Cresta Blanca Carnival

Last updated

Cresta Blanca Carnival is an American variety radio program that began on October 14, 1942, and ended on May 30, 1944, first on Mutual and then on CBS. [1]

Contents

Overview

Mutual version

Jack Pearl was the star, with Cliff Hall as his straight man. Jean Merrill and Brad Reynolds were the singers, and Morton Gould led the orchestra. Frank Gallop was the announcer. The orchestra initially had 38 members. [2] Pearl returned to his original specialty of comedy for the show after having devoted his efforts to dramatic acting. With World War II under way, Pearl said, "All of us not serving at the front who can bring a little laughter into people's lives should do so now." [3] Pearl revived hs Baron Munchausen character for the show. [4] It was heard on Wednesdays from 9:15 to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. The last episode on Mutual was broadcast on April 7, 1943. [1]

Pearl left the program "after a 13-week series of disappointments". [5] The trade publication Broadcasting said that "reported disagreements" between Pearl and the sponsor led to the departure of Pearl and Hall. [6]

The January 13, 1943, episode varied from the usual format. In Pearl's absence, George S. Kaufman and Oscar Levant were the hosts. The show featured a drama by Norman Corwin, "2043 — 100 Years Hence", which depicted a world "free of fascism and men who live by the sword." [7] Also heard was the world premiere of "World Anthem", a Corwin-Gould composition dedicated to the United Nations, along with a performance of "Rhapsody in Blue" featuring Levant and Benny Goodman. [7]

CBS version

Cresta Blanca Carnival moved to CBS beginning with the April 14, 1943, episode. [8] That change was made possible after CBS ended its policy of not advertising alcoholic beverages. [9] The orchestra had grown to 50 musicians, and the format had changed to feature "prominent guests from the concert and popular music fields" each week. Connee Boswell and W. C. Handy appeared on that first CBS episode. [8] Other guests who appeared on the CBS version of the show included Lauritz Melchior, Georgia Gibbs, [10] Rise Stevens, and the Deep River Boys. [11] Pianist Alec Templeton became a permanent member of the show effective September 1, 1943. [12] The CBS version began on Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. E. T.; in May 1944 it was moved to Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. E. T. [1]

Production

Producers of Cresta Blanca Carnival included Arthur J. Daly [13] and Frank Chase. [14] Cresta Blanca Wines sponsored the program. [3] Radio historian John Dunning called the commercials "memorable", writing that they "began with a cascade of music, indicating a verbal pouring of wine. Then, in a catchy jingle out of an echo chamber, with each letter punctuated by a plunking violin: C-R-E-S-T-A-B-L-A-N-C-A ... Cresta Blanca!" [1] The show originated from the New Amsterdam Theater in New York. [2]

Critical response

A review of the premire episode in the trade publication Billboard said that Cresta Blanca Carnival "combines Pearl's top comedy with a musical set-up that could take top honors in its own right." [4] The review described Gould's work with the orchestra as "magnificent" and said that Reynolds and Merrill created "a concert flavor" with their singing. [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Suspense</i> (radio drama) Radio drama series (1940 to 1962)

Suspense is a radio drama series broadcast on CBS Radio from 1940 through 1962.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morton Gould</span> American composer and pianist (1913–1996)

Morton Gould was an American composer, conductor, arranger, and pianist.

Lyn Murray was a composer, conductor, and arranger of music for radio, film and television.

The year 1944 saw a number of significant happenings in radio broadcasting history.

This Is My Best is an American radio anthology series, sponsored by Cresta Blanca wines, which ran on CBS Radio from 1944 to 1946 in 30-minute episodes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Parker (singer)</span> American singer

Frank Parker was an American singer and radio and television personality.

The Cresta Blanca Hollywood Players was a dramatic anthology radio series. It was broadcast on CBS September 3, 1946 – February 26, 1947.

<i>Silver Theater</i> (radio program) American radio dramatic anthology series

For the television series of the same name, see The Silver Theatre.

<i>The Frank Sinatra Show</i> (radio program) US radio program

The Frank Sinatra Show was a title applied—in some cases specifically and in other cases generically—to several radio musical programs in the United States, some of which had other distinct titles as indicated below. Singer Frank Sinatra starred in the programs, some of which were broadcast on CBS, while others were on NBC.

Valiant Lady is an American radio soap opera that was broadcast on ABC, CBS, and NBC at various times from March 7, 1938, through August 23, 1946, and later between October 8, 1951, and February 19, 1952.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House Jameson</span> American actor (1902–1971)

House Baker Jameson was an American actor in the era of old-time radio and early television.

