January 18: Happy Birthday, Cary Grant

January 18: Happy Birthday, Cary Grant

When was the last time you used the word "debonair" in a sentence? It's out of fashion, and not a whole lot of today's men merit the adjective. But it's a word often used to describe Cary Grant, star of Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, and North By Northwest. He was always neatly coiffured, even when being chased by an airplane, and wore a steely look on his placid face.

As for oldtime radio: Cary appeared on several vintage radio programs, chief among them
Lux Radio Theater. He appeared on that series' productions of The Philadelphia Story and Madame Butterfly as well as episodes entitled "The Theodora Goes Wild," "Only Angels have Wings," "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" and "The Awful Truth Stars Cary Grant."

He also starred on several episodes of Suspense, including "On a Country Road," broadcast Nov. 16, 1950. His co-stars were Cathy Lewis and Jeannette Nolan.

It's also worth a note, since it's Grant's birthday, that his 1948 movie Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House was adapted into a radio sitcom.

So put a little grease on your hair, light a pipe, and flash a smile in honor of Cary Grant. He would've been a hundred and eight!

May 15: Happy Birthday, James Mason

Not always mentioned among big stars like Clark Gable and Cary Grant; not always among celebrated artists such as Laurence Olivier, Marlon Brando, or Al Pacino, James Mason certainly earned the right to be called one of the great film actors of all time.

Mason was nominated for three Oscars and and three Golden Globes, and his resume reads like a who's who of classic movies: Lolita, North By Northwest, and Julius Caesar.  Also not too shabby were A Star is Born and Bigger Than Life.

While radio was passing the baton of dominant media on to movies (with television a newbie), the British Mason appeared on a few of the big American shows: Suspense, Maxwell House Coffee Time, Studio One, and The Fred Allen Show.

We say a happy birthday to actor James Mason!

February 26: Happy Birthday, Dane Clark

February 26: Happy Birthday, Dane Clark

Dane Clark's career proves that if a law degree doesn't get you anywhere, and if you can't find work as a construction worker, boxer, or model, try acting!
Not long after Clark ditched modeling for acting, he found himself working with the likes of Bette Davis, Cary Grant, and Humphrey Bogart--in fact, Bogey gave Clark his stage name.

In the mid-50's, Clark landed the starring role of Peter Chambers on the program Crime & Peter Chambers. This series was based on crime novels by Henry Kane. The protagonist in these pulps, Peter Chambers, was in the mold of the swinging playboy whose sidekick was Miss Amanda Foxworth.

Clark died on September 11, 1998.

October 17: Happy Birthday, Rita Hayworth

A dancer as a child and actress and sex symbol as an adult, Rita Hayworth was born Margerita Carmen Cansino on this day in 1918.

Star of Gilda, Pal Joey, and Separate Tables, the stunning brunette was also once married to Orson Welles and romantically involved with Prince Aly Khan, Aga Khan's son.

But let's allow others to worry about her lovelife, her scandals and intrigues.  We're here to celebrate her radio performances: there were many.  She appeared on The Lux Radio Theatre, Gulf Screen Guild Theatre, The Pepsodent Show (hosted by Bob Hope), Suspense, and Command Performance.  On these top-flight shows, she acted alongside Cary Grant, Cecil B. DeMille, George Burns, and Angela Lansbury.

Hayworth was dashing and sensual, and has been recognized by collective memory as one of the great film actresses of all time.

August 2: Happy Birthday, Myrna Loy!

Happy Birthday to Myrna Loy today!

Born today in 1905, the film actress was known for her many film roles including opposite William Powell in "The Thin Man" and with Cary Grant in "Mr Blandings."

During the Golden Age of Radio, Myrna Loy also appeared in such radio shows as "Good News", "Lux Radio Theater", "Screen Guild Theater", and "Suspense!"

July 28: Happy Birthday, Rudy Vallee

The consummate entertainer is one that carries a “valise” full of varied talent. Rudy Vallee was one example of such a skilled performer. Born on July 28, 1901, Vallee carried the mantle of bandleader, singer and actor...if only he could have danced. Music was dear to the heart of Mr vallee and it showed with is being part of his high school band. He could play drums, clarinet and saxophone. In the mid-20’s he went to London and played with the Savoyband. Upon returning to the U.S., vallee enrolled in college and and put together his own band, “Rudy Vallee and The Connecticut Yankees.” He developed as a crooner using a megaphone and his style made him an instant hit with the young ladies of his day. This early century version of a “pop star” began to grow in his musical repertoire as he began to record label after label for the music fans. Hits like “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries” and “As Time Goes By” began to appear on the airwaves from stations all over the country. Rudy Vallee also hosted various radio programs over the years. In 1929, he was the host of The Fleischmann’s Yeast Hour and The Royal Gelatin Hour during the 30’s. During the 1940’s Rudy Vallee took a break from radio to serve with the U.S. Coast Guard. These variety programs brought many of the big name stars into millions of homes every week. Over the years Vallee appeared many films. he starred with the likes of Claudette Colbert and Cary Grant. As the years passed his voice took on a baritone langor and gave him varied opportunities that had been limited earlier in his career. In 1986 Rudy Vallee passed away from cancer. His music can still be heard in collections that have been preserved.

December 4: Happy Birthday, Cornell Woolrich

Today's entry is a birthday commemoration: on this day in 1903, author Cornell Woolrich came into the world. Woolrich's crime fiction was utterly adaptable, a favorite target for radio producers. His works You'll Never See Me Again and The Black Curtain were adapted by the radio classic Suspense.

In fact, each of these was presented more than once. The first time The Black Curtain rolled on Suspense, the cast included Cary Grant and Hans Conried. Other stars of Woolrich adaptations include Joseph Cotten, Robert Young, and William Spier.

Woolrich led a lonely, stark life. He lived with his mother in Harlem until her death, after which he drifted from hotel room to hotel room. To make matters worse, he suffered an infection that led to one of his legs being amputated. This life of suffering infused Woolrich's work--his characters, too suffered.

Not a cheery story, perhaps, but fans of chilling tales have enjoyed hours of radio based on the work of this fine writer.