Radio America

Duffy's Tavern was first heard in 1940 and became a regular feature. It was hailed from the start by critics and whole neighborhoods of working-class listeners alike…a duo that doesn't often see eye-to-eye! Duffy's Tavern was a place on Third Avenue and 23rd St. in New York City, where the "elite meet to eat, Duffy ain't here, Archie the Manager speakin'…" Anyone who loved old time radio probably knows that phone patter by heart! Ed Gardner played Archie, the manager of Duffy's Tavern, and he was as "real" sounding as any character on radio, as he had grown up in the Big Apple. His use and abuse of language was "exempulary" - the same type of local "parlese" that made The Damon Runyan Theater a favorite with New Yorkers everywhere. Gardner was a theatrical veteran, whose wife, Shirley Booth, well-known stage and screen actress, began on the show with him.

The Captain Midnight radio series had its beginnings in 1938 on Chicago radio station, WGN. Created by Robert M. Burtt and Willfred G. Moore, the creators of The Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen, the series was sponsored by the Skelly Oil Company. In the beginning, "Captain Midnight" was simply an undercover name for Jim "Red" Albright, who regularly piloted cargo and passengers. As an undercover agent, Albright was trying to gather information on a gang of criminals. However, by the end of the first run, ending in a summer hiatus, the Captain Midnight persona was beginning to stick and many knew him only by that name. Captain Midnight was constantly trying to stop the plans of the evil Ivan Shark and his daughter Fury. Shark remained as Midnight's evil nemesis throughout the length of the radio run. Captain Midnight was helped in his efforts by Chuck Ramsey and Patsy Donovan (later, Joyce Ryan) who were members of his Secret Squadron. In the national versions, there was also Ichabod Mudd, Midnight's mechanic. There were a number of different actors playing the various roles over the long run. The series grew in popularity and was broadcast over the Mutual Network beginning in 1940 sponsored by Ovaltine.

The Captain Midnight radio series had its beginnings in 1938 on Chicago radio station, WGN. Created by Robert M. Burtt and Willfred G. Moore, the creators of The Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen, the series was sponsored by the Skelly Oil Company. In the beginning, "Captain Midnight" was simply an undercover name for Jim "Red" Albright, who regularly piloted cargo and passengers. As an undercover agent, Albright was trying to gather information on a gang of criminals. However, by the end of the first run, ending in a summer hiatus, the Captain Midnight persona was beginning to stick and many knew him only by that name. Captain Midnight was constantly trying to stop the plans of the evil Ivan Shark and his daughter Fury. Shark remained as Midnight's evil nemesis throughout the length of the radio run. Captain Midnight was helped in his efforts by Chuck Ramsey and Patsy Donovan (later, Joyce Ryan) who were members of his Secret Squadron. In the national versions, there was also Ichabod Mudd, Midnight's mechanic. There were a number of different actors playing the various roles over the long run. The series grew in popularity and was broadcast over the Mutual Network beginning in 1940 sponsored by Ovaltine.

The Avengers burst in the door of spy and super-hero adventure drama on South African radio in 1971, starring Donald Monat as John Steed, and Diane Appleby as the wonderful Emma Peel. It was based on the fine British TV series, which was very popular from the start in the UK, and is an excellent example of radio's adaptation of the television medium...as it had done with movies all along.

The Avengers burst in the door of spy and super-hero adventure drama on South African radio in 1971, starring Donald Monat as John Steed, and Diane Appleby as the wonderful Emma Peel. It was based on the fine British TV series, which was very popular from the start in the UK, and is an excellent example of radio's adaptation of the television medium...as it had done with movies all along.

During the mid-1930's, radio began to displace movies as the most popular entertainment medium. After all, it was free, it didn't require going out, and a much broader array of show formats was available, most of which did not require the time commitment of the audience that movies required. This boom in popularity saw a scramble to secure available talent for radio shows, and big-name Hollywood movie personalities were a prime target. As luck would have it, the Marx Brothers were on the downhill side of their cinematic careers and were looking to branch out into other areas. Groucho especially sought out radio, which gave him opportunity to exercise his natural wit. Chico pursued a career as a band leader, which landed him occasional air time, as the broadcasting of big band music was a popular use of the airwaves. For obvious reasons, Harpo was at a handicap in this medium, but still found an occasional guest spot. I have attempted here to document several radio appearances by each of the three brothers; however, as record keeping was not viewed as a necessity in this field back then, there is no attempt to present this as a complete list. Particularly difficult to trace to a specific date are Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) broadcasts* of Command Performance, G.I. Journal, and Mail Call broadcasts, which were often recorded on disc only for distribution to military bases, and whose broadcast dates and times varied at each locale."

