RADIO IN 1936 – Part 5

Originally broadcast on WNIB
Saturday, June 29, 1996

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

SHELL CHATEAU (1-25-36) Al Jolson, the world’s greatest entertainer, presents a variety show with actor Herbert Marshall; comedienne Helen Troy; ski jumper Ivan Nelson; singers Jack Stanton and Peggy Gardner; and Cab Calloway and his Hi-De-Ho Boys!  Music by Victor Young and the orchestra.

BURNS AND ALLEN SHOW (1-15-36) George and Gracie with announcer Ted Husing, singer Milton Watson, and Jacques Renard, his magic violin and his orchestra.  Gracie plays Sadie Thompson in a spoof of the 1932 movie “Rain.”

MAJOR BOWES ORIGINAL AMATEUR HOUR (9-17-36) “Around, around she goes, and where she stops nobody knows.” Major Edward Bowes presents truly amateur talent as listeners call to vote.  Host city is Detroit, Michigan.

CHILDREN’S FOLLIES (7-4-36) New York Daily Mirror columnist Nick Kenny presents a kids’ show featuring New York talent plus an interview with Ireene Wicker, radio’s “Singing Lady” who talks about her career which began in Chicago.

SINGING LADY (7-10-36) Ireene Wicker tells a true story about a “great American composer,” John Alden Carpenter of Park Ridge, Illinois.  The Singing Lady offers a premium for listeners:  a “Singing Lady” sun suit!

JACK BENNY PROGRAM (10-18-36) Jack talks about his new movie, “The Big Broadcast” which establishes him as a “great screen lover.”  The cast continues their version of the blockbuster film of 1936, “Anthony Adverse”