Monday, November 21, 2016

Recipes and Radio: Mel Blanc's Thanksgiving Party (Thanksgiving Old Time Radio)

My third entry of Recipes and Radio in honor of Thanksgiving.  First, the recipe (and it's not for a Thanksgiving salami)!

Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is a staple for the holidays.  For many years, we just used canned sauce, which I still like.  But a few years ago, we tried to make it at home and it was very easy.  You make it a few days in advance and chill it unit Thanksgiving.  When your guests notice no lines on the cranberry sauch, it will be a win for you!  Oh, and I love the taste for sure.  Follow this link for the recipe.

Now, about the Mel Blanc Show.  Mel Blanc has been a regular on The Jack Benny Show and many others when you needed many voices covered.  This served him well with all the voices he did for Warner Brothers and their Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig cartoons.  In September 1946, he aired the first episode of the Mel Blanc Show.  It was sponsored by Colgate Tooth Powder and ran for one year (only 42 episodes).  The show itself was a formulaic radio comedy - but I think it worked very well with Mel Blanc's wide range of characters.

The show stared Mel Blanc who was the owner of the aptly named 'Mel Blanc's Fix-It Shop,' He had a handyman named Zooky (also voiced by Blanc) who stuttered to no end.  Other characters in the show include his sweetheart and fiance was Betty Colby (Mary Jane Croft), her father (played by Joseph Kearns) and many others.  Besides the Fix-it Show and Mr. Colby's store, many of the scenes focused on the lodge Mel was a member of, The Benevolent Order of Loyal Zebras.  Their password when leaving the company of another Zebra was "Ugga Ugga Boo Ugga Boo Boo Ugga." It all creates a sweet world where comedy lives large. The funny thing is to hear Joseph Kearns in a comedy - something that he normally does do.

As the show only ran one season, there is only on Thanksgiving show to share, but it is quite enjoyable.  The focus of the episode is that Mel is trying to get in good graces with Betty's father (Mr. Colby) on the night before Thanksgiving.  And while he did not have the traditional turkey, he had all the traditional accompanyments.  And at the center of the meal, a lovely Thanksgiving salami!  Mr. Colby did not approve of the change in the traditional menu.  But that is the least of Mel's problems as an employee of Mr. Colby's store makes a play for Betty!  But as is often the case, the story ends with a happy ending, wrapped up in only 30 minutes.  And when you find out there a good reason why there is a salami at the center of the table, you realize the true meaning of Thanksgiving.  This episode also include Hans Conried, The Sportsmen and Victor Miller and His Orchestra.  




Here are some links to programs relating to The Mel Blanc Show:
Recipes and Radio Episodes and Other Links

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