Shell Chateau was a musical variety radio series heard on NBC from April 6, 1935 to June 26, 1937. Sponsored by Shell Oil, the hour-long program, sometimes called The Shell Show, was broadcast on Saturday evenings at 9:30pm. [1]
Shell Chateau was a musical variety radio series heard on NBC from April 6, 1935 to June 26, 1937. Sponsored by Shell Oil, the hour-long program, sometimes called The Shell Show, was broadcast on Saturday evenings at 9:30pm. [1]
Al Jolson was the host when the show debuted April 6, 1935, with Jolson singing the opening theme song, "Golden Gate". The format usually featured a song by Jolson, a comedy routine, a singing guest performer, more music, another Jolson song and a dramatic sketch, followed by more Jolson. Film stars often did scenes from a movie they were promoting. Victor Young was the orchestra leader, with Ernie Watson and his orchestra on later shows.
Carroll Carroll was the writer-producer for the J. Walter Thompson agency with Herb Polesie directing. Carroll devised the unusual title because the sponsor wanted its name in the title, and programs at the time sometimes attempted to create the illusion that they were emanating from a luxurious hotel or an exotic location. [2] The J. Walter Thompson agency was responsible for pioneering several big-name variety programs, including The Chase and Sanborn Hour , The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour and the Kraft Music Hall . [3]
On March 6, 1936, when Jolson left the series, the ratings dropped considerably. It continued until June 26, 1937, with other hosts, including Walter Winchell, Wallace Beery, Edward Everett Horton, Smith Ballew and Joe Cook. The announcers included Foster Williams.
Guests included Louis Armstrong, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Ben Blue, Bette Davis, Joan Davis, Judy Garland (who made two 1935 appearances in the same month), Florence Gill (doing her Walt Disney animation chicken voices), George Jessel, Boris Karloff, Dixie Lee, Joe E. Lewis (who was a guest four times), John McCormack, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joe Penner, Eleanor Powell (doing a Katharine Hepburn impression), Ginger Rogers, Babe Ruth, Benay Venuta (who became a network performer as a result of her 1935 appearance), Fats Waller, Johnny Weissmuller, June Marlowe, Midge Williams and Lee Wiley. [1]
Eddie Cantor was an American comedian, actor, dancer, singer, songwriter, film producer, screenwriter and author. Familiar to Broadway, radio, movie, and early television audiences, this "Apostle of Pep" was regarded almost as a family member by millions because his top-rated radio shows revealed intimate stories and amusing anecdotes about his wife, Ida, and five daughters. Some of his hits include "Makin' Whoopee", "Ida ", "If You Knew Susie", "Ma! He's Making Eyes at Me", “Mandy”, "My Baby Just Cares for Me”, "Margie", and "How Ya Gonna Keep 'em Down on the Farm ?" He also wrote a few songs, including "Merrily We Roll Along", the Merrie Melodies Warner Bros. cartoon theme.
Your Hit Parade was an American radio and television music program that was broadcast from 1935 to 1953 on radio, and seen from 1950 to 1959 on television. It was sponsored by American Tobacco's Lucky Strike cigarettes. During its 24-year run, the show had 19 orchestra leaders and 52 singers or groups. Many fans inaccurately referred to the show as The Hit Parade.
Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts was an American radio and television variety show which ran on CBS from 1946 until 1958. Sponsored by Lipton Tea, it starred Arthur Godfrey, who was also hosting Arthur Godfrey and His Friends at the same time.
Martha Tilton was an American popular singer during America's swing era and traditional pop period. She is best known for her 1939 recording of "And the Angels Sing" with Benny Goodman.
Harry Akst was an American songwriter, who started out his career as a pianist in vaudeville accompanying singers such as Nora Bayes, Frank Fay and Al Jolson.
Benjamin Anzelevitz, known professionally as Ben Bernie, was an American jazz violinist, bandleader, and radio personality, often introduced as "The Old Maestro". He was noted for his showmanship and memorable bits of snappy dialogue, being part of the first generation of "stars" of American popular music, alongside other artists such as Paul Whiteman, Ted Lewis and Al Jolson.
