Burns and Allen are one of the most beloved couple in old time radio. They got started, like many of the greats of old time radio, in vaudeville, which is really just the touring popular entertainment in America prior to movies. Gracie was the sparkplug of the act, always the center of attention. George played the foil, the guy vainly trying to make sense of the ditzy world of Gracie. By the early 30s, Gracie was probably the best known woman on radio. Gracie often sang in a voice that showed she was also an excellent comedienne songstress.
By the early 1940's, Burns decided that their act needed a change.He decided that the audience knew Gracie's and his reactions well enough that it would be possible to play off them, and create situations something like screwball comedy, but with the Burns and Allen touch. Jack Benny and Burns and Allen worked much the same way with their comedy.Vaudeville's snappy patter and give and take jokes, good even if the audience didn't know you, could be developed into running gags and put-downs based on character. Burns was always astute when it came to comedy - he lead the brainstorming sessions that wrote the shows, and carefully edited his writers with the final word on what was cut and what stayed. Elvia Allman play Gracie's friend Tootsie Sagwell and Gale Gordon and Hans Conried made frequent appearances.
So in 1942, George and Gracie became, in their characters, the perfectly normal husband and wife that is, if Gracie's non sequiturs and impulsive behavior could be considered perfectly normal. For Gracie, of course, it was perfectly normal, and the American public continued their love affair with her.The shows had names after the sponsors, such as Maxwell House Coffee Time, or The Ammident Show - it was the Burns and Allen show to the public. Other fine radio actors were a part of the fun. Mel Blanc did the happy postman, and was also famous for his zany characters on The Jack Benny Show, and his own Mel Blanc Show. Elliott Lewis, a veteran of many radio "bit" parts on the Burns and Allen shows of the 40s.
Click here to read more about Burns And Allen- Radio Shows
- Comments
- Photos
Please enjoy these 273 old time radio episodes:
Air Date | Title | Synopsis | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
09.26.1934 | leaving for america |
+ The Adventures Of Gracie. September 26, 1934. WABC, New York aircheck. Sponsored by: White Owl Ci... | |
01.15.1936 | gracie plays sadie thompson |
+ The Burns and Allen Show. January 15, 1936. Sponsored by: Campbell's Tomato Juice (one commercial... | |
11.25.1936 | landing of the indians at plymouth |
+ The Burns and Allen Show. November 25, 1936. KHJ, Sponsored by: Campbell's Tomato Juice, Schaef... | |
12.02.1936 | gracie as a dramatic actor |
+ The Burns and Allen Show. December 2, 1936. Sponsored by: Campbell's Soup. Tony sings, "It's Love... | |
12.09.1936 | gracie honors new orleans |
+ The Burns and Allen Show. December 9, 1936. CBS net net, KHJ, Sponsored by: Campbell's Soup, Sch... | |
12.16.1936 | pancho villa rides again |
+ The Burns and Allen Show. December 16, 1936. KHJ, Sponsored by: Campbell's Soup, Schaeffer Pen ... | |
01.06.1937 | recipe for hollywood sweet pie |
+ The Burns and Allen Show. January 6, 1937. Sponsored by: Campbell's Soup, Bulova Watch (local)... | |
10.11.1937 | bob burns substitutes | ||
12.23.1937 | gracies christmas |
+ Gracie has done all her Christmas shopping, oh except for buying the presents. She is going to do ... | |
01.10.1938 | gracies murder mystery |
+ The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. January 10, 1938. Sponsored by: Grape-Nuts. The cast does... | |
01.17.1938 | another murder mystery |
+ The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. January 17, 1938. Sponsored by: Grape-Nuts. Tony sings, "... | |
10.07.1938 | gracie reads frank parkers telegram |
+ Chesterfield Time. October 7, 1938. Sponsored by: Chesterfield Cigarettes. Gracie's planning a da... | |
02.28.1940 | government jobs |
+ The Hinds Honey and Almond Cream Program. February 28, 1940. Sponsored by: Hinds Honey and Almond... | |
03.06.1940 | hats off to gracie |
+ The Hinds Honey and Almond Cream Program. March 6, 1940. Sponsored by: Hinds Honey and Almond Cre... | |
03.13.1940 | gracies triumphant return |
+ The Hinds Honey and Almond Cream Program. March 13, 1940. Sponsored by: Hinds Honey and Almond Cr... | |
03.27.1940 | surprise party platform |
+ The Hinds Honey and Almond Cream Program. March 27, 1940. Sponsored by: Hinds Honey and Almond Cr... | |
04.03.1940 | til the cows come home |
+ The Hinds Honey and Almond Cream Program. April 3, 1940. Sponsored by: Hinds Honey and Almond Cre... | |
N/A | b h u s needs new hats | ||
N/A | emily vanderlips boy | ||
N/A | gracie cons george | ||
N/A | grandpas 92nd birthday | ||
N/A | new years eve party | ||
N/A | santas workshop | ||
N/A | vanderlips on holiday | ||
N/A | with sam spade detective |
Arthur
Steve
Chris
Kelly
Sarah
Milven
Patrick
Jennifer
Gregory
Westfall
Linda
Vickie
Gary
Milven
Sandra
Ralph
Lynne
Gllen
Robert
Tom
Muhammad
Robert
Philip
Cindy
Antoinette
Kenny
Sunny
Janice
Treayvaughan
Treayvaughan
Patrica
stephanie
Elizabeth
Thomas
Nick
Bonnie
Sue
Philip
Sue
Edward
Denise
Darlynne
Elaine
Margarat
Carol
Augustine
Kevin
Bren
Rochelle
Lalo
Auntwendy
Sandra
Joyce
Sherry
Loren
Robert
Barbra
Betty
Juanita
Dwayne
Paul
Lisa
Mark
Vergell
Mike
BURNS AND ALLEN
Leave a comment