GEORGE BURNS CENTENNIAL
1896 – 1996

Originally broadcast on WNIB
Saturday, January 20, 1996

George Burns was born January 20, 1896 and today, precisely 100 years later, we celebrate his Centennial!

George and his wife Gracie Allen entertained radio fans royally for eighteen years, from 1932 until 1950, when they made a smooth transition to tele vision.

During our centennial salute we’ll have lots of sound clips from the radio career of Burns and Allen as well as some of George’s musical efforts and a few early George and Gracie comedy recordings.

Plus these complete broadcasts:

BURNS AND ALLEN (2-10-41) Broadcasting from Chicago to entertain the troops at Fort Sheridan, George and Gracie star with Artie Shaw and his orchestra. Lots of topical chatter about Chicago and a visit from the city’s Mayor Edward J. Kelly.

BURNS AND ALLEN (11-9-43) Gracie blackmails guest Jack Benny into permitting George to sing on the Benny program. George sings “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”

PHILCO RADIO TIME (1-14-48) Bing Crosby welcomes guest George Burns who has decided to leave Gracie and go out on his own as a singer. “Sugar Throat” Burns and Bing sing “It Might As Well Be Spring.”

PLUS—Our Those Were The Days Radio Players –live and in person- present an original sketch by Ken Alexander based on the Burns and Allen Show.