Old Radio

On this day in 1920, radio superstar Jack Webb entered the world. The man who breathed life into the character Sgt. Joe Friday on Dragnet was also a screenwriter, producer, and jazz enthusiast. You know all about Dragnet and its contribution to American popular culture. But let's take a minute to tip a digital hat to some of Webb's other contributions to radio . Many of you remember Pat Novak For Hire , a detective show in which the title character contracts to do difficult and dastardly deed around San Francisco. Webb was the original Pat Novak , with Ben Morris taking over later. But do you recall The Jack Webb Show, which ran briefly in 1946? How about The New Adventures of Michael Shayne? Webb appeared in about a baker's dozen episodes of this series in '48. He also lent his talents to Escape , Suspense , Jeff Regan , Investigator, and other great programs. We extend our gratitude to Jack Webb , for the great memories!

A hundred and two years ago today, Albert Hodge was born in Ravenna, Ohio. You probably remember Hodge as the voice of The Green Hornet , WXYZ's spinoff of The Lone Ranger . Al landed work at the Detroit radio station as a jack of all trades. The station was the originator of The Lone Ranger . They sought a new adventure series, one that was grittier, not Western, and with political undertones. The result was The Green Hornet , the title character a distant relative of The Lone Ranger . Hodge landed the job voicing the protagonist and title character. He served memorably from 1936 to '43 and later dubbed his voice on the movie version, even though another actor played the character. At the end of the radio show, Hodge went on to television, playing Captain Video on a live DuMont network show. Hodge brought wonder into the lives of millions of listeners, stirring their imaginations with his portrayals of colorful heroes.

  April 17, 1933: The well-known commercial phrase ‘Call for Philip Morris,’ uttered by Johnny Roventini, went on air for the first time. He said the catchphrase several times in his characteristic high-pitched voice. Johnny’s red jacket, black hat, and white gloves were given to the American Advertising Museum. Johnny Roventini, popular as Johnny Philip Morris, was born on August 15, 1910. Although he was less than four feet tall, he was a fully developed adult and worked as a bellboy at the New Yorker Hotel in 1933. He was discovered by an advertising mogul and he was asked to perform a page, issuing a "Call for Philip Morris". During his career, with his perfect B-flat tone vocal, he repeated those words over a million times (according to his own estimate). He was known as the representative for Philip Morris brand cigarettes through various media at that time. He was illustrated as a "living trademark" of Philip Morris for over 40 years. He also playe