Old Radio

It is one thing to be able to look a giraffe in the eye...but to kick one? That was the self-professed irony of one Charlotte Greenwood . Born in June of 1890, Frances Charlotte Greenwood stood 6 feet tall and was an acclaimed dancer and actress. Her lengthy reach with her legs made her a favorite for choreography selections, being able to kick high and gracefully. The celebrated comedienne would grace the screen of the notable musical, “Oklahoma” in 1955 as Aunt Eller. However, before her run as a screen actress, Ms Greenwood completed a successful run on radio with her own program which ran as a situational comedy for the airwaves. From 1941-1946, The Charlotte Greenwood Show stood the test of time and became an American favorite during a time of world wide hostilities . Families groomed their time around the radio to listen to This effervescent diva of celebrated humor and tale. As Aunt Charlotte she was full of bits and pieces of wisdom playing nursemaid to the three barton

On June 24 of 1904, Baloo...well the voice of Baloo...was born. Phil Harris (first name Wonga ) was an actor, jazz musician, singer, comedian and so many other talents. Raised in Tennessee, Harris began his foray into entertainment as a drummer for a circus.  He later formed a band that many runs at the St. Francis Hotel. Following a dissolution of the band, Harris formed a new band that still exists to this day. Through the 1930’s, Phil Harris made recordings for a variety of major labels, including Columbia, Decca and Victor. From the 30’s through the 50’s, Harris would be cast alongside some of the big names in the industry, like Walter Brennan.  He also performed in a film that also created Flying Down to Rio, which set in motion a couple of top names in Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire . During the 1930’s, Harris made his radio debut by being the Musical Director and comic relief for the Jack Benny Program. The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show also spent time on the airwa

  June 23, 1941: Heard for the first time on Mutual, Front Page Farrell moved to NBC in 1942 and remained on air until 1954. The central characters were Sally and David Farrell. The show featured David Farell, a reporter with dashing looks who impulsively married Sally. Such marriage was intended to save Sally from marrying someone who was twice her age. Together, they have solved cases, reporting gigs, and the likes. In WWII , it was said that the Office of War and information has provided some themes for the show. Enjoy this 1949 broadcast of "Fatal Smile":

June 22, 1920 was when American voice and character actor Paul Frees was born. Born Solomon Hersh Frees , his voice range that covered multiple octave levels made Frees a popular pick for voice characterizations over 40 years.  To this day, some of his voice offerings can be found in the Disney company of entrees, including Walt Disney World. Beginning in 1942, Frees would extend his voice to cartoons, and other venues of entertainment...including commercials. While beginning a career in radio, Frees was drafted into WWII and fought in the European theatre. Injured in Normandy , he would would convalescent for a year at home. His return to radio would endear him to millions of Americans as a voice actor in such popular programs as Gunsmoke and Suspense Theatre . In fact, if actor William Conrad was not the voice narration, Paul Frees would be heard giving the voice to Suspense . In the radio drama The Player , Frees handled all the parts; cast and storyteller. Paul Frees

On June 21 of 1921, Ernestine Jane Russell was born and thus began a story and life that was the envy of millions of women and eye-catching of men. Miss Russell made her movie debut in 1943 when she filmed “The Outlaw”. A famous pose of her stretched out on hay and holding a revolver was an instant pin-up hit for servicemen everywhere. Her obvious physical traits notwithstanding, Miss Russell drew the attention for her acting ability that would garner her much success in the years to follow. However, she was a versatile performer as a singer as well and her talent was added to a number of films. She performed with Kay Kyser and his band for radio by creating two hit singles, “As Long As I Live” and “Boin-n-n-ng”. Her 1948 hit movie The Paleface with Bob Hope , was broadcast for radio on Screen Director’s Playhouse in 1950. She also would record for Columbia a number of ballads that allowed America to hear her talents rather than simply focus upon her body shape. Jane Rus

June 20 of 1909, Robin Hood and Captain Blood was born in the visage of Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn . Born and raised in Australia, the entrepreneur turned performer made his way to the USA via time performing theatre and movie work in England. Flynn made a major impression upon the American scene for motion pictures due to his swarthy good looks and care-free attitude to life. It was during his short, but action-filled life that Errol Flynn created the roles of Captain Blood, Don Juan and Robin Hood. His sword-play was considered some of the best Hollywood magic of the time and earned him more roles as a 200.000 dollar a film performer. Flynn was able to handle less swash-buckling of on-screen roles in war and western themed motion pictures. During the 1940’s Errol Flynn attempted to serve the country that had made him famous by trying to enlist, but heart and health issues prevented that from happening. However, in 1937 he did serve as a reporter during the Spanish Civil Wa

