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2) Jack Benny
Benny’s radio program was one of its mainstay beginning in 1932 and ending in 1955 and continuing in reruns several years thereafter, while his television career lasted another decade.
Benny was an Americann icon who set the pace for other comedians. His signature gags such as his fudging on his age (always said to be 39), playing the violin, his ego, and more than anything else, his cheapness. made for great comic fodder. Of course, in many ways, Benny’s radio persona was contrary to actual nature. His willingness to play himself as a cheap egotist actually made room for many others to play off of him, and the nature of Benny’s program allowed fellow performers such as Dennis Day, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Phil Harris, and Don Wilson to shine and become nationally known figures in their own right.
Benny’s gags were fodder for other comics, particularly his stinginess In late 30s and early 40s, many radio comics were trying to add it to their own repertoire, but progressed nearly working a joke about Benny being cheap when they could. Benny was often quite generous with guest appearance and would give life to his “cheap” characterization with an in-performance. Benny also carried on a memorable on-air feud with fellow comedian Fred Allen for years that also became one of his hallmarks.
Benny’s influence over radio was telling in that his jump from NBC to CBS spurred other performers including his long time friends George Burns and Gracie Allen to make the jump as it became known as a talent raid. At CBS, Benny was the man their line up was built around, at NBC, the focus was on finding some way to compete for ratings with Benny. No other radio entertainer could define the strategies of two networks so well.
Benny was beloved by millions and truly respected by his own industry colleagues. The idea of the golden age of radio without Jack Benny is almost unthinkable and clearly he belongs near the top of our list.
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From the early 30s to the early 50s, no singer had the star power of Bing Crosby. Crosby’s musical talent was well-known. Not only he was a frequent guest on others shows and constantly in demand on record request programs, he had a long line of his own programs including stints hosting the Kraft Music Hall, Philco Radio Time, the Chestfield Program, General Motors, Woodbury, and Ford. His consistent signature song was, “When the Blue of the Nigh.” Crosby’s popularity also made his films a no-brainer for adaptation to radio.
For fans of classic television, Gale Gordon earned a reputation for playing crochety authority figures. He was the second Mr. Wilson on the classic Dennis the Menace series and in his association with Lucille Ball in programs like Theodore Mooney in The Lucy Show and Harrison Carter in Here’s Lucy.
Conrad’s great overarching claim to radio fame is a significant one. He played the role of Marshall Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke for its entire 9 year run. Gunsmoke began its run after radio in 1952 after television had eclipsed radio as a profit making enterprise Nevertheless, Gunsmoke began its long run and also spawned a slew of new adult Westerns in the latter 1950s and Conrad played a large part in that. He also became a symbol of television’ shallowness when he was denied the ability to continue in the Dillon role on television due to his weight.
Jim and Marion Jordan starred in the roles of Fibber McGee and Molly. Their show was an outstanding comedy hit that introduced Americans to the town of Wistful Vista with its memorable cast of characters. The most memorable was, of course, the lovable blowhard Fibber who was famous for such antics as his never quite clean closet. Their program was one of those most referenced by other comedy programs.
Lewis was often known as Mr. Radio. His career over the air was multi-faceted and has left an indelible mark. He was a talented dramatic actor. He played Captain Philip Kearney in the well-remembered Voyages of the Scarlet Queen. He also took his turn as a radio detective in both The Casebook of Gregory Hood and played Archie Goodwin in Mutual’s Amazing Nero Wolfe, and then starred with his then-wife Cathy Lewis in On Stage which pushed him into a wide variety of genres.