Corey's Ramblings

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

25 More Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 13: More Shopping with Jack Benny (1944)

Jack Benny has a very special place in the history of radio. In his long running show on radio, he had more than a few Christmas episodes. Two years ago, I featured two episodes that were focused on shopping (Christmas Shopping with Jack Benny). What I wanted to do was showcase Jack Benny - but also celebrate (one day late) Frank Sinatra's birthday. Sinatra was born 101 years ago yesterday - December 12, 1915. And while it was a small appearance - it made for a great episode for this series! Here is a link to all the previous OTR Christmas entries. If you have Sirius/XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). He does a great job of showcasing great holiday themed episodes, especially as we get close to Christmas.

Jack Benny Statue (Waukegan, Illinois) - October 15, 2016

Jack Benny Statue - Waukegan, Illinois - October 2016

The Jack Benny Program was a national treasure and it is great that we have so many recordings. Staring in the show was Jack Benny, a vaudeville performer who seemed to hit it big over the airways. Mary Livingstone played second fiddle (no pun intended) to her real life husband. She apparently had horrible stage fright, but hardly shows it as the straight person to many of Jack Benny's jokes. Eddie Anderson played Rochester, Jack's valet and chauffeur. He was one of the earliest African-Americans on mainstream radio and was one of the most loved characters on the show. Don Wilson was the show announcer and did the commercials. He was the constant butt of jokes, primarily about his weight. Irish Tenor Dennis Day (who was on the 1948 show) also had a show of his own. Besides being a 'dim bulb' in all the skits, he also sang a song on every episode. Phil Harris (who also had a show of his own) was the bandleader and the joker on the show. His real wife, Alice Faye would join him on the show as well. The last big name was Mel Blanc (of Bugs Bunny fame). Blanc (who ALSO had his own show) was one of the most famous character actors to play on the Jack Benny Show. He is very commonly the floorwalkers for the Christmas episodes. The shows are chock full of laughs, funny stories, corny jokes and great music.

An all-star cast gathered for the episode that aired on December 17, 1944. Its the week before Christmas and we find Jack getting ready for the holidays, including Rochester filling out Jack's Christmas Cards. When Jack Benny finds himself at a drugstore, Jack decides that he needs to try Sympathy Soothing Syrup. They make a running gag about spelling the name backwards - drawing on the commercials for Serutan (the laxative that is 'natures' spelled backwards). Frank Nelson plays the druggist at the 'old fashioned drug store'. Its so old that they have some products spelled frontwards. While at the drugstore, he runs into Frank Sinatra who reminds Jack that he promised to be on Sinatra's show the following day - and the take the opportunity to take jabs at each other!

Jack and Mary head out to the department store where Mel Blanc gets to play one of his most famous roles on this show - the floor walker at the department store. Jack wants to buy a present for his sister in Waukegan, Illinois - Jack's hometown. While at the store, Jack and Mary run into Joseph Kearns, who plays a confused customer who keeps asking Jack for advice on what to buy his wife! He also runs into Phil Harris who takes the opportunity poke fun at his boss! At the end of the program, there are two appeals. First, he tried to discourage unnecessary travel during the holidays so enlisted men could find space on buses and trains to head home for the holidays. Jack reminded us of a simple rule: "I promise you I will not travel unless my trip helps us win the war." Second, he encouraged people to purchase Christmas Seals (which was featured earlier in this series on the Cavalcade of America. Enjoy this wonderful episode from Jack Benny.

Lucky Strike Program Starring Jack Benny. December 17, 1944

Here are some links to programs relating to Jack Benny:

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2016) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2015) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2014)

Monday, December 12, 2016

25 More Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 12: Double Entry from Suspense

A Christmas story about accounting? Well sorta. In 1945, Suspense aired one of their best lighter episodes for the holidays that saw two big Hollywood actors play accountants and try to desperately keep one step ahead of the auditors at year's end. While the story is not about Christmas per se, altruism plays a big role for sure! Here is a link to all the previous OTR Christmas entries. If you have Sirius/XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). He does a great job of showcasing great holiday themed episodes, especially as we get close to Christmas.

John W. Thomas Statue (Centennial Park, Nashville, Tennessee) - April 2015

Among the very best shows that were broadcast during the Golden Age of Radio, the CBS Network's Suspense really stands out as one of the best of the best. Radio's "outstanding theater of thrills" had a 20 year run on CBS - starting in 1942. In fact, the last Suspense episode in 1962 marks the end of the Golden Age of Radio. One of the reasons why I love listening to the early episodes is because I enjoy the sponsor, Roma Wines. Their commercials are the best - Salute! They had numerous Christmas episodes over the years, and I showcased 1943's Back for Christmas last year with the great Peter Lorre. Two years later, they featured Keenan Wynn and Hume Cronyn as accountants who might be in over their head!

