Corey's Ramblings

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 21: Burns and Allen Present Gracie's Christmas Carol (1936)

In all my years of showcasing Old Time Radio on my blog, I have never featured two of the most well known actors to grace the airwaves. Or should I say Gracie the airways. Fixing that right now with a show from the Burns and Allen Show back in 1936. The stars are George Burns and Gracie Allen - two of the most famous names on radio and two of the biggest stars during the Golden Age of Radio. If you have Sirius XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). It is particularly good this week with all Christmas themed programs. Or you can see my previous OTR Christmas entries (or drop to the bottom of this message).

240/365/970 (February 6, 2011) – Pam's Grandma's Polish Chicken Soup

Pam's Grandma's Polish Chicken Soup - WAY Better than Campbell's

New York born George Burns was a struggling vaudeville comedian when teamed up with a San Francisco born Gracie Allen back in the twenties. They would start off their career with Gracie being the straight man to George - but realized that they should flip their roles. When Gracie became the one who got all the laughs, Burns and Allen became a pair of stars! That stardom placed them on radio in the mid-1930s where they worked through the early 1950s on both CBS and NBC Programs. Over the years, their program was sponsored by a number of products including White Owl cigars, Cambell's Tomato Juice, Campbell's Soup Presents, Grape Nuts cereal, Chesterfield cigarettes, Hormel and Spam, and maybe their most well known product connection - Maxwell House Coffee. But today - we go back to one of their earliest episodes when they were sponsored by Campbell's Soup.

During their episode on December 23, 1936, they start with a discussion between Gracie and George about getting ready for the holidays. When Ken Niles asked Gracie if she is ready for Christmas - she answered: "My Christmas shopping sure its all done - just for buying the presents." They proceeded to talk about the good sense that comes from buying your gifts after the holidays - then you can buy exactly what they don't have. I guess it does take the mystery out of the experience. The program does start with a commercial by announcer Ken Niles for Campbell's Chicken Soup (mine is better)!

One of the fun sketches they do is Gracie's Christmas Carol. According to the Digital Deli, this is the second year they showcased Gracie's Christmas Carol on the program, but the episode from 1935 does not exist. On this episode, George plays Scrooge - and the three ghosts are Announcer Ken Niles (Christmas Past), Conductor Henry King (Christmas Present) and Tony Martin (Christmas Future). They do have a lot of fun at the expense of other radio stars of the time including Jack Benny, Fred Allen and Al Jolson. The music is supplied by Henry King and his Orchestra and Gracie Sings "I Love You From Coast to Coast." These are fun old programs - and this one is one of the earliest ones I ever featured on my blog. I hope you enjoy this and my series as it winds down on Christmas (or maybe the day after).

The Burns and Allen Show - December 23, 1936

Here are some links to programs relating to Burns and Allen:

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)

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 20: Other Wise Man on Mutual's Family Theater (1949)

So many important things come in threes.... These include strikes for a strike out, outs in an inning, the comedy rules of three...and on and on and on. One grouping of three that people remember are the number of wise men who came to visit the baby Christ on the day he was born. We Three Kings of Orient Are....but what if there was a fourth one? Well that is the premise this episode from the Mutual Family Theater from December 14th, 1949. If you have Sirius XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). It is particularly good this week with all Christmas themed programs. Or you can see my previous OTR Christmas entries (or drop to the bottom of this message).

St. Paul United Church of Christ (Saline, Michigan) - December 2011

The Mutual Family Theater is an anthology series that aired (as one might imagine) over the Mutual Network from 1947 through 1956. The program was the idea of Father Patrick Peyton, a Roman Catholic Priest, who wanted to provide wholesome stories that the entire family could enjoy. I came across an interesting scholarly article on the series (Phalen, Patricia F. "Profound sound: Family theater radio, 1947-1970." Journal of Radio Studies 11, no. 1 (2004): 116-130) that talked about how Father Peyton gathered up the talent to make this program. He insisted that the stars donate their services to make the program, which kept costs down. As they would cite during the start of the production:

The purpose of this series is to remind ourselves that there is a kind and merciful God who is always ready to help us; that we should declare our faith in him; acknowledge our obligations to Him, to our neighbors, and ourselves; tell Him our need, and ask His aid, through prayer.... The scripts will deal
with human problems in human terms. They will be simple, not ponderous; entertaining, not preachy; natural, not pretentious. (Family Theater Productions, 1947)

On December 14, 1949, the Family Theater stared Jeff Chandler in an adaptation of Henry Van Dyke's The Other Wise Man. Initially published in 1895, this short novel told the story of a fourth wise man, a priest named Artaban (played by Chandler). He carries three gifts of give to the newborn king - a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl. Misfortune awaits him which prevents him from joining the other three wise men. He never sees the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, and continues to search for him over 33 years. While he never gives his treasures to Jesus, he is able to distinguish himself with good deeds throughout his life.

