Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Casey, Crime Photographer
Episode: The case of the switched plates (7/7/1943)
Casey, Crime Photographer (aka Crime photographer; Flashgun Casey; Casey, Press Photographer; Stephen Bristol, Crime Photographer) was a media franchise, in the 1930s through the 1960s. Created by George Harmon Coxe, the photographer Casey was featured in radio, film, theater, novels, magazines and comic books. Launched in a 1934 issue of the pulp magazine Black Mask, the character Jack "Flashgun" Casey, was a crime photographer for the newspaper The Morning Express. With the help of reporter Ann Williams (portrayed on radio and TV by Jan Miner), he solved crimes and recounted his stories to friends at The Blue Note, their favorite tavern. -wikipedia.org
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Bold Venture
Episode: A bullet for Shannon (4/16/1951)
Bold Venture is the radio adventure series starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall that originally aired in 1951-52. Bogart plays hotel and boat owner Slate Shannon, and Bacall plays his ward, Sailor Duval. The two often became entangled in tight situations when hiring their services to shady characters.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Lights Out
Episode: Cat Wife (6/17/1936)
Lights Out is an extremely popular American old-time radio program, an early example of a network series devoted mostly to horror and the supernatural, predating Suspense and Inner Sanctum. Versions of Lights Out aired on different networks, at various times, from January 1934 to the summer of 1947 and the series eventually made the transition to television.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
The Jack Benny Program
Episode: The English Butler (12/23/1945)
Today's fun fact about Jack Benny:
What famous cartoon voice regularly appeared on the Jack Benny show?
Mel Blanc. Mel Blanc was probably the number one voice in the history of cartoons. He did the voices of Bugs Bunny, Sylvester the Cat, Tweety Bird, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Foghorn Leghorn, Yosemite Sam and many more. His impact on the entertainment field was huge. He worked, like the rest of the cast, under the genius of Jack Benny. He was a brilliant comic as well as one of history's most amazing voices.
What famous cartoon voice regularly appeared on the Jack Benny show?
Mel Blanc. Mel Blanc was probably the number one voice in the history of cartoons. He did the voices of Bugs Bunny, Sylvester the Cat, Tweety Bird, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Foghorn Leghorn, Yosemite Sam and many more. His impact on the entertainment field was huge. He worked, like the rest of the cast, under the genius of Jack Benny. He was a brilliant comic as well as one of history's most amazing voices.
Friday, February 17, 2012
The Jack Benny Program
The Whistler Parody (1/12/1946)
Today's fun fact about Jack Benny:
What kind of a scholar was Jack in high school?
He was a poor student and was kicked out of high school.. Jack could not focus on his studies and was kicked out of High School. He tried business school and did poorly at that, too. His father was a haberdasher. He tried his father's trade but also failed at that.
What kind of a scholar was Jack in high school?
He was a poor student and was kicked out of high school.. Jack could not focus on his studies and was kicked out of High School. He tried business school and did poorly at that, too. His father was a haberdasher. He tried his father's trade but also failed at that.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The Jack Benny Program
Episode: Back from Vacation in Hawaii (9/13/1953)
Today's fun fact about Jack Benny:
In 1922 he went to a Passover Seder with a friend, and met that friend's female cousin there. Jack fell for her and married her later. What was her name?
Sadye Marks. Sadye Marks is correct. She was Zeppo Marks' (Later Marx) cousin. She and Jack married. She was often on his show and used the name Mary Livingston. On the show, she was his neighbor, not quite a girlfriend. She was nice and very classy, but often delivered mildly cutting lines about how cheap Jack was, getting big laughs. Mary was a big favorite on the show. Jack never cared who got the laughs as long as the show was funny.
In 1922 he went to a Passover Seder with a friend, and met that friend's female cousin there. Jack fell for her and married her later. What was her name?
Sadye Marks. Sadye Marks is correct. She was Zeppo Marks' (Later Marx) cousin. She and Jack married. She was often on his show and used the name Mary Livingston. On the show, she was his neighbor, not quite a girlfriend. She was nice and very classy, but often delivered mildly cutting lines about how cheap Jack was, getting big laughs. Mary was a big favorite on the show. Jack never cared who got the laughs as long as the show was funny.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The Jack Benny Program
Episode: How Jack Found Rochester (w Amos & Andy) 3/11/1945
Today's fun fact about Jack Benny
Jack's band was always a great one and often part of the radio show. He constantly joked about what a bunch of drunks they were. Of course, they were good musicians who just played along with the runnng joke. Who was the band leader for many years and who replaced him later?
