Rare Broadcasts About Show Business in Old Time Radio

The Hollywood Movie Industry is in the business telling happy stories. Sure, occasionally a producer might bring out a depressing tale in the name of "art", but by and large happy movies make more money than sad ones. One of the most common forms of happy movies is the success story where the hero comes from nothing to the top of the game, and one of the happiest success stories (at least, to Hollywood) is the showbiz success story.

For ages, children have been told fairy tales where an ordinary girl becomes a princess, or a regular boy becomes a hero. The glamor of Hollywood is an even more attractive fantasy than being a fairytale princess. From the time they realize how much fun the difference between boys and girls can be, what boy wouldn't dream of being a Hollywood leading man?

Movie people love to talk about themselves, and producers realize that shows about movie people help to sell movie tickets. The radio industry had a very close relationship with the film industry, the glamor of one helping to boost the numbers of the other. This is why the studios were such big supporters of shows like Lux Radio Theatre and the Screen Guild Theater. On the surface, it seems counterintuitive, why would people pay good money to see a movie when they could wait and hear the stories for free on the radio? For one thing, the movie adaptation programs rarely featured first-run pictures, and they ultimately did what producers wanted, put viewers in theater seats.

• Paramount's Silver Jubilee Celebration, January 7, 1937, a.k.a. "Adolph Zukor' Silver Jubilee". Jack Benny hosts this salute to one of Hollywood's pioneering figures, founder of Paramount Pictures, Adolph Zukor.
• America Calling, February 2, 1941, "Salute to Greece", sponsored by Greek War Relief. Co-Masters of Ceremonies, Bob Hope and Jack Benny lead an all-star salute to the Greek Nation and a call for aid to the brave Greek fighters who were resisting Mussolini's forces which invaded in October 1940. Twentieth Century Fox executive Spyros P. Skouras was a leader of the Relief effort and was able to call upon many Stars from the film and radio communities, including Shirley Temple, Charles Laughton, Groucho Marx, Madeleine Carroll, Clark Gable, Merle Oberon, Mary Martin, Myrna Loy, the Merry Macs, Connie Boswell, Mickey Rooney, and many more.
• CBS New Shows, Preview of Gunsmoke, 1952.
• Club Hollywood, April 30, 1948, KFWB Los Angeles. Presented as a nightclub floorshow hosted by Rose Marie, the program brings L.A. residents up close and personal to a few of the celebrities who share their city.
• The Continental Celebrity Club, 1946, CBS, sponsored by the Continental Can Company. Another floorshow-based program. Hosted by John Daly with singer Margarite Whiting and comic Jackie Kelk. Celebrity guests include Dorothy Lamour, Bonita Granville, Peter Lawford, Carol Landis, Hildegarde, and others.
• Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration of American Telephone and Telegraph, April 28, 1935, CBS. Ma Bell enlists Andre Kostelanetz and His Orchestra and an All-Star cast to make phone calls to "the four corners of the United States", including recreations of historic calls.
• Gems of Poetry and Music, December 30, 1942, no broadcast info. Critics have an important function in showbiz, but not everyone can agree on what that function might be. This short clip is probably from local broadcast and the hostess takes the opportunity to give one of her critics a serious whammy!
• Good News of 1938, June 1, 1938, NBC. The show was home to Fanny Brice as Baby Snooks, comic Frank Morgan, and singer Connie Boswell, but the program's purpose was to spread the good news about the pictures coming from the MGM Studios.
• Hail and Farewell to the U.S.O. Camp Shows, January 10, 1948, NBC. Before America officially entered the War, President Roosevelt asked the leaders of the Salvation Army, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), National Catholic Community Service, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board to form an organization "to handle the on-leave recreation of the men in the armed forces." The result was the United Services Organizations or USO. They provided sports equipment, phonographs, and endless free coffee and donuts, but the organization's biggest impression came from Hollywood, where the stars were anxious to demonstrate their patriotism and contribute to the War Effort. Show people of every level volunteered to perform at "camp shows", sometimes at State-side training centers, often just a few miles (sometimes a few yards) from the front lines. With the coming of Victory, and with most of the boys finally home by the end of 1947, the USO decided to retire the Camp Shows, and the occasion inspired this All-Star broadcast which features Douglas Fairbanks (host), Marlene Dietrich, Audie Murphy, Danny Thomas, Jack Benny, Dinah Shore, Bob Hope, Frances Langford, Eddie Cantor, Sara Berner, Herb Vigran, Lou Krugman, and Tony Romano. Although the Camp Shows were at an end, just two years later, almost before American boots set down on the Korean peninsula, camp shows were being arranged for the new conflict.
• Heartbeat of Broadway, February 1959, American Heart Association syndication. The shows are a pitch for Heart Association Research funding and explore the backstories of some of Broadway's biggest hits, including Oklahoma, Kiss Me Kate, My Fair Lady, and Guys and Dolls.
• Hollywood Calling, July 3, 1949, NBC, "Birthday Salute to George Murphy". The program is usually a movie star interview vehicle, but this Independence Day the cast is doing a Birthday Salute to comic George Murphy. Ron Reagan comes up with the idea of saluting everyone with a birthday on the Fourth, except George!
