The American Family Robinson: Tarzan (May 15, 1952)

Tarzan, old-time radio on Stupid Potato

“The American Family Robinson” is an episode of Tarzan, the old-time radio show, first broadcast May 15, 1952. Listen free on Stupid Potato: no sign-up, no app.

Play Tarzan free: the episodes out so far, or subscribe in any podcast app.

What happens

George Robinson, a weary New York subway commuter, dreams of escaping city life for adventure. When his family agrees to move to Africa, they set out for the Congo with supplies and a few hopeful plans. Tarzan learns of their journey through a letter from Captain Lawrence and sets out to watch over them. The Robinsons soon discover that the jungle is far harder to live in than they had imagined, and their hardships grow with each day.

New York City, then the jungle of the Belgian Congo, Africa

Characters: George Robinson, Pearl Robinson, Billy Robinson, Marilyn Robinson, Tarzan, Captain Lawrence, Tengiki, Kitata

Listen for: Tarzan's reports on the Robinson family's journey through the jungle, and how their struggles begin to change their minds about staying.

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.