June 10: Happy Birthday Judy Garland

Somewhere over the rainbow can be found the face and voice of Judy Garland. Although hers was a sad end of life tale, her time entertaining people holds a mark as one of the most loved and cherished with fans. Judy Garland was born Frances Gumm in 1922 and was discovered as a teenager in vaudeville.

Judy Garland had been performing with her two older sisters in musical acts in Minnesota, than California when Busby Berkley went to watch one of her performances with her sisters. She signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, where she met and performed with Andy Rooney in 9 films. in 1939, Miss Garland starred in the classic hit Wizard of Oz.

Her fame continued to grow and saw her cast with the likes of Deanna Durbin and others. One of the highest accolades laid at her feet was that of Fred Astaire who described her as, “one of the finest entertainers to ever live”. Miss Garland was as adept a singer as she was an actress and proved it with many famous recordings, including her hit, Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Garland was as popular an adult star as she was in her teen years.

Playing opposite the likes of Frank Sinatra only grew her fame; especially when much of her music was hitting the radio airwaves to make Mr. and Mrs. America take notice of her contralto voice. Judy Garland was married five times and in those marriages had 3 children, two of which (Liza Minelli and Lorna Luft) became established stars. Miss Garland passed away in 1969 at the age of 47. She will be remembered for a long time.

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.

Old Radio

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