RADIO IN 1936 – Part 3

Originally broadcast on WNIB
Saturday, June 15, 1996

A sound picture of radio as it was sixty years ago, in 1936.

LUX RADIO THEATRE (10-5-36) “Elmer the Great” stars Joe E. Brown as Elmer Kane, the modest baseball pitcher who signs with the New York Giants.  Cast includes June Travis and Frank Nelson.  Intermission guests are Carl Hubbell of the New York Giants and Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees.

TEXACO TOWN (10-25-36) Eddie Cantor stars with announcer Jimmy Wallington, 13-year-old Deanna Durbin, 9-year-old Bobby Breen and guest, actor Leslie Howard. Cast features Harry “Parkyakarkas” Einstein. (This program is preceded and followed by news reports on the “British crisis” – speculation on the abdication of King Edward so he can marry the American, Mrs. Wallace Simpson.)

KING EDWARD VIII (12-11-36) In a speech by short wave transmission from Windsor Castle, His Royal Highness Prince Edward speaks on his abdication, a few hours after discharging his last duties as King of England.  He has been succeeded by his brother, the Duke of York.

KEN MURRAY SHOW (4-22-36) Excerpt starring comedian Ken Murray, star of “Blackouts” in Los Angeles, with singer Phil Regan, comedienne Eve Arden, Russ Morgan and his orchestra.  Ken takes the cast to the circus.

FORD V-8 REVUE (1936) A transcribed program of popular music featuring Bob Crosby and his Swing Band with the Freshman Trio.

JOE PENNER SHOW (12-13-36) Comedian Joe Penner stars as the Black Sheep of an aristrocratic family, the Park Avenue Penners.  The family plans a trip to Russia.