CHRISTMAS DAYS OF THE 20TH CENTURY

Originally broadcast on WNIB
Saturday, December 25, 1999

On our last Those Were The Days program of the 1900s, we tune in to a variety of seasonal broadcasts from a variety of Christmas Days during the 20th Century.

PHILCO RADIO TIME (December 25, 1946) Bing Crosby presents his annual Christmas program with Skitch Henderson, the Chari­oteers, John Scott Trotter and the orchestra, announcer Ken Carpenter. Selections include “Adestes Fideles,” “The Christmas Song,” “Jingle Bells,” “White Christmas,” “Silent Night.” Bing narrates Charles Tazewll’s clas­sic story, “The Small One.” Philco, ABC. (30 min)

LUX RADIO THEATRE (December 25, 1939) Producer Cecil B. DeMille presents a pre-re­lease presentation of Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio” featuring members of the cast who provided voices for the 1940 motion pic­ture. A puppet comes to life in this classic fantasy. Cliff Edwards is Jiminy Cricket; Dickie Jones is Pinocchio; Walter Catlett is Honest John; Christian Rub is Gepetto; Evelyn Veneble is the Blue Fairy; Frankie Darrow is Lampwick. This is the first time the public was introduced to the now-famous Disney characters. Lux Soap, CBS. (60 min in 3 segments) Those Were The Days listeners have voted LUX RA­DIO THEATRE one of the 20 Best Old Time Radio Shows of the 20th Century.

PHIL HARRIS—ALICE FAYE SHOW (Decem-ber 25, 1949) Phil and Alice hope to get Don Wilson to play Santa for their daughters, but guest Jack Benny shows up in Don’s place. Cast includes Elliott Lewis as Frankie Remley; Walter Tetley as Julius; Jeanine Roos and Ann Whitfield as daughters Phyllis and Alice. Phil sings “Jingle Bells” and Alice sings “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” Rexall, NBC. (29 min)

TERRY AND THE PIRATES (December 25, 1946) An unusual isolated episode of the long-running kids’ adventure show, presented en¬tirely in rhyme. A nervous Terry Lee pre-pares for a “Radio Message” to his “Uncle Sam.” He introduces all the characters on the show who extend their Christmas greet-ings to listeners. Quaker Puffed Wheat Sparkies, ABC. (15 min)

CAVALCADE OF AMERICA (December 25, 1944) “America For Christmas” starring Walter Huston with special songs by Woody Guthrie, arranged by Earl Robinson and sung by the Sportsman Quartet. A group of U.S. service-men celebrate Christmas on a small island in the Pacific during World War II. A USO troupe gives them a Christmas show about America. DuPont, NBC. (29 min)

FIBBER MC GEE AND MOLLY (December 25, 1945) Jim and Marian Jordan star as the McGees of Wistful Vista. Fibber gets a Christ¬mas gift from Doc Gamble, but no one can figure out what it is! Cast includes Arthur Q. Brian as Doc Gamble; Gale Gordon as Mayor LaTrivia; Bea Benadaret as Mrs. Carstairs; Har¬low Wilcox; King’s Men; Billy Mills and the orchestra. Johnson’s Wax, NBC. (30 min) Those Were The Days listeners have voted FIBBER MC GEE AND MOLLY one of the 20 Best Old Time Radio Shows of the 20th Century.