Hello Americans

Broadcast History: Nov 15 1942 - Jan 31 1943, CBS 30m Sundays at 8

Host-Star: Orson Welles

Hello Americans was the result of Orson Welle's trip to South America in 1942. His purpose to make a film, the ill-fated and never released 'It's All True'. He was jointly funded by RKO, which planned to distribute the film and by Nelson Rockefellers Interurban Affairs Committee. Though the film ran over budget and was taken away from him by the studio, Welles did emerge with a radio show.

It was a 'cooks tour of Brazil', as described by Time, a half-hour that was 'lively though bumpy in spots'. Carmen Miranda was co- starred; the opening show was build around the samba and Welles 'amazed everyone' said Radio Life by singing it himself.

Subsequent shows told the stories of Bolivar and Montezuma and of the culture of other countries.

From The Encyclopedia of Old Time Radio.