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Skippy Hollywood Theatre is an American radio dramatic anthology program that began as a syndicated series and later was broadcast on CBS from December 1, 1949, through September 21, 1950.[1]

Origin

[edit]

Rosenfield Packing Company initially ventured into radio as an advertising medium for its Skippy peanut butter when it sponsored Superman in Fresno, California, and San Francisco. After that start, it added half-sponsorship of Superman in Los Angeles. Successful results led the company to seek to sponsor the program in other markets, but none were available. The company then worked with its advertising agency "to develop a program which would be reasonable in cost, would belong to Skippy, and would permit unlimited expansion as Rosefield grew."[2]

The manufacturer and the agency consulted with C. P. MacGregor, who had experience in producing radio transcriptions. He suggested that the company create a 30-minute dramatic program in Hollywood using "minor screen names and experienced radio talent".[2]: 39  The result was Skippy Hollywood Theatre. Plans called for Skippy to sponsor the show in areas in which it was distributed, while it would be made available (without Skippy in the title) to non-competing advertisers where Skippy was not distributed. With few exceptions, the show "never entered a market until good evening time on a top-rated station was available."[2]: 39 

The trade publication Variety reported in November 1945 that Skippy Hollywood Theatre was being heard on more 50,000-watt radio stations west of Chicago than any other program. It added that the show might be the only recorded program "heard regularly week in and week out from WOR, New York, to KGMB, Honolulu."[3]

Overview

[edit]

Skippy Hollywood Theatre presented original 30-minute dramas.[4] Its format was modeled after that of Lux Radio Theatre,[2]: 39  and it was so similar that some people called the show "the poor man's Lux".[3] MacGregor was the original host, with Les Mitchel as host later.[4] Van Des Autels was the announcer.[5]

Actors who appeared on the program "who were still unknowns when 'Skippy' handed them parts" included Vanessa Brown, Peggy Knudsen and Gale Storm.[5] Equally obscure—at least to American listeners—were the Abbey Theatre Players of Dublin, who made their American radio debut on December 29, 1949 with "The Great Emptiness" (the second of six consecutive episodes recorded when Mitchel was in London earlier that year),[6] featuring, among others, Dermot Walsh and Sheila Manahan.[6] The first of those six episodes was an adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, whose cast included Alec Guinness, Jean Simmons, John Mills, Dirk Bogarde, Googie Withers, and Derek Bond.[7] Others featured in the London episodes include Michael Redgrave, Clive Brook, and Margaret Lockwood,[4] as well as American expatriates Bebe Daniels, Ben Lyon and Barbara Lyon.[8]

Another notable debut aired in April 1944, when New York Yankees centerfielder Joe DiMaggio appeared alongside then popular child actor Dix Davis[9] in the episode, "One Hit—Two Errors".[10][11]

New futures are predicted for Joe DiMaggio, the baseball son of California dear to the hearts of the Yanks and now on duty with the Army! Come curtain time for Skippy Hollywood Theater tonight, Joe becomes a Thespian. Batting the 'clean-up' spot in the radio drama, 'One Hit, Two Errors,' Joe's first dramatic appearance is sure to endear him even further to baseball fans.[12]

Episodes

[edit]

