October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992.
A Salute to Old Time Radio.
Guests, Jackson Beck, Bud Collyer, William Redfield, Marian Mercer, Frank Buxton recreate a Superman radio broadcast from January 5th, 1944, which includes Johnny Carson as Johnny Olson and Ed McMahon as Perry White. Marian Mercer plays the part of Lois Lane and Bud Collyer reprises his role a Clark Kent and Superman. Announcer reprises the role as announcer, William Redfield and Frank Buxton play the villains. Carson praises the sound effects by Ross Martindale. Mentions that John Carter who was partially the inspiration for the Superman character is in the audience.
Prior to the recreation, which is word for word, all dialog as exactly written from the original script (The Adventures of Superman, episode #353, broadcast January 5, 1944), Bud Collyer reminisces, with anecdotes, related to his radio career performing two shows a day, one for the East Coast, one for the West Coast, and on occasion doing nine broadcasts a day, 36 live broadcasts a week. He talks to Johnny about his role playing Superman on the radio.
Also, Collyer, who would pass away only four and half months after this broadcast aired, discusses his book "Thou Shalt Not Fear" which emphasizes the importance of loving oneself, first.
After the 11 minute recreation of "The Adventures of Superman," the panel reminisce about the great days of Radio and how it died prematurely...remembering among other broadcasts, "Lights Out," "Mr. Chameleon," and The Lone Ranger." Memories of premium giveaways such as Orphan Annie mugs, and De-Coder rings. The days when live orchestras would musically accompany a radio broadcast, and more.
William Redfield reminds Johnny that he began in radio in 1936 acting in "Junior G-Men." The current trend of collecting and trading old time radio shows is discussed. Frank Buxton relates how much he loved the Golden Age of Radio.
Commercials include, Ajax, Cold Power, Ed McMahon's live commercial for Sans-a-Belt Slacks, Monroe Shock Absorbers, Budweiser, Kennel Dog Food, GE Color Television, Yellow Pages, Anacin, and Saniflush.
NOTE: A "lost" Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970's, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle, and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past.
