Musical Variety (1937-1940)

Good News (otherwise known as Good News of 1938, Good News of 1939, Maxwell House Coffee Time) allowed for an insider look into the life and glamour of Hollywood. A musical-variety show, big stars such as Jimmy Stewart, Robert Taylor, Dick Powell, and Frank Morgan joined Judy Garland, Joan Crawford, Mickey Rooney, Alice Faye, Lionel Barrymore, Clark Gable, and others to dazzle the air waves every week.

Produced by MGM and sponsored by Maxwell House coffee for $25,000 a week, this partnership between a studio and a sponsor was the largest of its time. During the "Backstage at the Movies" segment of the show listeners could hear inside of stars' dressing rooms, within MGM executive boardroom meetings, and get a taste of the "real" Hollywood happenings.

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The "most spectacular radio show ever launched," Good News advertised MGM's latest major motion picture. Stars from movies would be interviews on the show and preview the movie for the radio audience .Today this is a fascinating look into the marketing techniques of both a large studio and a coffee producer of the late 1930's. Good News is an enchanting look in the history and magic of classic Hollywood film making.