• The Hollywood Personality Parade, 1939, Selznick Productions Syndication. The program is a thinly disguised quarter hour advertisement for Selznick's Made for Each Other (1939). Scripted to sound like a Jimmie Fidler report (complete with Morse-code beeps), the show reports on recent activities of the film's Stars, James Stewart and Carole Lombard, as well as an on-air preview of the film.
• Hollywood Preview, November 6, 1945, CBS Pacific net, sponsored by Mobil Oil. Knox Manning hosts this interesting Preview Program that focuses on new scripts. "The Years Are Many" is the story of poet and Journalist Eugene Field, writer of "Little Boy Blue". A compelling story, there is no indication that the film was ever made.
• Hollywood Showcase, April 10, 1938, CBS. A showcase of new films and stars from Columbia Pictures.
• Hollywood Tour, 1947, ABC. A quiz-show where the prize is a tour of the Movie Capital. The show opens with an interview of the previous day's winners, giving them a chance to describe the Hollywood sights and scenes they got to see. Before the gameplay, we get some Hollywood gossip.
• Irving Berlin: Great American Music Man, May 11, 1979, NBC News. A salute to the famous composer on the occasion of his 91st birthday. Mr. Berlin survived the broadcast by a decade, passing at the age of 101 on September 22, 1989.
• Jimmie Rodgers Memorial, May 26, 1953, NBC, WSM Nashville. A salute to Meridian, Mississippi's favorite son, "The Singing Brakeman", "The Blue Yodeler", and "The Father of Country Music", Jimmie Rodgers. Although he had passed exactly two decades before the broadcast, Rodgers was a pioneer in recording both Blues and country music after actually working several different railroad jobs. Along with his yodeling, Rodgers' influence is still felt in the huge number of railroad song on the Country charts.
• June Dairy Month Salute, 1952, syndicated for the National Dairy Association. Harlow Wilcox hosts this salute to cows which features Fibber McGee and Molly and Bob Hope.
• Little Old Hollywood, March 11, 1940, Blue Network. A pre-Saint Patrick's Day broadcast featuring Priscilla Lane and Al Levy, Hollywood's oldest restauranteur and "Irish Jew", and the latest installment of the comedy serial "Two Happy People".
• Living 1949, January 30, 1949, NBC. The great Fred Allen comments on "The State of American Humor". An excellent presentation of Allen's surprisingly witty but dry humor.
• Make Believe Town, Hollywood, August 8, 1948, CBS, "Hollywood Romance". A fictionalized version of true Hollywood stories. In this episode, and actress wants to do more with her career than play the "good girl" in sure-fire hits. She wants to work in comedy or serious drama, but she is reminded that a single flop at this point of her career could sink her.
• March of Dimes Program, January 25, 1941, CBS, "presented under the auspices of the Committee for the Celebration of the President's Birthday". Eddie's guests include Daddy and Baby Snooks discussing insurance, Rudy Vallee saluting Rural Free Delivery, and Fibber McGee and Molly.
• Marriage for Two, 1949, NBC, sponsored by Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese. Vicki and Roger think that theirs will be a perfect marriage, but they face the same problems other couples do. Teri Keane and Staats Cosworth star in this compelling soap opera.
• MGM On Parade, April 12, 1943, The Blue Network. Guest Victor Borge has plenty of anti-Hitler and Mussolini jokes and dedicates his rendition of "The Merry Widow" to Mrs. Tojo.
• Midnighter's Club, 1950, KDKA Pittsburgh. Dick Powell is the guest on this light night talk show, discussing his career.
• Millions for Defense (The Treasury Hour), July 30, 1941, CBS. Tonight, one of the first performances of "Any Bonds Today". Tyrone Power is our host in this episode, we hear Jack Benny and Claudette Colbert "negotiate" a love scene and more great entertainment.
• The Mitch Miller Show, July 29, 1961, CBS. The final episode after a six-year run of interviewing fascinating people. Mitch strolls down memory lane with his favorite clips.
• My Lucky Break, April 23, 1939, Mutual. The program explores how famous people got the lucky break they needed to find success. Ten-year-old Shirley Temple got her lucky break as a youngster.
• NBC Summertime Hot Money, A pitch to sponsors demonstrating the importance and profit potential of summertime advertising.
• NBC War Bond Parade, February 7, 1944. The network pulled out all the stops for the Fourth War Loan Drive, and this program is the seventh consecutive variety program with NBC's biggest Stars pitching the need to buy Bonds.
• Opening of the NBC Hollywood Studios, December 7, 1935. The Radio industry made the move to Hollywood to take advantage of the movie colony's deep talent pool. This facility on Melrose Ave near the RKO and Paramount Studios was not the famous Radio City Hollywood, which opened in 1939. The art-deco edifice at the corner of Sunset and Vine was built in response to CBS Columbia Square which opened at 6121 Sunset Blvd on April 30, 1938.