In doing a bit of research for this entry, I discovered there was such a thing as an "Suspense Account" in accounting. So...according to the Accounting Coach, a suspense account is:

A suspense account is an account in the general ledger in which amounts are temporarily recorded. The suspense account is used because the proper account could not be determined at the time that the transaction was recorded.
When the proper account is determined, the amount will be moved from the suspense account to the proper account.

OK...on to the episode. This Suspense episode aired on December 20, 1945 and started movie actors Kennan Wynn and Hume Cronyn as best pals who work as accountants at a company facing their annual audit at the end of the year. Keenan Wynn plays Eddie, an accountant who is does not have a care in the world. But his best pal Sam (played by Hume Cronyn) has ulcers...and a secret. Seems a few years earlier, Sam might have...well...borrowed $100,000 from the company. He had been hiding them in the books over the last nine years, but he was convinced that this is the year he will get caught! Eddie is stumped! He had no idea how to fix this. Then, an inadvertent visit by a bookie, gave Eddie an idea. Bet $1000 on a long-shot, win and you can help out your best friend. But where to get $1000? Well, he can borrow it from the company....what could go wrong. And the long-shot's name? Altruism. Isn't that the spirit of the holidays? What could go wrong? Well everything. And just when things looked their darkest, a very surprising confession changes the fate of both accountant!

Wally Maher plays the bookie and Elliott Lews served as the announcer in this Robert Minton written script that was directed by William Spier. Lots of Christmas mentions in the ads for Roma Wines and a greeting from Wynn and Cronyn at the end. This script was used again four years later (December 22, 1949) with a bit more holiday focused. I love this episode, so that is why it is in this series. I hope you enjoy!

Double Entry (Suspense - December 20, 1945)

Here are some links to programs relating to Old Time Radio and Suspense:

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2016) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2015) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2014)

Sunday, December 11, 2016

25 More Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 11: A Radio Nutcracker

It's Nutcracker Weekend for me in Michigan, so I will go with a repeat here from last year that gives me a bit of time to catch up...and it is so very appropriate! What could be a better story for the holidays than the Nutcracker! Here is a gem from the Railroad Hour variety show when they broadcast their Christmas special in 1952. Here is a link to all the previous OTR Christmas entries. If you have Sirius/XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). He does a great job of showcasing great holiday themed episodes, especially as we get close to Christmas.

Ann Arbor Dance Classics Nutcracker Rehearsal 2016 (Milan High School, Michigan)

Ann Arbor Dance Classics Production of the Nutcracker
Milan (Michigan) High School December 2016

A ballet is a hard thing to convey via the radio. But that was just what happened in 1952 when the Railroad Hour broadcast their Christmas Party on December 22nd of that year. The Railroad Hour is a classic variety show that was sponsored by the Association Of American Railroads and was on the NBC Network. This show features great songs and music and Gordon MacRae was the longtime host. Ironically, it never was an hour (as far as I can tell). This episode is 30 minutes.

From their site - you can read that the Association of American Railroads (or AAR):

America's freight railroads operate the safest, most efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound freight transportation system in the world — and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) is committed to keeping it that way. Founded in 1934, AAR is the world's leading railroad policy, research, standard setting, and technology organization that focuses on the safety and productivity of the U.S. freight rail industry. AAR Full members include the major freight railroads in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. AAR Railroad Affiliate and Associate Members include non-Class I and commuter railroads, rail supply companies, engineering firms, signal and communications firms, and rail car owners.

This show is called Christmas Party and is hosted by Gordon MacRae. Included among the stars on the program (from the great RadioGOLDINdex) are: Dorothy Kirsten, Noreen Corcoran, , Marvin Miller (announcer), Carmen Dragon (conductor), Norman Luboff (choir director) and Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee as writers (pretty sure that we are not talking about THAT Robert E. Lee). This musical variety show has great Christmas carols, including the 12 days of Christmas, Silent Night, O Holy Night, among others. The reason I wanted to showcase this today was the Nutcracker portion of the Christmas party. In the second half of the program, they created a radio version of the Nutcracker, with words set to the great Tchaikovsky music. Hope you enjoy the great music from this episode. Bet you did not know that the Nutcracker had words!

