Old Radio

On this date in OTR: The "Grand Ole Opry" debuted on WSM in Nashville Nov. 28, 1925. NBC carried a 30-minute segment of the program 1939-1957.

Norman Macdonnell and Orson Welles On this day in 1916, Norman Macdonnell was born.

On this day in 1943, Molle Mystery Theater made its debut.

On this day in 1910, Grace Matthews was born.

On this day in 1920, Ray Bradbury was born.

On this day in 1905, Alice Frost was born.

On this day in 1912, radio announcer  Jackson Beck was born.

On this day in 1948, Jeff Regan premiered.

On this day in 1939, The Aldrich Family made its radio debut!

On this day in 1899, Santos Ortega was born.

On this day in 1933, Gary Crosby was born.

On this day in 1904, Peter Lorre was born.

The persona Phil Harris created on the radio was one who was easy to like. He was a happy-go-lucky hep cat who never met a bottle or a pretty girl that he didn't like. By reputation, he made acquaintances with plenty of both. Most of all, the radio Phil Harris was easy to like because he was a fundamentally happy fellow, as willing to laugh at himself as he was to laugh at those around him. When your boss is Jack Benny , of course, there is plenty around you to laugh at. Phil is best remembered as one of Benny's many “second bananas”, although he had a relatively successful career beyond the Jack Benny Program. He was never quite a superstar, but that seems to have been just alright with him. On June 24, 1904, Wonga Philip Harris was born to circus performers Harry and Dollie Harris in Linton, Indiana. Harry, a circus band leader, taught the lad to play several instruments and gave his son his first gig, playing drums under the big top. The boy played in movie houses