October 12, 1937: Mr. Keen's Radio Debut

October 12, 1937: Mr Keen, the longest running detective show, aired for the first time on radio. The show starred Bennet Kilpack as Mr. Keen, Arthur Hughes, and Phil Clark. The program was sponsored by BiSoDol antacid mints, Hill's cold tablets, Heet liniment, Dentyne, Aerowax, RCA Victor and Chesterfield cigarettes. Some sponsors lasted for the entirety of the show's history, but many changed throughout the running of the program.

Mr. Keen, otherwise known by its full title Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost of Persons, was first broadcast on NBC Blue Network before it moved to CBS in 1947, 10 years after its debut.

During the first few episodes of the show, the "Tracer of Lost Persons" part was kind of forgotten, as most of Mr. Keen's cases involved murder. The show lasted for nearly 20 years, with the last episode airing on April 19, 1955.

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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 .

February 10: Happy Birthday, Jimmy Durante

February 10: Happy Birthday, Jimmy Durante Actor, personality, voice-over expert and owner of a famous "schnozzola," Jimmy Durante was born on this day in 1893. Jimmy's calling card was his raspy, urbane voice. He hosted the Durante-Moore Show with partner Garry Moore and went solo with The Jimmy Durante Show in 1947. "Dat's my boy dat said dat!" was a catchphrase on the first iteration of the program. Like many shows of the era, The Jimmy Durante Show featured comedy and music. Do you remember guest appearances by: Lucille Ball , Victor Moore, Bing Crosby , and Al Jolson ? After his radio career, Durante voiced the Narrator of the 1969 cartoon special "Frosty the Snowman." He died in Santa Monica on Jan. 29, 1980.

October 14, 1906 Benita Hume was born

On this day in 1906, Benita Hume was born.

Old Radio

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