December 18: Happy Birthday, Abe Burrows

To win a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award is a grand accomplishment for anyone; especially considering the dichotomy of what each represents. However, for Abe Burrows that is as defining of the man as anyone could ever attain.

Born in December of 1910, Mr Burrows was an author, radio and stage director and a humorist. One of the things that can be said of Abe Burrows was his influence upon (then) future comedy writers; such as Larry Gelbart of M*A*S*H. But to have gained the experience for being about to mentor the up and coming, he had to develop his own path to acclaim. However, this did not take long for someone that would have eventual history with radio, alongside of Ed Gardner from Duffy’s Tavern, director of stage productions and as an established author.

He created a varied repertoire of screenplays and authored his own autobiography, Honest, Abe: Is There Really No Business Like Show Business? His own son, James, did not fall from the proverbial apple cart as a producer of shows like Mary Tyler Moore and Cheers. To list the accomplishments of Abe Burrows is to create an encyclopedia set. Mr Burrows left this world in 1985 of Alzheimer's, but he also left a lot of himself behind. why was he so popular? Maybe because he created people to look and act like themselves...just like he did.

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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.

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