Syndicated

[edit]
Partial List of Episodes of Skippy Hollywood Theatre
Date Episode Actor(s)
November 15, 1942 "Murder for Fun" Gale Page[13]
January 16, 1943 "Meet Mrs. Chandler" Ona Munson[14]
January 18, 1943 "Wagon Wheels Rolling" Roy Rogers[15]
March 10, 1943 "Kathrine of the Bridle Bit" Anita Louise[16]
March 19, 1943 "Little Miss Fortune" Elaine Barrymore[17]
March 24, 1943 "Taxi, Mister?" Isabel Jewell[18]
April 2, 1943 "The Seal of the Pharoah" [sic] Gale Page[19]
April 9, 1943 "Cloud Seventeen" Ona Munson[20]
April 18, 1943 "Marriage for Wages" Gale Page[21]
June 12, 1943 "Ashes of Victory" Anita Louise[22]
October 17, 1943 "Emotions for Sale" Anita Louise[23]
November 7, 1943 "Snow Man" Anita Louise[24]
November 21, 1943 "Young Lady, Be Good" Jane Withers[25]
December 19, 1943 "Blessed Are They" Roddy McDowell[26]
January 9, 1944 "The Peacock Screen" Annabella[27]
April 16, 1944 "Crichton Plays Cupid" Eric Blore[28]
April 22, 1944 "One Hit—Two Errors" Joe DiMaggio,[10][12] Dix Davis[11]
April 23, 1944 "Understudy" John Sutton[29]
May 28, 1944 "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary" Margo[30]
June 4, 1944 "Love Divided by Two" Jon Hall[31]
June 18, 1944 "Love Pays Five to Two" Carole Landis[32]
July 9, 1944 "The Silver Gown" Ruth Chatterton[33]
October 8, 1944 "Strange Journey" Vincent Price[34]
November 5, 1944 "Every Time It Rains" Edward Everett Horton[35]
November 9, 1945 "Two Hearts in Pigskin" Charles Starrett, Rosemary Reddins, Robert Clarke, Tyler McVey, Harold Cowan[36][3]
October 4, 1947 "Return to America" Ginger Rogers[37]
October 24, 1947 "Pranks for Parents" Bebe Daniels, Ben Lyon, Barbara Lyon, Richard Lyon[38]
December 17, 1947 "The Heart Remembers" Patricia Morison[39][40]
September 24, 1948 "Angelica" Victor Mature[41]
February 23, 1949 "The Man From Jamestown" Basil Rathbone[42][43]
April 1, 1949 "Mr. God Johnson" Peter Lorre, Lurene Tuttle, Charlie Lung, Earl Lee, Herb Butterfield[44][43]: 168 
July 18, 1949 "Death Accidental" Marie Windsor[45]
November 24, 1949 "Song of Thanksgiving" Stephen McNally[46]

CBS

[edit]
Partial List of Episodes of Skippy Hollywood Theatre on CBS
Date Episode Actor(s)
December 1, 1949 "Something Special" Marjorie Reynolds[5]
December 8, 1949 "London Legend" Jane Wyatt[47]
December 15, 1949 "Best Performance" Les Mitchel[48]
December 22, 1949 "A Christmas Carol"[49] John Mills, Jean Simmons, Googie Withers, Alec Guinness, John McCullum, Derek Bond and Dirk Bogarde[7]
December 29, 1949 "The Great Emptiness" Maureen Balaney, Dermot Walsh, Sheila Manahan, Joyce Chanceller, and Elizabeth Erskine[50]
January 5, 1950 "Billy and the Bride" Jean Simmons[51]
January 12, 1950 "Rappaccini's Daughter" Michael Redgrave[52]
January 19, 1950 "It's Not Cricket" Bebe Daniels, Ben Lyon, Barbara Lyon, and Richard Lyon[8]
January 26, 1950 "Thought" Clive Brook[53]
February 2, 1950 "The Coming of Mr. Snover" Victor Moore[54]
February 9, 1950 "Trudy and the Quiet Life" Barbara Fuller[55]
February 16, 1950
February 23, 1950 "Mulligan the Mighty" James Gleason[56]
March 2, 1950 "Flash in the Pan" Michael O'Shea[57]
March 9, 1950 "When the Wind Blows" Preston Foster[58]
March 16, 1950 "The Tender Heart" Ella Raines[59]
March 23, 1950 "And the River Laughed" John Carroll[60]
March 30, 1950 "Love Come Stealing" Virginia O'Brien[61]
April 6, 1950 "The Terrible Meek" Les Mitchel[62]
April 13, 1950 "Seven Seas to Danger" Brian Donlevy[63]
April 20, 1950 "A Dime a Dozen" Gale Storm[64]
April 27, 1950 "Bid for Fame" John Sutton[65]
May 4, 1950 "Show Business" Bill Shirley, Gale Robbins[66]
May 11, 1950 "Help Wanted—Murderer" John Howard[67]
May 18, 1950 "The Tale of the Mermaid" Irene Hervey, Francis X. Bushman[68]
May 25, 1950 "No More Diplomacy" Allan Jones, Lurene Tuttle, Herbert Rawlinson, Henry Sharp[69]
June 1, 1950 No broadcast (Preempted by Hallmark Playhouse)[70]
June 8, 1950 "Shadow Life" Rhonda Fleming[71]
June 15, 1950 "A Poltergeist for Harry" Edmond O'Brien[72]
June 22, 1950 "The Blue Chair" Vanessa Brown[73]
June 29, 1950 "The Other Side of the Moon" Ann Dvorak[74]
July 6, 1950 "The Throwback" Bobby Driscoll[75]
July 13, 1950 "The Big Leaguer" Bill Lundigan[76]
July 20, 1950 "Perfect Gentleman" Les Mitchel[77]
July 27, 1950 "Short Story" Joan Bennett[78]
August 3, 1950 "The Hunt" Mercedes McCambridge[79]
August 10, 1950 "Wild Horse in the Town" Dan Duryea[80]
August 17, 1950 "The Truth Pays Off" Meg Randall[81]
August 24, 1950 "Detour" Pat O'Brien[82]
August 31, 1950 "Farewell to Birdie McKeever" Gloria Grahame[83]
September 7, 1950 "To the Bitter End" Natalie Wood[84]
September 14, 1950 "A Date for Agnes" Wayne Morris[85]
September 21, 1950 "Stormbound" Les Mitchel, Lurene Tuttle[86]

