JANUARY

January 1, 1950 Hopalong Cassidy

   Trotting into Mutual on this day in 1950, Hopalong Cassidy came to radio by way of television and film. The irony in the whole Hopalong Cassidy enterprise was that the character as originally created by Clarence Mulford for print was a hard drinking, belching and tough man of the west. However, the image was altered by Harry Sherman who had acquired the rights for the talkies. Under Sherman, Hoppy became a hero in a white hat who didn't smoke or drink. We rarely, if at all, ever saw Hoppy kiss a woman. The actor Sherman hired to play Cassidy was William Boyd, who was the direct opposite of Sherman's western hero. Boyd was a known gambler, drinker and womanizer. But all of that was to change.
   Early in Boyd's rising career another actor with the same name was arrested for possession of gambling equipment and whiskey. Though it was not the film actor, the media posted Boyd's photo along with the stories. The film actor was never able to recover his good name and his career began to nosedive. The experience changed Boyd and he gave up all of his vices and truly became Hopalong Cassidy. In addition to acquiring the rights for television and radio, he began to live the life.
   Sponsored by General Mills, the series lasted two years on radio, but continued on television in a very successful and lucrative run for William Boyd.

January 1, 1952 The Black Museum

   Though most American radio programs were created at home, occasionally one was created by an outside source. Such was the case with The Black Museum. Produced by the BBC and hosted by Orson Welles, this series came to Mutual on this day. The series was based upon Scotland Yard's Black Museum, housing many artifacts from its own history. Welles could be heard leading the listener through the museum as he pointed out various artifacts. At some point he would focus on one item and begin telling a story based on the item's reason for being in the museum. The idea of the series was great as was Welles, but the series never really took off and left the air by December of the same year.

January 4, 1935 The Intimate Revue - Bob Hope

   On this day, one of radio and entertainment's most famous and longest lasting comedic performer, Bob Hope, made his radio debut. The Intimate Revue had been a radio series sponsored by Bromo Seltzer and as this year began, it had a new Master of Ceremonies.
   Acting as host was not new to Hope; he often performed in that role on Vaudeville as well as telling jokes, singing and dancing. By the end of the 1920's he began appearing on Broadway in several musicals. Radio was not a stranger to him, but this was his first stint hosting a network radio series. Unfortunately, the marriage wasn't meant to be and he left the Intimate Revue after 13 weeks.
  Radio historian called Hope's appearance as host of this series as "notable as establishing Hope's practice of always having a stooge on hand who was crazier than" he was. Copies of the series are rare and this clip is from his initial appearance. It is notable that without an audience, Hope seems a bit lost in his jokes. His MO was working an audience and without one, he sounds a bit flat.

January 6, 1945 The Saint

   It might be said that Leslie Charteris was bitten by the radio bug when he worked with Edith Meiser (under the pseudonym Bruce Taylor) on the Sherlock Holmes series. That aside, Charteris was primarily a novelist and short story writer. The idea for Simon Templar, aka the Saint, was all his. It was a successful print character when he brought it to radio on this day in 1945.
   The Saint would appear on radio in three incarnations: the first starring Edgar Barrier, whose voice can be heard in many episodes of Escape, Dimension X, On Stage and other radio series. Templar was essentially a crook, but a good crook nonetheless. He spent more time solving murders than doing ill harm to anyone. The series was sponsored over NBC by Bromo Seltzer.
   The second incarnation opened on CBS that same year when the summer session began. This series starred Brian Aherne, whose screen career was already established. The series was sponsored by Campbell who also sponsored the Jack Carson Show, which The Saint replaced for the summer. At the end of the summer, it was gone.
   The final and longest run of this fine series starred Vincent Price. This is the series many remember. It lasted longer than the others and many more episodes are still available. Price first portrayed Templar as a summer replacement over CBS. He returned in 1949 sponsored by Ford over Mutual. Price added a new dimension to the character by increasing the sarcastic wit built into the Charteris character. He had a lot of fun in the role. After two years, however, the show ended, a victim of television.

January 7, 1941 Melody Ranch

   In late 1940, the J. Walter Thompson Advertising Agency was looking for a personality for a series for their sponsor Wrigley Chewing Gum. Gene Autry's Melody RanchThey approached Gene Autry who had already been making western movies, about the idea of having a dramatic/variety show in which Autry, the singing cowboy, would not only sing, but also appear in light dramas. The series was proposed to fill in during the Children's Hour between 5 and 6 PM. Autry agreed and Gene Autry's Melody Ranch was put together to begin over CBS Radio Network.
Also appearing on the series were various people with whom Autry appeared in film especially, his film Melody Ranch after which this series took its name. Especially on the series was his ever present sidekick, Pat Buttram, who got his own start on Chicago's National Barn Dance. The series was a hit lasting 16 years on radio ending in 1956.









January 7, 1941 Inner Sanctum Mysteries

   Inner Sanctum Mysteries premiered on this day in 1941 over the Blue Network. This show, like the later CBS Radio Mystery Theatre, was produced by Himan Brown. Well known for its creaking door opening, and the humorous voice of Raymond portrayed initially by Raymond Edward Johnson. Brown was quoted as saying to an assistant, "I'm gonna make that door a star." Soundman Terry Ross once told a story that the squeak was obtained by burying hinges in dirt then watering the dirt. After a couple of weeks, the hinges were dug up nice and rusty. No sooner had they set the door up with a great squeak than a setup boy indicated he had oiled the hinges to fix the squeak.
   The show's themes centered around the horrific. Though most were very improbable, the scripts were well-written and combined with the sound effects, the show was an instant hit. Sponsored initially by Carter's Little Liver Pills, the series was never without sponsorship. One other sponsor of note was Lipton's Tea, which featured stranger banter between the bad horror puns of Raymond and the simpleness of Mary, the Lipton Tea lady. It was almost like having Frankenstein in for English tea!
   In 1943 the show moved to CBS and remained there until the end of its run in 1952. Gradually, the series ran out of steam as listeners were becoming more sophisticated and television was intruding into radio's old territory. But for all of its silliness, at times, this was still one of the best horror radio dramas. This featured episode is a rare one from December 7, 1941. Quality is less than good, but it is one that is little circulated.

January 9, 1944 CBS World News Today

   World News Today was a weekly round robin of news over CBS Radio. Today's war news is that the Allied 5th Army has thrown back German counterattacks. The Allies have also cut deeper into enemy defense attacks near the town of Cassino in Italy. Remote reports from Larry Lesseur in London, Bill Slocum Jr. from Wright Field near Dayton, OH, and Glenn Stadler in Madrid. Webley Edwards reports from Pearl Harbor.
It was via the radio news that many began getting up-to-date reports on war news.

January 12, 1926 Sam 'n' Henry

   Radio in it's infancy was mostly, as Eric Barnouw refers to it, "potted palm presentations." That is, polite music and speeches one might hear at the turn of the century in polite conservatories of the upper-middle class. Gradually, as radio looked to other types of entertainment, especially humor, it began to turn to vaudeville. Many of the early comedians of radio were former vaudevillians. Much of the humor on the vaudeville stage was low humor based upon Negro and immigrant dialects. In a white-dominated society, this type of humor was popular as can be seen in many of the films from the early thirties.
   Two vaudevillians who would make historic marks in radio made their debut on this day in 1926 as Sam 'n' Henry. Those men of the stage were Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll. Gosden was born in the south and grew up in a household where he was cared for by a Negro mammy. Correll was born in Peoria, Illinois but hung out in the ragtime clubs of the area. Both had separate careers in vaudeville but while rooming together decided to create a blackface act. Moving to Chicago, they were able to try out their act over the new radio industry via WEBH located at the Edgewater Beach Hotel. For their weekly appearances they received free dinners.
   Meanwhile, someone at the Chicago Tribune suggested the now-popular duo create a radio comedy along the lines of the comic strip Andy Gump. Rather than use the strip characters, they developed their own characters they called Sam and Henry and broadcast them over the Tribune's radio station, WGN. The show became wildly popular. According to Eric Barnouw in his book Tower of Babel, when the show came up for renewal, they could not find anyone to deal with them. Expecting a raise and looking to syndicate the show nationally, this led to their leaving and moving the characters to WMAQ at the Chicago Daily News. However, because WGN owned the rights to the characters' names, the new show was re-named Amos 'n' Andy. One of the conditions that Gosden and Correll insisted on, which was denied them at WGN, was the right to make recordings and syndicate the series. As one of the pioneering radio syndications, the show became a national hit and was radio's first true superstar show.

January 16, 1944 CBS World News Today

   World News Today was a weekly round robin of news over CBS Radio sponsored by Admiral Radio. Today's war news is that Gen. Eisenhower has arrived safely in England to take control of the Allied Command in anticipation of D-Day. Prime Minister Churchill has completely recovered in Algiers and conferred with Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French forces. Remote reports from Don Pryer in Washington DC, Winston Burdett in Algiers reporting on the fighting in Italy. Webley Edwards reports from Pearl Harbor and Larry Lesseur reports from London.
World News Today was sponsored by Admiral Radio who reminded listeners of the future record players and radios they would be making when the war was over.

January 16, 1944 Life of Riley

   From April to September in 1941, there was a radio program called Life of Riley starring Lionel Stander as a J. Riley Farnsworth. William BendixThis program, however, was short-lived and bore no similarity to the series which premiered on this day in 1944 over the Blue Network/ABC. It too was called Life of Riley but starred William Bendix as Chester A. Riley a sort of Shakespearean fool who worked in a factory and along with his family found himself getting in and out of various troubles usually of his own making. The character was created by producer Irving Brecher and according to radio historian John Dunning was borne out of a failed audition program called The Flotsam Family which was to star Groucho Marx in a straight role. When Brecher saw William Bendix in a film called The McGuerins of Brooklyn, he knew he had his leading man for his proposed series.
  Like any good situation comedy on radio, Life of Riley had its memorable characters including Riley. Others fondly remembered from that series were portrayed by the versatile John Brown including Digby O'Dell, the Friendly Undertaker, and Gillis, Riley's co-worker and neighbor. In 1945, the series moved to NBC.
  The popularity of the radio show propelled it into television in 1949 starring Jackie Gleason as Riley and even a film (with Bendix). Like other series that had a television version of its radio series, the radio version died in 1951 but not before the TV version which just wasn't the same without Bendix.

January 21, 1946 The Fat Man

   After his success with Sam Spade in fiction, Dashiell Hammett was convinced he could make some money offering his work and new ideas for radio. He began developing an idea of a large man who unlike his famous large man, Caspar Gutman, was like Sam Spade, a private detective. J. Scott Smart & Amzie StricklandThe idea was of a large man who many might think would be ineffective as a PI was in fact quick and bright. The detective he created was Brad Runyon and was characterized as very large. He was in real life played by actor J. Scott Smart, who himself was a fat man. (In the photo on the right, he appears before the microphone with Amzie Strickland who is best known on television but played ingenue Cathy Evans on this show).
  While Hammett's name is not associated with the show other than "taken from the Dashiell Hammett private-eye character," he did write some initial script outlines. The scripts themselves were written by Robert Sloane, who also wrote the one film made from the radio series. It premiered on this day over the ABC network.

January 22, 1956 Fort Laramie

   Raymond Burr had been kicking around the radio dial appearing on various series but always in supporting roles. He portrayed the Chief of Detectives in Jack Webb's radio Dragnet as well as appearing on a number of West Coast radio series. Raymond Burr and Vic PerrinHis big break came when producer Norman MacDonnell cast him in the lead of a new western series as Lee Quince, captain of the calvary at Fort Laramie, Wyoming. MacDonnell called his radio series "a monument to ordinary men who lived in extraordinary times." As with its cousin, Gunsmoke, Fort Laramie was an adult-oriented western and gained popularity almost immediately. Burr's sidekick in the series was his Sergeant Gorce, portrayed by west coast actor, Vic Perrin. Unlike Gunsmoke, this series focused more on the atmospherics of the times though it had its share of violence. Burr was perfect for the role and it propelled him to television to star in a new series about a Public Defender called Perry Mason. Because of the quick lift to Burr's career, the series Fort Laramie was itself short-lived ending in September of the same year.
  Burr continued to appear in films including a famous but somewhat unsung role as the bad guy in Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. Television was where he spent most of his career later appearing on Ironside.

