Origin Point of Nearly Fifty Programs is Transferred to Chicago


Shift of broadcasts gives the new studio in the Midwest more than 120 offerings weekly


Right: Clerks from the NBC-Chicago traffic department prepare a display that lists all network programs and the affiliated stations to which they are fed (from the June, 1931 issue of "Popular Mechanics" magazine).
Traffic clerks

CURATOR'S NOTE: The header of this page was the headline to the lead article in the February, 1931 edition of the RCA News. The portion of the article's text reproduced below indicates that the Merchandise Mart studios became a major network production center only a few weeks after their opening. In particular, the programing---mostly music and variety, and initially unsponsored--- developed by NBC-Chicago helped build an audience for coast-to-coast daytime network broadcasting.

A list of sponsored programs from the 1937-1938 season (including talent and advertising agency information) follows the article.

The point of origin of nearly fifty programs heretofore created in New York, was changed on Monday, February 9, to the new NBC quarters and studios on top of the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. This makes a total of more than 120 programs broadcast from the Chicago NBC studios each week. It is an evidencee of the high place the great Midwest city will occupy in the future of American broadcasting.

The programs thus transferred from the Eastern metropolis are sustaining periods of entertainment transmitted by the nation-wide NBC-WJZ network.

This step is indicative of the fact that Chicago has been given a complete broadcast center that is not merely a branch of the National Broadcasting Company, but a major unit competent to handle in detail every phase of radio broadcasting.


The new programs are to bring to the nation's listeners not only some of the best know radio acts that have become prominent through the medium of local Chicago stations. For some time the various production departments of the Chicago offices, have been holding special auditions in order to obtain entertainment with the program ideals of NBC. During the past few weeks the Chicago NBC artists bureau, program and music production departments have been busy assembling artists and entertainers, arranging rehearsals and building the new programs that go on the air for the first time.

In all there will be forty-nine of these programs. All are unsponsored or sustaining programs.

Among the better known radio acts now originating in Chicago are the comedy singing team of Al and Pete, recording artists; Lee Sims, recording artist; a number of well-known soloists and vocal combinations and orchestras under the direction of nationally known directors.


Local outlets for all the new programs have not yet been determined by the company.

Curator's note: The list below of sponsored NBC network programs that were produced by NBC-Chicago during the 1937-1938 season originally appeared in the annual Radio Directory published by Variety magazine.

Note that soap operas have replaced the earlier music-variety format as the staple of daytime network broadcasting.

This list does not enumerate the many unsponsored ("sustaining") programs the Chicago studios fed to the network. Were they included, this list might be 40% or so longer.

All times given are for the Eastern zone. Consult your local paper for time and station. Good listening to these Chicago shows!


1937 NBC network Chicago originations...

Acme Sunshine Melodies

Sponsor: Acme White Lead and Color Works.

Agency: Henri, Hurst & McDonald, Inc.

Air time: Sunday, 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 20 stations.

Talent: Smiling Ed McConnell, Irma Glen, Palmer Clark's Orchestra.

Conductor: Palmer Clark.

Adventures of Dari Dan

Sponsor: Bowery's, Inc. (Dari-Rich Chocolate Milk Drink).

Agency: Russell C. Comer Advertising Co.

Air time: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 5:15 to 5:30 p.m.

Network: Basic Red.

Production: E. Marshal.

Script writer: Finney Briggs.

Talent: Finney Briggs, Cecil Roy, Forest Lewis.

Agency director: R. A. Sorensen.

Announcer: Fort Pearson.

Amos 'n' Andy

Sponsor: The Pepsodent Company.

Agency: Lord & Thomas,

Air Time: Monday through Friday, 7:00 to 7:15 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 42 stations.

Script writers: Amos 'n' Andy.

Talent: Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll.

Agency director: Basil Loughrane.

Announcer: Bill Hay.

Backstage Wife

Sponsor: Sterling Products, Inc. (Dr. Lyon's Toothpowder).

Agency: Blackett-Sampell-Hummert, Inc.

Air time: Monday through Friday, 11:15 to 11:30 a.m.

Network: NBC Red; 36 stations.

Script writers: Frank and Anne Hummert.

Talent: Vivian Fridell, Ken Griffen.

The Contented Hour

Sponsor: Carnation Milk Co.

Agency: Lord & Thomas.

Air time: Monday, 10:00 to 10:30 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 58 stations.

Production: Jules Herbuveaux.