Christmas Party (December 22, 1952)

Here are some links to programs relating to the Railroad Hour:

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2016) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2015) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2014)

Saturday, December 10, 2016

25 More Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 10: Christmas Shopping with Casey, Crime Photographer

Stepping away from the comedies for a bit, so that puts us my crime and mystery! Lets visit Casey and listen to a crime series at the holidays. In last year's blog, I showcased Santa Claus of Bums' Boulevard (Casey Crime Photographer). This year, we return to Casey and we learn the lesson that not all crimes are equal. This year's episode features a known crook, who gets fingered for something that he did not do! This is exactly when you need a photographer to help you out! Here is a link to all the previous OTR Christmas entries. If you have Sirius/XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). He does a great job of showcasing great holiday themed episodes, especially as we get close to Christmas.

Shopping in Bugis Street - Singapore (May 2015)

Casey, Crime Photographer is the crime series as features...as you could imagine...a guy named Casey who is...anyone...a photographer for a newspaper. He is joined out and about in the city finding stories with reporter Ann Williams. The show almost always opens and closes at the Blue Note Tavern and their great bartender Ethelbert. The voice talent was primarily Staats Cotsworth as Casey, Jan Miner as Ann Williams and John Gibson as Ethelbert the bartender. Despite being part of the CBS Network, these are not brilliant shows. I love them because they have a charm that comes with the opening and closing conversations at the Blue Note. It is a great frame for these programs and I think gives it a bit more than what one might imagine.

I really enjoy this series for a goofy reason. If you knew anything about me, you would know that I am an avid photographer, so when I find another one out there - we have something in common. This is true of people in both fiction and non-fiction. So one of the great radio characters I found was Casey, Crime Photographer. I love the idea of following a cameraman through the rough streets of the city. The series was sponsored by Anchor Hocking glass company of Lancaster, Ohio.

Casey and Annie are moving slowly through a department store getting some last minute gifts for family. Oh they should have planned in advance! When Casey spots "Fingers" Fogharty, one of the best pick-pocket in town, in the crowd at the store, Casey actually sees a crime in progress. When Casey and Annie tell the victim that he was pick-pocketed....they were surprised at the response. The person was not interested not concerned. So when that same pickpocket gets arrested for spending money that was marked as a kidnapping ransom payment, Casey and Annie know something's rotten in the city. The cast includes Tony Marvin (announcer), Herman Chittison (piano), and Lesley Woods. The Christmas script was written by Alonzo Deen Cole. Enjoy - and watch out when you are in Christmas shopping crowds!

Christmas Shopping (Casey, Crime Photographer - December 19, 1946)

Here are additional links to Casey, Crime Photographer items on the web.

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2016) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2015) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2014)

Friday, December 9, 2016

25 More Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 9: Looking for a Christmas Tree with Fibber McGee & Molly

One of the difficult decisions during the holiday season can be when to buy a Christmas tree. If you are buying a live tree, you need to make sure you do not buy it too early. If you wait to late, you might not get the selection. Such is the problem that befell Fibber McGee and Molly as they raced all over their town looking for a tree on their Christmas Episode of 1943. Last year, I featured their problems with a Record Player for Gildy (1940). There are so many great holiday episodes from this classic American comedy series, it is hard to choose! I think you will like this one for sure. Here is a link to all the previous OTR Christmas entries. If you have Sirius/XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). He does a great job of showcasing great holiday themed episodes, especially as we get close to Christmas.

Squirrels Outside the Michigan State Capitol (Lansing, Michigan) - December 7, 2015

Squirrel in the Christmas Tree at the Michigan State Capitol (Lansing, Michigan)
December 7, 2015

Fibber McGee & Molly had one of the most famous addresses in all of popular culture. 79 Wistful Vista was their home for the entire run. I heard that they never bothered to give Fibber McGee or Molly a job - so they could use artistic freedom to put them in any scenario possible! This series is one of the all-time classic radio comedies, running from 1935 through the fifties. 1935 was also when Fibber McGee and Molly started - and they received some good reviews right off the bat:

Fibber McGee and Molly - Billboard - April 27, 1935 (page 10)

Fibber McGee, aided by his wife and heckler, Molly, Contributes a funny and enjoyable program, one, in fact, that is likely to send the name of the team into the higher bracketed radio field. In common with other radio acts, the Fibber isn't actually a new wrinkle - he is sort of an Irish Baron Munchausen - but with the combination of a good delivery with good materials insures success. First show was well paced and liberally sprinkled with laughs.

From the WMAQ studios in Chicago, Jim and Marian Jordan starred in over 1600 shows as their alter egos, though only a fraction survive today. During the early years, they were sponsored by Johnson Wax, headquartered in nearby Racine, Wisconsin. They were a staple of the NBC Network and one of the most famous voices from Old Time Radio.