During the mid-1930's, radio began to displace movies as the most popular entertainment medium. After all, it was free, it didn't require going out, and a much broader array of show formats was available, most of which did not require the time commitment of the audience that movies required. This boom in popularity saw a scramble to secure available talent for radio shows, and big-name Hollywood movie personalities were a prime target. As luck would have it, the Marx Brothers were on the downhill side of their cinematic careers and were looking to branch out into other areas. Groucho especially sought out radio, which gave him opportunity to exercise his natural wit. Chico pursued a career as a band leader, which landed him occasional air time, as the broadcasting of big band music was a popular use of the airwaves. For obvious reasons, Harpo was at a handicap in this medium, but still found an occasional guest spot. I have attempted here to document several radio appearances by each of the three brothers; however, as record keeping was not viewed as a necessity in this field back then, there is no attempt to present this as a complete list. Particularly difficult to trace to a specific date are Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) broadcasts* of Command Performance, G.I. Journal, and Mail Call broadcasts, which were often recorded on disc only for distribution to military bases, and whose broadcast dates and times varied at each locale."

This series was based upon a character developed in over 40 motion pictures of the 1930s and 1940s starring Warner Oland and Sidney Toler and Roland Winters. It was also a sequel to several radio series. The films and radio series were based upon a character created in novels of Earl Derr Biggers, but were said to have been loosely based on the life of Honolulu police detective named Chang Apana.

This series was based upon a character developed in over 40 motion pictures of the 1930s and 1940s starring Warner Oland and Sidney Toler and Roland Winters. It was also a sequel to several radio series. The films and radio series were based upon a character created in novels of Earl Derr Biggers, but were said to have been loosely based on the life of Honolulu police detective named Chang Apana.

Popeye Cartoon: Little Swee' Pea (1936) Directed byDave Fleischer Credited cast: Jack Mercer .... Popeye (voice) Mae Questel .... Olive Oyl (voice) Popeye takes Swee' Pea to the zoo and spends most of his time rescuing the tot from the various animals. Swee'Pea's Animated Debut. Popeye invites Olive to the zoo and also gives her some flowers. Olive cannot come and suggests to take Swee'Pea to the zoo. Although Popeye can't go out with his girl and also has to nurse a baby, he is not disappointed at all, and happily takes the baby to the zoo.

Popeye Cartoon: Little Swee' Pea (1936) Directed byDave Fleischer Credited cast: Jack Mercer .... Popeye (voice) Mae Questel .... Olive Oyl (voice) Popeye takes Swee' Pea to the zoo and spends most of his time rescuing the tot from the various animals. Swee'Pea's Animated Debut. Popeye invites Olive to the zoo and also gives her some flowers. Olive cannot come and suggests to take Swee'Pea to the zoo. Although Popeye can't go out with his girl and also has to nurse a baby, he is not disappointed at all, and happily takes the baby to the zoo.

A fanatical Native American scientist demands the return of Manhattan Island to his people or he will unleash artificially created earthquakes upon the city! While at first his claims are dismissed as the ravings of a madman, he soon proves them entirely founded when, after capturing Lois Lane, he unleashes a terrifying series of electric earthquakes upon the city. It looks like a job for Superman...only how can Superman stop the source of these artificially induced earthquakes and still save Lois, now trapped in our villain's underwater lair which has begun filling with water due to Superman attempts to stop the earthquake device! Here we have yet another fast-paced, exciting storyline. The underwater lair and its mechanical devices have a decidedly futuristic look and make for some arresting visuals, although one does wonder why our scientific genius/lead villain travels via a rather ordinary speedboat?

A fanatical Native American scientist demands the return of Manhattan Island to his people or he will unleash artificially created earthquakes upon the city! While at first his claims are dismissed as the ravings of a madman, he soon proves them entirely founded when, after capturing Lois Lane, he unleashes a terrifying series of electric earthquakes upon the city. It looks like a job for Superman...only how can Superman stop the source of these artificially induced earthquakes and still save Lois, now trapped in our villain's underwater lair which has begun filling with water due to Superman attempts to stop the earthquake device! Here we have yet another fast-paced, exciting storyline. The underwater lair and its mechanical devices have a decidedly futuristic look and make for some arresting visuals, although one does wonder why our scientific genius/lead villain travels via a rather ordinary speedboat?

Following the robbery of a local Metropolis bank by a huge hulking robot that can also fly like an airplane here referred to as a "mechanical monster", the upcoming jewel exhibition seems a likely next target. Clark Kent and Lois Lane have been sent to cover the exhibition for The Daily Planet newspaper when sure enough the "mechanical monster" shows up, wreaks havoc and flies off with the jewels...only this time Lois Lane has stowed herself away amongst the stolen cargo as well in an attempt to unravel this unusual mystery.

Following the robbery of a local Metropolis bank by a huge hulking robot that can also fly like an airplane here referred to as a "mechanical monster", the upcoming jewel exhibition seems a likely next target. Clark Kent and Lois Lane have been sent to cover the exhibition for The Daily Planet newspaper when sure enough the "mechanical monster" shows up, wreaks havoc and flies off with the jewels...only this time Lois Lane has stowed herself away amongst the stolen cargo as well in an attempt to unravel this unusual mystery.