Script writer: Charles Lewis, Jr.

Talent: Vivian della Chiesa, Margaret Gent, Grace, Ruth and Marian Doring, Carnation Quartet.

Agency director: Holland Engle.

Announcer: Vincent Pelletier.

Conductor: Frank Black.

The First Nighter

Sponsor: Campana Sales Co. (Italian Balm).

Agency: Aubrey, Moore & Wallace, Inc.

Air time: Friday, 10:00 to 10:30 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 45 stations.

Production: C. L. Menser.

Talent: Lester Tremayne (replaced Don Ameche June 4, 1937), Barbara Luddy.

Fitch Jingle Show

Sponsor: F. W. Fitch Co. (Shampoo).

Agency: L. W. Ramsey Co.

Air time: Saturday, 11:45 to 12 :00 noon.

Network: NBC Red; 39 stations.

Production: L. G. Harris.

Talent: Gene Arnold, Ranch Boys Trio.

Announcer: Gene Rouse.

The Frigidaire Frolics

Sponsor: Frigidaire Corporation.

Air time: Friday, 9:30 to 10:00 p.m.

Network: NBC Blue; 69 stations.

Talent: Ted Fiorito's Orchestra, Charles Lyon, master of ceremonies, Louise Starkey Meade, Isobel Carothers Berolzheimer, Helen King Marshal.

Conductor: Ted Fiorito.

Girl Alone

Sponsor: Kellogg Company.

Agency: N. W. Ayer & Son, Inc.

Air time: Monday through Friday, 12:00 to 12:15 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 8 stations.

Script writer: Fayette Krum.

Talent: Betty Winkler, Pat Murphy.

Agency director: Mason McGuire.

NBC director: Ed Boroff.

Announcer: Les Griffith.

Grand Hotel

Sponsor: Campana Sales Co. (Dreskin).

Agency: Aubrey, Moore & Wallace, Inc.

Air time: Sunday, 3:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 31 stations.

Production: C. L. Menser.

Talent: Anne Seymour, Lester Tremayne, Betty Winkler.

Announcer: Fort Pearson.

Edgar Guest in Welcome Valley

Sponsor: Household Finance Corp.

Agency: Charles Daniel Grey Co.

Air time: Tuesday, 8:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Network: NBC Blue; 18 stations.

Script writer: Edith Meiser (Irna Phillips until October 6, 1936).

Talent: Edgar Guest, Cliff Arquette, Bernadine Flynn, Isabel Randolph, Judith Lowry, Betty Winkler, Sidney Ellstrom.

Agency director: H. C. Klein.

Announcer: Vincent Pelletier.

Guiding Light

Sponsor: Proctor & Gamble (White Naptha Soap).

Agency: Compton Advertising, Inc.

Air time: Monday through Friday, 4:45 to 5:00 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 50 stations.

Production: John E. McMillan.

Script writer: Irna Phillips.

Talent: Arthur Peterson, Mercedes McCambridge, Ray Johnson.

Agency director: John Taylor.

NBC director: Howard Keegan.

Announcer: Louis Roen.

How to be Charming

Sponsor: Sterling Products (Phillips Facial Cream).

Agency: Blackett-Sample-Hummert, Inc.

Air time: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11:30 to 11:45 a.m.

Network: NBC Red; 36 stations.

Script writers: Frank and Anne Hummert.

Talent: Beatrice de Sylvara

Announcer: John P. Costello.

Kaltenmeyer's Kindergarten

Sponsor: Quaker Oats Co.

Agency: Lord & Thomas.

Air time: Saturday, 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 45 stations.

Script writer: Harry Lawrence.

Talent: Bruce Kamman, Marian and Jim Jordan, Johnny Wolf, Thor Ericson, Merrill Fugit, Elinor Harriott, Cecil Roy.

Agency director: Basil Loughrane.

Announcer: Charles Lyon.

Conductor: Harry Kogen.

Lady Esther Serenade

Sponsor: Lady Esther, Ltd.

Agency: Lord & Thomas.

Air time: Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 39 stations.

Production: John Butler.

Script writer: John Butler.

Talent: Bess Johnson (Lady Esther), Wayne King's Orchestra.

Announcers: Phil Stewart, Bess Johnson.

Little Orphan Annie

Sponsor: Wander Co. (Ovaltine)

Agency: Blackett-Sample-Hummert.

Air time: Monday through Friday, 5:45 to 6:00 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 26 stations.

