Listen to a Charlie McCarthy Radio Show episode by clicking on a link below:

Guest: Tallulah Bankhead – November 17, 1946 – 25 Minutes

Edgar Bergen tries to get Charlie McCarthy to get more serious about his dancing lessons at a very exclusive school but Charlie hates them with a passion. Edgar compliments Mortimer Snerd for being dressed up in a brand new suit. Charlie has written a 3 act play for this week’s guest – Tallulah Bankhead.

The Charlie McCarthy Show was re-titled, “The New Edgar Bergen Hour” in October of 1954.

This radio show suffered the same fate as many other of its time period. It ended due to the fact that most people were watching television by the mid-1950s. Radios were being pushed into the corner of the living room or the basement in order to make room for TVs! Anyway, sponsors of course moved to television too and without an audience or a sponsor most radio programs faded away.

Edgar and Charlie got their big break in 1936 on “The Rudy Vallee Hour” for one season. Then they moved on to the “Chase and Sandborn Hour” in 1937 where they worked alongside W.C. Fields, Dorothy Lamour, Don Ameche and others who would become household names on the radio and then later on television! That series attracted nearly every star of its era as guests including Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe and Orson Welles to name just a few!

Edgar Bergen’s success on the radio was truly amazing and many in the industry expected him to fail. After all, he was a ventriloquist! The big attraction of that type of act is to appreciate how someone can “throw” their voice to a “dummy” without moving their lips but audiences obviously couldn’t see Edgar on the radio! What made him so successful was that he transformed Charlie and Mortimer into “living” characters that the audience knew weren’t truly alive.

While Edgar never hit it big in the movies like many of his co-workers on the radio, he was a very popular guest star on television. He continued to make appearances until just a couple of years before his death in 1978. Another considerable contribution that Edgar made to the entertainment industry was when he fathered Candice Bergen who went on to become a movie star from the mid-1960s to the late 1980s and then moved into television where she starred for a whopping ten seasons on “Murphy Brown” and then later for 91 episodes on “Boston Legal”! Candice’s first public appearances were on this radio show as “Charlie’s Litte Sister”.

First Episode: October 1949

Last Episode: July 1, 1956

Number of Episodes: Approximately 250?

Network: CBS

Announcer: Bill Baldwin

Producer: Sam Pearce

Sponsor: Coca Cola to June 1952; Lanolin Plus cosmetics to October 1954; then Kraft Foods; then Miscellaneous

Broadcast Time: Sundays 8:00-8:30PM Eastern through May 1953; In October 1953 it moved to 9:30PM

Typical Episode Length: 30 Minutes

Thank you for visiting our “Charlie McCarthy Radio Show” page!

NOTE: Photo above is of Groucho Marx and his sidekick/announcer, George Fenneman!

Listen to a You Bet Your Life Radio Show episode by clicking on a link below:

Secret Word: Hand – February 10, 1958 – 22 Minutes

First Episode: October 27, 1947 (With an earlier audition show on September 15, 1947)

Last Episode: June 10, 1960

Number of Episodes: Approximately 162

Network: ABC to October 5, 1949. Then CBS until October 4, 1950. Then NBC to series end in 1960.

Host: Groucho Marx

Producers/Directors: Bob Dwan, John Guedel, Harfield Weedin

Announcers: George Fenneman, Jack Slattery

Sound Effects: ??????

Music: Billy May Orchestra

Theme Song: “Hooray for Captain Spaulding” by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby (From the film, “Animal Crackers”)

Writers: Hy Freedman, Bernie Smith

Sponsor: Elgin American, Desoto-Plymouth

Typical Episode Length: 30 Minutes

You Bet Your Life was doomed from the start to never make it on the air! Groucho Marx didn’t want to do it and the executives at CBS didn’t believe it could work! Series producer, “John Guedel”, however, knew that Groucho’s ability to interact with the contestants and the audience would be a success and he convinced everyone to give it a try! Not only did the radio show last 4 1/2 years on the air, but the You Bet Your Life TV Show ran for 11 years!

When the radio show moved to NBC in October of 1950, it was broadcast simultaneouly on television! It was one of the few shows where the same broadcast worked well on both the radio and TV!

Thank you for visiting our “You Bet Your Life Radio Show” page!

The photo above is a very young (and cute) Doris Day and Bob Hope!

Listen to a Doris Day Radio Show episode by clicking on a link below:

Looking For Don Wilson’s Santa Suit – December 23, 1953 – 26 Minutes

There was also a Doris Day Show on television for five seasons from 1968-1973. It highlighted more of Doris’ acting talent unlike the radio show which predominately focused on her singing ability.

Thank you for visiting our “Doris Day Radio Show” page!

Listen to a Dinah Shore Radio Show episode by clicking on a link below:

Guest: Groucho Marx – March14, 1946 – 30 Minutes

Dinah Shore’s very first recording, “Yes, My Darling Daughter” became a huge hit! When Eddie Cantor saw her perform, he couldn’t sign her up fast enough as a regular on his radio show, “Time To Smile” in 1940!

