Armstrong's Theatre of Today is a news and romantic drama radio program which was broadcast at noon on Saturdays by CBS Radio from October 4, 1941, to May 22, 1954. The 30-minute series was sponsored by the Armstrong Cork Company (Armstrong Quaker Rugs and Linoleum) and Cream of Wheat (1953-54).[2]
| Other names | The Armstrong Theater of Today |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romantic drama |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| Syndicates | CBS |
| Starring | Hollywood stars |
| Announcer | George Bryan Tom Shirley Bob Sherry[1] |
| Directed by | Ira Avery Al Ward |
| Produced by | Ira Avery |
| Original release | October 4, 1941 – May 22, 1954 |
| Sponsored by | Armstrong Cork Company Cream of Wheat |
The announcers were Bob Sherry,[3] George Bryan and Tom Shirley. The program opened with Bryan reporting the news, followed by Hollywood film actors in original dramas. Ira Avery and Al Ward directed with Avery producing. James Rinaldi provided the special effects.[2] Commercials were read by the Armstrong Quaker Girl (Elizabeth Reller, Julie Conway).[4]
Harold Levey was the musical director.[5]
Stars over Hollywood, another anthology program, also began in 1941, and when Armstrong began it immediately followed Stars on the air. That combination "gave CBS the edge in the Saturday dramatic derby for thirteen years."[6]
References
edit- ^ "Televise, Air Gavilan Title Bout Tonight". Battle Creek Enquirer. September 18, 1953. p. 18. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. pp. 40–41. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
- ^ "Radio and Television; CBS to Audition Amsterdam's New Show -- Three WOR Programs Shift Air Time". The New York Times. December 27, 1948. p. 32. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4. P. 27.
- ^ "Radio Talent: New York". Billboard. March 7, 1942. p. 7. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
- ^ Dunning, John. (1976). Tune in Yesterday: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, 1925-1976. Prentice-Hall, Inc. ISBN 0-13-932616-2. Pp. 39-40.