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Don McNeill's The Refreshment Club

A daily thirty minute transcribed segment of songs, jokes and some poetry that built on the success of Don McNeill's Breakfast Club.

Refreshment Club

48 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 23 hours, 1706 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
24 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from December 01, 1936:

"Cross Patch"



... or click here to save the Mp3 file to your computer
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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Cocacola Ad 1936

"The Refreshment Club ... electrically transcribed for radio and presented by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company…"

After being wounded in the Civil War and becoming addicted to morphine, Colonel John Pemberton began developing patent medicines to help kick the dangerous opiate. Eventually, he struck upn the formulation which would become Coca Cola, now considered the most valuable brand in the world.

Coca Cola Coupon FreeThe brand grew through the years thanks partly to the refreshing flavor of the drink, but mostly through a shrewd and aggressive marketing tradition. The distinctive cursive writing on the bottles and advertising media was first created by Pemberton's bookkeeper. The distinctive "contour bottle" was developed so that it would be recognized even if someone felt it in the dark - you can even tell a Coke bottle when it is broken!

Advertising has been an important part of Coca Cola's marketing. One of the first coupons was a card that could be exchanged for a free glass of Coke at a soda fountain. Coca Cola redeemed 8.5 million free Coke tickets between 1888 and 1913. The media may have been the biggest beneficiary to the growth of Coca Cola, with ads in print, on signs, and of course on radio.

In the late 1930's, Coca Cola sponsored The Refreshment Club, a daily thirty minute transcribed segment that built on the success of Don McNeill's Breakfast Club. McNeill was considered a pioneer for proving that a morning talk and variety format would work on the air, and "the Breakfast Club" name is still used by several morning shows around the country.

Don McNeil Breakfast ClubThe Refreshment Club allowed McNeill to take a similar format to an afternoon audience. This was before the Soaps began to dominate the daytime airwaves, and the music, skits and talk were aimed squarely at the housewife. Which made good sense, since she was the person who would bring home those refreshing bottles of Coke in the convenient next cardboard cartons which held six bottle.

Each broadcast would open with a roll call of the "club members", the singers, comedians and orchestra who made up the cast. McNeill brought heartthrob singer Clark Dennis from The Breakfast Club to The Refreshment Club. After a stylized pouring and drinking of the daily bottle of Coke, the audience is treated to a half hour of songs, jokes and some poetry read by McNeill.

The program is very well done, as the sponsor would have expected, and it makes an interesting contrast with newer, more polished variety programs from the forties which were built around a popular star, like The Jack Benny Program or The Bob Hope Show. Probably the biggest contrast is with Bing Crosby's various efforts, since Bing is the consummate crooner, and The Refreshment Club was a pre-crooning production.