• Opportunity USA, May 16, 1949, ABC net, sponsored by the Treasury Department. An all-star variety show pitching the 1949 Savings Bond Drive. Along with President Truman and his Secretary of Treasury, John Snyder, guests include Robert Armbruster and His Orchestra, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Irene Dunne, Lionel Barrymore, Jo Stafford, Al Jolson, Roy Rogers, The Riders Of The Purple Sage, Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians, Edward G. Robinson, Jack Benny, Eddie Anderson, Edward Arnold, Frank Sinatra, Esther Williams, Gene Kelly, Betty Garrett, Jules Munshin, Red Skelton, Bert Parks, and Verna Felton. Talk about an opportunity, Jack Benny and Rochester do a skit where Jack's wallet is missing!
• Originals by Bennett, Audition Program. Movie queen Joan Bennett stars as a model who becomes a test pilot's wife and then a test pilot's widow, so she returns to the world of high fashion.
• Parade of Stars, September 15, 1946, NBC Syndication, a preview of the '46-'47 Season. Featuring The City Service Orchestra, Alice Faye and Phil Harris, H.B. Kaltenborn, Manhattan Merrie-Go-Round, Curtain Time, Carmen Cavallaro, People Are Funny, Bob Hope, Mr. District Attorney, Bill Sterns, One Man's Family, Perry Como, Can You Top This?, Truth Or Consequences, Roy Rogers, Alan Young, Waltz Time, Dennis Day, Duffy's Tavern, The Grand Ol' Opry, and more. To audiences who had never binge-watched entire seasons of their favorite TV show on DVD, a two-and-a-half-hour broadcast may have felt like an entire season, but keep in mind that the War is finally over, most of the boys are back home, and it is time for big business (like the Radio Networks) to begin profiting from the Post-War Boom.
• Preview Theatre of the Air, 1948(?), KFWB Hollywood. Warner Bros' presents a preview of the upcoming radio adventure series, The Adventures of Zorro.
• Radio Special Report, September 29, 1940, CBS(?). A report of the dedication of a bronze plaque in Columbia Square (CBS Headquarters in Hollywood) marking the spot where the Hollywood Movie Industry began.
• Radio's Biggest Show, June 18, 1946, CBS. A celebration of Walgreen's Drugs 45th Anniversary, featuring Bob Hope, Dennis Day, Eddy Duchin, Vera Vague, Frank Morgan, Ginny Simms, and Harry Von Zell.
• Sales of Short Spot Programming, 1944. Most commercials are for consumers, but this one is for businesses to sell them on the value of radio advertising.
• Salute to Labor, September 1, 1941, NBC. The Office for Emergency Planning and The Office of Production Management join the Network in giving a big "Thumbs Up" to the working guy. The show features Duke Ellington, James Cagney, Edward Arnold, Mercedes McCambridge President Roosevelt, Ernest Bevin, and The Chorus Of The International Ladies Garment Workers Union.
• Stairway to the Stars, 1947, KFI Los Angeles. Howard Culver reads inspirational poetry accompanied by Robert Mitchell on the organ.
• Surprise Package, September 29, 1946, AFRS. The Armed Forces Radio Service presents selections from the last season's fall preview programs.
• The Circle, January 22, 1939, NBC. The Circle is apparently a semi-secret society of Hollywood Celebrities, and tonight is pianist Jose Iturbi's night to be initiated. Much to the disappointment of members Cary Grant and Carole Lombard, society leader Ronald Colman insists that there will be no paddles or other violence at the initiation. Perhaps sitting through a Marx Brothers sketch will be enough.
• A Tribute to Irving Berlin, August 3, 1938, CBS. Like the NBC tribute described above, which will take place four decades later, this program has a news department feel thanks to Walter Winchell's telegraph key in the intro. However, this is less of a salute to the man and his music and more of a plug for the then current film, Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938, 20th Century Fox).
• Walgreen's 45th Birthday Party, June 10, 1945, syndicated for Walgreen's Drug. This year's party lacks the Star-power that will be on next year's broadcast but makes a major plug for the Seventh War Loan Drive. Lou Costello performs the famous "Who's On First?" routine with Sid Fields. Stars include Eddie Anderson, Bing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters, Carl Hoff and His Orchestra, Don Wilson, Rise Stevens, Paulette Goddard, Sidney Fields, and Lou Costello.
• Willie Piper Promos, 1947, ABC. The network put together several spots for the sitcom Tales of Willie Piper featuring Diana Lynn, William Redfield, and Ruth Gilbert.
• The Winners' Circle, audition program. Here is the old Talent Contest format with a slight twist, disk jockeys, and local radio announcers from around the West select and introduce unknown singers from their local markets. The judges are well connected in the music industry, so Circle could be an important career stepping stone.
• Woman's Page, March 25, 1947, WCBM Baltimore. Hostess Helen Hall gives a glowing review for the film The Best Years of Our Lives (1946, Samuel Goldwyn Pictures) and interviews Harold Russell, who would go on to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film (he sold his Oscar at auction in 1992, raising some controversy). Side note; the hotel from which WCBM originally broadcast was also home to the drugstore which introduced Noxzema skin cream.