Exploring the Golden Age of Old-Time Radio: Classic Shows and Their Impact

Jimmy Durante was a true icon of old-time radio, captivating audiences with his distinctive voice, infectious humor, and unparalleled showmanship. From his humble beginnings as a ragtime pianist to his rise as a beloved radio personality, Durante's career spanned decades and left an indelible mark on the golden age of broadcasting.

Early Life and Background

Jimmy Durante was born on February 10, 1893, on the Lower East Side of New York City. He was the youngest of four children born to Italian immigrants Rosa Lentino and Bartolomeo Durante, who worked as a barber. Durante's early life was shaped by his Roman Catholic upbringing, serving as an altar boy at the Actor's Chapel, St. Malachy's Church.

As a child, Durante showed a natural talent for music, dropping out of school in the seventh grade to pursue a full-time career as a ragtime pianist. He honed his skills playing in piano bars under the moniker "Ragtime Jimmy" before joining one of the first recognizable jazz bands in New York, the Original New Orleans Jazz Band. Durante was the only member of the group not from New Orleans, but his unique style and showmanship quickly made him a standout.

Entry Into Radio

By the mid-1920s, Durante had become a vaudeville star and radio personality, forming a successful trio with Lou Clayton and Eddie Jackson, known as Clayton, Jackson, and Durante. The trio's performances at the famed Palace Theater on Broadway during the week of June 4, 1928, were a resounding success, with Durante's signature blend of music and comedy captivating audiences.

Durante's big break in radio came in 1933 when he appeared on Eddie Cantor's popular NBC radio show, "The Chase and Sanborn Hour." His stint on the program was so well-received that he took over as the show's star from April to September 1934. This exposure helped cement Durante's status as a rising radio star, and he soon landed his own program, "The Jumbo Fire Chief Program," which ran from 1935 to 1936.

Notable Radio Shows and Characters

Durante's most iconic radio work came in the 1940s, when he teamed up with the young, up-and-coming comedian Garry Moore for "The Durante-Moore Show." The duo's chemistry was electric, with Durante's gruff, raspy voice and Moore's youthful energy creating a perfect comedic partnership. The show's catchphrase, "Dat's my boy dat said dat!" became an instant classic, later inspiring the cartoon series "Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy."

The Durante-Moore Show was a huge hit, and the duo remained one of the nation's favorites throughout the decade. Their "Command Performance" episodes with Frank Sinatra are particularly beloved by radio show collectors today. When Moore left the duo in 1947, Durante continued the show on his own as "The Jimmy Durante Show," featuring a reunion of the original Clayton, Jackson, and Durante trio on his April 21, 1948, broadcast.

In addition to his own shows, Durante also made memorable guest appearances on other popular radio programs, such as "The Chase and Sanborn Hour" and "Four Star Revue," where he alternated hosting duties with comedians like Ed Wynn, Danny Thomas, and Jack Carson.

Broadcasting Style and Signature Techniques

What made Durante such a captivating radio personality was his unique broadcasting style and signature techniques. His gruff, raspy voice, punctuated by his famous "Ha-cha-cha-cha" call, was instantly recognizable and became a trademark of his performances. Durante also had a penchant for breaking into songs to deliver a joke, with the band or orchestra providing a chord punctuation after each line, a technique that became a hallmark of his act.

Another key aspect of Durante's radio persona was his ability to ad-lib and improvise. Whether it was a surprise appearance on "The Missus Goes a-Shopping" in 1944 or his hosting duties on "The Hollywood Palace" in the 1960s, Durante's quick wit and spontaneity captivated audiences and left an indelible mark on the medium.

Transition to Other Media

While Durante's primary fame and success came from his radio work, he also made forays into other media, including film, television, and even animation. In the 1930s, he appeared in several movies, including the college musical "Start Cheering" in 1937, which helped re-establish him in the film industry after a brief stint in England.

