From the 1940s through the mid-50s you might have ended a
hard work day with settling down in front of a warm fire and the soft glow of a
Philco model 48. While the snow rattled against the windowpane you might have
tuned in to a variety show such as The Railroad
Hour. Programs like this provided relief from the hard world, filling the
darkness with musical dramas, comedies, and popular songs.
As the name implies, The Radio Hour was sponsored by the
Association of American Railroads. Singer-actor Gordon MacRae starred in
scripts by Jean Holloway, Jerome Lawrence, and Robert Edwin Lee while Marvin
Miller fulfilled the role of announcer. During the show’s run Doris Day co-starred
with MacRae in No, No, Nanette and
Jane Powell co-starred in Brigadoon.
Other offerings included The Desert Song,
Holiday Inn, The Merry Widow, The Mikado, Naughty Marietta, Show Boat, Song of
Norway, State Fair, The Student Prince, and The Vagabond King.
With four days ‘till the festive night, I offer you thirty
minutes of 1950's broadcast of the Railroad Hour. It's good old fashioned entertainment with tones and sentiments that remain warm
in spite of the chill of modern technology. Here’s to memories of the soft hum of vacuum
tubes with their magic glow and the scent of a low-burning fire in the hearth.
Snow closes out the outside world and you’re safe and warm on the sofa with
someone you love. Take a deep breath and relax.
No comments:
Post a Comment