January 28, 1940 Beat the Band

   Premiering on this day was a musical quiz show that aired from Chicago with Garry Moore as host, Ted Weems Orchestra and Perry Como. Perry ComoThese type of programs became very popular in the forties especially during the war years as something to take one's mind off world events. The idea of the program is that listeners would send in questions or riddles which alluded to popular tunes. The members of the orchestra were supposed to try to figure out the answer of the song and to be able to perform a piece of it. If they were wrong, they would throw fifty cents onto a bass drum. The early show was sponsored by Kix Cereal and continued over NBC for a little over a year.
  A second version of the show revived the concept and was based out of New York City sponsored by Raleigh Cigarettes beginning in 1943 again lasting a little over a year. Garry Moore was gone but singer and femcee, Hildegarde, took over the duties.





January 31, 1936 The Green Hornet

   "He hunts the biggest of all game, public enemies that even the G-Men cannot reach." This nocturnal crimefighter was first heard on WXYZ, Detroit, 72 years ago starring Al Hodge as Britt Reid and the Hornet, Raymond Hayashi as Kato and Lee Allman as Lenore (Casey) Case. Created under the auspices of XYZ owner, George W. Trendle, by Fran Striker who was the chief architect of another XYZ creation - The Lone Ranger. Striker tied the two series together by Britt Reid being the great-nephew of John Reid, the Lone Ranger.
Eventually, the Hornet was heard over Mutual, NBC Blue and ABC radio networks. It remained on the air until the 1950s with various actors in the lead role over the whole run.

FEBRUARY

February 2, 1958 Frontier Gentleman

Though coming late in the life of American dramatic radio, Frontier Gentleman was one of the best series produced for radio during the decade. John DehnerIt premiered in 1958 when all dramatic radio would end four years later. Yet it managed to be wry, humorous, yet suspenseful at times. The plot involved an English journalist coming to the American West in the mid-1800s to write "his colorful and unusual accounts." Like other adult-themed Westerns during this decade, it had its share of violence representative of a somewhat lawless period in American history.
  The series was created and written by Antony Ellis, who was English himself, but whose writing credentials guaranteed a quality series having been involved in radio's Suspense for a period. The actors were all veteran West Coast radio actors led by the excellent John Dehner, who would spend a lot of his acting time later on television westerns. The run was short given the declining listenership of dramatic radio as television continued to evolve ending a short nine months later.









February 5, 1977 The General Mills Adventure Theatre

In the seventies radio drama had a revival of sorts. A number of networks began to broadcast radio drama nationally. Several were reruns from an earlier time such as NBC's brief revival of X Minus One. One person probably more than any other was responsible for helping revive radio drama at this time. He was a person whose roots are in the golden age of radio through his own productions of Inner Sanctum Mysteries. Himan Brown, through his CBS Radio Mystery Theater, introduced radio drama to a new generation of listeners. And though this series was probably his best known, another series he produced was sponsored by General Mills, mainly directed toward a younger audience. That series was called The General Mills Radio Adventure Theater. On this day, the first broadcast was heard over CBS Radio. Hosted by Tom Bosley and airing only on Saturdays and Sundays, this series lasted until General Mills withdrew its support.
Get a complete log of thise series!

February 5, 1977 The Sears Radio Theatre

Also premiering on this same day, but two years later was another CBS entry, sponsored by Sears. The series was called the Sears Radio Theater and it was produced by Elliot Lewis, another former radio drama star. The series was broadcast weeknights with a different theme each night. Mondays were for Westerns; Tuesdays for Comedy; Wednesdays were reserved for Mysteries while Thursdays were Love and Hate; Fridays aired Adventures. In 1980 Sears withdrew support and the series was picked up by Mutual and changed to the Mutual Radio Theater. It was sustained and eventually cancelled.

February 11, 1949 Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

The opening is familiar among fans of Old Time Radio: "the man with the action-packed expense account...America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator." And if we still weren't sure, he always told us himself: "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar."
Opening on a Friday night, February 11, 1949 (The Paricoff Policy Matter), right at the start of television's golden age, this radio show brought us a high-powered insurance investigator who worked chiefly for the Universal Adjustment Bureau, a clearinghouse for the many insurance companies. The series starred Charles Russell as Johnny Dollar, the smart and tough detective, whose trademark it was to toss silver dollars as tips to busboys and bellhops.
In 1955, radio actor Bob Bailey, fresh from his long run as George Valentine in Let George Do It stepped into the role as the fourth Johnny Dollar (there was an audition show with Dick Powell in 1948 that is not counted). Changing to a 15-minute format five times a week, and under the sharp eye of the new producer/director, Jack Johnstone, the scripts got much deeper into characterization and plot. And Bailey's depiction of Dollar had shades of a gritty street fighter, yet bright and sensitive. With a strong cast (many of the same veteran radio actors appearing in different roles) and excellent directing, the portrayals were much more real. And exciting; listen to such serials as "The Open Town Matter" or "The MacCormack Matter." Even while radio drama was already declining, this was radio acting at its best. The sound effects, some of which were canned, fit into the scripts so well as to produce some very exciting adventure/mystery.
For more on radio's Private Eyes, click here.

February 12, 1940 The Adventures of Superman

In 1938, two Cleveland boys, Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster, were able to convince a comic book syndicate to allow them to produce a comic book about a man who comes from another planet with super-human abilities as a baby and is raised among persons of Earth. Clayton CollyerAs an adult he took on a disguise as a reporter for the fictional city, Metropolis, beginning to rescue people from life-threatening situations while continuing to act as a reporter for The Daily Planet.The storyline took off and Superman became an instant hit.
  On this day in 1940, the comic book was turned into a radio series for young people and called Superman initially (later it would be called The Adventures of Superman). It was recorded in the studios of WOR radio, transscribed and distributed to its Mutual stations or any local station willing to pay the distribution costs. Chosen to play the role of Superman was a young man known mostly as a radio announcer, but who had the uncanny ability to alter his voice pitch from his normal lower range to a higher one. Clark Kent would be the higher pitched voice with Superman in the normal range for the young man, Clayton "Bud" Collyer. While he was happy to have the role, he wasn't proud of it in terms of an ongoing career wanting to get into more serious adult material. Yet he was convinced to stay on in the role.
  In 1942 it was distributed exclusively over the Mutual Broadcasting System. The series in its later run took on serious material when it spoke out on racism and city corruption through various runs of storylines. It was so effective against the Ku Klux Klan, though it never mentioned them by name, that a story exists that the Klan would listen in to see if some of its plans might be given away.
  It was ultimately a juvenile series and offered a number of premiums over its years as it took on sponsor Kellogg's who continued to support the series through much of its run. The series remained on the air until 1951 with Bud Collyer continuing in his role throughout the complete run.

February 20, 1944 CBS World News Today

   Sponsored by Admiral Radio: American Planes carried out the greatest daylight attack of Germany. Webley Edwards reports from Pearl Harbor; John Daly in Naples on Italian front; Charles Shaw in London and George Moorad in Cairo, which is cut short due to atmospheric conditions.

February 23, 1942 FDR Fireside Chat

Only two months had passed since America joined the now-World War FDRthanks to the destruction of Pearl Harbor by Imperial Japan in December, 1941. Franklin Roosevelt had been getting America ready for possible war for sometime. Now, in one of his famous Fireside Chats(NOTE: File is large due to length - 26 meg file), FDR gently explains, like the protective father, where the various theatres of war are by having millions of Americans look over a map as he explains America's role. Roosevelt provided American listeners with reassuring words that this country's might would win over the tyranny that was enveloping the world.





February 23, 1950 Beyond This World

NBC at the start of the fifties was in the hunt to get onto radio their adult science fiction series titled Dimension X. Hoping to be the first, they were beat out by a few weeks by a series over Mutual called 2000 Plus. This came as a surprise because NBC executives were looking to competition from CBS, not Mutual. The science fiction series that CBS had been working on was to be called Beyond Tomorrow. They produced three programs for the series. Many collectors believe this series was never broadcast; that only auditions were created. George Lefferts, one of the primary writers on the NBC SF series told me that it was broadcast. An audition was made with the title Beyond This World, which had a narrator called Astrator. The New York Times reported in 1950 that CBS was working on the series and referred to it as Beyond Tomorrow.

Mitchell Grayson has been selected by CBS to produce and direct a new science fiction series entitled Beyond Tomorrow.

The audition date for one of the shows, The Outer Limit, was on this day. Whether it was broadcast is not known. It was included in the three Beyond Tomorrow shows that were made. But the inner workings of this series are clouded by time.

February 27, 1944 CBS World News Today

   Sponsored by Admiral Radio: Soviet Bombers are dropping bombs on Helsinki as they continue their invasion into Finland. [At this time the USSR was on the side of the Axis powers.] American Bombers are pounding remote islands in the Pacific. John Daly reports from Naples, but is cut short due to shortwave atmospheric conditions; Don Pryer in Washington, DC; Webley Edwards on the Pacific war from Pearl Harbor; Hugh Jenks from Buenos Aires; Larry Lesseur from London and Bill Slocum Jr interviews a WAC on tour in the USA. Remote reports were at the mercy of shortwave reception.

February 27, 1949 Broadway Is My Beat

Riding the mid-forties wave of detective themed shows, CBS premiered a new on right at the end of the decade called Broadway Is My Beat, which starred a somewhat obscure actor named Anthony Ross as Danny Clover, Larry Thorthe head of a police detective region around Broadway in New York City. The series was produced and directed by John Dietz and written by Peter Lyon. The episodes were rather static and the sound effects considering it was a major city were generally weak. The New York run was only 3 months.
  CBS decided to take a slightly different approach to the series and handed it over to Elliott Lewis (Remley on the Phil Harris/Alice Faye Show), who is considered a Renaissance man in radio. He was from New York and felt that the city did not sound alive in the first run. He hired two veteran scripters - Morton Fine and David Friedkin to not only put poetry into the dialogue, but to bring events alive and create a more humanized detective. Former announcer Larry Thor was hired to play Danny Clover and several regulars were added as additional police. Perhaps the biggest change was how the city came alive with the sound of vehicles, honking, wind and people that make up a city like New York. This new run proved a hit and the series continued until 1954. The poetic images created by Fine and Friedkin elevated the series. Opening lines like from the first West Coast episode: "Broadway, where a pale and hungry girl walks like a queen because Broadway's a dream street. Where a fat man stands with begging eyes because he knows his dreams will never come true..."








MARCH

March 1, 1941 Duffy's Tavern

It was where the "Elite Meet to Eat." Historian John Dunning called it a "state of mind" but it was produced by its star, Ed Gardner, who was the manager of the tavern, not Duffy himself. He was Archie and Duffy never was heard on the program though through a one-sided conversation, Ed GardnerArchie would talk to him at the start of every show for the most part. The Tavern was a working class place with a stable of regulars including Shirley Booth (later Florence Halop) as Miss Duffy, the daughter of the proprietor, Charlie Cantor as Finnegan, the regular dimwit, Eddie Green as Eddie the waiter who was always quick with the wit, Alan Reed as Clancy the cop. Often there were guest visits by famous personalities.
  The concept of the show was first heard on a CBS trial series called Forecast in 1940 where one-off episodes of potential series were heard. But on this day it premiered over CBS where it continued until 1942 when it shifted to the Blue Network with a new sponsor, then finally to NBC where it finally closed its radio doors in 1952.
  Gardner had total control of the show which experienced high ratings. At one point he moved the show to Puerto Rico to avoid excessive taxes. In its premier the show was hailed by critics as the most original new comedy of 1941. Gardner had so much developed the character that people could hear his voice when talking about the show. Those who knew Gardner from early years felt he had submerged his real personality over time from playing Duffy for so long.
  No copies are in circulation until the 1943 period except for the audition that was heard over Forecast

March 6, 1931 The March of Time

In the early thirties, advertising agencies had a virtual stranglehold on radio programming. Within the world created over the radio by the advertisers there was no room for current problems of the day. With few exceptions, the networks were devoid of any news-related programs. NBC-Red had none, but the Blue Network had Lowell Thomas. CBS retained Boake Carter and Edward Hill's The Human Side of the News which scarcely was newsworthy. This changed when CBS premiered The March of Time this day. Though it was a dramatic presentation of current events, it was, nonetheless, what was happening now. Appearing at the end of week on Fridays it was sponsored by Time Magazine, which gave it its name. The announcer, the "voice of time," presented fast-paced news introductions which were played out by a cadre of veteran radio actors many who were chosen by their ability to sound like their newsworthy subjects.
   The earliest announcers were Ted Husing and Harry Von Zell, but it was Westbrook Van Voorhis who was on the longest. It is his phrasing that many remember with his "Time...Marches on!"as the show moved to new subjects. Here was a program that brought news into the homes of its listeners. It was an auspicious beginning, one that would lead CBS on to becoming the dominant news organization. An organization that would set the rules for news broadcast for years beyond.

