The Jack Smith Show

The Jack Smith Show
Jack Smith with his guest, singer Nellie Lutcher, on The Jack Smith Show
GenrePopular music
Running time15 minutes
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
SyndicatesCBS
StarringSmilin' Jack Smith
Written byRobert Smith
Produced byWilliam Brennan
Original releaseAugust 21, 1945 –
December 26, 1952
Sponsored byProcter & Gamble

The Jack Smith Show was a radio program of popular music in the United States. It was broadcast on CBS Aug. 21, 1945-Dec. 26, 1952.[1] It first originated from New York, but production was moved to Hollywood in 1948 to allow more opportunities for Smith to work in movies.[2]

Format

Starring Smilin' Jack Smith (not to be confused with Whispering Jack Smith, who was also featured on musical programs on radio), The Jack Smith Show offered light music[3] that was "more or less contrary to the crooning style that was popular during the time."[4] One newspaper article described the program as "a fast moving musical mélange that puts the accent on informality and music."[5]

Personnel

In addition to its star, The Jack Smith Show featured other singers as co-stars. At various times during the show's run they included Eugenie Baird,[6] Dinah Shore, Ginny Simms, Martha Tilton,[7] the Clark Sisters[8] and Margaret Whiting.[9] The program also featured guests, including Dorothy Shay, Kay Starr,[7] Ella Fitzgerald,[5] Martha Raye and The Pied Pipers.[10]

Musical accompaniment was by Earl Sheldon and his orchestra[11] and Herman Chittison[12] Don Hancock was the announcer.[13] William Brennan was the director.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 366. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
  2. ^ "Smith Seg to H'wood". Billboard. June 5, 1948. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  3. ^ Dunning, John. (1976). Tune in Yesterday: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, 1925-1976. Prentice-Hall, Inc. ISBN 0-13-932616-2. P. 324.
  4. ^ Reinehr, Robert C. and Swartz, Jon D. (2008). The A to Z of Old-Time Radio. Scarecrow Press, Inc. ISBN 978-0-8108-7616-3. P. 138.
  5. ^ a b "Ella Fitzgerald over CBS Monday Night" (PDF). The California Eagle. December 6, 1945. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  6. ^ Jose (June 11, 1947). "Radio Reviews: Jack Smith". Variety. p. 38. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Shore & Tilton Figure in Smith Stanza Shuffle". Billboard. December 11, 1948. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  8. ^ "Music--as Written". Billboard. July 17, 1948. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  9. ^ "photo caption". St. Petersburg Times. August 28, 1949. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Riding the Airwaves with BCL". The Milwaukee Journal. December 12, 1945. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  11. ^ a b Alicoate, Jack, Ed. (1949). The 1949 Radio Annual. Radio Daily Corp. P. 905.
  12. ^ Alicoate, Jack, Ed. (1947). The 1947 Radio Annual. Radio Daily Corp. P. 837.
  13. ^ Alicoate, Jack, Ed. (1948). The 1948 Radio Annual. Radio Daily Corp. P. 933.