The program is beautifully done and joining Jeff Chandler in the program were host Otto Kruger, and actors Norman Field, Gloria Hunter, Virginia Eiler, John Dehner, Robert Griffin, Harold Dryanforth, and Mary Lansing. I hope you enjoy this great program from the Mutual Family Theater.

The Other Wise Man - December 14, 1949

Original Text of The Other Wise Man (from Project Gutenberg)

Here are some links to programs relating to Mutual Family Theater:

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)

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 19: Fibber McGee Paints the Tree White (1945)

Many of us have our Christmas trees up and decorated by this time of year - but there are still so many questions to ask. Should you have a theme? Should you have a real one or an artificial? Do you need a special one for the kids? Should you paint it white? Paint it white? Well that was enough of a thing back in 1945 that it was featured as the theme during a holiday Fibber McGee and Molly program. If you have Sirius XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). It is particularly good this week with all Christmas themed programs. Or you can see my previous OTR Christmas entries (or drop to the bottom of this message).

This is the second time we visited 79 Wistful Vista this season (Mailing Packages with Fibber McGee and Molly (1940)). That address is 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).

Kinda White Christmas Trees - Saline, Michigan - January 2007

On December 18, 1945 over the NBC Network, the Fibber McGee and Molly show featured some last minute Christmas Tree trimming at the their house at 79 Wistful Vista. Fibber decides that he is tired of a boring old drab green tree and wants something fancy, special and modern! But maybe it has more to do with his feelings about Nature - which are captured brilliantly by announcer Harlow Wilcox in the opening:

There are certain people who simply won't admit that nature does anything right. They are the kind who gild cattails, paint "Whose little tootsie are you?" on the shells of baby turtles, and clip poodle dogs to look like anaemic lions. Here's one of those people now ... as we meet.........

FIBBER MCGEE AND MOLLY!

After finding out that it costs a whopping $10 to paint his Christmas tree white, Fibber McGee decides that he would be well served to do it himself. And as you might imagine - it goes as well as can be expected. The very first thing you should consider when decorating your tree is that you have the right location...and the right tree. But there is a silver lining to the mess he finds himself in. It is, after all, a season of sharing. The show also features Teeny and The King's Men singing "The Night Before Christmas." Joining Jim and Marian Jordan are Announcer Harlow Wilcox, Billy Mills and His Orchestra, Shirley Mitchell, Arthur Q. Bryan, and Bea Benaderet. The script was written by Don Quinn and Phil Leslie.

As a fan of the Bard, I did enjoy this middle commercial from the program:

Harlow Wilcox: (Dramatically) Is it not monstrous that this player here, seeing a lady forced to menial task -- and seeing such drudgery, would then dispense a thing called Johnson's Glo-Coat? Forsooth a goodly fluid, which spread upon the scullery linoleum, would thus eliminate the scrub. No rub! No buff! Just pour it on and in one third the time it takes for the hour glass to turn...it dries!

Fibber: If Shakespeare ain't in the public domain, this two-bit Orson Welles is gonna be sued for nine million bucks!

Harlow Wilcox: Ah, yes! It dries so mirror-like, it gleams. That porridge spilled, wiped off.

Leaves not a single spot. The labor saved, the hours gained, the beauty seen. Tis Glo-Coat, beloved by Chatelaine and serving wench alike. Your nearest dealer will...

Molly: Wait a minute, Mr. Wilcox. Is that in Hamlet?

Harlow Wilcox: (Himself again) My dear girl, it's in every hamlet, every village, every town, city and metropolis. Everyplace where a housewife takes pride in the appearance of her kitchen. And if I don't get back to the office in the next ten minutes, I'll find myself back in Chatauqua. So long, kids!

I hope you enjoy this wonderful visit to the 79 Wistful Vista and that your own tree decorations go more smoothly!

