Golden Age of Radio

SAY HELLO TO . . . VIRGINIA SALE – who is Martha, the cook, on tonight’s serial, Those We Love, on NBC -Red at 8:30. She’s the youngest sister of the late Chic Sale, comedian, and is herself one of Hollywood ’s busiest character actresses. On stage she has appeared in her own one-woman show of sketches she wrote. The characters she plays are usually elderly, but Virginia is young, slender, and pretty. She was born in Urbana, Illinois, is Mrs. Sam Wren in private life, and has a son and a daughter, twins, who were born on Washington’s Birthday, 1936. Besides acting, she does solo dancing and has a lovely soprano voice

Sunday, March 18, 1945                                 THE MILKAUKEE JOURNAL –SCREEN and RADIO Berle Boy Really Lets Himself Go When He Gets All Wound Up With His Dizzy Jobs, Sandwiches Bring Relaxation; Their Effect Is Only Temporary By Irving Spiegel THE BERLE roared into his abode. It was a serene apartment in upper 5 th av.—of pastoral oils, soft lights, draperies of subdued color and row on row of books giving off a philosophical aura. Mrs. Milton Berle —the beauteous Joyee Matthews—greeted him. His galoshes spattered a mixture of snow and mud on light colored rugs. Mrs. Berle winced and the draperies rustled. The Berle puffed on a cigar of billiard stick length. He bellowed for a sand-vate telephone number known only by 4,000,000 friends and acquaintances and a legion of upper Bron...

Jack Stanton Jack Stanton, the male half of the Songs for Sale dance team of Stanton and Luster, started dancing on doctor’s orders and hasn’t stopped since. As a child Jack developed pneumonia and the doctor advised his parents to send him to dancing school to build up his frail body. Jack spent most of his childhood in Maplewood, New Jersey, a few doors from the home of his future partner, Betty Luster. Although they even worked on the same show in school. Jack was unaware of her existence. Jack made his way to Broadway from the chorus line after having done a great deal of choreography. It was while playing in “DuBarry was Lady” that Jack started dating the pretty girl who was playing at the next-door theatre. The girl was Betty Luster; but it was not for many years after that that their partnership really started.  They are TV partners only, however, for Jack is married to Marion Richards, a lovely, former model. 

The Milwaukee Journal-Nov 16, 1947 A Stroll Down Allen’s Alley                  By ROBERT FLEMING MEET THE CHARATERS WHO TICKLE  YOUR FUNNYBONE ON SUNDAY NIGHTS EACH Sunday night, in millions of American homes, a nasal voice suggests, “Now let’s be off to Allen’s Alley .” And during 15 seconds of music, bridge games are halted, children are hushed, papers are laid aside, and people all over the nation chuckle in anticipation. Fred Allen is off to another gay adventure in neighborliness. “Allen’s Alley” users about five minutes of each Fred Allen show. Since his program currently tops the listener surveys and has been near top for season after season, it’s almost unnecessary for him to say he’s about to visit Senator Claghorn, Titus Moody, Mrs. Nussbaum and Ajax Cassidy. Regular listeners know the four. But before the conversational Mr. Allen comes into the “alley” again, let’s visit the place, look around, ...

It didn’t last as long on radio as it did on TV, but then again it was one of the longest running sitcoms in TV history. Today in 1944, “ The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet ” debuted on radio.

St. Joseph News-Press – Nov 2, 1947 -Associated Press JACK BENNY ’S RADIO GANG . . . Jack Benny , one of radio’s top performers has just signed a three-year contract, after 15 consecutive years before the microphone. During that time Jack and his program co-workers, Mary Livingston (his wife, Sadye Marks) , Dennis Day , PhilHarris and Rochester have become households words. In above sketch, AP News-feature Artist Milt Morris pictures the radio comedian and his aids looking over a script. They are (left to right), back row, Don Wilson, Rochester and DennisDay . Front row (left to right), Mary Livingston, Phil Harris and Jack Benny . Jack Benny at Times Becomes Fed Up With Roles He Has Created By RALPH DIGHTON HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 1 (AP)— Jack Benny as not bald. Jack Benny is not stingy. Jack Benny does not make Dennis Day mow his lawn. That is, Jack is not completely bald, he is not as stingy as he pretends on his radio program, and he doesn’t e...

The soap opera “ Portia Faces Life ” debuted on the NBC Red Radio Network today in 1940. An old friend said for the first two years he listened to the show, he was convinced that Portia’s last name was Face.

