Sunday, January 17, 2010

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Burns & Allen Show "Guest Brian Donlevy" (01-19-43)


Guest Brian Donlevy (January 19, 1943)


Burns and Allen are one of the most beloved couple in old time radio. They got started, like many of the greats of old time radio, in vaudeville, which is really just the touring popular entertainment in America prior to movies. Gracie was the sparkplug of the act, always the center of attention. George played the foil, the guy vainly trying to make sense of the ditzy world of Gracie. By the early 30s, Gracie was probably the best known woman on radio. Gracie often sang in a voice that showed she was also an excellent comedienne songstress. The shows had names after the sponsors, such as Maxwell House Coffee Time, or The Ammident Show - it was the Burns and Allen show to the public. Other fine radio actors were a part of the fun. Mel Blanc did the happy postman, and was also famous for his zany characters on The Jack Benny Show, and his own Mel Blanc Show. Elliott Lewis, a veteran of many radio dramas, played many of the bit parts on the Burns and Allen shows of the 40s. Burns & Allen were touring England in 1929 when they made their first radio appearance on the BBC. Gracie Allen died on August 27, 1964. George Burns died on March 9, 1996.


THIS EPISODE:

January 19, 1943. CBS network. Sponsored by: Swan Soap. George forgets his anniversary which leads Gracie to attempt to make him jealous. Brian Donlevy is a special guest and the subject of her attempts. George Burns, Gracie Allen, Bill Goodwin, Paul Whitman and His Orchestra, Jimmy Cash, The Swantet.

FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

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