Golden Age of Radio

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, ...

Between the American Revolution and the current conflict in Iraq, more than 26 million men and women have served America in wartime. Nearly 900,000 of those who served never returned home. Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice whilst serving their nation. Memorial Day traces its origins to the days following the Civil War, when many people from the North and South decorated the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. Decoration Day, as it was then known, was first observed officially on May 30, 1868 after Commander John A. Logan announced "the 30th of May is designated as a day of memorial to those who died in defence of our country. Let no ravages of time testify to the present or to coming generations that we as a people have forgotten the cost of a free and undivided republic".     In 1882 Decoration Day was changed to Memorial Day and in 1971, President Nixon declared it a national holiday.  To commemorate M...