Burns and Allen - George Burns and Gracie Allen

George Burns and Gracie Allen

The Burns and Allen Radio show, of course, starred George Burns and Gracie Allen. They were among the many vaudevillians who attained great success in radio. George was essentially the straight man for Gracie's addled responses. Often, when their time was up or his patience was exhausted, George would end their comedy routines with "Say good night, Gracie," which Gracie would cheerfully do. One of the best-remembered characters on the program was "The Happy Postman," played by Mel Blanc. Speaking in a voice just on the verge of tears, he spoke of cheerful things in a most depressing tone. Mel Blanc played many characters on numerous radio programs including the Jack Benny Program and later starred on his own show "The Mel Blanc Show." By the way, George and Gracie first performed on radio in 1929 over the BBC while touring England after an NBC executive rejected their act insisting that "Gracie’s voice is too squeaky—absolutely unfit for radio."
Show introduction: (Doorbell)…. “Well Hello, come right in, Oh George, we’ve got company!” The Adventures of George and Gracie premiered on CBS on September 19,1934.

Gracie for President (1940)

One of the most famous running gags was “Gracie Allen for President.” During the election year of 1940, Gracie represented the fictitious Surprise Party and advocated nonsense as part of her platform. The “campaign” was so successful that Gracie actually received numerous write-in votes on election day. You can purchase a CD set of these rare original radio broadcasts from MyRadioClassics.com. In 1950, Burns and Allen transitioned to television with The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. An immediate success, the half-hour situation comedy was broadcast October 12, 1950 – September 22, 1958, on CBS.

List of Sponsors:
Campbell's Tomato Juice (1935
Campbell's Soup (1936)
Grape Nuts (1937)
Chesterfield Cigarettes (1938)
Hinds Honey and Almond Cream (1940)
Hormel and Spam (1940)
Swan Soap Flakes (1941)
Maxwell House Coffee (1945)

Cast:
George Burns and Gracie Allen
The Happy Postman - Mel Blanc
Tootsie Stagwell - Elvia Allman
Mrs. Billingsley - Margaret Brayton
Waldo - Dick Crenna
Herman, the Duck - Clarence Nash
The show also featured:
Gale Gordon, Hans Conried, Henry Blair.
Vocalist: Tony Martin, Jimmy Cash, Dick Foran
Orchestra: Jacques Renard, Ray Noble, Paul Whiteman, Meredith Willson
Theme: Love Nest
Announcers: Ted Husing, Harry Von Zell, Jimmy Wallington, Bill Goodwin, Toby Reed.