Listen to "The Quiz Kids"


on the air from Chicago

December 23rd, 1948

A special pre-Christmas "Quiz Broadcast", a remote from quiz master Joe Kelly's home in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park. Only part of the broadcast is given over to grilling the kids. The rest is a celebration of the season, including a brief appearance by Joe Kelly's eleven-month-old grandson.

Featured along with Joe Kelly are Quiz Kids Ruthie Duskin, Joel Kupperman, Patrick Conlon, Lonnie Lunde and Nelson Miles. The sponsor is Alka Seltzer and the announcer is Bob Murphy (whom you can also listen to as an actor in "The Coffin in Studio B", a 1946 episode of "Lights Out".

  • Segment 1 (runs 2:41): The show opens with an upcut version of "Jingle Bells". Joe Kelly sets the scene and the Quiz Kids introduce themselves.
  • Segment 2 (runs 7:10): A brief quiz session.
  • Segment 3 ((runs 5:02): Bob Murphy delivers the only Alka Seltzer commercial of the broadcast. The kids, Joe and Bob describe holiday gifts they've received.
  • Segment 4 (runs 8:10): Ruthie Duskin delivers a parody of "A Visit from Saint Nicholas". The kids present a drama written by Patrick Conlon entitled "A Present for Santa Claus". Joseph Kelly III makes a brief appearance.
  • Segment 5 (runs 6:24): Joel Kupperman plays a piano selection. Nelson Miles tells the story of the first Christmas. Lonnie Lunde plays and sings an original Christmas carol, "Guiding Star". Nelson Miles offers a Christmas prayer and the broadcast ends with announcer Bob Murphy extending the best wishes of sponsor Miles Laboratories.
May 12th, 1946

Not a "Quiz Kids" show, but the Kids appearing on a Jack Benny broadcast from Chicago's Civic Opera House. The "Quiz Kids" are challenged by the "Benny Kids" who win---but only by cheating. Near the end of the show, the Quiz Kids are trapped in a Lucky Strike commercial.

Featured along with the Benny regulars are Quiz Kids Harve Bennett Fischman, Ruthie Duskin, Joel Kupperman and Richard Weixler.

To understand the topical references you need to know that this episode aired in the midst of a strike by the United Mine Workers (led by the bushy-eyebrowed John L. Lewis). Chicago was under "dimout" conditions, with only enough coal on hand to power local electrical generating facilities until the end of May.

  • Segment 1 (runs 8:44): Jack, Don Wilson, Mary Livingston, Phil Harris and Dennis Day open the show.
  • Segment 2 (runs 4:33): The Quiz Kids arrive. Dennis Day sings "That Little Mother of Mine".
  • Segment 3 (runs 2:49): A phone call from Rochester.
  • Segment 4 (runs 12:34): The Quiz Kids face off against the Benny Kids.

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