Radio Classics

Shortly after taking office in 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered the first of his radio broadcasts to the American public. In simple, plain language, he took pains to explain the basic mechanics of the banking system, the causes of the present banking crisis, and the steps he was taking to stabilize the system. It was an extraordinary moment, the first time an American President had bypassed the traditional channels of communication (newspapers largely owned by conservative Republicans) and taken his message directly to the people.

Toby Veck is a humble porter who has lost his faith in humanity. Then high up in a church steeple, where spiders spin their castles in the air, the spirit of the bells appear to take Toby on a New Year's Eve journey where he discovers all he has to be grateful for.

Bringing together much-loved masterpieces with exciting new works, this accessible and inspiring guide is a celebration of classical music. With pieces ranging from Vaughan Williams' "The Lark Ascending" and Beethoven's "Pastoral Symphony" to the scores for Avatar and Assassin's Creed, each entry puts the piece of music into context, providing fascinating insights into the inspirations behind each work and enhancing your listening experience.

Now you can waste not one, not two, but four perfectly good hours listening to Car Talk Classics, featuring some of Tom and Ray's favorite complete programs: everything from opening rant to bogus answers to eccentric closing credits. Whether they really help callers fix their transmissions is an open question, but the Car Talk guys certainly know how to transfix their listeners.

The Pirate Raiders, with the villainous Captain Bardoso in command, are employed by the vicious Captain Ramon to kidnap the daughter of a wealthy caballero, hoping to use her to trap Zorro. Battles on land and sea, flashing swords and booming cannon explode before your very ears in this exciting audio production.

The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th-century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks.

A 'Woman's Hour' reading by Janet Suzman of Jane Austen's last completed work. When the personable Captain Wentworth reappears in Anne Elliot's life several years after she had been persuaded to break off their engagement, he at first makes no secret of his angry indignation.

Excerpts from the classic medieval poem, performed in the original language with English translation, original music, and commentary.

Excerpts from the classic medieval poem, performed in the original language with English translation, original music, and commentary.

Excerpts from the classic medieval poem, performed in the original language with English translation, original music, and commentary.

Der Radio BERLIN-OHRENBÄR präsentiert: Eine Spinne in der Zimmerecke, ein Hochwasser, ein Picknick mit der Familie und eine schlimme Erkältung: Ganz alltägliche Begebenheiten werden zum Ausgangspunkt für die vielen Abenteuer, die Milan erlebt. Da wird sein Zimmer zur afrikanischen Steppe voller Zebras, Gnus und Löwen; der Vater ist plötzlich so groß wie ein Kaufhaus; Milan wächst ein gigantischer Pickel und die seltsamen Nasenmenschen kommen zu Besuch; Milan freundet sich mit Fischen und Außerirdischen an.

Lord Rufford has kissed Arabella twice but she realises that much more needs to be done to win him and his estate. It is now time to tell John Morton she no longer wants to marry him? Starring Robert Glenister, Anna Maxwell Martin, Barbara Flynn, Blake Ritson, Stuart Milligan, Joanna David, Daniel Rabin, Penelope Rawlins, Carl Prekopp, Henry Devas, Elaine Claxton, Joanathan Forbes, Jane Whittenshaw, and Sean Baker. Directed by Tracey Neal. Dramatised by Martyn Wade.

The adventures of a talking wooden puppet who yearns to become a real boy.

This full-cast audio movie invites you to travel with Professor Challenger to a secluded South American plateau...deep in the Amazon jungle...where no civilized man dares to go...and where dinosaurs still roam! This is the original terrifying adventure tale, as spawned by the mind of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - the man who gave the world Sherlock Holmes.

Here is the preface to 12 magnificent stories, originally part of The John Cheever Audio Collection, in which John Cheever celebrates - with unequaled grace and tenderness - the deepest feelings we have.