Production

[edit]

First MacGregor[2]: 39  and then Mitchel produced and directed the series.[4] MacGregor left after a disagreement over proposed changes. Under Mitchel's leadership, the host's role was diminished, and an emphasis was put on better-known performers and better scripts.[2]: 106  The CBS version was broadcast on Thursdays from 10:30 to 11 p.m. Eastern Time.[87] When the program moved to CBS, it had already received high ratings on the West Coast.[5] The syndicated version was broadcast in more than 55 markets at the time of the shift to CBS.[88]

Mahlon Merrick[3] and Del Castillo directed the music.[5] Writers included Roger Quayle Denny[3] and True Eames Boardman.[89] Some scripts came from amateur writers, including students in evening high schools in Hollywood.[90] Mitchel read scripts submitted from across the United States and from other countries. He acknowledged that some of the submissions were bad, but he said, "I hit the jackpot often enough to make it pay."[91]

When Rosefield Packing Company canceled the series, it planned to shift the funds previously allocated to the program to "an extensive national spot and program campaign in both radio and TV".[92]

Critical response

[edit]

A review of the episode "Two Hearts in Pigskin" in the trade publication Variety compared the show favorably to other radio dramatic anthologies of that era. It noted that MacGregor "knows dramatic values" and that Hooper ratings indicated his success in providing good programs within budget constraints.[3]

Radio historian John Dunning described Skippy Hollywood Theatre as "a slick show, the equal of many network series".[1] One contemporaneous critic, Bill Bird of the Pasadena Independent, likewise lauded Mitchel's resourcefulness in putting out a polished product while also seeing the program as emblematic of the industry-wide transition from "live" to "canned" entertainment.

