Corey's Ramblings

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 5: Mailing Packages with Fibber McGee and Molly (1940)

Celebrating the holidays this year by highlighting a different Christmas episodes from Old Time Radio by showcasing a program a day (well, I will try). I expect to have some repeats, but also some new shows featured as well. If you have Sirius XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). Or you can see my previous OTR Christmas entries (or drop to the bottom of this message).

We are heading to one of the most famous addresses in all of popular culture. 79 Wistful Vista - the home of Fibber McGee and Molly. This radio situation comedy was one of the longest running shows on the air, starting back in 1935 and continuing as its own 30 minute show through 1956 before spending two or so years as a brief segment over NBC on their Monitor Program. There are so many different episodes to choose from from this great series that showcase Christmas and all the activities that are part of the holidays. I have already featured this episode twice before (and likely once again this year) Looking for a Christmas Tree with Fibber McGee & Molly (1943) & Fibber McGee and Molly's Phonograph (1940).

Cosmo the Cat Enjoying Christmas Packages - from December 2015

Some things about Christmas shopping has changed a great deal over the last 75 years. But some things have not changed all that much. When we are purchasing gifts for family far away, it involves a trip to the Post Office (or the UPS store or the Fed Ex Store, etc.). Such was the situation that Fibber McGee and Molly found themselves during the episode that first aired on December 10th, 1940. They arrive at the Post Office to get their packages off in the mail, but are immediately met with a very long line..really long.

It reminds me of the line that I recently stood in when I was traveling to India - the immigration line at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India. It would have taken hours to get through - and I did not have that time before my connection. So I did what others did - worked my way to the top. No one seemed to mind and I made my connection. I was hesitant in squeezing my way to the front of the line because that is just not how we do things in the States. But it seems to be OK in India - and again, I made my connection, so all is well.

I bring this up because Fibber McGee and Molly are thinking about a way to cut their line short at the Post Office - and the other people in line did not take kindly to their attempts. So they waited, and waited, and waited. That did give the writers an opportunity for them to meet up with all of the regular characters like Teeny, The Old Timer, Mrs. Abigail Uppington after seeing Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve before they left. But their patience was rewarded when they got to the front of the line...well, almost. Joining Jim and Marian Jordan in this show were announcer Harlow Wilcox, Harold Peary, Bill Thompson, Isabel Randolph aw well as The King's Men and Billy Mills and His Orchestra.

I hope you enjoy this episode, and have an easier time mailing packages to loved ones this year!

Mailing Presents with Fibber McGee and Molly (December 10, 1940)

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

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2017) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2016)

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

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2014)

Monday, December 4, 2017

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 4: Kraft Music Hall with Bing Crosby (1942)

Santa paying a visit in 2000!

The Kraft Music Hall made its debut on the NBC radio network in 1933 and would be a staple in their entertainment lineup for around 17 years. They used this variety show to sell all the Kraft Food products, especially their cheeses and Velveeta. From the Wikipedia article, there were very careful in this show to have the announcers make the commercials for the Kraft products, not the stars. This could be a distinct difference between Kraft Music Hall and others that used the stars to hawk the goods.

On December 24th, 1942, the Kraft Music Hall was hosted by Bing Crosby in an hour-long special for the holidays. Joining Bing was Fay Bainter, Janet Blair, Jack Carson and Andrew Tombes. They were joined by announcer Ken Carpenter, John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra, The Music Maids and The Charioteers. The program opens with Bing Crosby singing Adeste Fideles in Latin and English. We know this beautiful carol as "Come All Ye Faithful."

Jack Carson was talking fondly about his days in retail sales - and their new store where they only sell items that cannot be acquired during the war. At one point, Jack Carson tells a customer "I hope you don't see anything you like - but if you do, I am sure we don't have it." While played for laughs, it is interesting to see how people put up with shortages that were commonplace during World War II. This show features the standard fare of comedy and music to get people ready for Christmas. Bing also sings the contemporary hit "Why Don't You Fall in Love with Me?"

One of the nice parts of the show was Fay Bainter reading the famous letter from the New York Sun back in 1887 too see if there was indeed a Santa Claus. The great editorial by Francis P. Church has been shared over and over again since. Thanks to the Newseum, we have the text of the letter. They had her on the shows in year's past, but it is great to hear that wonderful reading of Church's editorial - found here:

DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

VIRGINIA O’HANLON.
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

In the second half, there is a dramatic...well comic telling of Santa getting readying for his long night of work. The interesting twist is that Santa has kids...and they are 'helping' him get prepared to give gifts to everyone - especially the movie stars that are on his travels. For more Bing, see my earlier blog posting on other Christmas episodes he recorded. I hope you enjoy this wonderful episode from 75 years ago.

