Old Radio

His childhood ambition was to be a doctor.  And while it would be a pleasure to be treated by a sawbones with a greasepaint mustache and an ever-present cigar, we can all be grateful that Marx Groucho became one of the greatest American comedians of all-time. Along with his brothers, Marx was--of course--a film star first and foremost, with television success coming later.  But success was a three-legged stool in those days, composed of making it on the silver screen, the tube, and the airwaves. Marx struggled to keep sponsors on his first few attempts, but succeeded spectacularly with You Bet Your Life .  This was a showcase of Groucho's quick-witted ad-libbing, disguised as a quiz show.  Groucho would exchange banter with folks pulled from the studio audience, a technique that would go on to become commonplace, practiced by countless talk show hosts. Thanks for the memories, Groucho.  And a happy birthday.

On this day in 1900 was born a rough-and-ready jack of all trades, Barton Yarborough.  He was one of the warhorses who put together a very long career on radio show after radio show, playing a wide variety of characters.  Perhaps not one to garner the fame and glory, Yarborough turned in a long-term performance on One Man's Family and also contributed to I Love a Mystery , Adventures By Morse , and Dragnet . He died at just 51, causing his characters to be written out of both One Man's Family and Dragnet . Here at oldradio.org, we love to salute the character actors who helped make our favorite shows so entertaining.  Happy birthday, Barton!

 September 29, 1946: The Adventures of Sam Spade was on air in the summer of 1946 on ABC every Friday night. Mystery fans remember it's Sunday night debut on CBS. The Adventures of Sam Spade , with Howard Duff playing Spade, became a big hit in the Sunday night radio lineup. And now a word from our sponsor: "Use Wildroot Cream Oil, Charlie ... it keeps your hair in trim..." It was one of the most famous detective radio shows on at that time. Sam Spade was the main private detective character, played by Howard Duff , a famous American actor born on November 24, 1913. His spouse's name was Ida Lupino and his daughter's name was Bridget Duff. In 1984, Howard Duff divorced Ida Lupino and later married Judy Jenkinson. At the age of 76, Duff died suddenly of a heart attack on July 8, 1990 in California.

On this day in 1920, William Conrad was born.

On this day in 1920, Barbara Britton was born.  Britton made radio guest appearances in great radio dramas such as Lux Radio Theater , Lady Esther Screen Guild Theater, Your Movietown Radio Theater , Proudly We Hail , and Mr and Mrs North .

On this day in 1905, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson was born.

On this day in 1904, Tom Conway was born.

  September 10, 1935: The famous show  Popeye The Sailor Man  was aired for the first time on NBC on this day. The show was adapted from a comic strip written by Elzie Crisler Segar. The characters on the show were Popeye (main character), Olive Oyl, Brutus, Wimpy, and Sweepea. Many remember the unforgettable opening, "I'm Popeye the sailor man....toot..toot...!" Previously a famous cartoon strip, Popeye was adapted as a  radio  broadcast by over three different networks and by two sponsors from 1935 to 1938. Popeye aired as a thrice-weekly 15-minute radio program, Popeye the Sailor was played by Detmar Poppen,  along with Olive Oyl (Olive Lamoy), Wimpy (Charles Lawrence), Bluto (Jackson Beck) and Swee'Pea (Mae Questel). The program was initially sponsored by Wheatena, a whole-wheat breakfast cereal, which would routinely replace the spinach references made throughout the show. Music was provided by Victor Irwin's Cartoonland Band. Announcer Kelvin Keech also

On this day in 1955, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon 's first episode was aired. From the snowy mountains of the Great Northwest, Sgt. Preston and King go on a set of adventures.

On this day in 1946, The Bickersons made its radio debut.

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

The Lionel Barrymore series "Mayor of the Town"  radio show made its' debut on this day in 1942.