Random Rarities 18

This collection contains a number of rarities from the Armed Forces Radio Service. AFRS was even hungrier for content than the commercial networks. Given the nature of its audience, the military radio service sought both quality and variety.Like our other Random Rarities collections, these shows end up on the list because they do not fit neatly into any category. But they are a great snapshot into what people were hearing around the country during Radio's Golden Age. Examples include:

Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) This essential broadcast network provided entertainment and morale-boosting radio shows to American troops and their allies stationed worldwide. It utilized rebroadcasts of popular domestic shows, original content, and musical segments to keep service members connected to home.

Celebrate Anniversary Night with Horace Heidt Pitched as a brand-new radio idea for sponsors, this game and variety show honors couples celebrating various wedding anniversaries, ranging from their first to their golden year. The heartwarming program also features live on-air wedding ceremonies designed to captivate American housewives and the general buying public.

Circus Night in Silvertown, 1934, a night under the radio Big Top, sponsored by B.F. Goodrich Tires. Featuring circus music from B.A. Rolfe and His Silvertown Orchestra, comedy from Joe Cook and Alan Reed (billed as Teddy Bergman).

Count Basie and His Orchestra These musical segment features the famous jazz band led by Count Basie, performing popular hits of the era like "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Jumpin' at the Woodside." These energetic performances were frequently used as musical filler by the Armed Forces Radio Service to seamlessly round out half-hour broadcast slots.

Edward Arnold, Your Storyteller This dramatic storytelling series, hosted by actor Edward Arnold, shares cautionary and educational tales. It uses engaging narratives to deliver public service messages, such as the importance of forest fire prevention.

Every Day's A Holiday This lively variety program, hosted by Gwen Tallans, turns every day into a celebration with music, comedy, and surprises. The show features a mix of musical performances, comedic sketches with regular cast members like Jimmy Durante, and engaging audience participation games where contestants win fun prizes.

Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel, 1932, a title that should be familiar to Marx Brothers fans, this program is a British rebroadcast of the movie icon’s first attempts to expand their vaudeville and film success into broadcasting. Along with the Depression-era material, we get a history lesson from a Marx Brothers fan and scholar.

Frontline Theater This radio theater program presents audio adaptations of popular Hollywood films specifically for the armed forces. It features top-tier movie stars bringing lighthearted romance and comedy to entertain the troops.

Furlough Fun, 1942, Gilmore Gasoline on the West Coast presents this bit of fun in the form of a quiz show for Servicemen over the NBC Pacific Net. Features Beryl Wallace as mistress of ceremonies and musical fun from Spike Jones.

Jan Savitt and His Top Hatters, August 15, 1939, a Band Remote from the famous Blue Room of New York's Lincoln Hotel "for your listening and dancing pleasure".

Little Old Hollywood This entertainment news and variety program offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the glamorous world of Hollywood. The show features a mix of gossip, interviews with rising stars like Priscilla Lane, and musical performances, providing a captivating glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous.

Piano Playhouse Hosted by Milton Cross, this musical showcase highlights the exceptional talents of top classical and jazz pianists. The program features impressive duo-piano performances and special guest artists playing popular and classical pieces.

Saturday Night Serenade This musical variety show features a full orchestra, a choir, and star vocalists performing a mix of traditional and popular songs. It serves as an uplifting weekend broadcast aimed at entertaining military personnel and their allies.

Sing Along With Mitch, 1964, actually a soundtrack from an early sixties NBC TV show, featuring Columbia Records Artist & Repertory head, Mitch Miller. The words to the songs were show across the bottom of the screen so that the folks at home could "Sing along with Mitch".

The Baptist Hour, February 19, 1941, a little "old time religion" from the Southern Baptist Convention. This was the same Sunday that Winston Churchill made his "Give us the tools" speech.

The Jack Berch Show, 1944 and 1947, sometimes called "the fastest fifteen minutes in radio", we present a pair of morning shows separated by a few years and different sponsors. Jack Berch was a noted singer and whistler and his fast-paced wake-up shows will certainly get your eyes open!

The Jim Reeves Show This music and talk program, hosted by country music star Jim Reeves, features performances by Reeves and his guest artists. The show often includes heartfelt messages, as seen in a special episode dedicated to the American Cancer Society, highlighting the importance of community support and charitable causes.

Voices of VISTA This public service program is designed to promote the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) initiative to a national audience. It blends musical performances by notable artists with messages encouraging domestic volunteer work.

Walkie Talkie Hosted by Don Norman from the Hollywood Brown Derby, this engaging program features interviews and celebrity gossip. It brings listeners candid conversations and the latest news directly from Hollywood insiders and columnists.

We Who Fight (Armed Forces of the United Nations) This globally focused broadcast brings voices and messages from allied nations, including representatives like Carrie Wilson. It underscores international unity and shared resolve among the allied forces during the global conflict.