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

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

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



    48 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 23 hours, 1706 min
    48 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 23 hours, 1706 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 48 shows – total playtime 23 hours, 28 minutes
    2. Refreshment Club 361201 Cross Patch.mp3
    3. Refreshment Club 361202 Strike Up The Band.mp3
    4. Refreshment Club 361203 Coming At You.mp3
    5. Refreshment Club 361204 Goody Goody.mp3
    6. Refreshment Club 361207 Fare Thee Well Anabelle.mp3
    7. Refreshment Club 361208 Pennies From Heaven.mp3
    8. Refreshment Club 361209 March Time.mp3
    9. Refreshment Club 361210 Two Buck Tim.mp3
    10. Refreshment Club 361211 Wake Up And Sing.mp3
    11. Refreshment Club 361214 Let Yourself Go.mp3
    12. Refreshment Club 361215 You Hit The Spot.mp3
    13. Refreshment Club 361216 On The Square March.mp3
    14. Refreshment Club 361217 I Feel A Song Coming On.mp3
    15. Refreshment Club 361218 Sing Its Good For You.mp3
    16. Refreshment Club 361221 Roll Out Of Bed With A Smile.mp3
    17. Refreshment Club 361222 Tell The Truth.mp3
    18. Refreshment Club 361223 The Diplomat March.mp3
    19. Refreshment Club 361224 Drums In My Heart.mp3
    20. Refreshment Club 361225 I Love Louisa (Yuletide Show).mp3
    21. Refreshment Club 361228 Dixie.mp3
    22. Refreshment Club 361229 Frost On The Moon.mp3
    23. Refreshment Club 361230 On The Ball March.mp3
    24. Refreshment Club 361231 Stand Up And Cheer.mp3
    25. Refreshment Club 370101 La bamba.mp3
    26. Refreshment Club 370104 Your Tuscany.mp3
    27. Refreshment Club 370105 The Continental.mp3
    28. Refreshment Club 370106 Billboard March.mp3
    29. Refreshment Club 370107 It Happened In Chicago.mp3
    30. Refreshment Club 370108 Why Do I Lie To Myself About You.mp3
    31. Refreshment Club 370111 High And Low.mp3
    32. Refreshment Club 370112 First Call.mp3
    33. Refreshment Club 370113 Hail To The Spirit Of Liberty.mp3
    34. Refreshment Club 370114 We Saw The Sea.mp3
    35. Refreshment Club 370115 Golddiggers Lullaby.mp3
    36. Refreshment Club 370118 I Love A Parade.mp3
    37. Refreshment Club 370119 Happy Landing.mp3
    38. Refreshment Club 370120 March Time.mp3
    39. Refreshment Club 370121 Rise And Shine.mp3
    40. Refreshment Club 370122 Love Is Sweeping The Country.mp3
    41. Refreshment Club 370125 My Love Parade.mp3
    42. Refreshment Club 370126 I Take To You.mp3
    43. Refreshment Club 370127 War Correspondent March.mp3
    44. Refreshment Club 370128 Gee But Your Swell.mp3
    45. Refreshment Club 370129 The Lady In Red.mp3
    46. Refreshment Club 370201 Things Look Rosy Now.mp3
    47. Refreshment Club 370202 Maine Song.mp3
    48. Refreshment Club 370203 March For Liberty.mp3
    49. Refreshment Club 370204 Crazy Rhythm.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    48 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 23 hours, 1706 min
    48 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    645 MB – total playtime 23 hours, 28 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 48 shows – 645 MB – total playtime 23 hours, 28 minutes
    2. Refreshment Club 361201 Cross Patch.mp3
    3. Refreshment Club 361202 Strike Up The Band.mp3
    4. Refreshment Club 361203 Coming At You.mp3
    5. Refreshment Club 361204 Goody Goody.mp3
    6. Refreshment Club 361207 Fare Thee Well Anabelle.mp3
    7. Refreshment Club 361208 Pennies From Heaven.mp3
    8. Refreshment Club 361209 March Time.mp3
    9. Refreshment Club 361210 Two Buck Tim.mp3
    10. Refreshment Club 361211 Wake Up And Sing.mp3
    11. Refreshment Club 361214 Let Yourself Go.mp3
    12. Refreshment Club 361215 You Hit The Spot.mp3
    13. Refreshment Club 361216 On The Square March.mp3
    14. Refreshment Club 361217 I Feel A Song Coming On.mp3
    15. Refreshment Club 361218 Sing Its Good For You.mp3
    16. Refreshment Club 361221 Roll Out Of Bed With A Smile.mp3
    17. Refreshment Club 361222 Tell The Truth.mp3
    18. Refreshment Club 361223 The Diplomat March.mp3
    19. Refreshment Club 361224 Drums In My Heart.mp3
    20. Refreshment Club 361225 I Love Louisa (Yuletide Show).mp3
    21. Refreshment Club 361228 Dixie.mp3
    22. Refreshment Club 361229 Frost On The Moon.mp3
    23. Refreshment Club 361230 On The Ball March.mp3
    24. Refreshment Club 361231 Stand Up And Cheer.mp3
    25. Refreshment Club 370101 La bamba.mp3
    26. Refreshment Club 370104 Your Tuscany.mp3
    27. Refreshment Club 370105 The Continental.mp3
    28. Refreshment Club 370106 Billboard March.mp3
    29. Refreshment Club 370107 It Happened In Chicago.mp3
    30. Refreshment Club 370108 Why Do I Lie To Myself About You.mp3
    31. Refreshment Club 370111 High And Low.mp3
    32. Refreshment Club 370112 First Call.mp3
    33. Refreshment Club 370113 Hail To The Spirit Of Liberty.mp3
    34. Refreshment Club 370114 We Saw The Sea.mp3
    35. Refreshment Club 370115 Golddiggers Lullaby.mp3
    36. Refreshment Club 370118 I Love A Parade.mp3
    37. Refreshment Club 370119 Happy Landing.mp3
    38. Refreshment Club 370120 March Time.mp3
    39. Refreshment Club 370121 Rise And Shine.mp3
    40. Refreshment Club 370122 Love Is Sweeping The Country.mp3
    41. Refreshment Club 370125 My Love Parade.mp3
    42. Refreshment Club 370126 I Take To You.mp3
    43. Refreshment Club 370127 War Correspondent March.mp3
    44. Refreshment Club 370128 Gee But Your Swell.mp3
    45. Refreshment Club 370129 The Lady In Red.mp3
    46. Refreshment Club 370201 Things Look Rosy Now.mp3
    47. Refreshment Club 370202 Maine Song.mp3
    48. Refreshment Club 370203 March For Liberty.mp3
    49. Refreshment Club 370204 Crazy Rhythm.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



