Old Radio

  December 16, 1949: After 10 years of radio broadcasts, radio listeners heard the popular radio serial ,  Captain Midnight , for the final time on radio. Now place your deciphering insignias away, children. (Strangely, 1949 autumn did not see any encrypted messages. Single episode programs did not require “Encrypted Message” broadcast in program’s ongoing episodes. These shows did well as compared to those with half hour). Captain Midnight ' aired as a syndicated show in 1939 and then went on to become sponsored by Ovaltine where they gained more attention. The series loosely played on WWI, which helped it gain millions of followers. 'Midnight' became a comic strip, a comic book and then saw airtime on television.

December 15: Happy Birthday, Jeff Chandler! Jeff Chandler , born Ira Grossel, in 1918 could play any range of character’s and was most remembered for his portrayal of Apache Indian Chieftain Cochise in Broken Arrow (1950). His swarthy good looks made him an early sensation in Hollywood and a popular contract player for any studio that could get him onboard. Born into a Jewish family, Chandler gained a love for acting early on in his youth. Before becoming big on the stage and cinema, Chandler had for a time spent working in radio. In fact, in Rogue’s Gallery, Chandler performed with the notable Dick Powell on the air. his movie history included playing the parts of a gangster, Israeli soldier and an Arab chieftain, before his Academy Award nomination for his casting as the Apache leader. This had been the first time an actor had received such high accolades for portraying an Indian. During the late 50’s and before his death in 1961, Chandler’s hair began to turn gray prematurel

December 14: Happy Birthday, Spike Jones! Spike Jones was born December of 1911, but that is not all that there is about this talent of early radio. Besides he being an accomplished bandleader, Jones also inspired a satirical approach to his music by incorporating sound effect into the score. Spike Jones and His City Slickers  were hugely renowned as the king of music jocularity. By adding cowbells and catcalls, Jones developed a musical blend and comedy routine that shook the rafters of wherever their venue. His group was especially big during the 1940’s and 50’s. Lindley “Spike” Jones gained his famous nickname because he resembled a railroad spike as a lanky and skinny individual. The sound effect addition came as a result of his youth when he was taught the “art” of pots and pans as added noise makers. He performed on Bing Crosby ;’s first recording of White Christmas. Spike gained a radio following when he performed , The Chase and Sanborn Program, for NBC . As Edgar Bergen