The Chase and Sanborn Hour: A Captivating Look at the Golden Age of Radio Comedy

For over a decade, the beloved wooden dummy Charlie McCarthy and his quick-witted ventriloquist Edgar Bergen captivated radio audiences across America as the stars of The Chase and Sanborn Hour. This iconic comedy and variety program, sponsored by the Chase & Sanborn Coffee Company, became one of the most popular and influential radio shows of the 1930s and 1940s.

The Chase and Sanborn Choral Orchestra

The series began in 1929 as The Chase and Sanborn Choral Orchestra, a half-hour musical variety show that aired on NBC on Sunday evenings. The program featured a chorus and orchestra, as well as guest performers like the renowned French actor and singer Maurice Chevalier, who was reportedly paid a record-breaking $5,000 per week. Violinist David Rubinoff also became a regular on the show in 1931, billed as "Rubinoff and His Violin."

In 1933, the show underwent a major change when comedian Eddie Cantor was brought in as the new headliner. Cantor, then the highest-paid radio star, continued in this role until November 1934. During his tenure, the program was sometimes referred to as The Eddie Cantor Show. When Cantor was absent for film projects or tours, other entertainers like Jimmy Durante, George Jessel, Bert Lahr, and Harry Richman would fill in as substitutes.

The Opera Guild and Other Replacements

With Cantor's departure in late 1934, the show took on a new format, The Opera Guild, hosted by music critic Deems Taylor. This classical music series ran until March 1935, after which it was replaced by other programs like Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour and Do You Want to Be an Actor? over the next few years.

In 1937, the show found its most famous and enduring stars when ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his wooden dummy Charlie McCarthy joined the cast. Initially, Bergen and McCarthy were part of a larger ensemble that included regulars like master of ceremonies Don Ameche, singers Dorothy Lamour and Nelson Eddy, and comedian W.C. Fields for the first 16 weeks. However, the duo quickly became the main attraction, with their witty banter and McCarthy's mischievous personality captivating audiences.

The Bergen and McCarthy Era

Bergen and McCarthy's arrival on The Chase and Sanborn Hour marked the beginning of an 11-year run that would cement their status as one of the most iconic comedy teams in radio history. The show's format was streamlined, with Bergen and McCarthy taking center stage and being supported by a rotating cast of guest stars.

One of the most infamous guests was actress Mae West, whose appearance on the December 12, 1937 program caused a public outcry due to a sexually suggestive "Adam and Eve" sketch. West was subsequently banned from radio for several years.

In October 1938, the Canova family - Judy, Annie, and Zeke - became regular cast members, adding their unique brand of rural comedy to the show. Beginning in 1940, the program was retitled The Chase and Sanborn Program and reduced to a half-hour format, with Jim Ameche replacing his brother Don as the host.

During the war years, The Chase and Sanborn Program went on hiatus for several weeks each summer, with NBC filling the time slot with various replacement shows, including The Bishop and the Gargoyle, What's My Line?, and The Gracie Fields Show.

The End of an Era

In the fall of 1948, Chase & Sanborn announced that it would terminate its contract with Edgar Bergen at the end of the year. The remaining Bergen and McCarthy programs focused on regular sketches featuring Don Ameche and Marsha Hunt as "The Bickersons."

In 1949, Bergen moved to CBS with a new weekly program called The Charlie McCarthy Show, sponsored by Coca-Cola. Although The Chase and Sanborn Hour ended on December 26, 1948, it was followed by a series of compilation shows on NBC, including The Chase and Sanborn 100th Anniversary Show (1964), The Chase and Sanborn 101st Anniversary Show (1965), and The Chase and Sanborn 102nd Anniversary Show (1966), the last in the series.

Legacy and Impact

The Chase and Sanborn Hour and its stars, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, left an indelible mark on the golden age of American radio. The show's blend of comedy, music, and variety entertainment captivated listeners for nearly two decades, making it one of the most popular and influential programs of its era.

Bergen's virtuosic ventriloquism and McCarthy's mischievous personality created a unique and beloved comedy duo that transcended the medium of radio. Their success paved the way for future generations of ventriloquists and puppet performers, and the character of Charlie McCarthy became a cultural icon, appearing in films, books, and even his own comic strip.

Beyond its entertainment value, The Chase and Sanborn Hour also played a significant role in the development of radio as an art form. The show's innovative use of sound effects, musical accompaniment, and guest stars helped to elevate the medium and demonstrate its potential for creative storytelling and performance.

The legacy of The Chase and Sanborn Hour and its stars continues to be felt today, as the program's influence can be seen in the enduring popularity of comedy and variety shows, the continued fascination with ventriloquism, and the enduring appeal of classic radio entertainment. The show's impact on the golden age of American radio and popular culture is undeniable, cementing its place as one of the most iconic and beloved programs in the history of the medium.

Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy (The Chase and Sanborn Hour)

Enjoys some shows

The Chase and Sanborn Choral Orchestra

The Opera Guild and Other Replacements

The Bergen and McCarthy Era

The End of an Era

Legacy and Impact