Air Castle: A Fun Children's Old Time Radio Program

Step into a world of pure imagination with Air Castle, a delightful children's old time radio program that first enchanted young listeners on February 13, 1928, over Los Angeles station KHJ. Created by Baron Keyes—a popular staff announcer who wrote the dialogue, composed and performed the songs, and voiced every character—this charming series invited preschoolers and older children alike to visit a whimsical realm filled with unforgettable friends. With over 52 recordings spanning more than 11 hours of playtime, this digital collection preserves the warmth and creativity of a West Coast regional treasure that later charmed audiences in San Francisco and nine NBC-syndicated western stations.

Collection Highlights

Meet the Story Man's delightful companions: Listeners will adore the show's unique cast, including Clickety-Clack the wooden man (who communicated with tapping sounds), Happy Duck, Yip the wooden dog, Wooly the puppy, Bugler Murphy (whose voice sounded like a tooting horn), and President Pip. Many characters didn't speak words but made playful noises that the Story Man interpreted—sparking endless imagination.
From radio to the stage: The show's popularity soared so high that fans begged to see the characters, leading Keyes to transform the most beloved figures into marionettes. Soon, he and his puppet cast were performing three shows every Saturday at the Beaux Arts Theater in Los Angeles, bringing the radio magic to life.
A beloved broadcast journey: Originally airing from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. for pre-schoolers, the show moved to 5:00 p.m. in May to reach a wider audience of children. Over time, it shifted formats—from 30 minutes to a full hour, then back to 30 and eventually 15 minutes—and bounced between the Don Lee network and the early ABC network before returning to Don Lee.
A rare Halloween treat: This collection includes a special "Air Castle Castle Halloween Special," adding seasonal fun to the whimsical adventures of the Story Man and his imaginative friends.

Track Listing

Show all 52 tracks (11 hours, 27 min)

Air Castle 131
Air Castle 132
Air Castle 133
Air Castle 134
Air Castle 135
Air Castle 136
Air Castle 137
Air Castle 138
Air Castle 139
Air Castle 140
Air Castle 141
Air Castle 142
Air Castle 143
Air Castle 144
Air Castle 145A
Air Castle 145B
Air Castle 146
Air Castle 147
Air Castle 148
Air Castle 149A
Air Castle 149B
Air Castle 150
Air Castle 151
Air Castle 152
Air Castle 153
Air Castle 154
Air Castle 155
Air Castle 156
Air Castle 157
Air Castle 158
Air Castle 159
Air Castle 163
Air Castle 164
Air Castle 167A
Air Castle 169
Air Castle 172
Air Castle 173
Air Castle 174
Air Castle 175
Air Castle 176
Air Castle 177
Air Castle 180
Air Castle 181
Air Castle 182
Air Castle 183
Air Castle 184
Air Castle 185
Air Castle 186
Air Castle 187
Air Castle 188
Air Castle 189
Air Castle Castle Halloween Special