Robert Young and Jean Vander Pyl on the air with Father Knows Best

The series “Father Knows Best” began August 25, 1949, on NBC Radio. It
starred Robert Young as Insurance agent Jim Anderson. His wife Margaret
was originally portrayed by June Whitley and later by Jean Vander Ply
(shown above). The Anderson children were Betty (Rhoda Williams), Bud
(Ted Donaldson), and Kathy (Norma Jean Nillson). The cast also included
Eleanor Audley, Herb Vigran and Sam Edwards. The show was sponsored
for most of its run by General Foods and was heard Thursday evenings
until March 25, 1954. The show went to TV in 1954.

Mae West was a actress, playwright, screenwriter and sex symbol who
who known for her bawdy type language. She made a name for herself
in Vaudeville and on the stage in New York before moving to Hollywood
to become a comedienne in the motion picture industry. West was one
of the more controversial movie stars of her day, encountering many
problems including censorship. When her film career ended, she
continued to perform on stage in Las Vegas and on radio and
television.

A routine called "Doughnut Dunkers"  led to comedian Red Skelton’s first network
radio appearance on The Rudy Vallee Show on August 12, 1937. The program
had a talent show segment and those who were searching for stardom were eager
to be heard on it. The show received enough fan mail after Skelton’s performance
to invite him back two weeks after his initial appearance and again in November of
that year. On October 1, 1938, Skelton replaced  Red Foley as the host of Avalon
Time on NBC. Skelton continued as the show’s host until late 1939, when he went
on to begin his MGM movie career.

Radio show host Rudy Vallee with a young talent constant  

Dave, who was one of the original KISN Good Guys, turned 58 today. You can hear
Dave Stone again along with “Tiger Tom” Murphy and Pat Pattee starting September
1st when KISN returns with real oldies.  www.goodguyradio.com

(Say, he doesn’t look all that bad for being 58!)

Candid Camera is a reality television series of practical jokes performed in
front of a hidden camera with unsuspecting participants. She show, created
and produced by Allen Funt (above), initially began on radio as Candid
Microphone June 28, 1947. After a series of theatrical film shorts, also titled
Candid Microphone, Funt brought his concept to ABC television on August
10, 1948 with announcer Ken Roberts. He hosted or co-hosted almost all
of the TV versions until 1993 when he suffered a stroke and never
recovered. His son Peter Funt, who had co-hosted specials with his
father since 1987, became the producer and host of the show.  

Peter Funt