  June 18, 1939: The Adventures of Ellery Queen , which was aired for the first time by CBS, had an interesting twist towards the end of the program. The show was then stopped to allow a panel of experts to guess the solution of the night's mystery. The show was a crime/detective series, which starred Hugh Marlowe as Ellery Queen, a character described as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson rolled into one. Ellery Queen was a character created by cousins Fred Dannay and Manfred Lee. Enjoy this 1947 broadcast of the series:

June 14, 1922: WEAR in Baltimore for the first time broadcast President Warren G Harding's speech when dedication the the site of honour of Francis Scott Key. That was the first President's speech on the radio. The President Warren G Harding's speech broadcast was his first speech on radio but generally not his first performance on radio. At the first time, the President was held a series radio conferences headed by Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover (February 27, 1922)

100 years ago, Bob Bailey , the famed voice of Yours Truly Johnny Dollar , Let George Do It and other classic old time radio shows was born.  Bob Bailey  also appeared as voice talent in: Arch Obolers Plays Cavalcade of America Everything for the Boys General Electric Theater Let George Do It Lux Radio Theater Mayor of the Town One Night Stand Romance Screen Directors Playhouse Stars over Hollywood Suspense Yours Truly Johnny Dollar

  June 12, 1947: Radio series ‘ Sergeant Preston of The Yukon ’ made its debut and remained on air until 1955. It featured Canadian Mounted and his faithful dog King. The show first began on 3 February 1938 on Detroit’s WXYZ as was The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet . Preston was developed by Fran Striker and George W. Trendle. "Sergeant Preston of the Yukon," which had the original title " Challenge of the Yukon ," was an adventure series that featured Sergeant William Preston and his dog called Yukon King. The new title was given in November 1951, and used until the show's last radio and TV episode. Preston's ally Yukon King was said to be the real star of the show, since he was actually able to do more work than his master.

On June 11, 1914, Gerald Mohr was born and appeared in radio, movies and television as one of the all-time favorite character actors. For 20 plus years, Mohr performed in radio as the tenacious gumshoe detective Philip Marlowe on radio in almost 120 radio plays. Before this Gerald Mohr had been on a path towards becoming a doctor when he was stricken with an illness and taken to the hospital. During the stay he met a radio personality who invited him down to audition for an on-air position as a reporter. in the mid 1930’s he was invited by Orson Welles to join the Mercury Theatre. By the late 30’s he had moved onto the screen as a villain in the Jungle Girl series. after his military time during WWII , Gerald Mohr began to perform in a number of hit westerns and other serial programs, which ran through the 1950’s. His screen presence made him a favorite to be cast as the tough guy or the murderous villain. His portfolio for hit shows grew until he was one of the most sough

Somewhere over the rainbow can be found the face and voice of Judy Garland . Although hers was a sad end of life tale, her time entertaining people holds a mark as one of the most loved and cherished with fans. Judy Garland was born Frances Gumm in 1922 and was discovered as a teenager in vaudeville.   Judy Garland had been performing with her two older sisters in musical acts in Minnesota, than California when Busby Berkley went to watch one of her performances with her sisters. She signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, where she met and performed with Andy Rooney in 9 films. in 1939, Miss Garland starred in the classic hit Wizard of Oz .  Her fame continued to grow and saw her cast with the likes of Deanna Durbin and others. One of the highest accolades laid at her feet was that of Fred Astaire who described her as, “one of the finest entertainers to ever live”. Miss Garland was as adept a singer as she was an actress and proved it with many famous recordin

What does a famous American iconic blender and a famous bandleader have in common? That will become evident soon. Fred Waring was born in 1900 and became one of America’s most well-beloved bandleaders and tv/radio personalities. His band, “Waring Pennsyvanians” performed during the 1920’s for Victor Records and held incredible acclaim on the radio. He later added to the band by promoting glee style singing with the Robert Shaw Chorale through the 1930’s. One of his signature aspects was that tuxedos were posh as the uniform of the chorale. His band was a huge promoter for war bonds during WWII which travel across the bulk of the contiguous United States. He became a hotel owner when he purchased an Inn and named it the Shawnee Inn. When approached by an inventor to back a new creation of a food blender, Waring jumped at the opportunity with the proviso his name be on the consumer device. Radio was not the only venue to have Fred Waring ’s talents presented. By the late