April 17, 1933: The First Performance of Johnny Roventinni on Radio Ads

April 17, 1933: The well-known commercial phrase ‘Call for Philip Morris,’ uttered by Johnny Roventini, went on air for the first time. He said the catchphrase several times in his characteristic high-pitched voice. Johnny’s red jacket, black hat, and white gloves were given to the American Advertising Museum.

Johnny Roventini, popular as Johnny Philip Morris, was born on August 15, 1910. Although he was less than four feet tall, he was a fully developed adult and worked as a bellboy at the New Yorker Hotel in 1933. He was discovered by an advertising mogul and he was asked to perform a page, issuing a "Call for Philip Morris".

During his career, with his perfect B-flat tone vocal, he repeated those words over a million times (according to his own estimate).

He was known as the representative for Philip Morris brand cigarettes through various media at that time. He was illustrated as a "living trademark" of Philip Morris for over 40 years. He also played in the comedy series I Love Lucy, helping the series achieve success in 1951.

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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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