Kraft Music Hall (December 24, 1942)

Here are some links to programs relating to Kraft Music Hall:

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2017) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2016)

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

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2014)

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 3: Kraft Music Hall with a Melancholy Santa (1947)

Celebrating the holidays this year by highlighting a different Christmas episodes from Old Time Radio by showcasing a program a day (well, I will try). I expect to have some repeats, but also some new shows featured as well. If you have Sirius XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). Or you can see my previous OTR Christmas entries (or drop to the bottom of this message).

I want to showcase a number of holiday specials on musical or variety programs this year. There might be no better way to start than with the Kraft Music Hall's Christmas show on December 25th, 1947. In all my blog entries, I have never showcased this great long-standing series that aired over NBC from 1933 through 1949 and featured the likes of Bing Crosby, Nelson Eddy, and the one hosting this featured episode - Al Jolson. But I was not drawn to the episode for Jolson or their primary guest (Boris Karloff), but for the great pianist and wit - Oscar Levant.

Squirrels on a Snowy Winter's Day at the University of Michigan (February 4, 2015) - He was drawn to the giant peanut from Planters - a division of Kraft Foods.

The Kraft Music Hall made its debut on the NBC radio network in 1933 and would be a staple in their entertainment lineup for around 17 years. They used this variety show to sell all the Kraft Food products, especially their cheeses and Velveeta. From the Wikipedia article, there were very careful in this show to have the announcers make the commercials for the Kraft products, not the stars. This could be a distinct difference between Kraft Music Hall and others that used the stars to hawk the goods,

On December 25th, 1947, the Kraft Music Hall was hosted by Al Jolson with his sidekick, the great Oscar Levant. In the first part of the half hour show, the content was mostly Al singing and Oscar playing the piano - with jokes and ads in between. Al Jolson starts with "Is it True What They Say About Dixie?" and later sings "Melancholy Baby" Jolson also complained that while opening Christmas gifts this morning, he did not notice anything from Oscar under the tree! Oscar quipped that Al no only owns everything he needs - but also all the stores. Later on, Al would joke that Santa writes to him!

The special guest on his show was Boris Karloff, who was playing Santa Claus in Al Jolson's dream from Christmas Eve. Karloff was annoyed that everyone recognizes him only as the sinister characters he plays in the movies. So he wanted to play Santa Claus so the kids do not run and scream when they see him. He is trying to be like Santa to change the way he is viewed by others. And yet, he cannot shake everyone's association with the macabre. Karloff even gave Oscar a violin for Christmas, because he has heard him play the piano a bit too often. So maybe he is more macabre than melancholy - but it is fun either way. This is a fun Christmas episode with three titans of the entertainment industry. I hope you enjoy this stroll down memory lane.

Kraft Music Hall (December 25, 1947)

Here are some links to programs relating to Kraft Music Hall:

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2017) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2016)

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

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2014)

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 2: New World A Coming's Christmas Episode

For the fourth year, I am going to celebrate Christmas episodes from Old Time Radio by showcasing a program a day (well, I will try). I expect to have some repeats, but also some new shows featured as well. If you have Sirius XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). Or you can see my previous OTR Christmas entries (or drop to the bottom of this message).

I first highlighted this series earlier in the year when I focused on African Americans on Old Time Radio. It is a fascinating series called New World A Coming and it was broadcast over WMCA in New York City in the 1940s to showcase the contributions of that community in broader society. Over the last few episodes, we have heard representations of African American actors in service roles like valets and house-keepers. But thanks to this great series from Roi Ottley, we hear a different story over the radio in the 1940s to showcase the contributions of African Americans in all areas of society. As a personal reference, I remember always looking at the WMCA radio transmitter building near the New Jersey Turnpike on the Belleville Turnpike in the wetlands of Northern Jersey.

Visit to Central Park (New York City) - February 16 & 18, 2017

New World A Coming was a a ground breaking book by Roi Ottley in 1943. Ottley was a journalist who wrote for the Amsterdam News in the 1930s, where he gained a great understanding of the African American Community in New York, especially Harlem. He went to St. Bonaventure University before transferring to the University of Michigan where he studied journalism (Go Blue!) In 1943, Ottley wrote New World A-Coming, and provided an overview of life in Harlem from the 1920s and 30s. The book became a best seller and won the Peabody Award. The year after the book came out, WMCA in New York City produced a series with Ottley as the writer to share these stories to an even broader audience. The Amsterdam News would report the following story after the first episode aired:

"A New World" Holds Premier
S.W. Garlington, New York Amsterdam News (March 11, 1944), page 1

"With the sweeping fury of a resurrection - a new world is coming!" With this announcement last Sunday over WMCA the premier of the radio program "New World A-Coming" was introduced to the audience of the world's leading independent radio station. As the music started, one was reminded of "Mood Indigo," but instead it was "New World A-Coming," written by Duke Ellington for the series.