[Mitchel] attributes part of the program's success to the fact that, being transcribed, scenes that don't come out right the first time can be redone and spliced into the tape and some of which are then taken off on transcription discs for presentation over the air. What this all adds up to is that the customers apparently care little whether it is 'live' or 'canned' if it is good entertainment.[42]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Dunning, John (May 7, 1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. p. 619. ISBN 978-0-19-984045-8. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Nobody Tops Skippy" (PDF). Sponsor. September 1948. pp. 38–39, 106, 108, 110. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Transcription Reviews: Skippy Hollywood Theatre". Variety. November 14, 1945. p. 34. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d "Radio and Television: Charles Ruggles to Start a Comedy Series Over ABC Video on Thursday, Nov. 3". The New York Times. October 25, 1949. p. 54. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Weekly Dramatic Series Bows Over CBS and KWKH Next Thursday Night". The Shreveport Times. November 27, 1949. p. A-13. Retrieved January 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Radio and Television: C.B.S. to Discontinue the Give-Away Show, 'Hit the Jackpot,' After Dec. 27 Broadcast". The New York Times. December 17, 1949. p. 30. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Hollywood Theater to Give Christmas Carol on Thursday". Sioux City Journal. December 18, 1949. Sec. 2, p. 12. "A cast of celebrated British players will be featured when Skippy Hollywood Theater dramatizes Charles Dickens' yuletide classic, A Christmas Carol, at 9:30 Thursday night over KSCJ. This is the first of six dramas produced and recorded in London by the series' producer, Les Mitchel, during a recentvisit. Playing leading roles in Dickens' story of the transformation of Scrooge from a miserly old crank to a man of generosity and good will are John Mills, Jean Simmons, Googie Withers, Alec Guinness, John McCullum, Derek Bond and Derk [sic] Bogarde."
  8. ^ a b "Skippy Theatre Stars BeBe Daniels and Ben Lyon in British Comedy". The Shreveport Times. January 15, 1950. A-11.
  9. ^ "Today's Radio Program". The Record American. July 28, 1943. p. 5.
  10. ^ a b "On the Air Today". The Central New Jersey Home News. April 22, 1944. p. 8. "Joe DiMaggio, former star [sic] of the New York Yankees, appears tonight in the leading role in 'One Hit, Two Errors' on the Skippy Hollywood Theatre program via WEAF at 6:30 p. m."
  11. ^ a b Mote, James (1989). Everything Baseball. New York: Prentice Hall Press. p. 112. ISBN 0132928892. "ONE HIT, TWO ERRORS, 1948 (Hollywood Theatre of Stars) Mutual, 30 minutes, October 12, 1948 Cast: Joe DiMaggio as Joe Collins, and Dix Davis as Lefty Collins. [...] Light-hearted story in which two major league scouts use subterfuge against each other in their efforts to sign an unassuming small-town slugger."
  12. ^ a b "On the Air Tonight". Hawaii Tribune-Herald. May 26, 1944. p. 7. "New futures are predicted for Joe DiMaggio, the baseball son of California dear to the hearts of the Yanks and now on duty with the Army! Come curtain time for Skippy Hollywood Theater tonight, Joe becomes a Thespian. Batting the 'clean-up' spot in the radio drama, 'One Hit, Two Errors,' Joe's first dramatic appearance is sure to endear him even further to baseball fans."
  13. ^ "WCCO, Serving Listeners 24 Hours Every Day: Hear Gale Page in 'Murder for Fun'". Quad-City Times. November 15, 1942. p. M11.
  14. ^ "Tops on Your Dial: Is She Twins?". The Sacramento Union. January 16, 1943. p. 11.
  15. ^ Little, Mary (January 18, 1943). "Tops on Your Dial: Is She Twins?". The Sacramento Union. January 16, 1943. p. 11.
  16. ^ "Skippy Will Be Weekly Feature on KMJ". The Fresno Bee. March 10, 1943. p. 5-B.
  17. ^ "Tonight! KIRO, Top in Programs; 710 on your Dial, Top in Power". The Seattle Star. March 19, 1943. p. 16.
  18. ^ "Time to Smile Show to Feature Screen Celebrity". The Fresno Bee. March 24, 1943. p. 5-B.
  19. ^ "Tonight! KIRO, Top in Programs; 710 on your Dial, Top in Power". The Seattle Star. April 2, 1943. p. 16.
  20. ^ "Tonight! KIRO, Top in Programs; 710 on your Dial, Top in Power". The Seattle Star. April 9, 1943. p. 6.