Script writers: Frank and Ann Hummert.

Lum 'n' Abner

Sponsor: Horlick's Malted Milk Corp.

Air time: Monday through Friday, 7:30 to 7:45 p.m.

Network: NBC Blue; 18 stations.

Script writer: Lum 'n' Abner.

Talent: Chester Lauck, Norris Goff.

Agency director: Basil Loughrane.

Announcer: Bill Hay.

Story of Mary Marlin

Sponsor: Proctor and Gamble (Ivory Snow).

Agency: Compton Advertising Agency.

Air time: Monday through Friday, 5:00 to 5:15 p.m. (NBC Blue); Monday through Friday, 12:00 to 12:15 p.m. (NBC Red).

Network: NBC Blue (22 stations); NBC Red (35 stations).

Production: John E. McMillan.

Script writer: Jane Cruisenberry.

Talent: Anne Seymour, Robert Griffin, Judith Lowry, June Meredith, Isabel Randolph, Carlton Brickert, Ann Stone, Robert Barron, Arthur Kohl, Frances Carlon.

Agency director: John Taylor.

NBC director: Wynne Orr.

Announcer: Bob Brown.

Fibber McGee & Molly

Sponsor: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.

Agency: Needham, Louis & Broby, Inc.

Air time: Monday, 9:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 54 stations.

Production: Cecil Underwood.

Script writer: Don Quinn.

Talent: Marian and Jim Jordan, Dustoff and Brightski, Gale Page, Lynn Martin, Master Singers Quartet.

Agency director: John T. Louis.

Announcer: Harlow Wilcox.

Conductor: Ted Weems.

Edward MacHugh, Your Gospel Singer

Sponsor: Proctor & Gamble (Ivory Soap).

Agency: Compton Advertising, Inc.

Air time: Monday through Friday 11:45 to 12:00 noon.

Production: John E. McMillan.

Talent: Edward McHugh; William Meader, organist.

Agency director: Claude Morris.

NBC director: James Haupt.

Announcer: John G. Fraser.

Melody of Romance

Sponsor: Jell-Sert Co, (Maple-Mix Dessert).

Agency: Rogers & Smith Advertising Agency.

Air time: Saturday, 11:15 to 11:30 a.m.

Network: NBC Blue; 25 stations.

Production: Everett George Opie.

Script writer: Everett George Opie.

Talent: Charles Sears, Harry Kogen's Orchestra.

Agency director: Everett George Opie.

Announcer: Everett Mitchell.

Conductor: Harry Kogen.

National Barn Dance

Sponsor: Miles Laboratories (Alka-Seltzer).

Agency: W. A. Wade Advertising Agency.

Air time: Saturday, 9:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Network: NBC Blue' 75 stations.

Production: W. E. Jones.

Script writer: P. C. Lund.

Talent: Joe Kelly, Pat Barnett, Nora Cunneen, Henry Burr, Lucille Long, Verna Lee and Mary, Sally Foster, Lulu Belle and Arkie, Maple City Four, Hoosier Hot Shots, Novelodians Trio.

Agency director: W. A. Wade.

Announcer: Joe Kelly.

Conductor: Glen Welty.

Oxydol's Own Ma Perkins

Sponsor: Proctor & Gamble (Oxydol).

Agency: Blackett-Sample-Hummert, Inc.

Air time: Monday through Friday, 3:15 to 3:30 p.m. (NBC Red); Monday through Friday, 10:15 to 10:30 a.m. (NBC Blue).

Network: NBC Red (47 stations); NBC Blue (10 stations).

Script writers: (Frank and Anne Hummert.

Talent: Virginia Payne.

Penthouse Serenade

Sponsor: Maybelline Co. (mascara).

Agency: Cramer-Krasselt Co.

Air time: Sunday, 4:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 26 stations.

Production: Bucky Harris.

Talent: Freddy Martin's Orchestra, Terry Shand, Elmer Feldkamp, Penthouse Serenaders, Dorothy Hamilton.

Agency director: J. E. Giebish

Announcer: Louis Roen.

Conductor: Freddy Martin.

Pratt & McNeill, Unlimited

Sponsor: A. H. Lewis Medicine Co.

Agency: Ruthrauff & Ryan.

Airtime: Wednesday, 7:45 to 8:00 p.m.

Network: NBC Blue; 20 stations.

Talent: Barry McKinley, Alexander Brothers.

Red Grange

Sponsor: Sinclair Refining Co.

