September 30, 1935: The Premiere of Dick Tracy on Radio

"Calling Dick Tracy! Calling Dick Tracy! Come in Dick Tracy!"

September 30, 1935:
On this day The Adventure of Dick Tracy, adapted from a comic strip created by Chester Gould, was broadcast for the first time on the Mutual Radio Network. The show's duration was 15 minutes and could be heard from Monday through Friday at 5:45. The program was sponsored by Quaker Puffed Wheat and Quaker Puffed Rice.

The wrist-radio wearing, straight-shooting detective made his debut in comic strips today in 1931. He leapt to radio in 1934, played by Bob Burlen, Barry Thompson, Ned Wever, and Matt Crowley. The program originated on NBC, moved to CBS briefly in 1935, then to Mutual, and finally to ABC in 1943, where he remained until 1948. The show was a 15 minute program.

The broadcast was directed by Mitchell Grayson, Charles Powers, and Bob White. Starring in the show were Walter Kinsella as Pat Patton, Helen Lewis as Tess Trueheart and Andy Donnelly and Jackie Kelk as Junior Tracy. Ed Herlihy and Dan Seymour acted as hosts of the show.

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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 .

October 14, 1906 Benita Hume was born

On this day in 1906, Benita Hume was born.

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.

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