Fibber McGee and Molly - December 18, 1945
Radio Script (December 18, 1945)

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 18, 2017

Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 18: The Bishop's Wife on Lux Radio Theater (1949)

Recently on TCM, I was able to see The Bishop's Wife, the great 1947 film starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven. This is a great Christmas movie that features the Bishop, played by David Niven, struggling between the needs of the poor people in his community and his desire to build a grand new cathedral, especially with a sufficiently grand chapel to honor a local donor. That is where Cary Grant comes in - as Dudley, the angel who comes down to help the Bishop find his way. And its not about building a cathedral - but showing him the way to his true calling. This great movie was dramatized on the Lux Radio Theater, a great way for people to relives movies after they left the theater. The Lux Radio Theater was a long-running series that brought the movies to homes in the years before television, VCRs, DVDs, and streaming services. The series ran on the NBC Blue (later ABC), CBS and NBC from 1934 through 1955. The vast majority of time was on the CBS Radio Network including the two episodes featured today. No matter what network it aired over, it was where the stars came to radio. It was also where the stars came home to America.

If you have Sirius XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148). It is particularly good this week with all Christmas themed programs. Or you can see my previous OTR Christmas entries (or drop to the bottom of this message).

St. Patrick's Cathedral (New York City) - February 16, 2017

The Lux Radio Theater was an hour-long weekly show that originally provided adaptations of books and Broadway plays. In 1936, the program changed by providing adaptations of the best motion pictures in theaters across America. The adaptations would normally be on the Lux Radio Theater a few years after the theatrical release. When possible, the original cast was used for the broadcast. And when the original actors were not available, a who's who of radio actors were called to the microphone. The hosts for the show were Anthony Stanford (1934-1935), Cecil B. DeMille (1935-1945), William Keighley (1945-1951), and Irving Cummings (1951-1955). Of these great hosts, Cecil B. DeMille (or C.B.) is one of the greats of the early days of motion pictures and added a sense of respectability to the show. The show was sponsored by Lux Soap and recorded in front of a live audience. At the end of the show, the stars always chatted with the host, often about the inside world of Hollywood.

With the quick ability for people to get movies in many different formats from physical media to streaming, it is amazing to think about a time when the movies were a special experience that primarily took place in the theater. Shows like the Lux Radio Theater enabled listeners all across the country, and the world through the Armed Forces Radio Service, to relive the movies with the stars that made them great.

On three occasions, the Lux Radio Theater broadcast a radio adaptation of the 1947 movie The Bishop's Wife. The first time was December 19th, 1949. While David Niven was part of the broadcast in 1949, his co-stars Cary Grant and Loretta Young were not able to be there for the program. Host William Keighley introduced the show this way:

KEIGHLEY:

Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. Home again, after an absence of a year and a half, is one of America's favorite stars, and he's here tonight to lend an extra thrill to our holiday season. I mean, of course, Tyrone Power, who joins David Niven and Jane Greer in our Christmas present to you, the delightful play, "The Bishop's Wife." Samuel Goldwyn's fine and sensitive screen production won your hearts as well as your applause. And those who saw the picture will have a special welcome tonight for David Niven, who plays his original screen role as the bishop.

I'm sure most of you are quite busy these days with last-minute shopping and getting the house in order for the holidays, a time of year when you'll need plenty of -- Lux Flakes. In fact, there's a most unusual holiday use for Lux Flakes -- on your Christmas tree -- which we'll tell you about later.

Now, the curtain for Act One of "The Bishop's Wife," starring Tyrone Power as Dudley, David Niven as the bishop, and Jane Greer as Julia.
As much as I love Cary Grant - I guess Tyrone Power is a pretty good pinch-hitter. Also joining the stars for the hour-long broadcast were Willard Waterman, Eleanor Audley, Frances Robinson, William Johnstone, Gilbert Barnett, Philip Tead, Noreen Gammill, Anne Whitfield, Howard McNear, Edward Marr, and Alan Reed Jr. Mary Wills, a fashion designer for Goldwyn, served as the intermission guest. Twice again, Lux Radio Theater showcased this movie. Those two performances were on May 11, 1953 and March 1, 1955. Both of these performances has something the 1949 performance did NOT have - and that would be Cary Grant.

The Bishop's Wife (December 19, 1949)
Script (from Generic Radio Workshop)

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

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)