Today, we feature the Christmas episode from Fibber McGee & Molly that was broadcast 73 years ago this month, on December 21, 1943. Billy Mills and his Orchestra gets the show started with a rousing performance of Oklahoma. (So if the Mrs. is reading this - it will all make sense why I was humming it this morning). We find ourselves in the days before Christmas and Fibber McGee & Molly are learning some very important business and economic lessons about both supply & demand and scarcity pricing. While Fibber was certain that everyone was charging too much early on for trees, he was seething mad about the prices as the lots thinned out. He was so outraged that he made a comment that perked up my librarian ears upon hearing the price of the last tree in one lot:

Twelve BUCKS! $12 for that sad looking cedar? Why that cone carrier has more broken branches than the Berlin Public Library

Just when all hope was lost for having a Christmas tree in their house this year, the true spirit of the holidays was revealed from their friends and neighbors. They closed the show with Teeny and "The King's Men" singing a version of "The Night Before Christmas" which was first aired on the show the year before. Teeny of course is voiced by Marian Jordan. Joining her in the cast were: Jim Jordan, Harlow Wilcox, The King's Men, Billy Mills and His Orchestra, Ransom Sherman, Shirley Mitchell, & Arthur Q. Bryan. I hope your Christmas tree shopping goes more smoothly, but has an equally happy ending.

Looking for a Christmas Tree (Fibber McGee & Molly - December 21, 1943)

Here are some links to programs relating to Fibber McGee and Molly:

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2016) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2015) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2014)

Thursday, December 8, 2016

25 More Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 8: Miracle in Manhattan from the Columbia Workshop (1941)

With the 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I wanted to showcase a show that was broadcast in that difficult Christmas of 1941, just over three weeks after the United States declared war on the Axis Powers. So I saw this episode from the great series Columbia Workshop called Miracle in Manhattan. What is not to like about that. Just turns out that it had a very familiar story line....very, very familar! Here is a link to all the previous OTR Christmas entries. If you have Sirius/XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). He does a great job of showcasing great holiday themed episodes, especially as we get close to Christmas.

Various Shots of the Garment District (New York City) - August 2014

Picture of New York's Garment District from 2014

The Columbia Workshop was a staple of the CBS Network from 1936 through 1942 and from 1946 through 1947. According the Rob Lackmann's Encylcopedia of American Radio, the Columbia Workshop was designed "to develop new writing talent for radio and to experiment with innovative techniques for presenting drama on the medium." One of the most creative voices from the Columbia Workshop was Norman Corwin, though he did not work on this episode.

So yesterday on my blog, I featured Duffy's Tavern and the stranger who took Archie around the neighborhood and showed what was possible at the holidays. Well, maybe the stranger showed what was possible all year long, but I digress. So when I started listening to Miracle in Manhattan, it immediately struck me that it sounded familiar. It was one of the featured Christmas programs on CBS as reported in Variety on December 17, 1941 (p.44):

Number of special Christmas shows will be broadcast this year by CBS. Virtually all the regular network series will observe the holidays in some fashion, but among the specially planned season programs will be 'Miracle in Manhattan,' written and directed by Charles Vanda with Ed Gardner for 'Columbia Workshop.'

So where I am going with this - by now your figured this out. 'Miracle in Manhattan' is the early version of the script we showcased yesterday. As Ed Gardner developed the Archie character on different shows, he used it on the Columbia Workshop. There are many elements that are virtually the same. There are some great twists to the opening phone call that Archie received for sure.

Duffy's Tavern, where the elite meet to eat. Archie the manager speaking. Duffy ain't here. Oh, hello Duffy. What am I doing? I'm in the Columbia Workshop. What am I in for? Duffy, I said Work-SHOP. Yeah. Tonight I am a artist. Yeah. An Actor. Were doing a thing called 'Miracle in Manhattan.' What do you mean, if its good it will be a miracle? Duffy, you ain't got no Christmas spirit, that's all. Who's idea is it? Well, it's Columbia's Western Program Director, he dreamed it up. Yeah - Charlie Vanda - he's a friend of mine. Came to New York on a bus, on a busman's holiday from Hollywood. He's directing it too. Well, I don't know, it starts like all Christmas plays, the band plays Silent Night, and we're into it.

One of the key differences is that they are moving around town in a cab - since that is his job. But there are some great features that really warrant having this show up in the blog as well. One of the great aspects of this episode is the car horn chorus of "Silent Night."

The Columbia Workshop always did a great job with their programs - and this is certainly no exception. Even though it is just like yesterday's program, to see a story develop from concept to a regular series is a great way to view the history of radio.

The Miracle in Manhattan (Columbia Workshop - December 21, 1941)

Here are some links to programs relating to Old Time Radio and Columbia Workshop:

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2016) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2015) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2014)