September 29, 1946: 'The Adventures of Sam Spade', A famous radio show

 September 29, 1946: The Adventures of Sam Spade was on air in the summer of 1946 on ABC every Friday night. Mystery fans remember it's Sunday night debut on CBS. The Adventures of Sam Spade, with Howard Duff playing Spade, became a big hit in the Sunday night radio lineup. And now a word from our sponsor: "Use Wildroot Cream Oil, Charlie ... it keeps your hair in trim..."

It was one of the most famous detective radio shows on at that time. Sam Spade was the main private detective character, played by Howard Duff, a famous American actor born on November 24, 1913. His spouse's name was Ida Lupino and his daughter's name was Bridget Duff. In 1984, Howard Duff divorced Ida Lupino and later married Judy Jenkinson. At the age of 76, Duff died suddenly of a heart attack on July 8, 1990 in California.

September 27, 1920 William Conrad was born

On this day in 1920, William Conrad was born.

September 26, 1920 Barbara Britton was born

On this day in 1920, Barbara Britton was born.  Britton made radio guest appearances in great radio dramas such as Lux Radio Theater, Lady Esther Screen Guild Theater, Your Movietown Radio Theater, Proudly We Hail, and Mr and Mrs North.

September 18, 1905 Eddie "Rochester" Anderson was born

On this day in 1905, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson was born.

September 15, 1904 Tom Conway was born

On this day in 1904, Tom Conway was born.

September 10, 1935: The Premiere of Popeye the Sailorman on Radio

 

September 10, 1935: The famous show Popeye The Sailor Man was aired for the first time on NBC on this day. The show was adapted from a comic strip written by Elzie Crisler Segar. The characters on the show were Popeye (main character), Olive Oyl, Brutus, Wimpy, and Sweepea. Many remember the unforgettable opening, "I'm Popeye the sailor man....toot..toot...!"

Previously a famous cartoon strip, Popeye was adapted as a radio broadcast by over three different networks and by two sponsors from 1935 to 1938. Popeye aired as a thrice-weekly 15-minute radio program, Popeye the Sailor was played by Detmar Poppen,  along with Olive Oyl (Olive Lamoy), Wimpy (Charles Lawrence), Bluto (Jackson Beck) and Swee'Pea (Mae Questel). The program was initially sponsored by Wheatena, a whole-wheat breakfast cereal, which would routinely replace the spinach references made throughout the show. Music was provided by Victor Irwin's Cartoonland Band. Announcer Kelvin Keech also sang (to composer Lerner's "Popeye" theme) "Wheatena is his diet / He asks you to try it / With Popeye the sailor man." Wheatena paid King Features Syndicate $1,200 per week for the ads.

September 9, 1955 Sergeant Preston of the Yukon's first episode was aired

On this day in 1955, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon's first episode was aired. From the snowy mountains of the Great Northwest, Sgt. Preston and King go on a set of adventures.

September 8, 1946 The Bickersons made its radio debut

On this day in 1946, The Bickersons made its radio debut.

September 7, 1943 Molle Mystery Theater made its radio debut

On this day in 1943, Molle Mystery Theater made its radio debut.

Sept 6: Lionel Barrymore series "Mayor of the Town" made its' debut

The Lionel Barrymore series "Mayor of the Town"  radio show made its' debut on this day in 1942.

September 2, 1931: Introducing Bing Crosby Show Premiere

September 2, 1931: CBS aired a 15 minute premiere with Bing Crosby.

In summer 1931, Bill Paley of CBS contacted Bing to perform for an unsponsored radio show  to be broadcast on August 31, 1931, but the show was canceled because Bing got laryngitis.

Bing continued his show at the famed Cocoanut Grove until May 1931.

The CBS 15 minute premiere of the radio show, Introducing Bing Crosby, commenced at 11 p.m. on September 2, 1931, and continued daily (except Sundays) with Bing giving an extra broadcast at 8:45 p.m. each Tuesday.  By September 22 of that year the daily broadcasts were switched to the earlier time of 7:00 p.m. to put Bing in direct competition with Amos n’ Andy.

 From station KHJ, CBS broadcast Bing's solo radio appearance on the Sunkist Musical Cocktails programme, accompanied by Raymond Paige and his Orchestra.

September 1, 1900 Don Wilson was born

On this day in 1900, Don Wilson was born.