The Electric Hour is an American old-time radio program of popular music. It was broadcast on CBS from September 20, 1944, to June 9, 1946.[1]

The Electric Hour
GenrePopular music
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
SyndicatesCBS
StarringNelson Eddy
AnnouncerFrank Graham
Produced byCharles Herbert
Original releaseSeptember 20, 1944 (1944-09-20) –
June 9, 1946 (1946-06-09)

Format

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Nelson Eddy starred in The Electric Hour, and each episode featured a guest star who sang duets with him.[2] Genres featured included music from films, folk songs, and "ballads from many lands".[1] Gail Lulay, Eddy's biographer, wrote in Nelson Eddy, America's Favorite Baritone: An Authorized Biographical Tribute, "This was Nelson's dream show because it had a musical format."[2] Lulay added that the program contained "some of Nelson's best music".[2]

Site

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The program initially originated from CBS Columbia Square in Hollywood, California. Effective with the September 16, 1945, installment, it moved to the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. A report in the trade publication Billboard said that the change was caused by "acute studio space shortage at CBS".[3]

Personnel

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Eddy was the only regular featured performer on The Electric Hour. Guests included Jeanette MacDonald, who performed with Eddy in films.[4] Instrumental music was provided by Robert Armbruster's orchestra,[5] and Armbruster's chorus provided vocal support.[6] Frank Graham was the announcer, and Charles Herbert was the producer.[1]

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The program's title came from its sponsor, a group of electric utilities across the United States. The organization had the slogan "local electric companies — all producing power for America under American business management."[5] The number of participating utilities was 167 in 1945.[5]

Summer versions

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In 1945, 1946, and 1947, the same sponsors presented The Electric Hour Summer Series as replacements for regular programs. Dates and featured artists, which varied from year to year, are listed below:

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 231. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
  2. ^ a b c Lulay, Gail (2000). Nelson Eddy, America's Favorite Baritone: An Authorized Biographical Tribute. iUniverse. pp. 130–131. ISBN 9780595138791. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  3. ^ "'Electric Hour' To Resume From Disney Studio Sans Mob" (PDF). Billboard. September 15, 1945. p. 12. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  4. ^ Sher, Aubrey J. (2013). Those Great Old-Time Radio Years. Xlibris Corporation. pp. 97–98. ISBN 9781483679099. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  5. ^ a b c Bird, Harry Lewis (2008). This Fascinating Advertising Business. Wildside Press LLC. pp. 157–158. ISBN 9781434475541. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  6. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 108. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4.
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Logs

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