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April 20: Happy Birthday, Jack Webb

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!

April 18: Happy Birthday, Al Hodge

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.