Agency: Federal Advertising Agency, Inc.

Air time: Friday, 10:30 to 10:45 p.m.; Saturday, 7:00 to 7:15 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 60 stations.

Production: Joseph Hill.

Talent: Red Grange, guest coaches.

Agency director: Joseph Hill.

Announcer: Charles Lyon.

Greater Sinclair Minstrels

Sponsor: Sinclair Refining Co.

Agency: Federal Advertising Agency.

Air time: Monday, 9:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Network: NBC Blue; 60 stations.

Production: Joseph Hill.

Script writer: Bob Ross.

Talent: Gus Van, Jos. Parsons, Billy White, Malcom Claire, Fritz Clark, Ray Marlin, Harry Kogen's Orchestra.

Agency director: Joseph Hill.

Announcer: Charles Lyon.

Conductor: Harry Kogen.

Sunset Dreams

Sponsor: F. W. Fitch Co. (shampoo).

Agency: L. W. Ramsey Co.

Air time: Sunday, 7:45 to 8:00 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 39 stations.

Production: L. H. Harris.

Talent: Ranch Boys Trio, Morin Sisters

Agency director: E. G. Naeckel.

Announcer: Gene Rouse.

Tale of Today

Sponsor: Princess Pat, Ltd.

Agency: McJunkin Advertising Co.

Air time: Sunday, 6:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 14 stations.

Production: Howard Koegan.

Script writer: Gordon St. Clair.

Talent: Harvey Hays, Joan Blaire, Harriette Widmer, Laurette Fillbrandt, Willard Parnum, Robert Griffen, Frank Pacelli.

Agency director: Frank Steel.

Announcer: Verne Smith.

Tea Time at Morrel's

Sponsor: John Morrell & Co. (Red Heart Dog Food).

Agency: Henri, Hurst & McDonald, Inc.

Air time: Friday, 4:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 17 stations.

Talent: Don McNeill, master of ceremonies, Gale Page, Charles Sears, Roy Shields.

Conductor: Roy Shields.

Tom Mix and his Ralston Stright Shooters

Sponsor: Ralston Purina Co.

Agency: Gardner Advertising Co.

Air time: Monday through Friday, 5:15 to 5:30 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 24 stations.

Production: H. Claggett, R. Martini.

Script writers: Larry Holcomb, R. Martini.

Talent: Artells Dickson, Percy Hemus, Jack Holden.

Announcer: Charles Lyon.

Today's Children

Sponsor: Pillsbury Flour Mills Co.

Agency: Hutchinson Advertising Co.

Air time: Monday through Friday, 10:45 to 11:00 a.m.

Network: NBC Red; 35 stations.

Production: Bucky Harris.

Script writer: Irna Phillips.

Talent: Irna Phillips, Fred Von Ammon, Bess Johnson, Jean McGregor.

Agency director: H. K. Painter.

NBC director: Bucky Harris.

Announcer: Louis Roen.

Uncle Ezra

Sponsor: Miles Laboratories, Inc. (Alka-Seltzer).

Agency: Wade Advertising Agency, Inc.

Air time: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 7:15 to 7:30 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 43 stations.

Production: P. C. Lund.

Script writer: Jack Frost.

Talent: Pat Barrett, Cliff Soubier, Carleton Guy, Nora Cunneen.

Agency director: W. A. Wade.

NBC director: Maurice Lowell.

Announcer: Jack Holden.

Vic and Sade

Sponsor: Proctor and Gamble (Crisco)

Agency: Compton Advertising, Inc.

Air time: Monday through Friday, 11:30 to 11:45 a.m. (NBC Blue; 19 stations); 3:30 to 3:45 p.m. (NBC Red; 25 stations); Wednesday, 7:45 to 8:00 p.m. (NBC Red; 3 stations); Tuesday and Friday, 10:45 to 11:00 p.m. (NBC Red; 28 stations).

Production: John E. McMillan.

Script writer: Paul Rhymer.

Talent: Bernadine Flynn, Art Van Harvey.

Agency director: Felix Dyck Hoff.

NBC director: Robert Wamboldt.

Announcer: Bob Brown.

Wheaties Presents Jack Armstrong

Sponsor: General Mills, Inc. (Wheaties).

Agency: Blackett-Sample-Hummert, Inc.

Air time: Monday through Friday, 5:30 to 5:45 p.m.

Network: NBC Red; 14 stations.

Script writer: Talbot Mundy.

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