March 7, 1943 CBS World News Today

   News from 1943. The British beat off two German attacks in North Africa. In the East, the Japanese air attacks are diminishing. Remotes from Charles Collingwood in Algiers reporting on Rommel-led attack in North Africa. John Daly reports from London and Bill Slocum Jr is in a B-29 five miles above Tennessee. Lee White reports from Washington, DC.

March 12, 1933 First Fireside Chat from FDR

Nowadays we get our information from the White House via news conferences, direct television addresses, the internet, twitter and more. FDR's Fireside ChatIn 1933 America was still primarily an agricultural nation and there were many people who lived remotely from the bigger cities where regular newspapers published and people could talk in restaurants and on the street. The country was in the midst of a depression and had just elected a new President who promised to help life America from its misery. One thing most Americans shared was radio. The isolated farmer deep on a Nebraska plain could still keep up with some news and entertainment. It was through that medium that the President chose to speak to us. Radio was a personal medium and one felt as if each person was being spoken to directly.
  With the Stock Market crash in 1929, the American public and financial institutions were nervous; rumors abounded about potential bank failures. In order to prevent panic runs on the banks, FDR decided to close the banks for an extended holiday. He needed Americans to support this decision and so he took to radio to explain to them why he closed the banks and what he hoped would result. Some saw this as government interference, but the President felt it was necessary to prevent bank failure and plunge the country into an even deeper depression. These direct talks to the American people were called Fireside Chats dubbed so by one journalist who felt it was like a cozy chat by a fire with the President consoling the American public.

March 14, 1943 CBS World News Today

   News from 1943. On the Russian front, the Battle of Karkov is nearing a climax; Germans claim the city is in their hands. In the Pacific B-29s report direct hits on enemy cargo vessels. Rommel presses attacks in North Africa. Charles Collingwood from Algiers; John Adams from Rio de Janeiro; George Moorad in Australia; Bob Trout in London; Bill Slocum Jr. in Washington State reports on a captured Japanese Zero [note: this report reflects the racist hatred of the Japanese at this time]. Lee White reports from Washington, DC.

March 14, 1937 Jack Benny/Fred Allen feud

   The Fred Allen & Jack Benny feud, which was a concoction by the two comedians who were close friends in real life broke Jack Benny/Fred Allen feudinto the airwaves with this program from the Jack Benny Show while he was on the road on stage from the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Pierre. Allen appeared on Benny's show as the simmering feud broke wide open in this episode called the Battle of the Century. The fake feud expanded the ratings of the two programs as the feud was carried even outside the confines of the radio programs and into the public space. People lapped it up as the pair created hilarious situations in which to spar.

March 15, 1950 2000 Plus

Premiering as the first truly adult science fiction series, Two Thousand Plus barely beat Dimension X to the air. The series, the brainchild of Sherman H. Dryer, who gave us Exploring the Unknown in the late forties and wrote for a later series Theatre 5 in the sixties, got its life on the Mutual Broadcasting Network. Along with Robert Weenolsen, their production company Dryer * Weenolsen convinced Mutual to carry a purely science fiction series on a weeknight. The series featured original scripts all with a science fiction theme and launched a decade of science fiction series on the different networks. America had dropped already dropped two atom bombs and the U.S.S.R. also had produced one in the late forties. The world was coming into the age of science and the networks wanted to offer dramas which reflected the concerns of the country. Two Thousand Plus was one of those series. The series had no focused star and used radio actors as needed to achieve their desired results: to offer a true adult science fiction series that was intended to appeal to children in any way. The series premiered on this day and lasted at least another year.

March 18, 1945 The Sealed Book

Written by the talented mystery/suspense team of David Kogan and Robert Arthur, The Sealed Book was a series that dealt with murder. Like the Mysterious Traveler and the Strange Dr. Weird (both also written by this team), the series had a narrator affecting a weird voice who introduced the anthology series. It premiered on this day over the Mutual Broadcasting System. The series was a summer replacement that lasted until September of the same year. There were a total of twenty-six episodes broadcast.

March 21, 1943 CBS World News Today

   Sponsored by Admiral radio; Reports via shortwave but first the headlines: Field dispatches from the Tunisian front indicate the American forces are occupying the town of Sened; Russians have new gains in their drive toward Smolensk; Hitler admits in a speech that Germany is now in a war zone with Allied bombings. Remote reports from Winston Burdett in Algiers; Bill Downs in Moscow; Bill Slocum Jr. reports from a B-29 near Bolling Field (now Bolling Air Force base) near Washington DC; attempts to contact George Moorad in Australia; Maj George Fielding Elliott in New York; John Daly in London and Lee White in Washington, DC.

March 25, 1939 Arch Oboler's Plays

Beginning when Arch Oboler was in school at the University of Chicago he wanted to write for radio so strongly that he churned out over fifty plays. Arch ObolerOne he submitted to NBC was accepted, but many of his others were not. He was hoping to be able to produce a series exploiting the experimental side of radio, but again was rebuffed when he was offered Lights Out. He eventually became dismayed that his work was being confined to horror and so he approached Lewis Titterton the script head presenting to him a demo recording of his play, "The Ugliest Man in the World." Titterton became excited and offered Oboler a contract to write and produce a series of radio plays. The series was to be called
Arch Oboler's Plays, quite an honor for this relative new-comer.
   The series ran opposite Jack Benny, but that failed to deter Oboler. He wrote plays using new ideas never heard in radio: stream-of-consciousness, audio collage. He wrote tragedy, comedy and even more horror. Top stars were appearing on his show. But the audience was not craving this kind of drama and the show ended in March, 1940 after its beginning on this day. It re-appeared again on the Mutual network in 1945 as a summer series. It was re-done as re-issues into the early seventies with a much older Oboler introducing each episode.




APRIL

April 2, 1947: The Big Story

Following up on an article in Newsweek Magazine, radio producer Bernard Prockter began developing an idea for a radio program in which real major stories from the newspapers would be dramatized while at the same time honor the reporters who "broke the story." Ernest ChappellBeginning on NBC, The Big Story was an immediate hit at times even beating Bing Crosby's Philco Radio Time. Sponsored by the American Tobacco Company the producer's stories tended toward crime and even dramatized old stories long past and buried in the newspaper morgues around the country. A number of veteran radio actors helped make the show the success it was including Quiet, Please's Ernest Chappell who as announcer brought the real reporters before the microphone after the broadcast presenting them with a $500 honorarium. The series ran for eight years airing initially on Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m. and was even on TV for a short time. The opening program "The Kid and the Box" starred Barry Kroeger, Anne Seymour and other veteran radio actors. The Big Story was one of the precursors of TV series such as 911 and Cops.




April 3, 1939: Mr. District Attorney

When Thomas E. Dewey was elected Governor of New York, part of it was due to his high profile in fighting racketeering in the state. His vigor in cleaning up these criminals became legendary. In 1939, a new radio program premiered written and directed by Ed Byron, a former law student and admirerer of Dewey. The program was built around a figure similar to Dewey who was presented as if he was heaven-sent to fight the rackets and clean up crime in New York City city. He was so legendary that he did not even have a character name in the program other than "Mr. District Attorney."

Dwight WeistThe series began on this day as a fifteen minute serial starring Dwight Weist as Mr. DA. Only this first episode of the fifteen minute serial seems to exist. This stylized fifteen minute version did not catch on with listeners who were usually used to quick story arcs which in this format could take weeks. And so after 3 months, the program was re-designed. It had been hoped that like a soap opera, listeners would be satisfied with little short clips of events each night and tune in again the next night. Since this did not seem to be happening, the program shifted to a 30-minute once-a-week format. Beginning in June 1939 with Raymond Edward Johnson as Mr. D.A., the professed commitment to stopping crime continued to be dominant, but less excessive than the fifteen minute episodes. The storylines engaged listeners in more solid characterization and satisfactory closure. Now each episode had a beginning, middle and ending interrupted by Bristol-Myers commercials. The storylines were simple as with many of radio programs of that time with less complexity in arriving at the satisfactory conclusion.

The series went through two other actors in the lead role, with the bulk of the episodes as well as the popularity of the character being portrayed by Jay Jostyn and then David Brian in the syndicated version at the end of the series run by 1953.

Papke, David Ray: "Mr. District Attorney: The Prosecutor During the Golden Age of Radio", Marquette Law Scholarly Commons

Photo of Dwight Weist: New York Public Library



April 5, 1942: The Army Hour

The concept seemed simple. Provide a show for listeners to understand what their military is doing and how it did it during World War II. The production, however, was another matter. The show was a production of the War Department and it enlisted veteran radio personnel to put it together. Key to the series was Lights Out and, later, Quiet, Please creator Wyllis Cooper as Producer, Director and Writer. The show provided a glimpse into life at war including some live coverage of invasions, interviews with Generals and Privates. Some described aspects such as how they fed the troops, where theaters of war were at given times and so on. Radio Guide described the show as having "the feel of Iceland snows, of the dust and mud of training camps, of the sting of powder, of courage - and of sweat." NBC was the only network willing to schedule the series and by 1943 there were over three million listeners. It was first heard at 3:30 P.M. Eastern War Time every Sunday for one hour from NBC's studio 8-H in New York. Despite the other networks reluctance, overseas facilities were opened to the show including the BBC, CBC, the Voice of Freedom and radio facilities in the Soviet Union. The Army said the show had three aims: to inform American civilians of the nature of their fighting forces; to cheer our allies in the United Nations and the underground by giving honest reports on American's growing military might; and finally to give our fighting men contact with the American way of life with fragments of baseball games, music and other back-home touches. The series did have its technical problems, but overall it proved a valuable tool in the role of radio during the war.



April 5, 1950: Beyond Tomorrow

Whether this series ever had any episodes broadcast has never been established. If so, it certainly could have been the first adult science fiction series, but two things occured which prevent that distinction: 1)It is not known if it ever was broadcast and 2)it only had three episodes in its stable, one of which was a repeat of a previous production.
   At the end of the forties, the networks were all planning adult science fiction series. Realizing that with the dawn of the Atomic Age upon them and increasing interest in science fiction, they needed to provide shows to cater to those tastes. NBC was developing Dimension X, Mutual - 2000 Plus and CBS a series possibly to be called Beyond Tomorrow or Beyond This World. In the New York Times in March, 1950 are a few lines mentioning that CBS has pegged Mitchell Grayson to produce the science fiction series, Beyond Tomorrow. However, it appears it was not broadcast, at least on this day, though the audition certainly exists. In May, again in the Times, an announcement is made that the series was under consideration as a summer replacement for The FBI in Peace and War. But that never happened. Despite its doubt at being broadcast, the episodes that survive are fine examples of radio science fiction.

For more on Science Fiction on Radio, click here.



April 6, 1931: Little Orphan Annie

By 1930, radio began experimenting with children adventure programs. The real milestone in this experiment came on this day when a program began broadcasting out of Chicago based upon a popular comic strip. While there hadn't been a children's adventure show that lasted more than two years, Little Orphan Annie achieved the distinction of being the first. Its focus was on the adventure as well as the humor from the comic strip by Harold Gray. It also was truly directed at the kids.
While it is known that the radio program existed locally prior to this date, this day marks its going more regionally 6 times a week via NBC Blue sponsored by Ovaltine. Early Annie was based, like the strip, on life on a farm owned by the Silo family and with their neighbor Joe Corntassel making appearances as adventures took Annie and Joe into the the town of Simmons Corners. Later years, the show grew probably too big making Annie into an agent for the government. This episode is from 1935.



April 6, 1945: This Is Your FBI

Though it wasn't the first on the air, This Is Your FBI, had the blessing of the organizations head, J. Edgar Hoover, who supposedly loved the show. FBI in Peace and War, began in 1944, while this series premiered on this day in 1945. The music was a march giving it a sort of official sound to the series. Series creator, Jerry Divine, had access to FBI files (unlike its competitor) and they made the best of it, creating episodes based on actual case files. The first series of this program was based from New York and included a familiar voice, Frank Lovejoy, as narrator. Other main characters were protrayed by Mandel Kramer (later Johnny Dollar), Karl Swenson, and Santos Ortega (who was Inspector Queen for a while on Ellery Queen). In true comparison, the series and its competitors sounded pretty much a like, though this one had more authentic case studies. In this first year, it was focused mostly on former Nazis escaping from Germany at war's end.
The series moved to Hollywood in 1948 with Stacey Harris as Agent Jim Taylor. The entire run was over ABC and sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Company. It left the air in 1953 after a solid run.



