2020 Paley Archive Elements 3840x1536 Banner2

CHASE AND SANBORN HOUR {BERGEN & MCCARTHY} {FINAL
PROGRAM} (RADIO)

Summary

One in this long-running series of comedy/variety programs sponsored by Chase & Sanborn coffee. This program features as host ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, who is aided by his dummy Charlie McCarthy. Live musical performances are interspersed with short comedy sketches. In this special program celebrating Bergen and Charlie's last performance on "The Chase and Sanborn Hour," the cast reenacts highlights from past programs. The program begins with a short time line of Bergen's career, including his start at New York City's Rainbow Room, guest spot on the radio program "Elsa Maxwell's Party Line," and beginnings on "The Rudy Vallee Show." Reenactments of his skits from the Rainbow Room and "The Rudy Vallee Show" are included. Next, Charlie and W.C. Fields impersonator Bill Thompson recreate the famous feud in which Fields threatens to turn Charlie into a Venetian blind and Charlie responds, "That makes me shutter." Orchestra leader Ray Noble then plays his own composition, made famous at the Rainbow Room, "The Touch of Your Lips." Bergen reminisces about the time Charlie left him to perform with another ventriloquist. In a flashback, Bergen tries to convince Mortimer Snerd to fill Charlie's shoes . . . until Charlie telephones to say that his new ventriloquist has hawked him at a pawn shop for seven dollars. Next, reoccurring character Ursul Twang visits Bergen and makes a few jokes. Don Ameche and Marsha Hunt then reprise their role as the Bickersons in a sketch called "The Honeymoon is Over." Announcer Ken Carpenter then reads a telegram from Standard Brands, Inc., Chase and Sanborn Coffee's parent company, thanking and praising Bergen for the success of the program. Bergen reminds listeners that he will be back in the fall in his own program, and a musical group bids Bergen and Charlie good-bye Bergen and Charlie through song. Includes commercials.

(The "Chase and Sanborn Hour" featured different stars during its long run. Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy were featured from 1937 to 1948 and, during this time, the program was also known as "The Charlie McCarthy Show.")

Details

  • NETWORK: NBC
  • DATE: December 26, 1948 Sunday 8:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:30:00
  • COLOR/B&W: N/A
  • CATALOG ID: R86:0115
  • GENRE: Radio - Comedy/Variety; Radio - Music/Variety
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Music, popular (Songs, etc.); Ventriloquism
  • SERIES RUN: NBC - Radio series, 1928-1948
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • Radio - Commercials - Chase and Sanborn instant coffee

CREDITS

  • Earl Ebi … Director
  • Ray Noble and his Orchestra … Music Group
  • Edgar Bergen … Host, Performer
  • Ken Carpenter … Announcer
  • Don Ameche … Performer
  • Marsha Hunt … Performer
  • Pat Patrick … Performer
  • Paul Frees … Performer
  • Bill Thompson … Performer
  • Stanford, Tony (audio i.d. only) … Performer
  • W.C. Fields
  • Elsa Maxwell
  • Rudy Vallee