Today in 1955, The Silver Eagle broadcast its final episode on the radio. Please enjoy a 1954 broadcast of this rare recordings. Jim Ameche stars as Jim West of the Canadian Northwest Mounted Police. The Silver Eagle series was broadcast on ABC sponsored by General Mills from 1951 – 1955.
Author: oldradioshows
Today in 1942, “Junior Miss” starring Shirley Temple was broadcast on the CBS Radio Network for the first time. The broadcast appears to be no longer in existence, but please enjoy the following few remaining rare recordings of “Junior Miss“
Today in 1924, Calvin Cooldige became the first president to do a radio address. Although his 1924 address doesn’t appear to be in existence, please enjoy a short 1928 excerpt of Coolidge bestowing a medal on Charles Lindberg.
Coolidge went on to help create the Federal Radio Commission a few days later. It later became known as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
One of the longest-running programs on the air, Breakfast Club, with host, Don McNeill, was simulcast on TV beginning this day. The telecast of the show was a bomb, but the radio program continued on as one of the longest-running programs on the air. Despite its popularity, few broadcasts of this series exist.
Today in 1949, the future teen singing idol, Ricky Nelson, first performed on his parents’ radio show, Ozzie & Harriet.
Today in 1922, Ed Wynn became the first big-name vaudeville talent star to sign on as a radio talent. Previously, top talent never considered radio a respectable medium. The single broadcast in 1922 was over WJZ in Newark, and Ed Wynn traumatized by mic fright; he refused to consider broadcasting again until 10 years later when Texaco offered him a large sum of money in 1932. In the new Depression era, vaudeville and musical theatre was in a horrible state and Ed Wynn agreed and began broadcasting his “Texaco Firechief” shows.
Although the early 1920’s Ed Wynn recordings are not believed to still be existence.
Sponsored by Texaco: Ed Wynn is introduced as, “The Perfect Fool.” The band’s first tune is, “I’ve Got Rhythm,” they also play “Lady Be Good.” The Fire Chief jokes about the stock market and the Depression and answers his mail.
In 1949 today, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar debuted on CBS. Featured is the first episode, titled “Mind in the Shadows.” Charles Russell plays the starring role as the insurance investigator with the action-packed expense account.
The series continued on for fourteen years with the title role later being taken on by Edmond O’Brien, John Lund, Bob Bailey, Bob Readick, and Mandel Kramer when it ended in 1962.