April 8, 1950: Dimension X

With the explosion of the atomic bomb, the country began to turn its interest to things scientific. The fifties were an explosion of science fiction radio programs both for adults as well as children. Last month we featured the first truly adult sf series on radio, 2000 Plus. Dimension XThat series just barely beat out NBC which began its series, Dimension X, on this day in 1950. This was a fine series featuring stories out of the pages of the sf print medium, mostly from John Campbell's Astounding but also from other sources including the primary magazines such as Collier's. The series was put together by a group of people at NBC very dedicated to science fiction including its producer Van Woodward, writers Ernest Kinoy and George Lefferts, and several in-house directors. Some of the finest writers of science fiction had their works dramatized on this series including Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury, Murray Leinster and Isaac Asimov. Mostly sustained, this show had one major sponsor, Wheaties for a short time. The series run ended in 1951 but the format was resurrected by NBC several years later called X Minus One.

For more on Science Fiction on Radio, click here.



April 8, 1941: Death of Lone Ranger

In the early morning hours of this day in 1941, Earle Graser, the radio voice of the Lone Ranger, was killed in an auto accident on his way home around 5 AM. His popularity as the Lone Ranger and having no one who could easily stand in on a nightly radio children's program broadcast out of WXYZ in Detroit, threw the station into chaos. They quickly had to re-write scripts which would temporarily remove the Ranger from the program and attempt to phase in a new, though somewhat similar, radio voice - that of Brace Beemer, who previously had been the announcer on the program.

Click here to read about how radio handled this emergency transition.



April 11, 1943: Nick Carter, Master Detective

Nick Carter was perhaps one of radio's first pulp heroes of the air. Seeing life in dime novels in 1886 modeled on the super heroes of Old Sleuth and Old Cap Collier, he soon became an American Sherlock Holmes. Radio picked him up beginning in 1943 via the Mutual Broadcasting System. Nick Carter- Lon Clark and Charlotte MansonIt began as a sustained series which unfortunately Mutual moved around their timeslots before settling down with a paint sponsor. It even was aired as a 5 times-a-week serial for a while.
The series starred Lon Clark from beginning to end in the role of Nick and ran off and on until 1955. The openings changed periodically sometimes beginning with a gun shot and scream and other times with a loud knocking on the door. Helen Choate was Patsy until 1946 when Charlotte Manson (pictured here with Clark) took over. The episodes were somewhat two dimensional as were the characters, but it was good fun to listen to them. Lon Clark told me he loved the role which probably explains why he remained with it for so long. Many of the episodes are missing, and the one heard here is from the first year, but in July.







April 13, 1945: Death of FDR

America was at war, though we were seeing Victory in Europe the war with Japan was continuing. The nation looked to its leader, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to guide us to total victory. But Roosevelt was ill. Though elected for his fourth term, his spirit seemed strong, but the pressures of office and his polio was taking its toll. He had just returned from Yalta, meeting there with Churchill and Stalin to plan out a post war world. The long trip left him tired and ill. He retreated to his beloved Warm Springs hideaway, "the Little White House," for some much needed rest. It was there that he suffered a cerebral hemmorage and died. The White House released a press bulletin at 5:48 PM Eastern War Time. This news bulletin announced to the country that their president was dead. No outpouring of grief for the loss of an American leader has been seen or heard since except perhaps John F. Kennedy. This leader had guided the country through a depression and a major American war. Love him or hate him, his loss was strongly felt by the whole world.



April 16, 1945: Truman before Congress After Death of FDR

The United States nearing the end of a devastating war in Europe and still looking for the end in the Pacific was faced with the passing of a man, Franklin Roosevelt, who had been their leader for 13 years. A little known man from Missouri, Harry S. Truman, was suddenly thrown into the limelight as he took on control of a nation emerging into world leadership. Burial of the former president was passed, now it was time to get on with the business of a nation. Truman appeared before Congress on this day in 1945 to lay out how he was going to continue what Roosevelt had begun.



April 19, 1924: National Barn Dance

In 1924, WLS Radio director, Edgar Bill, developed an idea to have a program of "down-home" music on the station. He had been raised on a farm and though he worked in Chicago, he felt there was a strong audience potential for folks who loved familiar music and the feel of an old fashioned barn dance. National Barn DanceEspecially since WLS was heard well beyond Chicago and into the farms and small towns of the middle-west. After the first program, the station was inundated with calls and letters of excitement. Basically, at its beginning, it was an intimate program of tunes and dance originating from the studios. By 1931, it had moved to the Eighth Street Theater to accomodate a popular expansion.
Beginning in 1933, the National Broadcasting Network picked it up for national broadcast. The show spawned a number of early country stars including Pat Buttram, Patsy Montana, and George Gobel. Others appearing included Roy Rogers, Red Foley, the Williams Brothers and the Hoosier Hot Shots. Eventually, it moved to the ABC network as other stations began emulating the shows success with their own spin-offs. It wasn't necessarily the first but it was the first to go national. This episode is on the occasion of the station's 9th Anniversary as a Nationally broadcast show via NBC and is from October 1942.



April 26, 1952: Gunsmoke

Westerns were always popular on radio, but mostly had juvenile appeal with the likes of The Lone Ranger, Tom Mix and others. Adult westerns were never heard until the appearance of Gunsmoke. This series took the science of sound effects to new heights through the genius of Tom Hanley, Ray Kemper, and Bill James. One was literally taken back to the town of Dodge with its many sounds of horses, spurs, barking dogs and other background noises that made the imagination work overtime. Gunsmoke castThe shows themes were sometimes violent, sometimes gentle humor, but always adult. With its repertory of veteran radio actors, including William Conrad as Marshall Dillon, Parley Baer as Chester, the show was produced by the brilliant Norman MacDonnell, who was also involved with Escape and Suspense.

Gunsmoke was first heard on this day over CBS and was an immediate hit, despite the beginning decline of the radio dramatic form. Moving the series to television while still broadcasting the radio program did not really help this series. Television featured a different cast, one which had the Hollywood image of the cowboy. Yet Gunsmoke on the radio, as on tv was perhaps one of the finest radio series ever broadcast. The show finally left radio in 1961 near the end of dramatic radio's final gasps.



MAY

May 2, 1932 Jack Benny

Radio had several well-known actors who are strongly identified with the medium. Jack BennyOne of the few who spanned Vaudeville, radio, then television and even the film industry was Jack Benny. Jack Benny's shows developed gradually over time. At the top of his form on stage (though he was beginning to flirt with film - Hollywood Revue of 1929) Jack Benny felt radio was the up and coming medium and accepted an offer from Canada Dry in 1932 to host his own radio show over NBC. The show initially included as co-star Ethel Shutta and the Don Olsen orchestra. This sound bite is from that first broadcast. It is obvious from the soundbite that Jack Benny had not yet achieved his best form, but the beginnings were there. Gradually, as other members of the cast joined Benny, and as the comedian began developing his miserly style, the show began to click. By the late thirties and early forties, the Benny repertory was like a finely oiled machine. The humor has never faded and Benny draws laughs even from those who never experienced his humor while he was alive.







May 6, 1937 Hindenburg Disaster

Some of radio's greatest moments are when the actual event occurs live on the air or while a reporter is recording and the unexpected happens. One such event happened to reporter Herb Morrison on May 6th, 1937 in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The mighty German passenger Zeppelin, Hindenburg, was attempting a mooring. As the zeppelin arrives, Morrison is describing the mooring when suddenly it bursts into flames. You can read more and hear the complete broadcast here!



May 7-8, 1945 Victory in Europe

Radio News had come of age during World War II. Victory in EuropeAnd now, on this day, probably the greatest story in its history was announced. The German's had officially surrendered in an event in Reims, France at 2:41 AM French Time, ending a long and deadly struggle against the Hitler war machine and Victory in Europe was proclaimed. Never again has this world known such an outpouring of relief. Never again has this world pulled together in such a way to defeat a common threat. This sound bite, which demonstrates such an outpouring, is a composite of a number of clips announcing and celebrating VE Day. Some are from the BBC as well as US Radio News organizations.

Despite the signing in the early morning hours of May 7th, the official day was not until May 8th. After the signing, Churchill wanted to announce right away, but Stalin would not have it since the signing in France was not authorized by Soviet Central. And so the official date was set to May 8 in Western Europe and May 9th in the Soviet Union. Some of these clips refer to the second day rather than the actual signing day. There is an interesting backstory controversy over the whole signing which in some ways was where the Cold War began. You can read that here.

You can read and hear more about Radio News by clicking here.



May 11, 1946 Juvenile Jury

While working as an announcer for radio station WOR, Jack Barry had an idea for a kids quiz show that involved common children and not the prodigies from The Quiz Kids. Children were coming to the station to be part of the Uncle Don kids program and Barry selected five to make an audition of his new program idea. The idea stuck and it debuted on WOR on this day, then went national over Mutual Radio in June. Barry hosted the series which lasted until 1953 when it moved to television. The episode here is apparently the only one in circulation and was from 1949.



May 14, 1946 Let George Do It

One of radio's great character actors starred in his first series beginning on this day in 1946. Bob BaileyThe actor, Bob Bailey went on to portray one of the best Johnny Dollars in the mid-1950's. When one listens to Let George Do It, one can't help but think of Johnny Dollar. Like Dollar, George Valentine is a detective who like Box 13's Dan Holliday, advertised in the newspapers. The title of the series comes from the ad which read "If the job's too tough for you to handle, you've got a job for me." Initially, the format of the series was light with a lot of humor but gradually became more serious. Throughout it all, the character was the same wise-cracking, though more bumbling, detective we get from Bailey as Johnny Dollar. The series was syndicated by the Mutual-Don Lee organization and first heard in the west.

For more on radio's detectives, click here.



May 17, 1932 One Man's Family

In 1932 Carleton E. Morse created his long running series, One Man's Family, in which the lives of the Barbour family were lived weekly and heard only in the West. Carleton E. MorsePatterned after John Galsworthy's Forsythe Saga, the show moved to full national broadcast on this day in 1933. The series was so expansive in telling the stories of the Barbour family that many listeners felt they knew each member intimately. The characters were actually created around the real actor so that if one actually met the real actor, he or she was the character they heard. One example was upon the death of actor Barton Yarborough, who played Clifford Barbour, Morse had Clifford move away to Scotland where he was only heard from via letter. The character was never again played by another actor. The episodes were not just onetime incidents, but rather Books and Chapters in the characters' lives (See photo). Eventually, the series moved to television as a daytime serial over NBC.



May 28, 1931 The Witch's Tale

Near the end of the 1920's decade, radio was slowly developing a genre that echoed the printed pulps of the times. This mysterious or thrill genre saw early examples in the likes of Street & Smith's Detective Story program, Detective Magazinea precursor to The Shadow. As the genre took shape, the format usually involved a storyteller affecting a strange voice, usually one with a disembodied character. One of the earliest series to come to radio with this format was The Witch's Tale. Imagine sitting around a campfire, telling ghosts stories to scare the life out of the others. Beginning on this day in 1931, the format used a storyteller called Old Nancy, a Salem Witch with her cat Satan. Under the theme music (Orgies and the Spirits by Leginski), Old Nancy would begin the episode by setting a mood of the strange and horrible, then introducing the night's episode. The series began on radio station WOR (which would later produce The Shadow) and was written by Alonzo Deen Cole with Adelaide Fitzallen as Old Nancy. The series was anthology in its format with no special radio stars and eventually moved into national release via Mutual. Though it sounds crude by today's standards, The Witch's Tale was certainly a scary experience for its listeners in the early 1930's.
For more on radio mystery, click here.





May 30, 1939 Opening of New York World's Fair

Today in 1939 the New York World's Fair opening was dedicated. New York World's FairOn hand were the President of the United States and other distinguished guests. The theme was about the World of Tomorrow with technology and a peaceful world. Ironically, this was while the world was plunging closer and closer to a world war.

For those who could not attend, radio was there to provide an audio of the ceremonies as you can hear here. This is over one hour of speeches by the distinguished guests including FDR.






