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The Old-Time Radio Digest!
Volume 2013 : Issue 132
A Part of the [removed]!
[removed]
ISSN: 1533-9289
Today's Topics:
This week in radio history 22-28 Dec [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
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Date: Sun, 22 Dec 2013 00:21:55 -0500
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject: This week in radio history 22-28 December
From Those Were The Days
12/22
1920 WEAF, in New York City, aired the first broadcast of a prize
fight from ringside. The fight was broadcast from Madison Square Garden
where Joe Lynch defeated Peter Herman to retain the bantamweight title.
Bantamweights top the scales at 118 pounds. Just think, either of those
boxers could have been mistaken for the microphone stand.
1922 WEAF once again proved to be the pillar of radio promotion. This
time they broadcast radio's first double wedding ceremony. 4,000
spectators watched as the two couples exchanged vows at Grand Central
Palace. The broadcast was made in conjunction with the American Radio
Exposition. The couples each got $100; a hefty sum in 1922 ($1354 in
2012 dollars).
12/23
From Today in history, the NY Times
In 1928, the National Broadcasting Company set up a permanent, coast to
coast network.
From Today's Almanac --
In 1947, the transistor was invented, leading to a revolution in
communications and electronics.
12/24
1906 Professor Reginald A. Fessenden is said to have sent his first
radio broadcast from Brant Rock, MA. The program included a little
verse, some violin and a speech. (This is a disputed event according to
some sources -ed).
1944 The Andrews Sisters starred in the debut of The Andrews Sisters'
Eight to the Bar Ranch on ABC. Patty, Maxene and LaVerne ran a fictional
dude ranch. George 'Gabby' Hayes was a regular guest along with Vic
Schoen's orchestra. The ranch stayed in operation until 1946.
12/25
1931 Lawrence Tibbett was the featured vocalist as radio came to the
Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. The first opera was Hansel
und Gretel, heard on the NBC network of stations. In between acts of the
opera, moderator Olin Downes would conduct an opera quiz, asking
celebrity guests opera related questions. The program's host and
announcer was Milton Cross. He worked out of the Met's Box 44.
1937 Arturo Toscanini conducted the first broadcast of NBC symphony
orchestra over NBC.
1939 The Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, was performed by
Lionel Barrymore on The Campbell Playhouse on CBS. The performance of
the tale was an annual radio event for years, before and after.
1942 The longest, sponsored program in the history of broadcasting was
heard on NBC Blue network. The daylong Victory Parade's Christmas Party
of Spotlight Bands was heard over 142 radio stations. The marathon
broadcast was sponsored by Coca Cola.
12/26
1953 Big Sister was heard for the last time on CBS. The show had been
on the air for 17 years. Big Sister was the ongoing story of Sue Evans
Miller and her relationship with her big sister, Ruth Evans. Actresses
who played big sister Ruth over the years: Alice Frost, Nancy Marshall,
Marjorie Anderson, Mercedes McCambridge. Little Sister Sue was played by
Haila Stoddard, Dorothy McGuire, Peggy Conklin and Fran Carlon.
1954 One of radio's most popular programs, The Shadow, lurked around
the airwaves for the last time. Vigilante crime fighter Lamont Cranston
battled greed and corruption since 1930. "Who knows what evil lurks in
the hearts of men? The Shadow [removed]"
12/27
1932 Radio City Music Hall, in New York City, opened. It was the
largest indoor theatre in the world. The gala grand opening show was a
six hour extravaganza that lost half a million dollars within three
weeks. The theatre has since been renovated to recapture its original
decorative charm. An Art Deco cathedral of entertainment, it seats more
than 6,200 people and is still a must see for those visiting New York.
During the holiday season, audiences continue to get a kick out of
seeing the world famous Rockettes perform in precision on Radio City
Music Hall's nearly 10,000 square foot stage.
1939 The Glenn Miller Show, also known as Music that Satisfies,
started on CBS. The 15 minute, twice a week show was sponsored by
Chesterfield cigarettes and was heard for nearly three years.
1940 Singer Al Jolson and actress Ruby Keeler were divorced after 12
years of marriage. They had separated a year earlier; but Jolson talked
Keeler into co starring with him in the Broadway show, Hold on to Your
Hats. She left the show before the opening and then left the marriage.
1968 The Breakfast Club signed off for the last time on ABC, after 35
years on the air.
12/28
1941 The Helen Hayes Theater, on CBS, was called the first casualty of
World War II. Lipton Tea dropped sponsorship of the program as it
prepared for shortages in tea imports from India.
Joe
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