The program was both entertaining and informative. Even more, it did not pull punches in dramatizing injustices to the Negro and suggested a square deal on all fronts.
Canada Lee, famous actor, served as narrator, the student orchestra furnished the music and a host of actors relayed the various stories - bits of Americana one never seen in the daily press.

The City-Wide Citizens Community on Harlem sponsored the program - to run for 26 weeks - in hope of making democracy less of a dream and more of a reality. Columnist Dorothy Norman spoke for the committee. Roi Ottley, former Amsterdam-News staff writer and author of the best-selling NEW WORLD A-COMING, from which the series is based, also spoke.

Each Sunday, at 3:03 p. m., for the next 25 weeks. WMCA and the City-Wide Citizens Committee on Harlem and accompanying artists will present to the radio world a 27-minute program of entertainment and information, designed to reassure the fact that A NEW WORLD IS COMING.

On Christmas Eve in 1944, the episode that I am featuring was first aired. The episode shared a series of beautiful Christmas carols sung by Muriel Smith and the Boys Choir Of St. Phillips Church, including The First Noel, Hark the Herald Angel's Sing, Joy to the World and others. In between the songs, there were blunt commentaries by leaders of the African American community about the condition of this population, especially during war time. It is amazing to think about the progress we had made in the nearly 75 years since this episode aired. It is disheartening to think about the continued struggles that we continue to face. The commentaries were from Dr. Channing Tobias, Lester Granger, Roy Wilkins, and series creator Roi Ottley. Please enjoy this beautiful music and think about the progress we have yet to make in the States.

New World A Coming Christmas Episode (December 24, 1944)

Here are some links to programs relating to Old Time Radio and New World A Coming:

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2017) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2016)

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

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2014)

Friday, December 1, 2017

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 1: Candy Matson's Christmas Episodes

For the fourth time this year, I am going to celebrate Christmas episodes from Old Time Radio by showcasing a program a day (well, I will try). I expect to have some repeats, but also some new shows featured as well. If you have Sirius XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). Or you can see my previous OTR Christmas entries (or drop to the bottom of this message).

I need to catch up a bit, so I am going to start out with a repeat from a short-lived series that I really enjoy. Here are actually two from Candy Matson. These are great fun and definitely worth a listen.

Mission San Jose (Freemont, California) - Sunday April 21, 2013

There are a number of series set in San Francisco on old time radio: Sam Spade; Pat Novak For Hire; Have Gun, will Travel, just to name a few. One that you need to add to that list is a West Coast series run by NBC called Candy Matson, YUkon 2-8209. Candy Matson was voiced by Natalie Masters, who was heard in the mid 1950s on the Fibber McGee and Molly show. Candy Matson was the brainchild of her husband, producer Monty Master. The Digital Deli article (see the link below) cited that they never quite found the national audience and she never became a household name. Maybe having a female lead of a detective series was ahead of the times. Maybe it was too smart or the references were made too much to San Francisco elements that few outside the city could get (also from Digital Deli article). In the Jack Frost episode listed below, there were three reference to Lefty O'Doul and the San Francisco Seals (of the Pacific Coast League).

And while there are only a handful of episodes that are with us, we do have two Christmas shows to share. I need to dig around a bit, but it is interesting that in these episodes, it always starts with the phone ring and Candy giving her phone number (YUkon 2-8209). It is just like the way that Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar would open week after week. They both started doing that in 1949. You know that imitation is the dearest form of flattery! Candy is constantly joined by Mallard (a police lieutenant played by Henry Leff) and Rembrandt (a photographer played by Jack Thomas) in the adventures. It is a great series that is very well written - shame we only have a few examples.

There are two Christmas themed episodes that are among the 14 or so recordings that survive. On December 19, 1949, the episode "Jack Frost" aired. It is the holidays and things are crazy at Department Store. Candy's dear friend Myra is the Advertising Director at the store and is in a crisis when Jack Frost is missing! Jack Frost, Santa's helper, is missing and Myra is in a pinch! Who will the kids share their Christmas wishes with??? Candy talks her friend Rembrandt to play Jack Frost, but then they discover a plot filled with jealousy...and MURDER!

Jack Frost (December 19, 1949)

I will write up a few entries later next year on the interest in the old California Missions in Old Time Radio. One of these episodes will be Candy Matson's holiday episode that first aired on December 18, 1950. Candy, Rembrandt and Mallard head to San Juan Bautista to take a break from the city. While in town, they pay a visit to the old Mission. And while meeting a Father at the Mission, they are alerted to a tragic suicide. But upon examining the body, they discovered that it was actually a case....or MURDER!

San Juan Bautista (December 18, 1950)

Here are some links to programs relating to Candy Matson:

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2017) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2016)

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

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2014)