  21. ^ "WCCO, Serving Listeners 24 Hours Every Day: Coming Sunday! Hear Gale Page in 'Marriage for Wages'". Quad-City Times. April 17, 1943. p. 13.
  22. ^ "On the Air Tonight". Quad-City Times. June 12, 1943. p. .
  23. ^ "Weekend Specials". Los Angeles Daily News. October 17, 1943. p. 44.
  24. ^ "Air Fare". Long Beach Independent. November 7, 1943. p. 35. "Lovely Anita Louise is starred in the 'Skippy Hollywood Theater' presentation of the 'Snow Man' on KFI tonight at 9:30. The special radio adaptation was written by Elizabeth Hiestand from an O. Henry story."
  25. ^ "Air Fare". Long Beach Independent. November 21, 1943. p. 31. "Young and lovely Jane withers has the starring role in the 'Skippy Hollywood Theater' production on KFI tonight at 9:30. Jane takes the lead in an original comedy drama entitled 'Young Lady, Be Good.'"
  26. ^ "Air Fare". Long Beach Independent. December 19, 1943. p. 35.
  27. ^ "Dial Notes". Wilmington Daily Press Journal. January 8, 1944. p. 5.
  28. ^ "On the Air with Johnny Dare". Minneapolis Star Tribune. April 16, 1944. p. 37.
  29. ^ "On the Air with Johnny Dare". Minneapolis Star Tribune. April 16, 1944. p. 37.
  30. ^ "On the Air with Johnny Dare". Minneapolis Star Tribune. May 28, 1944. p. 29.
  31. ^ "On the Air with Johnny Dare". Minneapolis Star Tribune. June 4, 1944. p. 35.
  32. ^ "On the Air with Johnny Dare". Minneapolis Star Tribune. June 18, 1944. p. 31.
  33. ^ "On the Air with Johnny Dare". Minneapolis Star Tribune. July 9, 1944. p. 33.
  34. ^ "Sinatra Is Guest Star With Benny Tonight Tonight". Asbury Press. October 8, 1944. p. 11.
  35. ^ "Coleman to Appear On Hall of Fame Show". Asbury Park-Press. November 5, 1944. p. 11. Retrieved January 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "On the Air Tonight". Quad-City Times.
  37. ^ "'Skippy' Radio Show To Be KDKA Feature". The Ligonier Echo. October 3, 1947. p. 5. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ Epting, Charles L. (August 26, 2016). Bebe Daniels: Hollywood's Good Little Bad Girl. McFarland. pp. 175–176. ISBN 978-1-4766-2532-4. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  39. ^ Palmer, Zuma (December 17, 1947). "Radio: Writing Awards Not New to Betty Mears". Los Angeles Evening Citizen-News. p. .
  40. ^ Hackett, Walter (December 21, 1947). "Walt Visits Skippy Hollywood Show". Lansing State Journal. p. 65. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ McKay, James (January 11, 2013). The Films of Victor Mature. McFarland. p. 181. ISBN 978-0-7864-4970-5. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  42. ^ a b Bird, Bill (February 23, 1949). "Radio on Review". Pasadena Independent. p. 20.
  43. ^ a b Smith, Ronald L. (March 8, 2010). Horror Stars on Radio: The Broadcast Histories of 29 Chilling Hollywood Voices. McFarland. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-7864-5729-8. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  44. ^ "Radio Program Highlights: 'Ski-Nose' to Visit 'Schnozzola' in WIBA Fun-Fest at 7:30 Tonight; Screenland to Radio". The Capital Times. April 1, 1949. p. 26.
  45. ^ Stewart, Alice G. (July 18, 1949). "Daily Dialings". Latrobe Bulletin. p. 7. Retrieved January 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "On Your Speaker and Screen Tonight". Los Angeles Mirror. November 24, 1949. p. 15. Retrieved January 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ^ "Radio Highlights". The Washington Post. December 8, 1949. p. B13. ProQuest 152135269. WTOP—10:30. Skippy Hollywood Theater presents Jane Wyatt in 'London Legend.'
  48. ^ Van Pelt, Rita (December 15, 1949). "Listen for Phone! Hundred-Dollar Call". The Washington Post. p. 26. ProQuest 1533173451. Les Mitchell [sic], not usually heard on the Skippy Hollywood Theater program because of his producing and directing chores, will step before the microphone as a star when the Theater brings to the air 'Best Performance,' the story of an egotistical and ruthless screen star at 10:30 tonight. The station is WAGA-CBS.
  49. ^ "Santa's Royal Welcome". Broadcasting. December 19, 1949. p. 32. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  50. ^ "Abbey Players to Be Heard in KSCG Drama on Thursday". Sioux City Journal. December 25, 1949. Sec. 1, p. 16. "Les Mitchell [sic], not usually heard on the Skippy Hollywood Theater program because of his producing and directing chores, will step before the microphone as a star when the Theater brings to the air 'Best Performance,' the story of an egotistical and ruthless screen star at 10:30 tonight. The station is WAGA-CBS."
