
Chrystal Bottling Company
Central Food Markets
Choplick’s Cafe
Crone’s Cigar Store
Cohen’s Hardware
DeSantis & Deitman Body Shop
D & R Radio & TV Sales
Esso Dealers
Exchange Club
Enterprise Specialty
Empire Vulcanizing Company
Esslinger
First National Bank of Mount Carmel
Frank’s Cafe
Forget-Me-Not Shop
Green Meadow Poultry Market
Louis Grossman & Sons
Gordon Airport
Guarantee Trust & Safe Deposit Company
Robert Graham
Harner Motor
Harry’s Grill
Hummel’s Furniture
Henry’s Auto Parts
Russell M. Seeds Company
Romberger Brothers Machine Shop
Roth’s Store
Highway Service Station
Hagan’s Barber Shop
Holy Name and Rosary Societies
Henlee’s Dress Shop
Huntsinger
Harris Paint Store
Rev. Heffner
Irvin R. Enders Kennels
Jay Store
Johnny’s Market
James Shop
Alex Klepacki
Kulpmont American Legion
Andrew Kurillo
Steve Kania
Kaiser-Frazer Dealers
Knights of Columbus
Kulpmont Gas Company
Kotanchik Lumber Company
Keller Racing, Incorporated
Kyle Jacobs
Allen Krebs
Lowery Electric Corporation
Vincent Lupia
L & S Oil Company
William Loftus
Lahr’s Wheel Service
Liberty Shoe Repair
Lee H. Mertz
Lincoln-Mercury Cars
Mount Carmel Business Men
Millie’s Dress Shop
Majestic Theatre
Mount Carmel Self Service Shoe Store
McDevitt’s Cafe
McCann’s School of Business
McElwee Home & Auto Supplies
Martini Markets
Mertz Motor Sales
Miller’s Furniture
May E. Jones Gift Shop
Rev. Donald Martin
Louis Matlow
Novotny Electric Service
Neversink Hotel
O. P. O. Clothes
Victor Paganotti
Pennsylvania Power & Light Company
Pennsylvania State Employment Service
Prescription Shoe Store
Phil’s Economy Store
Pioneer Troubadors
Casper Pinsker
Michael Potts
Peter’s Tavern
Pep Auto Sales
Jess Phillips
Pinkey’s Market
Polish Cadets
Polish Dramatic Club
Paul Roadarmel Meats
Royalist Cigars
Rovito & Company
Ralpho Township High School
James A. Reilley
Ranshaw Furniture
Ritz Cafe
Shamokin Hair Dressers
Sunoco Dealers
Shade’s Auto Supply
Shuey’s Jewelry Store
Shusterman’s
Sunbury Auto Wreckers
Slim’s Lunch
Harold Snyder
Spriggle’s Men’s Wear
Shamokin Merchants’ Council
Shimock’s Furniture
Serien C. Shipmen
Steinhart Appliance Store
Stroehman’s Bakery
J. A. Seitzinger
Superior Electric Service
W. R. Thomas & Sons
Thompson’s Advertising Service
Urich’s Gladiola Garden
United States Army
United Men’s Shop
Andrew Urban
Weis Pure Food Stores
West End Garage
Wydra’s Cafe
Warsaw Tavern
Ed Waugh
J. N. Werntz
Willow Cafe
Yuengling’s
Young Folk’s Club
Zurick & Zurick
Paul Zimmerman

National Advertisers

Johns-Manville Corporation
Quaker Oats
Dawn Bible Students
American Federation of Labor
Murine
Pierson Pharmaceutical
First Church of Christ, Scientist
United States Tobacco Company
Lutheran Laymen’s League
Kellogg Company
Derby Foods
Nabisco
O’Henry Candy Bars
Ronson Lighters
Voice of Prophecy, Incorporated
Proctor & Gamble
Tide
Joy
Carling’s Ale
Wilson Sporting Goods
Gillette Razor
Miles Laboratories
Ballentine Beer
Pabst Blue Ribbon
Dodge Division (Chrysler Corporation)
Plymouth Division (Chrysler Corporation)
DeSoto Division (Chrysler Corporation)
R. B. Semmler
Ford Motor Company
Ford-Lincoln-Mercury
Hudson Motor Car Company
Trimount Clothing
Ralston Purina
Philip Morris
Hellmann’s Mayonnaise
Miles Laboratories
General Foods
Bayuk Cigars
Cudahy Packing Company
Mutual of Omaha
D-Con
Nucoa
Blue Goose Foods
Pepsi Cola
Perfect Circle Piston Rings
Hudson Motor Car Company
Annahist Corporation
A. O. Smith Company
Chamberlain Company
Dari-Rich
General Mills
Gulf Corporation
Episcopal Churches (National Council)
East-West Shrine Committee
American Schools
Oldsmobile Dealers

“I Was A Communist For The FBI” Starring Dana Andrews

by jjtreese, posted in Audio, Memorabilia, Pictures, Radio Shows
WISL Promotional Sign – “I Was A Communist For The FBI”

Radio was a much different medium in 1948 when WISL first signed on the air. Back then, radio was programmed much like television is programmed today with a schedule of different programming types throughout the day. Most radio stations had network affiliations and would run prime time and news programing offered by them. WISL was a Mutual Network affiliate and aired several of their programs. We will dig into this topic at a later date. For this post we will revisit a short-lived program that centered on one of the biggest political topics of the day, Communism.

The year was 1952, the “Red Scare” was in full force and was a very popular source of material in the entertainment industry. This program is centered around the character Matt Cvetic, a real-life FBI volunteer undercover agent. His testimony in 1949 helped to put away several members of a conspiracy to overthrow the US Government. After the trial, Cvetic sold his story and it became a serial in the Saturday Evening Post, a bestselling book and a Warner Brothers Movie.

The Frederic W. Ziv Company would later turn his story into a syndicated radio program. The series was produced without help from the FBI, as they refused to assist in the project. The program aired from April 23rd, 1952, through October 14th, 1953, with a total of 78 programs produced. This is where WISL comes in.

Article From Legion Magazine, October 1952 mentioning WISL

Shamokin’s WISL was one of the over 600 radio stations in the US that carried this 30 minute, weekly radio program. The image above is an original billboard poster for the program, promoting it Sunday evening airtime on WISL radio. This poster was found, of all places, lining a drawer in an old store in Shamokin. The owner found the relic when cleaning and gave it to Tom Kutza who has shared it with us.

We have compiled a sample of these programs in this post. Simply click below to relive radio’s golden age, the days of the “Theater of the Mind”. And now, “I Was A Communist For The FBI”, starring Dana Andrews, brought to you by the Bakers of Blue Ribbon Cake, as heard on WISL radio from 1952-1953.

AUDIO EXHIBITS

“I Walk Alone” – Original Air Date: April 23rd, 1952

“Card Game In The Clouds” – Original Air Date: June 4th, 1952

“The Red Record” – Original Air Date: August 20th, 1952

“The Wrong Green” – Original Air Date: April 1st, 1953

“The Crossed Heart” – Original Air Date: June 3rd, 1953

“Rhapsody In Red” – Original Air Date: August 19th, 1953