JUNE

June 1, 1936 Lux Radio Theatre

The Lux Radio Theatre was one of radio's premiere dramatic shows. With its big budget and top Hollywood film actors, the show was extremely popular. However, all was not always rosy. When the series first came to NBC in October, 1934 the original concept was to produce a show that would duplicate in dramatic form the best of both Broadway and film. But Broadway was simply not able to provide sufficient material of interest to listeners for a weekly series. Ratings were dropping rapidly. J. Walter Thompson, the ad agency responsible for the Lux account assigned one of their executives, Danny Danker to try to save the show. Danker saw a wealth of material coming out of Hollywood, but the budget could not handle film stars coming to New York, where the series was produced week after week. Danker suggested to the ad agency that the series be moved to Hollywood and given a budget that allowed the original actors of the films to appear.

Cecil B. DeMilleAnd so, on this day, the show was heard from Hollywood for the first time. To add additional glamour, the agency hired director Cecil B. DeMille to host. DeMille never really "produced" the series as it implied. He would simply show up to do his lines. But the weight of his fame added to the series and he became integral when it was heard each week. Later he would leave the series after a dispute involving the Union. But when the series is remembered, it was DeMille's distinctive voice matched with the announcer opening the program with "Lux Presents Hollywood!"



June 3, 1949 Dragnet

Though many detective shows were premiering during these months, one police show that premiered on this day had repercussions that would carry it onto TV and set a precedent for many "cop" shows to come later. This was Dragnet, a series that came from the imagination of Jack Webb, a veteran radio actor. What made Dragnet different is the sense we got of what being a real police detective was all about.

DragnetWebb with his dry Sergeant Friday, and his crew of actors played it close to the belt . Like many mystery series, we learned details when the detectives did. We had no idea about the crime, except as it was investigated bit by bit.

Early on, Friday's partner was Ben Romero, played by another veteran radio actor, Barton Yarborough (of Jack, Doc and Reggie fame). After Yarborough died, the series went through several partners before settling on Frank Smith, portrayed by Ben Alexander (see photo right). Despite its dryness, this series had a powerful attraction. It was so true to life that listeners were keen to follow the exploits of Friday and his partner. It ran until 1956 on radio though it had already moved to television by that time. Webb would always be known as Joe Friday, but because of its success, that did not seem to phase him.



June 6, 1944 D-Day

D-Day InvasionThe United States had been at war now for three years, most other countries even longer. Scores were still dying and Nazi Germany had a strong hold on the continent of Europe. It had been rumored that an invasion by Allied forces was in the works. Josef Stalin of the Soviet Union had certainly been asking for it as a second front for years. The German government thought it would happen near Calais and so concentrated their troops there. The weather reports for this weekend were miserable. Strong rains and winds made the channel separating Europe and England very choppy. Gen. Eisenhower had to make a decision to go or hold. Holding could delay an invasion for weeks. Suddenly, a window of reasonable calm opened and the word on Operation Overlord was "go." And so on this day, the world's largest invasion force began moving toward France in an effort to gain a foothold onto the western continent of Europe. D-Day was here. This operation would change the face of broadcasting journalism. The events set in place would produce vast amounts of eloquent words and alter the whole of news reporting. This would be one of news radio's finest moments.

Additional information on D-Day is found at George Hicks historic eyewitness recording.



June 12, 1947 Challenge of the Yukon

After two of his radio productions struck gold, WXYZ, Detroit radio owner, George W. Trendle, wanted a new series in which a dog was a hero. He wanted a series in which the dog would be a working dog, but would also be placed in action situations in which he made the difference in the outcome. Paul SuttonWXYZ writer Tom Dougall created a Huskie dog character which ultimately was named King. Once scripts were completed and production began, the series came on the air as Challenge of the Yukon in 1938. It ran locally on WXYZ until this day in 1947, when Quaker Oats wanted to sponsor the program and take it national. It began airing on the ABC Radio network until 1949 when it moved to the Mutual Broadcasting System. The initial actor was Jay Michael, when in the 1940s the role was taken on by Paul Sutton, a solid radio actor, but one who never gained much notoreity in film. He stayed with the series until the early 1950s when briefly, Brace Beamer (who played the Lone Ranger) took over the role of Sgt. Preston. It ended its run on radio in 1955, but moved to television with Richard Simmons in the role of Sgt. Preston.



June 18, 1939 Adventures of Ellery Queen

Detective mystery was rapidly becoming a staple of radio. In the early thirties we heard Charlie Chan, Detective Story Hour, which evolved into The Shadow and others. Most of the programs were based upon characters from books. One of the more successful detective mystery characters which moved from radio & film to television was the Frederic Dannay and Manfred Lee detective, Ellery Queen. Ellery QueenThis detective series, The Adventures of Ellery Queen, was born on this day over CBS on Sunday nights at 8:00 p.m. The show was initially scripted by Dannay and Lee and featured a format which allowed guests to try to figure out who the killer might be. These guests from the entertainment field were not very good at guessing and eventully the producer, George Zachary, solicited guesses from a panel of mystery writers. The first Ellery Queen was played by the mild-mannered Hugh Marlowe. One of the announcers (as in this clip) was Ernest Chappell (Quiet, Please). The series was heard off-and-on over radio for the next several years including runs on NBC and ABC.
For more on Radio Detectives, click here.







June 29, 1932 Vic and Sade

Probably one of radio's greatest serials began on this day in 1932 over NBC. Vic and Sade, a domestic comedy that Time Magazine in 1943 called the best soap opera, was the mind-child of Paul Rhymer, a reporter turned scriptwriter from Bloomington, Illinois. He was called upon to create a program about family life. He chose to pull memories of his own youth to create the characters that became Vic and Sade Gook. For most of its run, this show was a three-character comedy, but Rhymer was so good at drawing characters through the mouths of others that listeners thought they knew those they never heard as well as their own neighbors. During the complete run, Vic was played by Art Van Harvey and Sade by Bernadette Flynn with Billy Idleson as Rush. When Rush went off to war another character came on board, Russell Miller, the Gook's orphaned nephew. Sade's peerless Uncle Fletcher, played by Clarence Hartzell, sooned joined. Unlike other serial dramas each episode of the serial was a complete story. The joy of this show was in its humor. For example, there was Rush's dog, Mr. Albert Johnson, who suffered from astigmatism and could not bark. Even the character names were humorous: Smelly Clark and Bluetooth Johnson. But after 13 years, the show finally ended. Rhymer had simply decided he'd had enough.
For more information on Vic and Sade, visit this site!

JULY

July 2, 1939 The Aldrich Family

As radio was moving into the forties, many programs were beginning to show a professionalism not heard before. Comedies became more sophisticated and more genuinely funny by moving away from a rehash of vaudville routines. One such series which began on this day was The Aldrich Family. Henry Aldrich The Aldrich Familywas like many other teenage boys of the time with his worries about relationships. If nothing else would be remembered about this series, the opening will always be around as it has been used over and over both in satire as well as commercials. As mother screams "Hen-reee...Henry Aldrich" and the adolescent cracking voice of Ezra Stone responds with "Coming, Mother!" the listeners knew they were in for some good laughs. Stone was perfect in the role which was sponsored by Jello over the Blue Network. Along with other memorable characters, Homer Brown, Kathleen, Henry's girlfriend, and the rest of the Aldrich Family, this situation comedy series was well-designed. Stone stayed in the role, except for a stint in the military until it folded in 1953. (The photo shows [left to right] Jackie Kelk, Ezra Stone, Katherine Raht, House Jameson.






July 3, 1951 Blondie

In early 1939 both NBC and CBS were preparing ideas for some of radio's earliest comedy shows involving families in situations. The concept later was called sitcom. NBC was creating The Aldrich Family starring Broadway actor Ezra Stone in the role. Penny Singleton & Arthur LakeCBS, however, had purchased the rights to the very popular Chic Young comic strip, Blondie around which to create its family comedy.

With two popular films already on the big screen, they signed the film stars to play in the radio version - Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. The series had a long run ending in 1950 when dramatic radio was just beginning it's slide to obscurity. Singleton, however, left the role in 1949 and Lake stayed with it to the end. I don't think he could have ever starred in anything without people thinking of Dagwood Bumstead.

The series later became popularly remembered for a later opening where the announcer tells people "Ah-ah-ah-ah! Don't touch that dial! Listen to...Blonnnnnnnnnndie!" However, that wasn't the opening in the first few episodes of the series. The clip included here is from one of the earliest available of the Blondie radio series and is a dress rehearsal only about 16 minutes long. Some of the quality is not as good, but it gives you an idea of what the show first sounded like. This is from episode number six.



July 4, 1943 Paul Whiteman Presents - Rhythm Boys Unite

On this day in 1943, the Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Al Rinker and Harry Barris) reunited for this one time broadcast on Paul Whiteman Presents. Rhythm BoysThis was the last time they were together because in 1931 Bing Crosby had left the group to go solo and never looked back.

This is a rarely circulated boradcast and gives us an idea of what things were like when the trio first began with Paul Whiteman's Orchestra. Of course, I suspect there was much more humility on their part since they were now much bigger than they had been when they first began. Bing and Al first performed together in a Jazz Band when they lived in Spokane, Washington, where they lived. They became so popular, they decided to drop out of college and try their luck in Los Angeles. With the help of Rinker's sister, jazz/blues singer, Mildred Bailey, they found a job on the vaudeville circuit. Some members of Paul Whiteman's Orchestra heard them perform and convinced Whiteman to hire them.

Photo courtesy of Red Hot Jazz.



July 4, 1951 Pete Kelly's Blues

Never one to let his fans down, Jack Webb premiered a new radio series on this day. The series was named Pete Kelly's Blues and starred Mr. Webb as a red hot jazz coronet player with his own band in the 1920's. Pete Kelly's BluesThe group played nightly at George Lupo's club as Pete told it each episode: "...every night about ten...till the customers get that frightening look at each other in the early light."
Pete Kelly's Blues provided a vehicle for Webb to realize his love of jazz. Each episode included usually two complete jazz numbers actually played by Webb's friend Dick Cathcart with childhood friend Meredith Howard as blues singer Maggie Jackson. The episodes were formulaic with Pete getting in hot water with the mob or some individual and trying to get out of it by the episode's end. Like his other series, this was all pure Jack Webb with the cynical comments and ironic humor. The show only lasted for 12 weeks ending at summer's end. However, it was revived in film starring Webb.



July 5, 1953 Confession

By the early fifties, America was becoming alarmed about the rise in the crime rate. Radio drama, which had already begun its slide in popularity, took on a more service orientation by presenting series which focused on the problems that were foremost in the minds of Americans. The alarm at the crime rate was one of the reasons for a series like Confession. Homer Canfield and Warren Lewis produced the series which claimed to be making an "effort to stem the forward march of crime." The series used actual transcriptions from the California State Department of Corrections and used a format which appeared as if the director of the Corrections department was interviewing criminals about the crimes they committed. Paul Frees starred as Richard A. McGee, the director. The series appeared on this day from the studios of NBC. Staff announcer John Wald presented the opening and closing. The series was short-lived, lasting only the summer. America, it seemed, was too absorbed in its new wealth and growth as a super-power to be interested in those who had gone bad.



July 5, 1943 Adventures of Nero Wolfe

Debuting on the Blue Network this detective series based from Rex Stout's "Gargantuan Gourmet" starred initially Santos Ortega. He left in 1944 followed by Luis Van Rooten. It left the air later in 1944. While not the best of the Nero Wolfe radio series, Santos Ortega was quite good. The only copy that exists of his performance comes from a repeat built into the Armed Forces Mystery Playhouse with Peter Lorre. John Gibson was Archie Goodwin. It was revived in 1946 over the Mutual Network starring Francis X Bushman sponsored by Jergens as the Amazing Nero Wolfe." Sydney Greenstreet as Nero WolfeIt ended after one year.

It was picked up again in 1950 starring Sydney Greenstreet, known to movie audiences for his role as Caspar Gutman in The Maltese Falcon. This was on NBC and these are most of the series that was preserved today.

The series were really quite good despite the concept from the books of an overweight man who rarely saw the light of day outside of his apartment. He was the thinking man's detective who had his gofer Archie Goodwin doing all of his footwork when it came to investigations. Archie was played over the years by a potpourri of radio actors including Gerald Mohr, Wally Maher, Harry Bartel, Elliott Lewis and others.

While Rex Stout thought the characters were credible, he never listened to the series and wasn't really excited by the plots. But still the series found an audience and thanks to preservation, we can still hear it today.





