when radio ruled

The Jack Benny show made Phil a huge star. Even though Phil would go on to do more films and have his own radio shows, and tour the country with his band, and appear on television and build a real estate empire he would always be known first and foremost for his Jack Benny years.

What you are about to hear are a series of musical selections Phil and his orchestra played live on Jack Benny’s Jello program in 1938.

Some are instrumentals and some feature Phil’s distinctive vocals, but all of them bring a joy and a bounce that will carry you through your day. So much fun to listen to. Enjoy Phil Harris and his orchestra playing live from 1938.

SONG HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

Bei Mir Bist Du Shoen

You Couldn’t Be Cuter

Pocket Full of Dreams

Jungle Beat

What have you got that gets me?

Franklin D Roosevelt Jones Instrumental

I got Rhythm instrumental

Jeepers Creepers instrumental

Born Edward Israel Iskowitz in 1892 to a poor family or recent immigrants, through sheer tenacity and talent street urchin Eddie Cantor became a show biz giant for half a century. Starting out in vaudeville in 1907, starring on Broadway, a movie star in both silents and talkies, and a radio and television pioneer.

For three Generations Every household in America knew the name Eddie Cantor as well as they knew their own names.

Eddie was many things, actor, songwriter, comedian, humanitarian, patriot, Union president, father, and all around thoughtful, decent, kind, and generous human being.

Bie Mir Bist du Shön

This song shot up the charts, appearing in the top ten on January 8 1938, going to number one two weeks later and staying in the top spot from 5 to 10 weeks, depending on your source.

And it went international before that was really a thing, becoming a massive hit in Germany and Poland as well as the United States.

Dozens of established recording artists, Like Kate Smith and Benny Goodman, rushed to record their own version of the song.

This incredible popularity made singers on the Radio of every style cover the song , and that is what you are going to hear, Radio greats interpreting this song each in their own style and bringing something new to it each time.

You are about to hear “Bie Mir Bist du Shön” performed by The Andrew Sisters, Pinky Tomlin, Phil Harris, Georgie Jessel, Eddie Cantor, Little Dorothy Wade, Kenny Baker, and child star Bobby Breen.

This podcast is a montage of excerpts from old time radio shows performed live and broadcast March 11 to March 28, 1937.

Starring Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy,  Eddie Cantor, Jimmy Wallington, Ben Bernie, Fibber McGee and Molly, Duke Ellington, Harlow Wilcox, Albert Sullivan, Rudy Vallee, and more.

Featured Songs include Eddie Cantor “There is anything that love can’t do” and “I’m on a sit down strike for love”, Some Great Duke Ellington tune with Ivey Anderson on vocals.

Judy Starr “Swing Swing your mother in law”. Rudy Vallee “This Year’s income taxes medley” and “Mr. Paganini”.