  51. ^ "Down Radio Row: New Chapter Is Added to Success of the Creator of Hopalong Cassidy". St. Petersburg Times. January 1, 1950. p. 39. "Jean Simmons, English actress who has appeared in such outstanding films as 'Great Expectations' and 'Hamlet,' will star as a young English girl who comes to New York for a visit in 1880 and proceeds to learn about the wild and wooly West, in Joseph Cochran's original comedy 'Billy and the Bride' on CBS' Skippy Hollywood Theater Thursday at 10:30 P. M."
  52. ^ "Dial Lites—Tonight". Press-Telegram. California, Long Beach. January 12, 1950. p. 14. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  53. ^ "Clive Brook to Head Hollywood Theater Drama". Sioux City Journal . January 22, 1950. Sec. 2, p. 8. "Clive Brook, veteran of numerous American movies as well as British films and plays, stars as a psychiatrist in an adaptation of Dostoevsky's Thought on Skippy Hollywood Theater at 9:30 Thursday Night. This is the last in a series of six London-produced dramas broadcast on the program, whose origination shifts back to Hollywood February 2. In Thought, the psychiatrist, in love with another man's wife, kills the husband and is judged innocent because of insanity. But another man tries to prove the doctor's mental derangement is feigned."
  54. ^ "Radio". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. February 2, 1950. p. 25. "Victor Moore, whimsical comedian of stage and screen, is cast as a meek, henpecked husband in 'The Coming of Mr. Snover'."
  55. ^ "Radio Programs: Today's Best Bets". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. February 9, 1950. p. 29. "10:30—Skippy Hollywood Theater, 'Trudy and the Quiet Life,' Barbara Fuller, WCBS; Let's Go to the Met, Excerpts from 'The Marriage of Figaro,' Frances Greer, Hugh Thompson, WJZ; Dragnet, Barton Yarborough, Jack Webb, WNBC."
  56. ^ "Hollywood Theater Offers Mighty Mulligan Drama". Sioux City Journal. February 19, 1950. Sec. 2, p. 10.
  57. ^ "Michael O'Shea Heads Hollywood Theater Drama". Sioux City Journal. February 26, 1950. Sec. 3, p. 7.
  58. ^ "Preston Foster Heads Western on Hollywood Theater". Sioux City Journal. March 5, 1950. Sec. 3, p. 8.
  59. ^ "Between the Commercials". The Shreveport Times. January 15, 1950. A-11.
  60. ^ "Down Radio Row: Radio's Oldster, Phillips Lord, Due to Sell Out". Tampa Bay Times. March 21, 1950. p. 24. "John Carroll stars as a young engineering graduate who encounters unexpected opposition from two sources., in the CBS 'Skippy Hollywood Theatre' presentation of Sidney Marshall's original story 'And the River Laughed' Thursday night over WDAE. Directing a tunnel project, he finds that the sandhogs distrust a man who's learned his building in books, and believes that rivers have personalities which din't easily yield to the technical advances of man."
  61. ^ "Radio and Television". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. March 30, 1950. p. 24. "9:30—Virginia O'Brien, known for her 'dead-pan' singing, plays a spoiled rich girl in love with an architect who dislikes rich girls in 'Love Comes Stealing,' Skippy Hollywood Theater, WREC."
  62. ^ "Dial Lites—Tonight". Press-Telegram. California, Long Beach. April 6, 1950. p. 22. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  63. ^ "Brian Donlevy to Be Adventurer on Hollywood Theater". Sioux City Journal. April 9, 1950. Sec. 3 p. 9. "Brian Donlevy plays Roger Drake, a rugged adventurer, in Seven Seas to Danger by Irvin Ashkenazy on Skippy Hollywood theater at 9:30 Thursday night over KSCJ. Waiting to assume captaincy of a ship bound for a revolution-swept country, Drake finds himself deeply involved in solving a diamond smuggling plot—not on the high seas, where he says adventure lies, but ashore."
  64. ^ White, Jo (April 16, 1950)."Radio Clock of the Week: Godfrey Voted All-Around Favorite in Magazine Poll". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Sec. 2, p. 18. "Gale Storm plays a mousy-type economics teacher who kicks over the traces in 'A Dime a Dozen' on Skippy Hollywood Theater, 9:30 p. m."