July 5, 1948 My Favorite Husband

Lucille Ball had been known throughout the forties primarily as a lovely "B" Movie actress who showed some dramatic chops. However, comedy was her real forte as was first heard on her first comedy radio series beginning on this day in 1948. My Favorite HusbandMy Favorite Husband was a radio vehicle designed to showcase her comedic skills. The series was such a success that Ball wanted to take a similar series to television as it was dawning in the early fifties. Her television show, I Love Lucy was similar in some ways to her radio series, but much more zany showcasing her skills as a physical comedienne. The radio series starred Richard Denning as George her long suffering husband and was heard over the Columbia Broadcasting System.



July 5, 1951 The Silver Eagle

Produced by Jim Jewell, developer of Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, The Silver Eagle is considered the last of the significant juvenile radio adventure programs. Jim AmecheThe series starred Jim Ameche, brother of Don Ameche, who was Jim West, who was a member of the Northwest Mounted Police. He was assisted in his crime catching by the large sidekick - Joe Bideaux, portrayed by the much smaller actor, Jack Lester. Bideaux was probably a funny character to children with his Cajun accent though the series took place in Canada. The series was reasonably good children's adventure much like the early television westerns of the fifties which would be its demise. It ended its run in 1955. This episode is from the end of the run, from 1954.








July 6, 1947 Candid Microphone

Before Candid Camera, there was Candid Microphone also with Allen Funt. Funt's idea for catching people off-guard began on radio and it premiered on this day on ABC radio. While kind of funny, it begged for a visual aspect as Funt did his best to goad the victim into humorous situations. The concept did go visual first via Columbia Studios with shorts that appeared at the movies before it moved to television as the well-known Candid Camera. The series came to an end when it moved to television in 1948.



July 7, 1949 Dragnet

Though many detective shows were premiering during July, one police show that premiered on this day had repercussions that would carry it onto TV and set a precedent for many "cop" shows to come later. This was Dragnet, a series that came from the mind of Jack Webb, a veteran radio actor. What made Dragnet different is that we got a sense of what being a real police detective was all about. DragnetWebb with his dry Sergeant Friday, and his crew of actors played it close to the belt . As a mystery series, we learned things as the detectives did. We had no idea about the crime, except as it was investigated bit by bit. Early on, Friday's partner was Ben Romero, played by another veteran radio actor, Barton Yarborough (of Jack, Doc and Reggie fame). After Yarborough died, the series went through several partners before settling on Frank Smith, portrayed by Ben Alexander (see photo right). Despite its dryness, this series had a powerful attraction. It was so true to life that listeners were keen to follow the exploits of Friday and his partner. It ran until 1956 on radio though it had already moved to television by that time. Webb would always be known as Joe Friday, but because of the success, that did not seem to phase him.



July 8, 1950 Tales of the Texas Rangers

As Westerns continued to become more and more popular on the new medium of television, Joel McCrearadio took advantage by bringing new series with Western themes. Shows such as Gunsmoke were making appearances on radio. At the same time, detective stories were just as popular, so why not a western themed dectective series. In early 1950, an audition was put together of a potential series called Tales of the Texas Rangers. It was sold to Wheaties and time on the NBC radio network was purchased and film star Joel McCrea was signed to portray Ranger Jayce Pearson, who used modern science techniques to solve crimes. Jayce was a policeman in a cowboy hat. The series premiered on this day and was produced and directed by Stacy Keach Sr., father of Stacy Keach Jr., who would play Mike Hammer on television.

This episode called The White Elephant is actually the second in the series as the first episode does not seem to be in circulation.



July 10, 1944 The Man Called X

The original idea behind this series premiering on this day was that it would be an FBI series. The hero Ken Thurston would be part of the FBI when he was called into action. Herbert MarshallAs the series began to expand, Thurston became a globe hopping investigator involved in all kinds of criminal activity from spying to protecting secrets. It took on a life of its own as a series but was ultimately a spy series. Thurston was played by the dapper British actor Herbert Marshall whose film career never seemed to be A Level though he appeared in some fine movies including Foreign Correspondent.

The series premiered over CBS sponsored by Lockheed Corporation, an ideal sponsor/vehicle relationship considering the amount of time spent with the hero travelling around the world.

Thurston had an ally whose credentials were spotty, one never knew if he was helping or hindering. This was Pegon Zeldschmidt, played by the wonderful character actor, Leon Bellasco.

The series ran almost continuously jumping to various networks with various sponsors through 1952.



July 16, 1969 Apollo 11

Apollo 11Despite a decade of violence and war in the sixties, one thing that will stand out as an achievement for America during this period was the landing of men on the moon. Practically everyone was glued to a television set when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped out onto the surface of the moon. However, what was not as well watched was the launching of the the Apollo 11 spacecraft from Cape Canaveral. But radio was there and CBS correspondent Reid Collins reports on the launch. Four days later, the first men had landed on the moon. This clip gives you a taste of radio's coverage of all of it as the launch is described. You can hear the excitement of the success which reflected how most Americans felt after the last few years of tragedy.



July 18, 1936 Columbia Workshop

In the days when networks had large chunks of sustained time, that is, time which was unsponsored, William Paley of the Columbia Broadcasting System wanted to explore the network's use of that time. For that he hired William B. Lewis as Program Chief. Columbia WorkshopLewis was a man who listened very carefully to others' ideas.
When he was approached by studio engineer, Irving Reis about a series to be called Columbia Workshop in which experimental drama could be tried, Lewis grabbed the idea quickly. Reis had been the engineer on shows such as Buck Rogers and was interested in taking radio drama technically to new frontiers. Premiering on this day, many experimental presentations were tried, some heavy on the technical side, but gradually most presentations tended toward the dramatic including Shakespere adaptations, one-man presentations, poetry presentations and other genres. The series attracted the literary elite. One standout was a script from a lawyer turned poet, Archibald MacLeish, called "The Fall of the City." With the darkening events occuring in Europe, the play, in poetic verse, was about a mythical city full of people awaiting their conqueror with eager anticipation. However, the conqueror turns out to be a horrible subjugating figure who strips the people of their freedom. Given the rise of Hitler and Nazism, the play was perfect for Reis' intentions of the series. Among the cast were Burgess Meredith and Orson Welles (then an unknown). This clip is from that broadcast. The series would provide for an opportunity for some of the best and brightest in radio to experiment. It was through this vehicle that Norman Corwin found his voice. The series would continue in many iterations until 1947. Then in 1956 it was brought back as the CBS Radio Workshop by CBS VP Howard Barnes.



July 19, 1948 Our Miss Brooks

Eve ArdenOur Miss Brooks began on this day in 1948 and became one of the most popular situation comedies on radio. It starred the sardonic Eve Arden in the role of Connie Brooks. With a strong supporting cast including Gale Gordon, Richard Crenna and others, the show was an instant success. It began over CBS running until 1957. It was popular even after moving to television in 1952, where it achieved equal popularity. Originally, the producer wanted actress Shirley Booth for the role but realized she was not able to turn the character into a fun role. Arden's popularity won her numerous awards in the role.








July 24, 1933The Romance of Helen Trent

The Helen Trent soap serial was created by the soap opera factory of Ann and Frank Hummert. They wrote many of the daytime serial dramas on radio and this was one of their brightest stars. Unfortunately, the series was one of the worse that radio listeners had to hear. Virginia Clark as Helen TrentDespite that, to many mostly women listeners, it was the best of all serials. The plot was about a middle aged widow of 35 who worked originally as a dressmaker in New York and built a career as a successful Hollywood dress designer. Perhaps it was one of the best to many women because Helen had independence, charming acquaintances, a successful career, modest wealth, and an endless line of suitors!

The series premiered on this day as a regional series from Chicago, but it caught on and CBS picked it up for National broadcast beginning in October 1933. Virginia Clark played Helen until 1944, when Julie Stevens stepped in portraying the designer until it left radio in 1960. Helen's chief suitor throughout was Gil Whitney, portrayed initially by David Gothard for many years.

The series is probably best known for the endless supply of suitors vying for Helen's hand. Her adventures with the men "hardened into folklore," John Dunning wrote.

From the opening notes of the theme song - Juanita - Helen Trent was one of radio's most enduring serial dramas. The episode heard here is undated but from a little later in the series.



July 25, 1943 Foreign Assignment

In the early days of the crime series Mr. District Attorney, actor Jay Joystn and Vicki Vola played opposite each other. Jay JostynThen in 1943, they turned up together in this series premiering today about a reporter who travels the world fighting lawlessness in a world at war while gathering information for his newpaper the American Press. The series didn't last more than its 26 weeks on the Mutual Broadcasting System. Jostyn plays Brian Barry, a foreign correspondent and his able aide Carol Manning.



July 31, 1933 Jack Armstrong, The All-American Boy

Wave the flag for Hudson High, Boys - here comes Jack Armstrong which premiered on this day over CBS as a 5 times a week juvenile adventure serial. Jim AmecheJack's adventures certainly carried him much beyond his high school adventures as the series developed, though they started modestly when the series premiered with an adventue from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair before they took off to Canada. Jack was molded in the likeness of a Frank Merriwell, but went beyond with his inventions and mechanical devices devised with the help of his friends Betty and Bob Fairfield and his Uncle Jim.

What made the series unique is that it kept the same sponsor - Wheaties - throughout its 20 year run on radio. Jack was initially played by Jim Ameche, the real-life brother of actor Don Ameche. But he left in 1938 and other Jack's began to step into the role. The series originated from Chicago and carried listeners through adventures during the war when Jack and friends were fighting spies and sabotuers. During its best years, the adventurers would travel in Uncle Jim's hydroplane, the Silver Albatross and on his yacht, the Spindrift.

Before it ended in 1951 as "Armstrong of the SBI" it had appeared on all the radio networks.



AUGUST

August 3, 1942 An American in England

Norman Corwin, already well-known for his outstanding radio drama over the Columbia Network was in England after this country had entered the war nearly a year before. Joe JulianWith the help of William B. Lewis, CBS Program Chief, now head of one of the Office of War Information's radio units, he convinced CBS that he wanted to do a series of six broadcasts relating in various dramatic forms his own experience as an "American in England." This was a new form of drama broadcast from overseas via shortwave back to the United States. CBS bravely took on the costs involved and with Corwin writing and directing and Edward R. Murrow acting as producer, the series began to take shape. Corwin had met Murrow when one of his first CBS works, The Plot to Overthrow Christmas was produced and aired. The new project involving the two was a perfect match with Corwin's genius for drama, and Murrow's own sense of the dramatic in news broadcasting. The first snag came with the director not being able to get his first choice to play "Corwin in England." Burgess Meredith, who was in uniform was unable to get out of his military commitments. His second choice hit pay dirt. News chief Paul White contacted Joseph Julian, who had appeared in previous Corwin work. Julian flew to England and the first broadcast came together being broadcast overseas back to America. Julian relates a story in his autobiography, This Was Radio

"Finally went on the air. Everything clicked. Everybody Happy. Mutual congratulations...Phone Corwin to find out if there were reports from America. There were, indeed! ... [CBS Engineers] thought the simulated disconnection was real - that something had actually gone wrong. So they pulled their plugs...America never heard that broadcast."

But the series continued and the next one's were heard and the broadcasts received rave reviews.



August 6, 1945 Atomic Bomb Dropped

Atomic BombIn May, 1945 Victory in Europe was achieved. However, Japan continued to fight on alone. They wanted peace but with conditions. The Allies would accept no conditions. But Japan was dominated by a militaristic group who continued to try to negotiate. Fearing that many more lives would be lost in a continuing struggle with the Japanese, Truman decided to act. The world would never be the same again when this country dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima in order to force Japan to surrender. In a race with Germany, this country was able to produce the first atomic bomb at Los Alamos. In determining that the deaths of Hiroshima would not outweigh the deaths that would result from continued fighting with Imperial Japan, Truman decided to authorize the drop. This soundbite is his brief announcement of the event. The dropping of an atomic bomb raised the stakes and the consciousness of this country. As other countries also developed the bomb, a pall of total destruction enveloped the world and mankind began to think in new terms as technology became a dominant force.








August 9, 1947 What Am I Offered?

Quiz shows were always a staple of radio since the first one, Professor Quiz, appeared in the mid-thirties. While the quiz show evolved out of such "man-on-the-street" programs as Vox Pop, the concept of answering questions for prizes probably came from Professor Quiz. By the late forties, the quiz show was an established genre that would reach its zenith on television. The goal by this time was to come up with a twist on the standard question and answer show. One that had an unusual format began on this day, was What Am I Offered? hosted by veteran announcer Bob Dixon. The twist was that the audience would participate in an auction of small items such as sheets, cans of food and candy usually to the tune of $2 to $5 dollars. Whoever won the bid would have to answer a question, which if guessed correctly would be given the prize without charge. If the winner failed to answer, the contestant would pay the high bid and the money would build and be given to the next high bidder who answers a question correctly in addition to the item for which they bid. The show was more of an audience participation show that did little to get the listener involved and originated from the WOR studios appearing over some Mutual stations. It did last a couple of seasons with time off in the summer.