Alfred Goodman was a conductor, songwriter, stage composer, musical director, arranger, and pianist.
Virginia Louise "Midge" Williams was an African-American swing and jazz vocalist during the 1930s and 1940s. Although not as famous as other jazz recording artists, Williams was a respected singer and her group, Midge Williams and Her Jazz Jesters, made several well-received recordings during the late 1930s.
The Kraft Music Hall was a popular old-time radio variety program, featuring top show business entertainers, which aired first on NBC radio from 1933 to 1949.
The Chase and Sanborn Hour is the umbrella title for a series of American comedy and variety radio shows sponsored by Standard Brands' Chase and Sanborn Coffee, usually airing Sundays on NBC from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the years 1929 to 1948.
The Wheeling Jamboree is the second oldest country music radio broadcast in the United States after the Grand Ole Opry. The Jamboree originated in 1933 in Wheeling, West Virginia on WWVA, the first radio station in West Virginia and a 50,000-watt clear-channel station AM station until about 2007. Numerous acts and stars performed on the Jamboree, some of whom would later go on to mainstream commercial success.
Al Jolson was an American singer, actor, and vaudevillian.
Hollywood Hotel is a 1937 American romantic musical comedy film, directed by Busby Berkeley, starring Dick Powell, Rosemary Lane, Lola Lane, Hugh Herbert, Ted Healy, Glenda Farrell and Johnnie Davis, featuring Alan Mowbray and Mabel Todd, and with Allyn Joslyn, Grant Mitchell and Edgar Kennedy.
"Avalon" is a 1920 popular song written by Al Jolson, Buddy DeSylva and Vincent Rose referencing Avalon, California. It was introduced by Jolson and interpolated in the musicals Sinbad and Bombo. Jolson's recording rose to number two on the charts in 1921. The song was possibly written by Rose, but Jolson's popularity as a performer allowed him to claim composer co-credit. Originally, only Rose and Jolson were credited, and DeSylva's name was added later.
Palmolive Beauty Box Theater was an American radio program that featured an operetta or other musical each week from April 24, 1934, to October 6, 1937. It was sponsored by Palmolive soap and produced by Bill Bacher.
The Woods Are Full of Cuckoos is a 1937 Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Frank Tashlin. The short was released on December 4, 1937.
Mary Small was a singing personality during the Golden Age of Radio and hosted her own broadcasts for 14 consecutive years across all major networks. She headlined or opened at "presentation houses" from the 1930s through the 1950s including the Paramount Theater, Madison Square Garden, the London Palladium, the Copacabana with Sammy Davis, Jr., and the Palace Theater in Chicago.
Carroll S. Weinschenk, known professionally as Carroll Carroll, was an American advertising executive, humorist and, most famously, a writer for comedians.
The Tune Twisters was an American jazz vocal trio founded in 1934 as The Freshmen by Andy Love, Robert "Bob" Wacker, and Jack Lathrop, who also played guitar. They were featured on radio broadcasts and recorded with jazz artists that included (i) Ray Noble in 1935, (ii) Bob Crosby in 1935, (iii) Glenn Miller in 1937, and (iv) Adrian Rollini in 1938. The Tune Twisters performed in the 1937 Broadway production, Between the Devil, singing "Triplets." The production ran from December 22, 1937, to March 12, 1938. During the audition, the Tune Twisters were known as the Savoy Club Boys. Lathrop was a member of the Tune Twisters in 1939 when they recorded the first radio jingle of its kind for Pepsi – "Pepsi-Cola Hits the Spot" (aka "Nickel, Nickel"). The trio also performed in two 1935 films, Sweet Surrender and Melody Magic, the latter directed by Fred Waller. Gene Lantham, in 1940, replaced Lathrop, who went on to become guitarist and vocalist with Glenn Miller.