"The Big Show" was the most expensive show (and the longest at 90 minutes per episode) that ever aired on radio during the Golden Era. It ran from 1950 until 1952 with a total of 57 episodes receiving great critical acclaim. All of the episodes were aired from New York except for three, one in London, one in Paris and one in Hollywood. NBC spared no money in the production of "The Big Show". It was an effort by NBC radio to try and stem the tide of the new medium of television. However, no radio show could possibly overtake the popularity that television was to have regardless of how much money NBC was willing to spend. Each 90 minute episode of "The Big Show" at the time cost over $200.000.00 (and that was in 1950's money!).
The "take off" skit is based on Meredith Willson's novel "Whatever happened to Fedelia?", has to be one of the funniest ever on either radio or television. Ethel Merman plays the mother of Tallulah Bankhead, with Peter Lorre, Phil Foster and Richard Eastman. The skit is at about the 4 minute mark on this video, but listen to the whole episode to get the full impact. Peter Lorre's comments are priceless.
Tallulah Bankhead is the supreme Queen of sardonic wit - I wish we could be reincarnated and returned to us. I cannot think of any contemporary that comes close to her - can you?
Radio Archives out of Spokane, Washington has restored the first 27 shows (primarily the first season) and they are available in a 5 CD set with direct downloads also available. Radio Archives has also restored this version and a few others from the second season which are available in crystal clarity in their Archives Treasures series.
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It seems EVERY guest was having a ball on every episode of "The Big Show." And Tallulah just couldn't be better.
Peter Lorres introduction was epic 😅😅😅👌
This is VERY awesome!!! Three of my favorites. More please.
One of the funniest skits ever done on radio and based on the novel Meredith Willson wrote, "Whatever happened to Fedalia?"
man I wish it were possible to travel back in time and be looking for those wonderful actresses to get a peek at there real beauty!
"The Big Show" was the most expensive show (and the longest at 90 minutes per episode) that ever aired on radio during the Golden Era. It ran from 1950 until 1952 with a total of 57 episodes receiving great critical acclaim. All of the episodes were aired from New York except for three, one in London, one in Paris and one in Hollywood.
NBC spared no money in the production of "The Big Show". It was an effort by NBC radio to try and stem the tide of the new medium of television. However, no radio show could possibly overtake the popularity that television was to have regardless of how much money NBC was willing to spend. Each 90 minute episode of "The Big Show" at the time cost over $200.000.00 (and that was in 1950's money!).
The "take off" skit is based on Meredith Willson's novel "Whatever happened to Fedelia?", has to be one of the funniest ever on either radio or television. Ethel Merman plays the mother of Tallulah Bankhead, with Peter Lorre, Phil Foster and Richard Eastman. The skit is at about the 4 minute mark on this video, but listen to the whole episode to get the full impact. Peter Lorre's comments are priceless.
Loved it
Tallulah Bankhead is the supreme Queen of sardonic wit - I wish we could be reincarnated and returned to us. I cannot think of any contemporary that comes close to her - can you?
NO!
Where do you get these? I'm so jealous. :)
Radio Archives out of Spokane, Washington has restored the first 27 shows (primarily the first season) and they are available in a 5 CD set with direct downloads also available. Radio Archives has also restored this version and a few others from the second season which are available in crystal clarity in their Archives Treasures series.
Great stuff !