Dick POWELL Star of “ Richard Diamond Private Detective ” Dick Powell has attained success in virtually two careers. Through the media of radio, stage and screen, the star of NBC ’s “ Richard Diamond, Private Detective ” (Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. Est) gained popularity first as a singer and then reached new heights as a sleuth. Powell’s sense of humor has contributed much to his success. It was responsible for pulling him through some of the toughest days on his musical tours, it lends a unique twist to his radio mystery dramas and it is now launching him in what may prove to be a third career. His appearance in MGM’s “The Reformer and the Redhead” with his wife. June Allyson, established him as a first-rate light comedian. Dick Powell was born Richard Ewing Powell in Mountain View. Ark. Before he was of school age his family moved to Little Rock, and there he stayed until graduation from Little Rock College. As a student in college he began singing in a church choir, a...

Bill Stern —Teller of Tall Tales SOME radio performers have a way of bringing violent reactions from their listeners. An outstanding example is Bill Stern , the sports commentator. At almost regular intervals someone trots into this department screaming, “Did you hear Bill Stern last night?” Anonymous voices appear on the telephone, reporting Bill Stern ’s latest. What precipitates all this furor is Stern’s penchant for exaggeration. Stern comes on the air at 9:30 p.m. Fridays with dramatizations of what are known as feature stories in newspaper parlance. There is a little song on the show, sort of a singing commercial, and one of the lines is: “ Bill Stern has lots to say.” Stern certainly has. Not satisfied with a good feature story. Stern tries to make it better. He broadcast a story about a Wisconsin boy, who was learning to swim without hands or feet, only Stern made it “without arms or legs,” and made the boy out to be a good swimmer, which he wasn’t. Stern stra...

February 1945 Radio find of the year is Jack Benny ’s new singer, Larry Stevens. The baritone was completely unknown, and had never performed commercially, until he participated in a Freddy Martin bond rally at Los Angeles’ Cocoanut Grove . Spotted by a scout immediately, Larry soon tried out for Mary Livingstone —and was signed up for the place vacated by Dennis Day on the NBC show.

EVERY SUNDAY PHILCO PRESENTS THE RADIO HALL OF FAME THE TOP HITS FROM ALL FIELDS OF ENTERTAINMENT Tune in  . . . enjoy this listener’s digest of the best in the world of entertainment as judged by Variety Magazine. These stars were recent selections. A new, all-hit program is presented each week by Philco on Sunday, 6 to 7 P. M., E.W.T., Blue Network. . . . a Philco , more than any other radio , brings them to the homes of America Yes, that’s a fact. More people today are listening to radio entertainment over a Philco than any other make of radio ! Since 1928, over seventeen million Philco radios and radio-phonographs have been bought by the people of America . . . a far greater number than those of any other radio manufacturer. For twelve straight years before Pearl Harbor , the achievements that came from its laboratories made Philco America ’s most popular radio . And when war came, its years of leadership in radio research and ...

ROSEMARY RICE—who is Betty in NBC ’s Archie Andrews was studying at the Cape Cod Institute of Music one summer when she became interested in drama and joined a workshop. George F. Kaufman saw her in a workshop skit and cast her in a play. Later, Moss Hart gave her the lead for the road company of “ JuniorMiss ,” and before going into radio , she played the kid sister in “Dear Ruth.” 

  The Pittsburgh Press- Oct 18, 1943 Broadcasts Appeal And His Wife ‘Joins Up’ By SI STEINHAUSER Bennett Kilpack, Radio’s “ Mr. Keen ,” who traces lost persons, did too good a job for the WAC. He went on the air with a fervent appeal the every woman who felt herself able join the Army ’s girls in uniform. He was sincere in his heart and soul talk to his feminine audience, explaining that those who could and didn’t were “laggards, dullards and not very patriotic.” That evening when he went home Mrs. Bennett announced “I’m joining up with the WAC right away.” Bennett almost swooned, but he admired his wife’s determination, for she is a frail woman with more spirit than stamina. She kept her word, “joined up” but fell ill and was given a medical discharge after three months. And the unhappiest woman in America is radio’s “ Mrs. Keen ,” because she couldn’t go through with her plan to be one of America ’s girl soldiers . Her husband is still amazed at his own...

Introducing JOHN TILLMAN AT FRANK DAILEY’S Meadowbrook last summer, a young ex-GI named John Tillman earned himself the moniker of “Dream Scream,” delightedly bestowed on him by the bobbysoxers who found his looks and his emceeing irresistible. In a way, Tillman found this very satisfying, certainly a change from having “Sergeant!” screamed at him for three years. Matinee at Meadowbrook is still on the air, beamed for GI’s still overseas. We ordinary citizens hear John as m.c. of Danny O’Neil’s Singing in the Morning (daily 9:15 A.M., EST, CBS) and as the smooth-voiced announcer of The Stradivari Orchestra (Sundays, CBS, 2:30 P.M., EST). John was born in Clio, Alabama, during the first World War. He became a professional performer while he was still attending Barbour County High School. At the age of sixteen, he became a staff announcer and singer on Station WAFG in Dothan, Alabama. His mother accompanied him on the organ for his singing program. After he was graduated fro...