  65. ^ "Dial Lites - Tonight". Press-Telegram. California, Long Beach. April 27, 1950. p. 21. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  66. ^ "Musicomedy on CBS". Los Angeles Mirror. May 4, 1950. p. 26. "'Show Business,' starring Bill Shirley and Gale Robbins, is the bill for 'Skippy Hollywood Theater' tonight at 7:30."
  67. ^ "John Howard Heads Cast in Hollywood Theater Sunday". Sioux City Journal. May 7, 1950. Sec. 3, p. 9. "Howard is starred as a young spendthrift who finds himself nearly penniless after going through the millions left him by his father, in the Skippy Hollywood Theater production 'Help wanted—Murderer,' at 9:30 p. m. Thursday over KSCJ. Afraid to commit suicide but not wanting to live, he hires a killer to do the job—then decides he wants to live but can't locate the man he hired."
  68. ^ "Hervey and Bushman in Drama Thursday". Sioux City Journal. Sec. 3, p. 8. "Irene Hervey stars as a clerk in the Mermaid Bookshop, with Francis X. Bushman as the kindly old owner, in the Tale of the Mermaid on Skippy Hollywood Theater at 9:30 p. m. Thursday over KSCJ. The clerk saves the bookshop from closing and spares the old man's feelings, while taking part in a romance born in a New York subway."
  69. ^ "Radio Programs: Today's Best Bets". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. May 25, 1950. Sec. 2, p. 18. "10:30—'United—Or Not1' John MacVane, Chairman; Jean Chauvel, Guest, WJZ; Dragnet, Barton Yarborough, Jack Webb, WNBC; Skippy Hollywood Theater, 'No More Diplomacy,' Allan Jones, Lurene Tuttle, Herbert Rawlinson and Henry Sharp, WCBS."
  70. ^ "Hodiak, Trevor to Share Leads in Radio Drama". Battle Creek Enquirer. June 1, 1950. p. 25. "The CBS Hallmark Playhouse tonight at 10 presents a special hour-long program called Crossroads of America,' a dramatic production marking Kansas City's centennial celebration, with an all-Hollywood cast. Skippy Hollywood Theater will relinquish its 10:30 spot for this week only." See also:
  71. ^ "Shadow Life to Be on Hollywood Theater". Sioux City Journal. Sec. 2, p. 10. "Beautiful Rhonda Fleming portrays a girl afraid to live a normal life because of a hideous scar on her face, in Peter and Marnie Curtis' radio drama Shadow Life, on Skippy Hollywood theater at 9:30 p. m. Thursday over KSCJ. A deep emotional crisis results when, after a 'correspondence club' courtship, her suitor decides to call on her in person."
  72. ^ "Johnny Plays a Bookie". Sioux City Journal. June 11, 1950. Sec. 3, p. 8. "Edmond O'Brien, star of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, plays a bookie in Herman Miller's gay comedy-fantasy A Poltergeist for Harry on Skippy Hollywood Theater at 9:30 p. m. Thursday over KSCJ."
  73. ^ "On the Air: Radio". Dayton Daily News. June 22, 1950. p. J-23. "Skippy Hollywood Theater has Vanessa Brown as guest star in 'The Blue Chair.' Vanessa plays a poor relation who shares her wealthy aunt's home."
  74. ^ "Radio-Television Programs". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 26. "Screen actress Ann Dvorak will star as a carnival sharpshooter who agrees to help the sheriff capture a desperado, then discovers that the wanted man is the husband from whom she's been separated for five years, in 'The Other Side of the Moon,' a story of the Old West, on CBS's Skippy Hollywood Theater at 10:30 P. M."
  75. ^ "Bobby Driscoll to Star in Hollywood Theater Offering". Sioux City Journal. Sec. 3, p. 5. "Bobby Driscoll stars as the great-grandson of a woman thought to have been the wife of an outlaw in the old west, when Skippy Hollywood Theater airs The Throwback, a sequel to last week's broadcast, at 9:30 p. m. Thursday over KSCJ. The boy's resemblance to his great-grandmother and his fondness for guns and horses astound his family, until the chance discovery of an old will reveals surprising information. The story is a sequel to The Other Side of the Moon, in which Ann Dvorak starred as the wife of a hunted desperado."
  76. ^ "Today's Radio Programs and Highlights". The Commercial Appeal. p. 33. "WREC—Bill Lundigan will be heard in 'The Big Leaguer' on Skippy Hollywood Theater at 9:30 p.m."
  77. ^ "Radio and Television". The Memphis Scimitar. July 20, 1950. p. 20. "Les Mitchel, producer and director of the Skippy Hollywood Theater, takes the leading role in 'Perfect Gentleman' on tonight's program, portraying a self-made man who has risen to the top in business and hires a pretty coach to tutor him in the social amenities."
