Radio Programs beginning with "e"
"Tired of the everyday routine? Want to get away from it all?
We offer you ESCAPE!"
The Easy
Aces
Easy Aces
Stars: Jane Ace, Goodman Ace (they were married)
Sponsor: Lavoris Mouthwash, Jad Salts, Anacin
Network: CBS, NBC, Blue
Aired: 1932-1945
Type of Show: Situation Comedy
NB: Goodman Ace (born Asa Goodman in Kansas City, MO) would
become a successful television writer in the 1950s and 1960s. Jane
(on the show) was notorious for getting phrases twisted around and speaking
when she should've been quite. On the other hand, her husband (refered
to as either "Mr. Ace" or "Ace") was always paranoid about what people
thought about Jane. Come to think of it, it's not paranoia if people
are really out to get somebody and many of their colleagues really didn't
like what she was doing at all. Maybe Ace wasn't so paranoid afterall.
The Aces would have another series; in 1951, Jane had her own. They
began Easy Aces in 1930 on station KMBC in Kansas City.
Eddie Cantor, "Ol' Banjo Eyes"
The Eddie Cantor Show
Star: Eddie Cantor
Sponsor: Chase and Sanborn Coffee, Pebeco Toothpaste
(ah, there's a winner!), Texaco Gasoline, Camel Cigarettes, Sal
Hepatica, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, Philip Morris Cigarettes ("Call for Philip
Morrrrrris!")
Network: NBC (Red), CBS
Aired: 1931-1953
Type of Show: Vaudeville Comedy
NB: The quintessential entertainer, when a speech by President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt preempted his live radio broadcast he did the
show for the studio audience! The program never aired until after
the recording was found (and long after the death of Cantor in 1962.)
Eddie Cantor wrote the song "Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider," to his wife in
the 1920s. (The way he spoke, "Ida" and "cider" rhymed.)
....Charlie
McCarthy and Edgar Bergen listen to a special radio....
The Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show also known as "The
Chase and Sanborn Hour"
Star: Edgar Bergen (Charlie McCarthy was a ventriloquist
dummy)
Sponsor: Chase and Sanborn coffee, Coca-Cola,
Hudnut (?), Kraft Foods, others
Network: NBC (Red), CBS
Aired: 1937-1956
Type of Show: Variety (comedy/vaudeville)
NB: It was on this show that Arch Oboler wrote
his infamous Adam and Eve sketch, which featured Mae West and Don Ameche.
The actors read their parts just as Arch wrote them. However, the
inflection in Mae West's voice created a stir. She was banished from
NBC
for some time to follow. Edgar Bergen's daughter, Candy (Candace
Bergen), would often appear on this show when she was a little girl.
Escape!
Stars: various (announcer was often Bill Conrad)
Sponsor: Sustaining (none)
Network: CBS
Aired: 1947-1954
Type of Show: Anthology (drama)
NB: Spin-off from Suspense! Shows were usually
set in exotic locations with surrealistic storylines. My favorite
is one called "Evening Primrose" in which a lonely recluse (played by Bill
Conrad--I think Paul Frees was the narrator for this one) lingered in "Bracy's"
department store after it closed. He discovered a world of other
reclusive people who also lived in the store. William Conrad was
one of the greatest voices in the waning days of the Golden Days of Radio.
Updated November 23, 2001
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