August 14, 1933 Ma Perkins

In 1933 over WLW Cincinnati, a comic strip was developed into a radio drama broadcast locally. The radio program called The Puddle Family Virginia Payne as Ma Perkinswas based upon a comic strip called The Bungle Family. The series immediately got into rights violations between the comic strip creators, WLW and Proctor and Gamble who sponsored the series. After a year, it was yanked off the air and WLW, needing something to quickly fill in the air time. That filler was Ma Perkins and a young woman, Virginia Payne was hired to portray the somewhat elderly Ma.

Sponsored by Proctor and Gamble, the series was not called a soap opera at that time and premiered in August 1933 for broadcast within the WLW region. In December the series gaining in popularity moved to Chicago over the NBC radio network. Though Virginia Payne continued to live in Cincinnati, she stayed with the series. It remained on radio until 1960.

What you will hear is a clip from December 1933 in which you will hear a very different, somewhat malicious Ma, from the way the character developed. Most know the character as a sort of benevolent head, but not as you will hear in this rare clip.



August 19, 1929 Amos 'n' Andy

In 1929, on this day, Amos 'n' Andy debuted over the NBC radio network. I have a more detailed history of the series including a clip of their previous series, Sam and Henry and then a 1929 recording of the two in the roles of Amos 'n' Andy. This 1929 recording is a record that was made and was not necessarily broadcast, but it does give you an idea of the early series.



August 22, 1948 Box 13

Dan Holiday was a writer of mystery novels who sought his adventure ideas from the real world. He would run an ad in the papers that read "Adventure wanted; will go anywhere; do anything - Box 13." The series starred Alan Ladd whose production company, Mayfair, created the series as a radio vehicle for him. It premiered on this day over the Mutual Broadcasting System. The series featured as his sidekick, a dizzy secretary named Suzy portrayed by Sylvia Picker. A stable of veteran radio actors appeared regularly. The series was better than many of the detective shows partly due to Ladd himself and the writing of Russell Hughes.
For more on Radio Detectives, click here.






August 27, 1939 Brink of War - Ultimatums

In 1939, the world was on the brink of war. As Adolph Hitler continued to grab territory - first Austria, then Czechoslovakia's Sudentenland - he now threatened to invade Poland. Under the guise that Polish troops were invading Germany and stirring up trouble at the border, Hitler claimed he must act. After the fiasco of the Munich Agreement, the United Kingdom and France would have no more of Hitler's empty promises. But still, the leaders were trying to avert war. Hitler had made demands of the western powers and after meeting on the demands, Neville Henderson was to fly to Berlin on the 28th with a reply to Hitler's demands. Here in this clip, which is cut short, we hear H.V. Kaltenborn speaking from London explaining the four points that Hitler is demanding and his opinion as to what might happen.



August 31, 1941 The Great Gildersleeve

The Great Gildersleeve is probably one of radio's most popular comedy series and still very funny today. This was one of radio's successful characters and probably the first spinoff from another series, Fibber McGee & Molly. The character was head of the Gildersleeve Girdle Works in Wistful Vista and Fibber's next door neighbor. At the end of the summer run, Gildersleeve left for business to Summerfield, but never returned. Instead he popped up in Summerfield as the new Water Commissioner. The fine cast made this series one of radio's success stories. With Harold Peary as Gildy, Walter Tetley as the hilarious Leroy, Lurene Tuttle originated the role as Marjorie. There are many other memorable characters, too many to name. But this series, premiering on this day on NBC continued until 1958. After Peary left, Willard Waterman, a Peary sound-alike stepped into the role and made it his own.
For more on Radio Comedy, click here.



SEPTEMBER

September 1, 1939 Brink of War - Ultimatums and Invasion

As September dawned in 1939, Adolph Hitler was continuing his quest toward European domination. With Austria and the Sudetenland now under his control, he set his sites on Poland, despite his "promise" to Chamberlain. Hitler was claiming that the Polish government had been attacking Germans near the border, but on hindsight it was just another one of his ruses to take territory. On this day Germany issued an ultimatum to Poland for the return of Danzig and the Danzig corridor or invasion would begin. Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, the move to invade had already begun. This action would lead to the start of World War II. This soundclip is from a BBC Regional Program outlining the "points" of the German ultimatum. Though many in the United States felt this was a European affair, radio would soon come of age with the start of this incident and play a major role in turning this isolationist country into a warring nation.



September 3, 1939 Brink of War - Britain Declares War

England and France had signed a pact with Poland to act should Germany show aggression toward them. But should Germany invade, would these two powers come to Poland's defense? They failed to act when Hitler took the Sudetenland, but time was running out for Chamberlain and Deladier. On the first in 1939, Hitler made good on his ultimatum and invaded Poland. England and France had no choice but to react to the invasion by declaring war on Germany. In this clip, a depressed Chamberlain regretfully announces that his country is at war with Germany. World War II had begun.





September 4, 1936 Bughouse Rhythms

Programs from the early thirties are rare today. Though there was some drama, many were musical programs reaching back to the roots of even earlier radio. Some were intended to educate, some provide strictly pleasure. One that seemed to bridge the gap and still create a sense of early radio satire was BugHouse Rhythms, which premiered this day. Not much is known about this series, but from this example, there was the requisite music, primarily geared to swing rhythms popular at the time. Yet the listener was educated on comparisons to rhythms in the classical world. This particular soundbite provides comparisons between Minnie the Moocher and Wagner's Valkyrie! The series originated over NBC Blue from the West Coast.



September 4, 1938 The Fitch Bandwagon

The history of The Fitch Bandwagon is similar to some other programs that began in one format and eventually migrated to a completely new format, possibly to stay popular with the times. Such was this series. It began as a bandstand series with popular music of the time and often on location. Each week would feature the popular big bands of the time with a brief bio on the bandleader. Beginning on this day as The Fitch Bandwagon, the series was slow to become popular garnering only a 9.0 Hooper rating its first year. But by the second year it was up to 22.4. Featuring bands such as Tommy Dorsey and Harry James, Duke Ellington and special guests such as Eddie Cantor, Ivey Anderson and others, the show's success was fixed.
By 1945, the series was joined with comedienne Cass Daley, who along with "Dink" Trout were in comedy skits with the band music surrounding them, the show was moving more into a musical variety period. This eventually led to the arrival of Phil Harris and Alice Faye as the next regulars in a situation comedy format. The "Bandwagon" by this time was for all appearances, the future Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show. The show included here is from that period. The series ended when these two left for a show with their own name.

NOTE: to collectors - there is a copy floating around called "Fitch Is On the Air" which is actually an evening big band live performance by Duke Ellington from the Cotton Club over the Mutual Broadcasting System via WOR from 1937. The opening line by announcer Roger Lyon actually begins "Duke is on the air." [special thanks to Andrew Steinberg for pointing that out.]



September 16, 1946 Murder At Midnight

The Forties were full of the macabre genre of radio series. Despite the darkness of the war years, listeners loved being scared to death! One of the better sinister programs to make the airwaves, Murder At Midnight, premiered on this day. The series was syndicated and produced out of the studios of KFI, Los Angeles. Many of radio's great actors appeared on the show. The storylines were of the horrible with severed body parts and open graves. Some of radio mysteries better scriptwriters provided episodes including Robert Newman (Inner Sanctum), Joseph Ruscoll (Molle' Mystery Theater), and Max Ehrlich (The Shadow, Suspense).



September 25, 1933 The Tom Mix Ralston Straightshooters

Based on the life of the real life cowboy from the turn of the century, The Tom Mix Ralston Straightshooters, began life on this day. Tom Mix Ralston StraightshootersOne of the best known of juvenile fiction, Tom Mix on radio was really a Western-style detective show. The real person had indeed been a person of adventure fighting with Teddy Roosevelt's Roughriders, as a state lawman, and a Texas Ranger, finally as a rodeo star. The early shows from radio reflected that lifestyle. But soon the character developed into the western detective that the rest of the series run reflected. The major characters included Sheriff Mike Shaw, Wash and Pecos Williams along with the Old Wrangler who provided the comic relief. Since the show was for juveniles, there was the requisite child characters Jimmy and Jane. When the Mutual Network took over the series a lot of the previous flavor changed. The Old Wrangler was out replaced by Don Gordon as the announcer (you can hear him in early Captain Midnight episodes), Curley Bradley who had played Pecos became Tom and added the element of the singing cowboy. The series was extremely popular especially with its premium give-aways from Ralston. The final episode was broadcast on June 23, 1950.




OCTOBER

October 1, 1938 Avalon Time

Avalon CigarettesDuring the early thirties and up to 1940, Cincinnati was a hotbed of radio activity. Powel Crosley Jr. the owner of station WLW was increasing both his broadcast range as well as his quality of programming. Many famous radio, television and film stars got their start at WLW often starting on a program which was created and originated from the studios of WLW. If the program was successful, it often was moved to the bigger Chicago market where it continued to thrive. Sponsored by Avalon Cigarettes, Avalon Time had its beginnings on this day as a vehicle for folksy western style musical variety. It starred Del King, Red Foley, Kitty O'Neill and "the Neighborhood Boys, who offered up western style music and originated from the studios of WLW, Cincinnati. At that time, it was called Avalon Variety Time. In 1939 the series took on a slightly different flavor when comedian Red Skelton was added as a regular along with Marlin Hurt. Two events altered the program:it moved to bigger markets in Chicago and Skelton left before the end of the year; Cliff Arquette was added along with host Don McNeill. By 1940, the series was off the air. Right click here to save a complete mp3 episode of Red Skelton's first appearance on the program.






October 3, 1945 The Nash-Kelvinator Musical Showroom

In the early forties, one of the dominant singing groups heard often over radio was The Andrews Sisters. Haling from Minneapolis, this singing trio of sisters got Andrews Sisterstheir big break when they were heard over a taxi radio by Dave Kapp with Decca Records while they were broadcasting a big band remote. Their first big hit was Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen which helped propel them to films and radio appearances. When the war broke out, their music became synonymous with wartime. With their success they finally had their own show beginning in late 1944 called Eight to the Bar. By 1945, the show reformed from its previous name to the N-K Musical Showroom. The show was a musical variety format that was conducive to the singing trio, but featured a guest who would appear from the "N-K Green Room" to perform. The war years seemed to be when this act was at the top of their form. After the war, they began to fade as musical tastes changed. Right click here to download a complete episode.



October 4, 1941 Hot Copy

While there were many detective series that appeared over radio, there weren't as many with a woman in the role. Hot Copy was a series about a newspaper columnist, Anne Rogers, who often found herself investigating criminal activity. The series starred intially Chicago radio actress, Fern Persons, as Anne for the first season. Second season Anne was portrayed by Eloise Kummer, and finally beginning in the fall of 1943, Betty Lou Gerson took over the role. The final scripter for the season was Science Fiction writer, Nelson Bond. The series was rather lighthearted though because it was on during the war years, there were often black marketeers and Nazi sympathizers that Anne found herself chasing down. The series ended in November 1944. Right click here to download a complete episode.



October 8, 1939 Colgate Sports Newsreel

Probably one of radio's most popular sports announcers was Bill Stern (radio's other famous Stern). He was born July 1, 1907 in Rochester, New York. His first job as a sports announcer came in 1925 when he was hired to broadcast football games over WHAM/Rochester. He would embellish the sports he was announcing so much that one wondered if he was at the same event. Stern announced much of the Boxing events on radio. The man was more than just a sports commentator, he was in fact a storyteller. In 1937 he began to broadcast regularly on his own show Bill Stern Review. After a successful run in Bill Stern's Sports Review, he came to NBC on their Blue Network with a new series which told of sports legends and tall tales in the sports field. On these fifteen-minute shows he told tales of sports legends and strange occurrences which kept listeners eagerly waiting for the climax. Many stories were not true, but entertaining nonetheless: stories of dead jockies riding in horse races, ball players without arms. Initially, it was known as Bill Stern's Sports Review until Colgate picked him up as sponsor. In 1941, the series moved to the NBC Red Network. The Colgate Sports Newsreel was more entertainment than sports announcing. Stern was a storyteller through and through, and many listened just to hear his tales. This popular series ended in 1951 after Colgate dropped sponsorship. Some form of the program continued until 1956. Bill Stern died in Rye, New York in 1971.