The Dinah Shore Show actually comprises three different shows. This is typical of old time radio shows. The name would change due to a change of networks, or more often, due to a change in sponsors.

The first of Dinah’s series was titled, “Birds Eye Open House”. It ran from the fall of 1943 to May of 1946. In October of 1946, the name changed to, “The Ford Show” and, on February 9, 1948, it became, “Call To Music”. That series ran through June 29, 1948 and was also referred to as the “Dinah Shore/Harry James Show”. They were all really Dinah’s though … she made them shine with her voice and her “down home” personality!

After that, Dinah continued to guest star on other star’s radio shows and, shortly after that, on TV shows. In 1951, she got her own TV series, also called the “Dinah Shore Show”.

Thank you for visiting our “Dinah Shore Radio Show” page!

Note: The photo above is of Bob Hope and Jane Russell on the Command Performance radio show set!

Listen to a Command Performance Radio Show episode by clicking on a link below:

Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, and Jimmy Durante – March 15, 1945 – 30 Minutes

First Episode: March 1st, 1942

Last Episode: December 20th, 1949

Number of Episodes: 400+

Network: Armed Forces Radio Service

Creator: Louis G. Cowan

Cast Members: Many big name stars on each episode. Different stars each week

Producers: Maury Holland, Vick Knight, Cal Kuhl

Director: Glenn Wheaton

Announcers: Ken Carpenter, Paul Douglas

Music: Varied each episode with the top Orchestras and singers of the period

Writers: Melvin Frank, Norman Panama

Sponsor: Campbell Soup

Typical Episode Length: Varied from 30 minutes to 2 hours!

Spinoff Series: “Request Performance”

The sole purpose of the Command Performance radio show was to entertain U.S. troops fighting around the world during World War II. The series continued on after the war ended as many troops were stationed overseas for years following the war in order to give our former enemy nations time to establish stable, democratic governments.

Virtually everyone involved with Command Performance donated their time free of charge! The series was broadcast mostly by the Armed Forces Radio Network via shortwave radio overseas and via the radio networks for the troops on our home soil. It was a true “Labor of Love” from the stars and technicians for the boys that were risking their lives for our freedom!

Just to give you an idea of the tremendous talent that donated their time, here’s a ridiculously partial list: Fred Allen, George Burns and Gracie Allen, The Andrew Sisters, Eddie Cantor, Bing Crosby, Bette Davis, Olivia De Haviland, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Betty Grable, Cary Grant, Rita Hayworth, Bob Hope, Spike Jones, Francis Langford, Charles Laughton, Fred MacMurray, Vincent Price, Ginger Rogers, Mickey Rooney, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Kate Smith, Shirley Temple, and Spencer Tracy! And the music was provided by people link Benny Goodman’s, Harry James’, and Glenn Miller’s Orchestras!

Thank you for visiting our “Command Performance Radio Show” page!

Listen to a Bing Crosby Radio Show episode by clicking on a link below:

Guest: Judy Garland – March 14, 1951 – 29 Minutes

Bing Crosby had previously been on the radio as the host of the Kraft Music Hall beginning on December 5, 1935 and ending in May of 1946. He then went on to host Philco Radio Time beginning on October 16, 1946. Bing was instrumental in working with engineers on that show to use a new technology (audio tape) to record his shows! They got the technology from equipment captured from the Nazis after World War II! Prior to that time, the radio shows that were recorded were done on large wax discs. This was known as “transcription” and you’ll hear “This show was transcribed …” on many old radio shows. The tape recorders used on Philco Radio Time were then produced for public sale by Ampex Corportation and all types of recordings, including top 100 hits, quickly found their way into consumers’ homes!

There was also a Bing Crosby TV Show that aired for 28 episodes during the 1964/65 season.

Thank you for visiting our “Bing Crosby Radio Show” page!

NOTE: Photo above is of the host – Talluhlah Bankhead

Listen to a The Big Show Radio Program episode by clicking on a link below:

Guests: Jimmy Durante, Milton Berle, and Ethel Merman – April 29, 1951 – 88 Minutes

First Episode: November 5, 1950

Last Episode: April 20, 1952

Number of Episodes: 57

Network: NBC Radio Network

Hosted By: Talluhlah Bankhead

Producer/Director: Dee Englebach

Announcers: Ed Herlihy and Jimmy Wallington

Music: Merideth Wilson

Writers: Goodman Ace, Frank Wilson

Sponsor: Numerous sponsors

Broadcast Time: Sundays from 6:30PM to 8:00PM

Typical Episode Length: 90 Minutes

The Big Show radio program was aptly named as each episode lasted for 90 minutes and featured several of the biggest stars of its era! This big-budget, musical/variety show offered movie stars, radio stars, TV stars, singing stars, comedy stars, and great popular bandleaders that knocked the socks off audiences each week!

Thank you for visiting our “The Big Show Radio Program” page!

