Sunday, July 31, 2022

The Philip Morris Playhouse - "Murder Needs An Artist" (Starring Vincent Price) 05-06-49

Murder Needs An Artist (Starring Vincent Price) Aired May 6, 1950)

Philip Morris invested heavily in radio advertising throughout the 1930s and ‘40s, often having two weekly programs on competing networks. The first, a variety show that ran for twelve seasons (1934-47) and combined musical and dramatic elements, was called Johnny Presents, essentially giving Roventini "top billing" above all the big name guests that appeared on the broadcasts. The cigarette company also sponsored Philip Morris Playhouse, a dramatic anthology series that lasted 14 seasons (1939-53), finally switching to television. Throughout it all, Johnny was a walking public relations campaign, reminding people of the product wherever he appeared. In exchange for $20,000 a year, Johnny promised never to appear in public without a bodyguard, and never to ride the New York subway during rush hour. When his salary rose to $50,000, PM insured his voice for the same amount. "Johnny" ads were prominent on billboards and in magazines. Show Notes From The Digital Deli.

THIS EPISODE:

May 6, 1950. CBS network. "Murder Needs An Artist". Sponsored by: Philip Morris, Revelation Pipe Tobacco. 10:00 P.M. A writer discovers a famous artist with amnesia, living in a Bowery flophouse. He gets the artist to start painting again and protects his investment with murder. Vincent Price, William Conrad, William Spier (editor, director), Art Ballinger (announcer), John Holbrook (announcer), Lud Gluskin (music director), Alec Chorney (writer), John Hobish. 26:37. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

No comments: