October 5, 1934: Debut of Hollywood Hotel Program on CBS

October 5, 1934: Hollywood Hotel aired on CBS. It was one of the earliest radio programs to be transmitted directly from Hollywood.

The program Hollywood Hotel was hosted by Dick Powell and featured Louella Parsons in a starring role. Dick Powell also performed a song and kibitzed with Louella and her movie star guests. Louella Parsons, with her influence, could get various stars to come on the show as features of the program. The impressive collaboration between Dick Powell and Louella Parsons gave the program mass appeal, pushing make "Hollywood Hotel" to become one of the highest rated radio shows on the air. The program only lasted until 1937 on CBS because of a problem with the American Federation of Radio Artists. Powell and Louella then moved to another radio station. The whole story is covered in the Tony Thomas book, The Films Of Dick Powell.

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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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