NOTE: The photo to the right is of Guy Madison and Andy Devine on the Wild Bill Hickok radio show ——–>

Listen to a Wild Bill Hickok Radio Show episode by clicking on a link below:

The Mark of a Killer – January 25, 1952 – 25 Minutes

First Episode: April 1, 1951

Last Episode: December 31, 1954

Number of Episodes: 271

Network: Mutual Broadcastin System

Cast Members: Guy Madison (U.S. Marshal James Butler ‘Wild Bill’ Hickok), Andy Devine (Deputy Marshal ‘Jingles’ P. Jones), Paul Frees, Forrest Lewis, Charlie Lung, Howard McNear, Tyler McVey, Ralph Moody, Jack Moyles, Barney Phillips, Clayton Post, Will Wright

Producer/Director: David Hire, Paul Pierce

Director: Paul Pierce

Announcer: Charles ‘Charlie’ Lyon

Sound Effects: Unknown

Music: Richard Aurandt, Dick Aurandt (Organist)

Writers: Larry Hayes

Sponsor: Kellogs Cereal

Typical Episode Length: 25 Minutes

Unlike most series that made the transition from radio to TV, The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok TV Show kept the same cast as the radio show!

Thank you for visiting our “Wild Bill Hickok Radio Show” page!

Listen to a Six Shooter Radio Show episode by clicking on a link below:

The New Sheriff – June 10, 1954 – 29 Minutes

First Episode: September 20, 1953 (Plus the first appearance of the Six Shooter on the series, “Hollywood Star Playhouse” on April 13, 1952 and an audition show on July 15, 1953)

Last Episode: June 24, 1954

Number of Episodes: 41 (39 regular episodes, 1 on the “Hollywood Playhouse”, 1 audition show)

Network: NBC Radio Network

Cast Members: James Stewart (Britt Ponset – The Six Shooter), Elvia Allman, Parley Baer, Harry Bartell, Sam Edwards, Frank Gerstle, Virginia Gregg, Bert Holland, Jess Kirkpatrick, Howard McNear, Shep Menken, Lou Merrill, B. J. Thompson

Producer: Unknown

Director: Jack Johnstone

Announcers: Hal Gibney (9/20/53-03/14/54), John Wald (3/21/54-6/24/54)

Sound Effects: Unknown

Music: Basil Adlam (Including the theme song titled, “Highland Lament”)

Series Creator/Writer: Frank Burt

Sponsor: Coleman Heating Products (9/20/53 – 10/11/53), Supported By NBC (10/18/53-6/24/54)

Typical Episode Length: 30 Minutes

The Six Shooter radio show was a western series where Jimmy Stewart played a character very close to the ones he portrayed in most of his western movies. Britt Ponset (The Six Shooter) was an easygoing kind of guy who’d prefer to avoid conflict, but when forced into a situation where he had no other choices, the bad guys had better watch out! Britt would roam from town to town throughout the southwestern United States and make friends wherever he went. Often he would end out in conflict because someone was threatening harm to one of his new friends.

One of the reasons that this series only lasted one season was because when Coleman Heating Products dropped their sponsorship of the series, Chesterfield Cigarettes offered to sponsor the show but Jimmy Stewart said no! He didn’t want his image tainted by a product that only few in the industry acknowledged was “bad” at that time.

Thank you for visiting our “Six Shooter Radio Show” page!

NOTE: The photo above is of Roy Rogers and his real-life wife and co-star on this radio show, Dale Evans!

Listen to a Roy Rogers Show radio episode by clicking on a link below:

Apache Grazing Land – March 5, 1953 – 25 Minutes

First Episode: November 21, 1944

Last Episode: July 21, 1955

Number of Episodes: Approximately 348

Network: Mutual (11/21/44 – 5/13/51), NBC (10/5/51)

Cast Members: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Gabby Hayes, Joseph Kearns, Bob Nolan, Pat Brady, Frank Hemingway, “Sons Of The Pioneers”, Trigger (Roy’s Palomino horse)

Producer: Art Rush

Director: Tom Hargass

Announcers: Art Balinger

Sound Effects: Unknown

Music: Foy Willing and The Riders of the Purple Sage, Milton Charles, and, of course, Roy, Dale, and the “Sons of the Pioneers” also sang vocals.

Writers: Ray Wilson

Sponsor: Goodyear Tire Company, Mile Laboratories, Quacker Cereal, Post Cereals, Dodge Motor Company

Typical Episode Length: 30 minutes

By 1938, Roy Rogers had established himself as both a movie star and a singing star! He and his second wife, Dale Evans made the perfect radio and TV cowboy/cowgirl couple! Audiences felt like they knew them and cheered them on each week when they would save some poor soul or souls from robbers and con men in the old west.

Roy’s radio show lasted 11 seasons and the Roy Rogers Show On TV stayed on the air for 6 seasons! Roy also made a ton of movies and appeared on numerous other radio and TV shows as a guest star! In addition, Roy had a successful recording career for several years with songs that made it to the top of the charts! His, perhaps, best known song was “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” although most people probably remember him and Dale Evans singing “Happy Trails to You” at the end of each show!

Thank you for visiting our “Roy Rogers Show On The Radio” page!