Ronald Reagan, 12 years old

1951

Ronald Reagan as host of GE Theater on CBS (1954-1962)

President Reagan

          Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004)

Ronald Reagan was the 49th President of the United States,serving from 1981 to
1989. Prior to that, he was the 33rd Governor of California from 1967 to 1975 and
a radio, film and television actor.

It initially began as Challenge of the Yukon, a 15-minute local radio series on
on Detroit’s WXYX. The title changed to Sergeant Preston of the Yukon in
November 1951, and remained under that name through the end of the
series and into television. 

The part of the brave Canadian Mountie was played by various actors over
the course of the shows long run. Jay Michael originated the role until the
mid 1940s. Paul Sutton then took over and was followed briefly by Brace
Beemer when the The Lone Ranger series ended in 1954. Sutton came
back for the final broadcast.

The original announcer/narrator of the radio show was Bob Hite, who
was also the narrator for the Lone Ranger, Green Hornet and The
Shadow.

Jay Michael

"On, King! On, you huskies!."

The Mutual Broadcasting System aired "Twenty Questions" for the first time on radio
radio from the Longacre Theater in New York on radio. Listeners sent in subjects
for the panelists to guess in…in 20 questions. The programs initial sponsor was
Ronson Lighters. The popular quiz show moved to television three years later. 

Grammy Award-winning gospel singer George Beverly "Bev" Shea has often been
described as “America’s beloved Gospel singer” and is considered to be the first
international singing star of the gospel as a result of his solo performances at Billy Graham Crusades along with his recordings. According to the Guinness Book of
Records Shea holds the world record for singing in person to the most people
ever, with an estimated live audience of 220 million people.

     .

From left: Bev Shea and Billy Graham who turned 93 in November

The radio version of The Lone Ranger first aired on WXYZ radio in Detroit on Monday, January 30, 1933 and ran till 1955. The title character was played by George Seaton,
Earle Graser, and the most memorable portrayal by Brace Beemer. The popular radio
program moved to television in 1949 and ended in 1957. 

George Seaton

Earle Graser

Brace Beemer

Clayton Moore as television’s Lone Ranger