Hollywood Star Playhouse

There are two Hollywood Star Time radio shows--both are included in this fine collection. 

The first Hollywood Star Time (1944) featured lunch with the stars as the show aired from RKO motion picture studios' dining room "the noontime meeting place for all these glamorous personalities."  With the clanking of plates in the first episode, the audience runs into Phil Harris, who gives a fantastic musical performance.  The hosts Gary Breckner and Larry Keating look around the room and name drop (Fibber McGee and Molly apparently walk in), and point out a tableful of beauties with Rosemary LeBlanche. 

The second Hollywood Star Time (1946-1947) follows a similar format to Lux Radio Theatre featuring big stars reprising their roles in current movies.  Stars in Hollywood Star Time include Gene Tierney, Gale Gordon, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (of Silent Men) Tyrone Powers (of Freedom USA ), Vincent Price, Rex Harrison, Linda Darnell, Dick Powell, Alan Ladd, Cary Grant and many more. 

Sponsored by Frigidaire and General Motors, Herbert Marshall hosts and Alfred Newman is the conductor.  With Newman at the musical reigns, Hollywood Star Time is worth listening to for the score alone.  The show had a big budget, great musical score, and great stars but never made great ratings perhaps due to the popularity of already established Lux Radio Theatre.  Unfortunately, after a couple of seasons the show was canceled.