YAS, SUH, FRIENDS_WE’RE BACK ON THE AIR TONIGHT! AMOS ‘N’ ANDY FOR RINSO 9 00 WWJ WELCOME, AMOS ‘N’ ANDY ! HEAVENLY DAYS, McGEE, WHAT NEIGHBORS! FIBBER McGEE and MOLLY FOR JAHNSON’S WAX 9 30 ANOTHER SWELL REASON FOR STAYING HOME TUESDAY NIGHTS! BOB HOPE FOR PEPSODENT 10 00

SAY HELLO TO . . . DICK TODD—the baritone soloist in Home Town, Unincorporated. Dick comes from Montreal, and was already established as a popular singer in Canada before he headed south of the border, down U.S.A way. In this country a couple of guest appearances on the Magic Key of RCA show, and a season as soloist with Larry Clinton’s orchestra, brought him a large and lusty fan following. In physical makeup, Dick’s built like a football player: no wonder, because he was one, in McGill University. Boxing, swimming and wrestling are a few more things he was noted for in college , where he studied engineering.

Elliott Lewis Among some actors—always the less successful ones—to regards directors as frustrated performers who, because they, themselves, have no talent, take delight in lousing up the performances of those more gifted. Not even the most disgruntled thespian in Hollywood , however, would think of muttering such a charge against Elliot Lewis, the new producer-direcer of Auto-Lite’s award-winning “ Suspense ” series, heard Thursday evening on CBS . Lewis can play the leading role, write the script or handle the direction with facility—and if an engineer or sound effects man were turn up missing, he could handle their jobs, too. The 34-year-old producer-actor-writer is unquestionably the most formidable triple-threat man to emerge in radio since Orson Welles —and he has the same zeal, imagination, and boundless energy. As an actor, his range is staggering. This is the Elliot Lewis who won a following of sophisticates throughout the nation with his smooth, romantic narrati...

The Deseret News – May 1, 1965 Spike Jones  Dies InBeverly Hills BEVERLY HILLS CALIF. (UPI)— Spike Jones , a madcap bandleader who made a fortune with his zany music, died Saturday at the age of 53 in his home here. Jones died shortly after midnight. A family spokesman said Jones died in his sleep. His wife, singer Helen Grayco, and a nurse were at his bedside. Miss Grayco said he complained of a headache Friday morning and his physician ordered him to take some medication. The nurse who lived at Jones’ residence summoned the doctor shortly before midnight when she noticed his pulse was irregular Jones died before the doctor arrived. TAKES RIDE Jones’ sister-in-law, Mrs. Teresa Digioia, said Jones was out for a car ride Friday afternoon and “was feeling fine at that time.” First reports indicated Jones died of a heard condition. He had been home from the Santa Monica Hospital three weeks. He was hospitalized March 30 with complication following an asthmatic...

LEAH RAY As She Appears Under the MIKErocscope By Lee Mortimer LEAH RAY is next Baby Rose Marie, one of the radio ’s young stars. She was born nineteen years ago in Norfolk, Virginia, and has a cute Southern accent to substantiate the fact. Ambition as a kid led her to be a literary critic. She was most enthused about Dickens and Thackeray. But now she’s glad she didn’t pursue the pen, because she makes as much on one radio broadcast as most literary critics make in a year. When seventeen years old she was taken by her mother to Los Angeles, where she was to finish school. She was all prepared to enroll in the Hollywood High School on a Monday, when in the previous Friday her uncle, who is in the music business, introduced her to Phil Harris . This was when Harris played at the Cocoanut Grove . Phil needed a girl singer. Lead used to sing in parties, so she asked for an audition. After hearing her voice Phil hired her. Her first salary was $ 50 a week. So it transpi...

Frances Scott Femcee of It Takes A Woman doesn’t know the word can’t. All anyone had to do to het Frances Scott going on a project or an idea is to tell her it can’t be done. Miss Scott is the well known “femcee” of a number of radio and television shows, most of which she not only appears on but helps to write, cast and direct. One of the most popular of her shows at the moment is a transcribed series presented locally, throughout the country at different times and on different networks. It’s called It Takes A Woman. Frances Scott was born in San Francisco. Her father was an advertising man. It was this fact that led in directly to Frances’ present career. Like all children, Frances had imagination, but hers took a very practical turn. Radio was then an infant industry and in Frances’s fertile mind the ides grew that someday radio would be a wonderful medium for advertising. So, when she was graduated from high school, she hied herself to New York . She wound up on ...

