Welcome to OTRCAT.com: Old Time Radio Catalog
Loading. Please wait...

Ernie Kovacs Collection

Comedian and avid cigar smoker, Ernie Kovacs ad-libbed and uninhibited style changed the face of comedy.

Ernie Kovacs

19 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 1 hours, 12 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
2 Audio CDs


Choose your CD format
or order disks individually: Add to Cart
Add to wishlist
Play a sample episode :

"Tom Swift"



... or click here to save the Mp3 file to your computer
Print

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Ernie Kovacs
(1919 – 1962)

Ernie Kovacks and Cyd Charis
Comic Ernie Kovacs was one of television's true pioneers and is often considered one of the mediums first video artists. His genius stemmed not only from his ability to think of things that would make up laugh, but from his willingness to try just about anything to put the audience in stitches.

Ernie's dad had been a beat cop in Trenton, New Jersey, before improving his station as a "beverage dealer" during Prohibition. The family's fortunes declined when prohibition came to an end and Ernie had to transfer from private to public school. Ernie KovacksThe only class that held his interest was drama, and he managed to win a scholarship to the American Academy of Performing Arts. He cut his teeth doing summer stock work, but illness landed him in the hospital for more than a year. While in the hospital he developed an appreciation for classical music from the radio and developed his comedic talents performing for the doctors and other patients. After his recovery, he went home to live with his mother and took a job as a cigar salesman.

The same teacher who helped Ernie get his scholarship helped him win an audition at WTTM, Trenton, where he landed a late night DJ spot and became the station's "special events director". With his own sound truck, he could and did show up anywhere in and around Trenton.

When Ernie landed a TV job in Philadelphia he was given the wake up show Three To Get Ready. Sponsors wanted nothing to do with Ernie's crazy antics, but the audience loved it. The show's producer brought a pretty blond on board named Edie Adams, and Ernie was smitten. The couple eventually eloped to Mexico City.

No gag was too outrageous for Ernie to try. He once spent the programs entire budget to dig a hole under a Nash Metropolitan. When Ernie slapped the hood on camera, the whole car disappeared into the hole. He showed his ability to "smoke" under water by releasing milk from his mouth while sitting in a glass tank in the studio.

Ernie Kovacs was killed in an auto accident in Los Angeles in 1962, just as his career was getting ready to take off. At his funeral, the pastor said that Ernie summed up his short life in two sentences: "I was born in Trenton, New Jersey in 1919 to a Hungarian couple. I've been smoking cigars ever since."

Ernie Kovacks

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

  • Show Rating

    7
    5     2


    COMMENTS

    Loved the The Nairobi Trio!!!

    Jean Verified Purchase

    ICON!!

    Robert Verified Purchase

    I wasn’t familiar with Ernie Kovacs, but this makes me want to look a little more into his television work.

    Darcie Verified Purchase

    Leave a comment

    You have reached the maximum number of votes for a unregistered user.

    Please login or create a new account to continue...

    You have reached the maximum number to down votes in this page.

  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    19 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 1 hours, 12 min
    19 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 1 hours, 12 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 19 shows - total playtime 1 hours 12 minutes
    2. Ernie Kovacs 01 Tom Swift.mp3
    3. Ernie Kovacs 02 J Walter Puppybreath.mp3
    4. Ernie Kovacs 03 Albert Gridley.mp3
    5. Ernie Kovacs 04 Worlds Strongest Man.mp3
    6. Ernie Kovacs 05 Mans Best Friend.mp3
    7. Ernie Kovacs 06 Droongo.mp3
    8. Ernie Kovacs 07 John.mp3
    9. Ernie Kovacs 08 Percy Dovetonsils Stanleys.mp3
    10. Ernie Kovacs 09 Mack Knife1.mp3
    11. Ernie Kovacs 10 Percy Dovetonsils Bookworm.mp3
    12. Ernie Kovacs 11 Strangely Believe Its1.mp3
    13. Ernie Kovacs 12 Pierre Ragout1.mp3
    14. Ernie Kovacs 13 Mr Question Man1.mp3
    15. Ernie Kovacs 14 Uncle Buddy.mp3
    16. Ernie Kovacs 15 Oddities In News.mp3
    17. Monitor 590606 Ernie Kovacs Monitor Monolgue.mp3
    18. Report Ultra Bikini Modeled Gina Lollobrigida.mp3
    19. Whats My Line 560317 Ernie Kovacs And Edie Adams.mp3
    20. You Bet Your Life 580331 Secret Word Name Ernie Kovacs.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    19 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 1 hours, 12 min
    19 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    total playtime 1 hours, 12 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 19 shows - total playtime 1 hours 12 minutes
    2. Ernie Kovacs 01 Tom Swift.mp3
    3. Ernie Kovacs 02 J Walter Puppybreath.mp3
    4. Ernie Kovacs 03 Albert Gridley.mp3
    5. Ernie Kovacs 04 Worlds Strongest Man.mp3
    6. Ernie Kovacs 05 Mans Best Friend.mp3
    7. Ernie Kovacs 06 Droongo.mp3
    8. Ernie Kovacs 07 John.mp3
    9. Ernie Kovacs 08 Percy Dovetonsils Stanleys.mp3
    10. Ernie Kovacs 09 Mack Knife1.mp3
    11. Ernie Kovacs 10 Percy Dovetonsils Bookworm.mp3
    12. Ernie Kovacs 11 Strangely Believe Its1.mp3
    13. Ernie Kovacs 12 Pierre Ragout1.mp3
    14. Ernie Kovacs 13 Mr Question Man1.mp3
    15. Ernie Kovacs 14 Uncle Buddy.mp3
    16. Ernie Kovacs 15 Oddities In News.mp3
    17. Monitor 590606 Ernie Kovacs Monitor Monolgue.mp3
    18. Report Ultra Bikini Modeled Gina Lollobrigida.mp3
    19. Whats My Line 560317 Ernie Kovacs And Edie Adams.mp3
    20. You Bet Your Life 580331 Secret Word Name Ernie Kovacs.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    19 recordings on 2 Audio CDs. Total playtime 1 hours, 12 min
    19 recordings on 2 Audio CDs
    total playtime 1 hours, 12 min

    Ernie Kovacs Disc A001

    1. Ernie Kovacs 01 Tom Swift
    2. Ernie Kovacs 02 J Walter Puppybreath
    3. Ernie Kovacs 03 Albert Gridley
    4. Ernie Kovacs 04 Worlds Strongest Man
    5. Ernie Kovacs 05 Mans Best Friend
    6. Ernie Kovacs 06 Droongo
    7. Ernie Kovacs 07 John
    8. Ernie Kovacs 08 Percy Dovetonsils Stanleys
    9. Ernie Kovacs 09 Mack Knife1
    10. Ernie Kovacs 10 Percy Dovetonsils Bookworm
    11. Ernie Kovacs 11 Strangely Believe Its1
    12. Ernie Kovacs 12 Pierre Ragout1
    13. Ernie Kovacs 13 Mr Question Man1
    14. Ernie Kovacs 14 Uncle Buddy
    15. Ernie Kovacs 15 Oddities In News
    16. Report Ultra Bikini Modeled Gina Lollobrigida
    17. Whats My Line 560317 Ernie Kovacs And Edie Adams
    18. You Bet Your Life 580331 Secret Word Name Ernie Kovacs

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ernie Kovacs Disc A002

    1. Monitor 590606 Ernie Kovacs Monitor Monolgue

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

LISTENERS WHO ENJOYED THESE RECORDINGS ALSO COLLECTED