The Jack Benny Program

One of the greatest radio shows, the Jack Benny Program was a top rated program for about 20 years and then transitioned into a popular television show.

From left to right: Mel Blanc played various secondary characters as well as sound effects like Jack's temperamental Maxwell automobile; Don Wilson was the shows announcer; Jack was the shows host and often the brunt of other character's jokes; Mary Livingston (Jack's wife in real life) was Jack's friend sometimes dinner date; Phil Harris was the bandleader for the program's orchestra and often comic foil; Dennis Day was the featured vocal artist; and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson was Jack's valet/chauffeur who often bested Jack.

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

One of the best OTR shows of the golden era, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, ran from December 7, 1948 to September 20, 1962 for 809 episodes. Though played by many actors through the series by far the best was Bob Bailey in the lead role.

Here is a photo of Bob Bailey with frequent guest star, Virginia Gregg, one of the most popular and versatile actresses of the radio era.

YTJD episodes can be found here.

The Beginning

Some of the finest entertainment of the 20th century was on the radio. The dramas, comedies and variety shows had high production values and top quality actors, writers and presenters. Great drama stars were Jack Webb, William Conrad, John Dehner, Virginia Gregg, Parley Baer, Richard Crenna, Howard McNear and Richard Denning. Great comedy actors included Jack Benny, George Burns & Gracie Allen, William Bendix, Gail Gordon, Fred Allen, Eve Arden, Edgar Bergen, Phil Harris, Harold Perry, Bea Benaderet, William Waterman, Bob Elliot & Ray Goulding, Jim & Marion Jordan. Popular variety shows were hosted by Rudy Vallée, Kate Smith, and Arthur Godfrey.

Some prominent movie actors would also star in some popular radio shows of the period. Orson Welles starred in two: The Shadow in the titular role, and as Harry Lime in The Lives of Harry Lime following success in the acclaimed movie The Third Man. Sidney Greenstreet starred as Nero Wolfe. Basil Rathbone took his popular portrayal of Sherlock Holmes from the movies to radio, along with Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. Groucho Marx followed up a successful movie career with one of the most popular radio shows ever — You Bet Your Life. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. starred in The Silent Men. Ronald Coleman frequently appeared as the frustrated neighbor of Jack Benny in The Jack Benny Program. Abbott & Costello had success in movies, television and on radio.

Lux Radio Theatre deserves a special mention. Hosted for most of its run by Cecil B. DeMille, top actors would reprise their roles of hit movies of the day in radio adaptations: Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, Ingrid Bergman, Katherine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Joan Crawford, Barbara Stanwyck, Lauren Becall, Joseph Cotton, Lionel Barrymore, etc.