“Truth or Consequences” debuted on radio today in 1940.   It would appear on radio or television for over three decades.

ON THE AIR TODAY: Kate Smith Speaks, on CBS at noon, E.D.T, sponsored by Grape Nuts. It’s a semi-vacation that Kate Smith is having this summer. When the sponsors of her noonday talks decided they’d like to keep the show on the air through the hot weather. Kate countered with a request that she be allowed to go on the air from her summer home at Lake Placid—and that’s what was finally decided, to everybody’s satisfaction. You ought to see the comfortable set-up Kate and her manager, Ted Collins, have up there in the cool mountains. Kate’s home is on Buck Island, about a mile and half off shore from the town of Lake Placid. It’s almost like a small village in itself, because both Kate and Ted have their homes there, plus guest houses, boat houses, a tennis court and a big outdoor barbecue pit. Three speedboats are moored to the dock, so that nobody need be disappointed when the urge to go somewhere  comes. Kate herself is an expert at operating a speedboat, and usually i...

Former radio star dies OLNEY, III. (AP) –Bernardine Doherty, whose role as Sade in the Vic and Sade series endeared her to early radio listeners, had died at a hospital here. Mrs. Foherty, window of Dr. Chester Doherty, associate professor of medicine at North western University Medical School, died Thursday of an internal aliment. A native of Madison, Wis., Mrs. Doherty studied drama at the University of Wisconsin and later appeared in several Broadway hits, including Seven Year Love, Strictly Dishonorable and Strange Interlude. She worked for the NBC in Chicago, appearing in several pioneer radio shows. Vic and Sade ran from 1932 to 1945 and won fame for its humorous depiction of a small-town mid-western family. After the series ended, Mrs. Doherty toured in a road show with actor Walter Huston, starring in Apple of his Eye and September Song.

FLORENCE WILLIAMS—a native of St. Louis, Mo., was a successful dress designer before turning actress; she still makes all her own clothes. Florence made her radio debut as Barbara Ware in Roses and Drums. Since then she has appeared regularly on the stage and radio at the same time. She plays the part of Sally in Front Page Farrell (M-F., 5:45 P.M. EDT, NBC). 

DOUBLY AIR-MINDED Playing the flying secret agent, Joyce Ryan, in Mutual’s Captain Midnight for the past five years has had a marked effect on Marilou Neumayer’s private life. The daily dialogue dealing with flying led to a real life interest in airplanes and what makes them run. Now Marilou, with sixty flying hours to her credit and her pilot’s license won, would rather fly than eat. Of course, her radio commitments keep her pretty busy. In addition to Captain Midnight , Marilou is also heard as the sultry siren, Stella Curtis—and here’s a piece of type casting, as far as looks as concerned—in the CBS and NBC Ma Perkins show. She’s featured on several other Chicago shows, like First Nighter, Freedom of Opportunity. Undecided as to whether it would be singing or acting as a career, Marilou went to Chicago in 1940 to try her luck in radio there. Her luck, it turned out, was exceptionally good. In two short months of knocking on doors, Marilou won the audition for the par...

Say Hello To- GWEN WILLIAMS—songbird on The Song of Your Life, tonight on NBC . Gwen decided to be a professional singer when she was 13 years old and won an amateur contest conducted by a radio station in her home state, Florida. In the University of Miami she majored in music, and after getting her degree came to New York , where she sang in night club before Harry Salter, Song of Your Life orchestra leader, heard her and hired her for his show. He says she has a brilliant singing future ahead. Gwen is married to Norman Foley, an executive in music publishing firm, and insists that marriage can go with a career.

Introducing KEN ROBERTS Wall, Street or radio? Ken made the lucky choice KEN ROBERTS enjoys his job as quizmaster on Quick as a Flash, heard Sundays at 5:30 PM, EST over the Mutual network. But the part of the program that really delights him more than anything else is the spot where he stops mc-ing long enough to say, “And now, announcer Cy Harris has a few words to say . . .” For to Ken, that moment is a complete switch in what has almost always been the Roberts routine. As the announcer on Take It or Leave It , Correction Please, Battle of the Sexes and some other shows, someone else was always saying, “And now Ken Roberts with a few words–” “And now ken Roberts with a few words –” Ken Roberts was born on Washington’s Birthday, 1910, in New York City. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School where, incidentally, one of his closest schoolmates was New Calmer, now one of CBS’s top newscasters. Early 1929 saw Ken in dire straits and badly in need of a job. He had heard th...