Phil Harris, then Bob Crosby. Phil Harris and Bob Crosby were a big part of the radio show. Jack's jokes about the band being so worthless were legendary. They were a good band, of course, and played along with the gag. Even when the TV show began, the band was part of the act. There was a drummer named Tommy and once Jack said that Tommy could not be there that night, because he had been burned while trying to save a good friend of his. Then he paused and said something like "Gee, can you imagine, trying to pull someone out of the electric chair?" Bob Crosby was Bing Crosby's brother.
Jack's band was always a great one and often part of the radio show. He constantly joked about what a bunch of drunks they were. Of course, they were good musicians who just played along with the runnng joke. Who was the band leader for many years and who replaced him later?
Phil Harris, then Bob Crosby. Phil Harris and Bob Crosby were a big part of the radio show. Jack's jokes about the band being so worthless were legendary. They were a good band, of course, and played along with the gag. Even when the TV show began, the band was part of the act. There was a drummer named Tommy and once Jack said that Tommy could not be there that night, because he had been burned while trying to save a good friend of his. Then he paused and said something like "Gee, can you imagine, trying to pull someone out of the electric chair?" Bob Crosby was Bing Crosby's brother.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The Jack Benny Program
Episode: Mel Blanc as Indian (Si Routine) 12/9/1951
Today's fun fact about Jack Benny:
How did Jack come to take the name Jack Benny?
To avoid lawsuits from entertainers with names similar to his.. He began as Benjamin Kubelsky. When he started performing he was using that name. There was a famous violinist name Jan Kubelik who felt that the young Kubelsky might damage his reputation. He threatened to sue unless he changed his name, so he chose "Ben K. Benny." Lo and behold, there was another entertainer at that time who was known as Ben Bernie. He also threatened to sue, so Benny took the name "Jack Benny." The rest, as they say, is history.
How did Jack come to take the name Jack Benny?
To avoid lawsuits from entertainers with names similar to his.. He began as Benjamin Kubelsky. When he started performing he was using that name. There was a famous violinist name Jan Kubelik who felt that the young Kubelsky might damage his reputation. He threatened to sue unless he changed his name, so he chose "Ben K. Benny." Lo and behold, there was another entertainer at that time who was known as Ben Bernie. He also threatened to sue, so Benny took the name "Jack Benny." The rest, as they say, is history.
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Jack Benny Program
Episode: At the beach (5/9/1954)
Today's fun fact about Jack Benny:
Jack got into show business while in the service. He played his violin at shows for his fellow servicemen. How did his act become popular?
He was booed for his violin play. He handled the situation with humor and began his career in stand up comedy.. Quite by accident, he deflected the boos with self-deprecating humor that later became his trademark. The humor made a big hit with the audience, more so than the music.
Jack got into show business while in the service. He played his violin at shows for his fellow servicemen. How did his act become popular?
He was booed for his violin play. He handled the situation with humor and began his career in stand up comedy.. Quite by accident, he deflected the boos with self-deprecating humor that later became his trademark. The humor made a big hit with the audience, more so than the music.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The Jack Benny Program
Episode: Jacks big date (3/7/1954)
Jack Benny (born Benjamin Kubelsky, February 14, 1894 – December 26, 1974) was an American comedian, vaudevillian, radio, television, and film actor, and also a notable violinist. Widely recognized as one of the leading American entertainers of the 20th century, Benny played the role of the comic penny-pinching miser, insisting on remaining 39 years old on stage despite his actual age, and often playing the violin badly.
Benny was known for his comic timing and his ability to get laughs with either a pregnant pause or a single expression, such as his signature exasperated "Well!" His radio and television programs, tremendously popular from the 1930s to the 1960s, were a foundational influence on the situation comedy genre. Dean Martin, on the celebrity roast for Johnny Carson in November 1973, introduced Benny as "the Satchel Paige of the world of comedy." -wikipedia.org
Benny was known for his comic timing and his ability to get laughs with either a pregnant pause or a single expression, such as his signature exasperated "Well!" His radio and television programs, tremendously popular from the 1930s to the 1960s, were a foundational influence on the situation comedy genre. Dean Martin, on the celebrity roast for Johnny Carson in November 1973, introduced Benny as "the Satchel Paige of the world of comedy." -wikipedia.org
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
The Clock
Episode: Wilbur (11/3/1946)
The Clock was a radio anthology narrated by Father Time and broadcast 80 half-hour episodes from 3 November 1946 to 9 May 1948. Its stories were mostly mystery and crime with a tiny smattering of supernaturally-themed episodes. The Clock originated in Australia and was syndicated to the United States. -wikipedia.org
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
In celebration of Jack Benny's 39th Birthday!
Jack Benny was one of the leading American entertainers of the yesteryear. He played the role of the comic penny pincher, remaining 39 years old on stage despite his actual age, and often playing the violin badly.