Durante's television career began in the 1940s, with a surprise appearance on the local New York CBS station WCBW (now WCBS-TV) in 1944. He went on to host his own variety show, "The Jimmy Durante Show," on NBC from 1954 to 1956, and made several guest appearances on shows like "Four Star Revue" and "The Hollywood Palace" in the 1960s.

Despite his limited involvement in animation, Durante's distinctive voice, looks, and catchphrases earned him numerous depictions and allusions in cartoons. He was caricatured as early as 1933 in the Ub Iwerks cartoon "Soda Squirt," and his raspy voice and affectionate "Dat's my boy" became a recurring trope in MGM's "Tom and Jerry" cartoons and the "Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy" series.

Legacy and Influence

Jimmy Durante's impact on the golden age of radio and entertainment cannot be overstated. His unique blend of music, comedy, and showmanship captivated audiences for decades, and his influence can be seen in the work of countless comedians and performers who followed in his footsteps.

Beyond his professional achievements, Durante was also known for his deep religious faith and political activism. He was a devout Roman Catholic, often seen greeting parishioners outside the Guardian Angel Cathedral in Las Vegas after Sunday Mass. Durante was also an active member of the Democratic Party, performing at events for presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.

Though Durante retired from performing in 1972 following a stroke, his legacy lived on through his many appearances in film, television, and animation. He is perhaps best known to modern audiences as the narrator of the beloved 1969 animated special "Frosty the Snowman," and his songs have been featured in numerous films, including "My Stepmother Is an Alien," "City Slickers," and "Sleepless in Seattle."

In the end, Jimmy Durante's enduring popularity and influence can be attributed to his unique talent, infectious personality, and unwavering commitment to entertaining his audiences. He was a true icon of old-time radio, and his legacy continues to inspire and delight generations of fans.

Works and Appearances

Radio

"The Chase and Sanborn Hour" (1933-1934) - Appeared as a guest, then took over as the show's star
"The Jumbo Fire Chief Program" (1935-1936) - Hosted his own program
"The Durante-Moore Show" (1943-1947) - Starred alongside Garry Moore
"The Jimmy Durante Show" (1947-1950) - Continued his show after Moore's departure
"Four Star Revue" (1950-1951) - Hosted the show, alternating with Ed Wynn, Danny Thomas, and Jack Carson

Television

"The Missus Goes a-Shopping" (1944) - Made a surprise appearance on the local New York CBS station WCBW
"Four Star Revue" (1950-1951) - Hosted the show, alternating with Ed Wynn, Danny Thomas, and Jack Carson
"The Jimmy Durante Show" (1954-1956) - Hosted his own variety program on NBC
"The Hollywood Palace" (1960s) - Served as host of the ABC variety hour
"Jimmy Durante Presents the Lennon Sisters" (1969-1970) - Starred in a one-season series on ABC

Cinema

"Roadhouse Nights" (1930) - Appeared in the film, based on Dashiell Hammett's novel "Red Harvest"
"Start Cheering" (1937) - Received excellent critical notices for his role in the college musical
"Melody Ranch" (1940) - Appeared in the Gene Autry musical western
"The Man Who Came to Dinner" (1942) - Played the character Banjo, based on Harpo Marx
"Ziegfeld Follies" (1946) - Appeared in the film

Animation

"Soda Squirt" (1933) - Caricatured alongside Buster Keaton
"Jerky Turkey" (MGM cartoon) - Presented as a persecuted turkey
"Tom and Jerry" cartoons - Referenced with a raspy voice and "Dat's my boy" catchphrase
"Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy" - Inspired by the "Dat's my boy dat said dat!" catchphrase from "The Durante-Moore Show"

Other Media

"Frosty the Snowman" (1969 animated special) - Narrated the beloved Christmas special
"Monte Carlo or Bust!" (1968 film) - Performed the title song over the animated opening credits

Jimmy Durante: The Irrepressible Entertainer of Old-Time Radio

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