1930s American Art Deco Radio/Bar • RadioBar

Here we have a 1930s RCA RadioBar. It is a radio AND a cocktail bar. It’s just the kind of thing that one would expect to find in the office of a sophisticated 1930s Hollywood “businessman”. In fact, you can see an example of a RadioBar in action in the film “Angels With Dirty Faces” (1938) with James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart. The RadioBar makes its appearance early in the film (see pics below) as the focus of attention in the office. The iconography of those old-time Hollywood gangster films required that the gangster’s office be decorated with impeccable modern props. As well, a RadioBar makes an appearance in the film “Gold Diggers of 1933″. The RadioBar is seen when “gold digger” Carole (Joan Blondell) puts the moves on Jonathan Bradford (Warren Williams) in her art-deco styled flat.

The idea behind the RadioBar dates back to the days of Prohibition (which was repealed in 1933) – make a functional piece of furniture in which one’s liquor stock and glasses could be stored, out of sight. It was aimed at the more affluent of the Depression years and built as a fine piece of furniture. In addition, it presented a novel way to conceal the cocktail bar.

Details:

Walnut Finish Cabinet • Lighted Radio Dial • Working Tube Radio • Removable Aluminum Ice Container • Interior Light • All fittings, bottle holders and glass racks are of heavy chromium plate.