Skip to main content

November 28, 1932: Groucho Marx Debut on Radio

 
November 28, 1932:  The debut of Groucho Marx on radio.

Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx  was an American comedian and film star known as a master of wit. Marx worked as a radio comedian and show host. His debut was a short-lived series in 1932 titled Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel, a program costarring Chico.

Comments

  1. "Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend . . . . . . but inside a dog it is too dark to read." - Groucho

    " I never forget a face, but in your case, I'll make an exception"

    ReplyDelete
  2. There once was a fellow named Marx
    Who was known for witty remarks
    He amused and amazed
    When his eyebrows were raised
    He was loaded with comedy smarts

    Groucho’s parents, both Orthodox Jews
    Were financially singing the blues
    So at 12 he quit school
    To earn money for fuel
    And to buy all his brothers new shoes

    But office boy jobs drove him mad
    So he summoned the talent he had
    As a singer of song
    And before very long
    He was earning good dough for a lad

    Later on with his brothers he’d croon
    But the three of them learned pretty soon
    That their improvisations
    Got louder ovations
    As folks ate it up with a spoon

    The Marx Brothers soon were a hit
    Writing many a comedy skit
    Then in movies they starred
    Life no longer was hard
    And their wives didn't mind it a bit

    Groucho later would go it alone
    With a show he produced on his own
    On the radio waves
    Drawing critical raves
    Then TV, where his face could be shown

    He was brilliant on You Bet Your Life
    Like Don Knotts, who portrayed Barney Fife
    With a straight man named George
    Quite a union he’d forge
    Though he couldn't hang on to a wife

    With his quiz show and trademark cigar
    Groucho shone as an eminent star
    In the business of fun
    He was second to none
    And inspired both Carson and Paar

    Today is the day of the birth
    Of a man who arrived on this Earth
    With a natural flare
    To be great on the air
    Where he reigned as the master of mirth

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

1946 Great Crepitation Fart Contest

Not for the faint of heart, here is the remarkable 1946 Crepitation (Fart) Contest (part of the 1946 News Broadcasts Collection ). You'll enjoy the fart-off between champion Englishman Lord Windsmear, and  challenger, Australian Paul Boomer who had stowed aboard a cabbage freighter. The hilarious comedy recording was apparently created a spoof by two Canadian radio sportscasters in 1946, but this 15 minute recording definitely has some gems in it.  Apparently they made several copies, but it was not for distribution. The recording was copied again and again on disc and reel to reel tape. It was distributed underground and played in dark rooms and back alleys around the world. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element This recording is available with many other delightful treats on Random Rarities #7 available on   MP3 CD ,  Audio CD , and  instant download .

April 27, 1932: The First Performance of Ed Wynn on Texaco Fire Chief Show

April 27, 1932:  Ed Wynn , the Texaco fire chief, graced the airwaves for the first time on Texaco Star Theater. Wynn, who enjoyed popularity as a vaudeville performer, gave as a condition to his switch to radio, that a live audience react to his humor.His condition was granted by the network and so began Wynn's career as the first true superstar of radio. Ed Wynn was hosted a popular radio show  on Tuesday nights for most of the 1930s. The radio show was heard in North America and sponsored by Texaco gasoline. On the show Wynn played  as the " Texaco Fire Chief ". He was often seen wearing a fireman's helmet. For this show, Wynn would turned down the offer form The Wizard in MGM's adaptation of The Wizard of Oz , to play a role on that show.

January 27, 1948: Wire Recording introduced the 'Wireway'

  January 27, 1948: The first magnetic tape recorder was introduced by Wire Recording Corporation of America.  ‘Wire Way,’ as it was called, had an integrated oscillator and was sold for $149.50 at the time.