    48 recordings on 24 Audio CDs. Total playtime 23 hours, 28 min
    48 recordings on 24 Audio CDs
    total playtime 23 hours, 28 min

    Refreshment Club Disc A001

    1. Refreshment Club 361201 Cross Patch
    2. Refreshment Club 361202 Strike Up The Band

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Refreshment Club Disc A002

    1. Refreshment Club 361203 Coming At You
    2. Refreshment Club 361204 Goody Goody

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Refreshment Club Disc A003

    1. Refreshment Club 361207 Fare Thee Well Anabelle
    2. Refreshment Club 361208 Pennies From Heaven

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    Refreshment Club Disc A004

    1. Refreshment Club 361209 March Time
    2. Refreshment Club 361210 Two Buck Tim

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    Refreshment Club Disc A005

    1. Refreshment Club 361211 Wake Up And Sing
    2. Refreshment Club 361214 Let Yourself Go

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    Refreshment Club Disc A006

    1. Refreshment Club 361215 You Hit The Spot
    2. Refreshment Club 361216 On The Square March

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    Refreshment Club Disc A007

    1. Refreshment Club 361217 I Feel A Song Coming On
    2. Refreshment Club 361218 Sing Its Good For You

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    Refreshment Club Disc A008

    1. Refreshment Club 361221 Roll Out Of Bed With A Smile
    2. Refreshment Club 361222 Tell The Truth

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    Refreshment Club Disc A009

    1. Refreshment Club 361223 The Diplomat March
    2. Refreshment Club 361224 Drums In My Heart

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    Refreshment Club Disc A010

    1. Refreshment Club 361225 I Love Louisa (Yuletide Show)
    2. Refreshment Club 361228 Dixie

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    Refreshment Club Disc A011

    1. Refreshment Club 361229 Frost On The Moon
    2. Refreshment Club 361230 On The Ball March

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    Refreshment Club Disc A012

    1. Refreshment Club 361231 Stand Up And Cheer
    2. Refreshment Club 370101 La bamba

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    Refreshment Club Disc A013

    1. Refreshment Club 370104 Your Tuscany
    2. Refreshment Club 370105 The Continental

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    Refreshment Club Disc A014

    1. Refreshment Club 370106 Billboard March
    2. Refreshment Club 370107 It Happened In Chicago

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    Refreshment Club Disc A015

    1. Refreshment Club 370108 Why Do I Lie To Myself About You
    2. Refreshment Club 370111 High And Low

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Refreshment Club Disc A016

    1. Refreshment Club 370112 First Call
    2. Refreshment Club 370113 Hail To The Spirit Of Liberty

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    Refreshment Club Disc A017

    1. Refreshment Club 370114 We Saw The Sea
    2. Refreshment Club 370115 Golddiggers Lullaby

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Refreshment Club Disc A018

    1. Refreshment Club 370118 I Love A Parade
    2. Refreshment Club 370119 Happy Landing

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Refreshment Club Disc A019

    1. Refreshment Club 370120 March Time
    2. Refreshment Club 370121 Rise And Shine

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    Refreshment Club Disc A020

    1. Refreshment Club 370122 Love Is Sweeping The Country
    2. Refreshment Club 370125 My Love Parade

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Refreshment Club Disc A021

    1. Refreshment Club 370126 I Take To You
    2. Refreshment Club 370127 War Correspondent March

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Refreshment Club Disc A022

    1. Refreshment Club 370128 Gee But Your Swell
    2. Refreshment Club 370129 The Lady In Red

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    Refreshment Club Disc A023

    1. Refreshment Club 370201 Things Look Rosy Now
    2. Refreshment Club 370202 Maine Song

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    Refreshment Club Disc A024

    1. Refreshment Club 370203 March For Liberty
    2. Refreshment Club 370204 Crazy Rhythm

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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