  78. ^ Mahoney, Ralph (July 26, 1950). "Tune In: Boys Nation Training to Be Reviewed On Air". The Arizona Republic. p. 17. "Joan Bennett will portray Delphine Drake, America's leading woman novelist, in Budd Lesser's radio play, Short Story, on Skippy Hollywood Theater, 8:30 p. m., Thurday, KOOL."
  79. ^ "Radio Programs: Thursday High Spots". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 21. "10:30 p. m., WJAS — Skippy Hollywood Theater. Mercedes McCambridge, of 'All the President's Men,' will star in 'The Hunt.'"
  80. ^ "Screen Star Dan Duryea On KSL Thursday Evening". Deseret News. August 10, 1950. p. 24. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  81. ^ "Down Radio Row: Armed Forces Radio Web Goes on Wartime Schedule". Tampa Bay Times. August 16, 1950. p. 21. "Screen star Meg Randall plays the role of Verity Noonan in the 'Skippy Hollywood Theatre' production of 'The Truth Pays Off,' tomorrow night at 10:30 over WDAE. Verity has been left a million dollars by her grandfather, who has always impressed her with te necessity of living up to her first name. She goes to New York in search of a husband and although her truth-telling gets her in trouble, she finds that it actually pays off with an unusual romantic twist."
  82. ^ "Midweek and Later". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. August 20, 1950. p. 32. Retrieved January 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  83. ^ Hammerston, Claude (August 31, 1950). "Down Radio Row: Armed Forces Radio Web Goes on Wartime Schedule". The Ottawa Citizen. p. 23. "Gloria Grahame plays the title role in 'Farewell to Birdie McKeever,' a rollicking comedy by Jane Speed, on CBS' 'Hollywood Theater' over WCBS at 10:30. Birdie is a receptionist with no secretarial ability at all, a fact not discovered until she has been employed for more than a year. Their efforts to eliminate her from the firm and their eventual 'success' are climaxed with a comedy surprise."
  84. ^ "Radio and Television". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. September 7, 1950. p. 21. "Natalie Wood, 11-year-old actress, in 'To the Bitter End,' a back-to-school comedy on Skippy Hollywood Theater, WREC."
  85. ^ "Down Radio Row: Keen Competition Prevails in Field of Modern Music". Tampa Bay Times. September 7, 1950. p. 26. "Screen star Wayne Morris is heard as Pete, a small town garage owner, in the CBS 'Skippy Hollywood Theatre" production of 'A Date for Agnes,' tomorrow night at 10:30 over WDAE. Pete's romance with Josephine is nearly broken up by Agnes, Josephine's sister, possessed of an almost intolerably shrill voice that gets on Pete's nerves–until he hires a garage assistant and gets him a date. The sprightly comedy is by Ernie Rydberg."
  86. ^ "Radio and Television". Tampa Bay Times. September 21, 1950. p. 26. "Les Mitchel, producer-director-host of CBS' Skippy Hollywood Theatre,' will star in its production, 'Stormbound,' tonight at 10:30 over WDAE. Mitchel plays an author whose book creates a nationwide turmoil. The book, according to the author, was written about an actual occurrence when he was stormbound and rescued by people from a lost continent, supposed to be living on Mount Shasta. Featured with Mitchel is Lurene Tuttle."
  87. ^ "Skippy 'Theater' Axed; Morris Cigs To Cancel?". Billboard. September 23, 1950. p. 5. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  88. ^ "Skippy Buys CBS Thurs. 10:30 Slot". Billboard. October 29, 1949. p. 5. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  89. ^ Ellett, Ryan (November 2, 2017). Radio Drama and Comedy Writers, 1928-1962. McFarland. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-4766-2980-3. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  90. ^ "Script Success Thrills Radio Writing Pupils". Valley Times. California, North Hollywood. May 7, 1948. p. 17. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  91. ^ Taliaferro, Walt (July 21, 1949). "Les Mitchel's selfish - he gives time to beginners". Daily News. California, Los Angeles. p. 29. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  92. ^ "Rosefield Plans: Radio-TV Campaign Set". Broadcasting. September 11, 1950. p. 47. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
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