Title:

The New Old Gold Show

Type:

Musical comedy variety

Length:

15 minutes

30 minutes

Broadcast history:

Nov 3, 1941 - April 24, 1942 Blue network. Mondays at 7:00 PM until mid-January.

Fridays at 8:00 PM after that.

April 29, 1942 - Jan 20, 1943 CBS. Wednesdays at 8:00 PM.

Jan 27, 1943 - March 29, 1944 CBS. Wednesdays at 8:00 PM.

April 5, 1944 - Oct 18, 1944 CBS. Wednesdays at 8:00 PM for 15 minutes.

Cast:

Herbert Marshall as Host

Bert Wheeler and Hank Ladd as Comedy duo

Ted, Joe, and Judd McMichael

and Mary Lou Cook as the Merry Macs (vocal group)

Roy Chamberlain

Lucille Ball

Old Gold Rhythmaires

This Old Gold Cigarette sponsored show was intended as a showcase for Herbert Marshall. At the time he was considered the ultimate in suave sophistication. Marshall as host of a variety show was considered a natural.

But Lucille Ball, in her first radio appearances, guest starred twice and stole the show so completely that she was added to the regular cast.

Beginning April 29, 1942, the vocalists became Nelson Eddy and Nadine Conner along with the Robert Armbruster Orchestra.

Beginning with the Jan 27, 1943 show, comic Monty Wooley was added and the orchestra became the Sammy Kaye Orchestra.

In April, 1944, the vocalists became Allan Jones and Betty Bonney. The Frankie Carle Orchestra was featured.

Source:

On the Air - John Dunning