October 9, 1943 Land of the Lost

Isabel Manning HewsonBeginning as a local New York area children's series on radio, Land of the Lost became an instant hit thanks to its writer/producer, Isabel Manning Hewson (left), even as the series moved to network radio over the Blue Network. This is partly due to its talented creator, who would also oversea the storyline of a credit book version of this series and later a film. The Land of the Lost was an enchanted kingdom at the bottom of the sea with its white sands and pearly castles where things that were lost by listeners would find their way to the kingdom. It included the Street of Lost Shoes and the city of Lead, Pencilvania. Two main characters, Isabel (named after its creator) and Billy were led to the kingdom by Red Lantern, a talking fish, portrayed for a while by the actor Art Carney. The series lasted for several years moving to ABC, then Mutual and back to ABC ending in 1948.







October 19, 1937 Big Town

John Dunning called Big Town "perhaps the most famous series of reporter dramas." Premiering over CBS Radio, the early series (there were two) starred the Hollywood actor Edward G. Robinson as Steve Wilson along with Clair Trevor as his sidekick and Society editor, Lorelei Kilbourne. Edward G. RobinsonThe show was initially created around these two actors, though Trevor was then a young budding actress appearing in movies as well as radio. Producer-Director-Writer Jerry McGill had been a newspaperman and wrote the series about a crusading managing editor of the Illustrated Press. McGill took his show to heart writing stories about juvenile delinquency, drunk driving and racism, though the show was at worst melodramatic at best poignant. Hard-nosed editor, Wilson, as played by Robinson would get the story no matter what it takes. Though sometimes over the top, Robinson was excellent in his role. The stories were well written and directed by William N. Robson as well as McGill. The skill of this group shows in making the series very good radio. The show was a big promoter of the free press and the first amendment with its opening sequence:

"Freedom of the press is a flaming sword! Use it justly...hold it high...guard it well!"

The second series began immediately in the 1943 season when the production moved from Hollywood to New York. Robinson left (Trevor left two years earlier as her career starting taking off) and McGill reorganized the series placing Edward Pawley in the role of Wilson opposite Fran Carlon as Lorelei. Pawley's Wilson was more mellifluous compared to the rather nasty Robinson. The series' success continued on radio until 1952 leaving only the television version (which began in 1950). (Thanks to Robert G. Corder, author of a biography of Edward Pawley.)



October 20, 1930 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

When a young actress, who was a devoted fan of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, approached the National Broadcasting Company with two scripts she had written from two Holmes' stories she had adapted, Edith Meisershe was told that while the scripts were good the chance of finding a sponsor was slim. Dramas were not popular while Comedy and Music programs ruled. Undaunted, she pitched her idea to a number of ad agencies until she hit upon one company, G. Washington Coffee, a maker of instant coffee, bought into the new concept.

Thus began a long relationship with radio for Meiser though sponsors and networks would change. Sherlock Holmes became one of the most popular detective dramas ever on radio. Though the first audio that exists is from 1933, the series began on this day in 1930. The first episode starred the stage actor, William Gillette, but he was replaced by episode two with Richard Gordon as Holmes and Leigh Lovell as Watson.

NOVEMBER

November 2, 1933 Myrt and Marge

Historian John Dunning called Myrt and Marge "one of the first important dramatic serials of radio." Premiering on this day as an evening series once a week over CBS, this soap opera was written by one of its stars, Myrtle Vail Myrt and Marge(with help from Cliff Thomas) about two chorus girls who competed for the same roles and men in their daily lives. Also starring Donna Dameral as Margie. In 1937, it moved to the mornings as a true daytime serial five times a week. Later Helen Mack would take over the role of Margie in 1941. The series continued on CBS until 1939 when it moved to Mutual, then finally into syndication in 1946. Myrtle Vail herself was a former vaudevillian, who with her husband were poverty stricken when they lost everything in the 1929 crash. Turning to radio she came up with the story idea based partly on her own life casting her daughter in the role of Margie. Myrtle was Myrtle Spear and her daughter was Margie Minter and the show was sponsored by the Wrigley Company which had not previously been involved in radio. Of course, the last names were based on the "spearmint" gum product! Myrtle Vail's daughter, Donna, died suddenly in 1941 during childbirth and Helen Mack stepped into the role but by 1947, the series had lost its edge and died.



November 7, 1932 Buck Rogers in the Twenty-fifth Century

Buck Rogers Cast

The journey began on Wednesday, November 7, 1932 when NBC launched a new series, Buck Rogers in the Twenty-fifth Century. First heard on CBS as a 15 minute serial, the series was an important early step in the development of juvenile adventure serials based on comic strips. The opening year was sponsored by Kellogg. When Buck Rogers awakes from a 500 year sleep, he finds himself in the 25th century. Along with his new friends, Wilma Deering and Dr. Huer, the scientist, Buck took them to distant galaxies. He fought many enemies, including two arch-nemeses, Killer Kane and Ardala Valmar. Curtis Arnall was Buck, Edgar Stehli was Dr. Huer and Adele Ronson portrayed Wilma Dearing. The series was produced first by Carlo De Angelo and then by veteran radio producer, writer, director, Jack Johnstone, who also produced much of the Johnny Dollar series during the Bob Bailey years. Later, Johnstone recalled that the sound effects included using the building's air conditioning as the sound of the rocket. Special effects were handled by Ora Nichols, who was the first woman to be in charge of sound effects.

The series went through 4 versions - the first beginning in 1932 through 1936. The second began in 1939 over the Mutual Broadcasting System still in its 15 minute format, but returned within a few months as a 30 minute once-a-week program. But by mid-year, 1940, the show was finished. However, in 1946 it returned as a 15 minute serial again over Mutual and sponsored by Popsicle. This lasted until 1947 when it left the air, never to return.



November 12, 1940 Mandrake, the Magician

Mandrake, the Magician comes from the pages of the comics originally, a comic strip created by Lee Falk. Mandrake and his able assistant/servant, Lothar resided in a "house of mystery and many secrets." The show opened with Mandrake invoking his chant, "invoco legem Magicarum" which moved the story forward. Raymond Edward Johnson portray Mandrake, who like the Shadow was educated in Tibet. This kids' show was fifteen minutes long and on three days a week during the early war years.



November 15, 1941 British Carrier, Ark Royal is sunk

In the news this month, we stop on Monday, November 15, 1941 with an announcement that Nazi Germany has sunk the British fleet carrier, Ark Royal. This was the ship that "could not be sunk" and was involved in the sinking of the German ship that "could not be sunk" - the Bismarck. In fact the Ark Royal was hit by a Luftwaffe pilot, prompting the British to announce it had been sunk. Actually, it had only been damaged, but several days later was hit by a German U-boat. Due to crew negligence, the damage was not contained, and the ship sunk with the loss of only one crewman. The Germans then proudly announced they already knew it had been sunk because the BBC had previously announced it.



November 21, 1944 Roy Rogers Show

When Roy Rogers came to radio after his successful film career, Radio Life said Rogers was "shy, drawling, courteous" and the boyish charm projected on the show did not keep him from facing up to the bad guys he encountered. Roy Rogers ShowHe was a singing cowboy following the trail of rival Gene Autry. Rogers was born Leonard Sly of Cincinnati, Ohio, but he became a cowboy early in his career. He was married to a woman named Arlene, who died in 1946 before he was joined by singer Dale Evans, whom he later married. The show was for kids, but had an uplifting charm about it that made it a hit. The early episodes were sponsored by Goodyear Tire and Rubber and did not include Gabby Hayes or Pat Butrum. This episode is from that period though the photo reflects Evans, Buttrum, Rogers and Hayes at the microphone.






November 22, 1963 President Kennedy Assassinated

On this day modern tragedy struck the American people as we witnessed the death of our president. Shot to death in Dallas, Texas as he was traveling to a location to give a speech, John F. Kennedy died at Parkland Hospital. At first the reports were of "shots fired," but the bulletins continued to role in and the depth of tragedy gradually sank in as we heard that the President had been killed. For many, the Kennedy aura and youth brought feelings of hope and renewal. John and Jacqueline were the closest we came to royalty within this country. For others, the man was a demagogue. But despite our feelings about the man himself, we all felt the loss on this day. On board Air Force One as the body was being returned to Washington, Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president in a tearful ceremony. Most of us watched those awful images on television as the body was returned. But it was on radio that that we caught those first terrible moments. This collage of reports from Dallas radio station WBAP demonstrates the development over time and the realization of just what occured.










November 23, 1958 Have Gun Will Travel

There were a few shows that actually moved from television to radio. As dramatic radio was beginning its death knell in the middle fifties, one series, Have Gun Will Travel began on television but because of its popularity, the powers that be thought it might be successful on radio too. Given that dramatic radio was being mishandled during this time, the series did not last long. CBS brought the series to radio on this date. It lasted two years. The radio version was like its tv twin with the lead character Paladin strongly opposed to evil-doers. But with John Dehner as the radio Paladin the character was different from Richard Boone's TV version. Dehner portrayed a stronger softer side to the character. Unlike Gunsmoke's Matt Dillon (both series were directed by Norman MacDonnell and Frank Paris) who was more of a "loveable bear," Dehner's Paladin bordered on the effete, yet surprisingly he showed himself tough when confronting the enemy. This paradox resulted in a highly interesting character. The series itself was well done utilizing all of the production staff of the Gunsmoke series, but just too late for radio to survive. Regular characters appearing included Hey Boy portrayed by Ben Wright and Miss Wong by Virginia Gregg. Sound effects were by Ray Kemper and Tom Hanley who were also involved in the sound patterns heard on Gunsmoke. The announcer was Hugh Douglas. To keep production costs of the radio series down, the tv theme, written by Johnny Western, was not used to avoid royalty payments.

DECEMBER

December 2, 1932 Charlie Chan

The early thirties brought intrigue and mystery to radio listeners. Stories with exotic locales and exotic music were very popular to the radio listener. One series, full of intrigue, murder and mayhem, premiered on this day. The series starred an oriental detective along with his number one son. Charlie Chan and his first radio case was heard on NBC Blue sponsored by Esso starring Walter Connolly. Moving to Mutual briefly before returning to NBC, the first run ended in 1938. Then in 1944 it reappeared with Ed Begley in the main role on NBC sponsored by Lever Brothers. Santos Ortega finished the role later in the run. Well-known science fiction writer, Alfred Bester wrote for the latter series.

Charlie Chan was the creation of Earl Derr Biggers, a newspaper and magazine writer, born in Warren, Ohio . His character became popular through its serializations in The Saturday Evening Post and increased its popularity in the thirties mostly from the movie run which began in 1931. The radio series was partly the result of that popularity.



December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor Bombed!

The day that will live in infamy. On this day, the Japanese Imperial Air Force attacked Pearl Harbor, bringing the United States into the World War. Click to read and hear much more about this fateful day.












December 7, 1942 World News Today

News of the World from CBS Radio on the one year anniversary of Pearl Harbor. The United States is fully engaged in war and have troops, along with the British, in Africa in Algiers. They are moving swiftly to meet Rommel's troops who have retreated to Tripoli. Reports from Algiers and other places around the world along with news of the war in general read by John Daly.



December 11, 1944 Chesterfield Supper Club

Over the years, Chesterfield Cigarettes had sponsored a number of musical variety shows including Fred Waring and Johnny Mercer. On this day in 1944 another one of their sponsored musical variety shows, Chesterfield Supper Club, began with announcer Martin Block and a regular soloist. This soundbite hosts Johnny Johnson as soloist. Others later included Jo Stafford, Perry Como, and Peggy Lee. Orchestras over the life of the show included Glenn Miller's with Tex Beneke, Mitch Ayres, Paul Weston and others. The series was heard weeknights at 7:00 PM over NBC as a fifteen minute series. It was heard on the air until 1949.










December 31, 1944 Andrews Sisters - Eight to the Bar Ranch

Andrews SistersAfter many appearances on various radio shows and in films, the Andrews Sisters finally came to radio in their own musical vehicle called the Eight to the Bar Ranch in which they opened a dude ranch out west. The show was really a vehicle for their singing and acting with the help of Gabby Hayes and various well-known guests including Bing Crosby. Gabby gave it a western flavor, but the show was mainly all Andrews Sisters with their guests. The second year, the series was renamed the N-K Musical Show to reflect their new sponsor Nash-Kelvinator. By the end of the war, the series disolved as did the whole sister act as they moved on to separate projects with occasional reunions.


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