All next week Planet Yesteryear will be playing a week full of "The Jack Benny Program" in tribute to the king of old time radio. Jack Benny was one of the funniest men to exist in the comedy business. Even though his work in television and radio were many years ago. Jack Benny's legacy still exists today, and his work still make people of all ages laugh. All next week you will hear some of Jack Benny's greatest broadcasts, and fun facts about the the man himself.
Starting Sunday February 12th. Tune into Planet Yesteryear for "7 Days of Jack Benny"
A tribute to Jack Benny, and celebrating his 39th birthday (February 14, 2012)
Stay tuned.
All next week Planet Yesteryear will be playing a week full of "The Jack Benny Program" in tribute to the king of old time radio. Jack Benny was one of the funniest men to exist in the comedy business. Even though his work in television and radio were many years ago. Jack Benny's legacy still exists today, and his work still make people of all ages laugh. All next week you will hear some of Jack Benny's greatest broadcasts, and fun facts about the the man himself.
Starting Sunday February 12th. Tune into Planet Yesteryear for "7 Days of Jack Benny"
A tribute to Jack Benny, and celebrating his 39th birthday (February 14, 2012)
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Charlie Chan
Episode: Charlies Daughter is kidnapped
Charlie Chan was heard in different series on four networks (Blue, NBC, ABC, MBS) between 1932 and 1948. Walter Connolly initially portrayed Chan as part of Esso Oil's Five Star Theater, which serialized adaptations of Biggers novels.Ed Begley, Sr. had the title role in NBC's The Adventures of Charlie Chan (1944–45), followed by Santos Ortega (1947–48). Leon Janney and Rodney Jacobs were heard as Lee Chan, Number One Son, and Dorian St. George was the program's announcer. Radio Life magazine described Begley's Chan as "a good radio match for Sidney Toler's beloved film enactment." -wikipedia.org
Monday, February 6, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
The Mysterious Traveler
Episode: Hideout (12/11/1951)
"This is The Mysterious Traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey into the strange and terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back, get a good grip on your nerves, and be comfortable... if you can!"
Friday, February 3, 2012
Dragnet
Episode: The Big Siege (5/24/1955)
"Ladies and gentlemen: the story you are about to hear is true.
Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent."
Dragnet is a radio and television crime drama about the cases of a dedicated Los Angeles police detective, Sergeant Joe Friday, and his partners. The show takes its name from an actual police term, a "dragnet", meaning a system of coordinated measures for apprehending criminals or suspects. -wikipedia.org
Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent."
Dragnet is a radio and television crime drama about the cases of a dedicated Los Angeles police detective, Sergeant Joe Friday, and his partners. The show takes its name from an actual police term, a "dragnet", meaning a system of coordinated measures for apprehending criminals or suspects. -wikipedia.org
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Planet Yesteryear Back on the Air
I have recently taken a few weeks off of updates due to an automobile accident that had me out of commission. While off I have been reflecting on my life and doing a lot of thinking. Planet Yesteryear.com is an idea that I thought up over a year ago. The site is not as popular as I expected it to be when I launched it last May 2011, but I still have the passion to keep it alive (Whether there is 1 listener or 1,000,000). It has had couple different changes and still continues to do so. The site is a constant work in progress. Now instead of getting discouraged due to a beginning of a rough year. One thing I would like to express to everyone. It's just something that I wanna get out there. (This isn't just radio related) If you have a passion in something that interests you. Something that helps you get through the day, something that you have in your heart. Even if you are the only one who shares that interest. Don't lose hope. There are people all around the world who share your interests. Always keep moving forward and follow through with your passions.
This is a new year for Planet Yesteryear. There is a lot of new stuff I would like to do to make this site a better site. This year I will be playing a wider variety of programs. Will fill you in with more information about programs and the golden age of radio's history. I will be writing my own personal articles and reviews on the programs that will be played. And much much more. If you are not a member yet. I invite any old time radio fan to Planet Yesteryear's Facebook group. Where old-time radio is always a daily discussion, and I will be taking any requests thrown my way. Thank you for your support, and as always... STAY TUNED!
-Adam/Planet Yesteryear
Tonight's Program: My Favorite Husband
Episode: Superstition (10/21/1949)
This is a new year for Planet Yesteryear. There is a lot of new stuff I would like to do to make this site a better site. This year I will be playing a wider variety of programs. Will fill you in with more information about programs and the golden age of radio's history. I will be writing my own personal articles and reviews on the programs that will be played. And much much more. If you are not a member yet. I invite any old time radio fan to Planet Yesteryear's Facebook group. Where old-time radio is always a daily discussion, and I will be taking any requests thrown my way. Thank you for your support, and as always... STAY TUNED!
-Adam/Planet Yesteryear
Tonight's Program: My Favorite Husband
Episode: Superstition (10/21/1949)
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