Campana Serenade is an old-time radio music program in the United States. It was broadcast on NBC from October 10, 1942 to April 10, 1943, and on CBS from September 4, 1943 to February 16, 1944.

<i>The Dinah Shore Show</i> (radio program) Radio show

The Dinah Shore Show was a title applied—in some cases specifically and in other cases generically—to several radio musical programs in the United States, some of which had other distinct titles as indicated below. Singer Dinah Shore starred in the programs, some of which were broadcast on the Blue Network, while others were on CBS or NBC.

The Hour of Charm is an American old-time radio music program. It debuted on CBS on May 18, 1934, and had its final broadcast on CBS on May 2, 1948. The program also was broadcast on Armed Forces Radio, and after its network broadcasts ended, a new version was syndicated via transcriptions.

<i>The Jack Carson Show</i> Radio comedy-variety program

The Jack Carson Show is an American old-time radio comedy-variety program. It was broadcast on different seasons on CBS and NBC, beginning on June 2, 1943, and ending on December 20, 1956. The program was also known as The Sealtest Village Store, and the New Jack Carson Show. It was carried on the CBC Dominion network in Canada, as well. Additionally, The Jack Carson Show is the title of a television program that was broadcast on NBC from October 22, 1954, until March 11, 1955.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stage Door Canteen</span>

The Stage Door Canteen was an entertainment venue for American and Allied servicemen that operated in the Broadway theatre district of New York City throughout World War II. Founded by the American Theatre Wing (ATW) in 1942, the entertainers were largely unpaid; volunteering their talents as a way of supporting the morale of American troops during the war. Several women in leadership with the ATW played a critical role in establishing the Stage Door Canteen, including actress Nedda Harrigan and ATW co-founders Louise Heims Beck and Antoinette Perry. The canteen opened March 2, 1942 and operated seven nights a week in the previously unoccupied Little Club under the 44th Street Theatre at 216 West 44th Street in Manhattan.

That Brewster Boy is an American old-time radio situation comedy. It was broadcast on NBC from September 8, 1941, to March 2, 1942, and on CBS from March 4, 1942, to March 2, 1945. It was also carried on 13 stations in Canada.

Hollywood Showcase is the title of two American old-time radio talent shows, both of which were broadcast on CBS in the 1930s and 1940s. During some intervals, the program was carried only on CBS's west-coast stations.

Hap Hazard is an American old-time radio comedy-variety program that was broadcast on NBC-Red beginning on July 1, 1941 and on CBS beginning in January 1942.

Skippy Hollywood Theatre is an American radio dramatic anthology program that began as a syndicated series and later was broadcast on CBS from December 1, 1949, through September 21, 1950.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Dunning, John (May 7, 1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press, USA. pp. 183–184. ISBN   978-0-19-507678-3 . Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Pearl selects name for new radio program" . The South Bend Tribune. October 9, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved September 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 "Along Radio Lanes" . The Rock Island Argus. October 9, 1942. p. 15. Retrieved September 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 3 Burr, Eugene (October 24, 1942). "'Cresta Blanca Carnival'". Billboard. p. 8. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  5. ↑ "(untitled brief)". Radio Mirror. March 1943. p. 11. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Wine Series Change". Broadcasting. January 4, 1943. p. 11. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Along Radio Lanes" . The Rock Island Argus. January 13, 1943. p. 15. Retrieved September 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  8. 1 2 "Cresta Blanca Carnival Premieres Tonight In New Series On CBS-WDAE" . The Tampa Times. April 14, 1943. p. 11. Retrieved September 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Nets Catch Beer Barons: CBS Switches Alky Policy, Airing 2 Beer, 1 Wine Acct". Billboard. March 16, 1943. p. 6. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Lionel Barrymore Chalks Up 50 Years As Actor With Gala Party Tonight" . The Tampa Times. April 28, 1943. p. 11. Retrieved September 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Tenor Dennis Day Is Guest Vocalist Tonight On the New Jack Carson Show" . The Tampa Times. June 16, 1943. p. 13. Retrieved September 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Alec Templeton Joins 'Cresta Blanca Carnival'". Variety. August 18, 1943. p. 31. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  13. ↑ "(untitled brief)". Broadcasting. February 8, 1943. p. 33. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  14. ↑ "(untitled brief)". Broadcasting. February 15, 1943. p. 42. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.