The A&P Gypsies

The A&P Gypsies was a radio musical series that aired starting in 1924, hosted by Harry Horlick, who had experience with gypsy folk music from Istanbul. Born on July 20, 1896, in Tiflis, Russia, Horlick became a prisoner of war during World War I but eventually reached the United States, performing in cafés in the 1920s. The six-piece ensemble gained attention on New York's WEAF and began broadcasting sponsored by the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) on March 17, 1924.

The show transitioned to NBC in 1927, initially airing for an hour on Mondays, then changing formats through the years, finally settling into a half-hour program on the Red Network in 1932. Prominent announcers included Phillips Carlin and Milton Cross. A&P capitalized on the show's popularity by hosting events at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, where they attracted thousands of listeners to the A&P Carnival featuring various entertainment.

As the show evolved, the ensemble expanded into the 25-piece A&P Red Circle Orchestra, including a singing quartet featuring Frank Parker, who later gained fame on other radio shows. Notable guest stars included Frank Munn, Kate Smith, and Jessica Dragonette. The series concluded on September 7, 1936, as A&P shifted focus to a new partnership with Kate Smith.

Post-series, Horlick recorded numerous albums under Decca, creating music that was noted for its quality. Horlick passed away in July 1970, but his music has been preserved through CD transfers and can be found in various collections celebrating light music from the 1930s.

George Ansbro

George Ansbro (January 14, 1915 – November 5, 2011) was a notable radio announcer with a six-decade career at NBC and ABC, known for his work across various programs including soap operas, big bands, and quiz shows. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Ansbro's connection to radio began during a family trip where he was exposed to live performances. His mother facilitated singing lessons that eventually led to a connection at WNYC, which opened the door to his radio career.

He joined NBC in 1928 as a boy soprano on the Children’s Hour and became an NBC page in 1931, transitioning to an announcer role shortly thereafter. His appointment was recognized in New York newspapers, marking him as one of the youngest network announcers. Throughout his radio career, Ansbro announced numerous shows, including The Avenger and the quiz show Dr. I.Q., while living in Manhattan for quick access to the NBC studios.

By 1948, Ansbro expanded his role into television as ABC emerged from NBC's Blue Network, becoming a principal voice in ABC's programming. In the early 1950s, he hosted a unique disc jockey program titled "Manhattan Maharajah," which combined music with humor through a character-based format.

In the 1980s, his work predominantly focused on ABC's daytime lineup, providing sponsor plugs and show previews, although he occasionally returned to prime-time announcing. During the 1970s, he participated in retro radio shows, particularly reflecting on early radio soap operas, showcasing his experience and contributions to the medium.

Ansbro received recognition in a letter from Capital Cities on the 55th anniversary of his hiring by NBC, acknowledging him as the oldest ABC employee and the longest-serving announcer in American broadcasting history. He retired on January 14, 1990, exactly on his 75th birthday, having dedicated 58 years, three months, and twelve days to broadcasting. His departure coincided with a transitional period at ABC, as other longstanding announcers also retired around that time.

He authored a memoir, "I Have a Lady in the Balcony: Memoirs of a Broadcaster in Radio and Television," published in 2000, with Leonard Maltin providing the foreword. Throughout his life, Ansbro resided in Spring Lake, New Jersey, and he passed away in Bloomfield, Connecticut, at the age of 96. His extensive career reflects significant contributions to the fields of both radio and television, solidifying his legacy as a prominent figure in American broadcasting.

Edmund Lincoln Anderson

Edmund Lincoln Anderson was born on September 18, 1905. He was an American actor and comedian, recognized for his gravelly voice and fondly remembered as "Rochester" by early radio and television comedy audiences. He began his show business career as a teenager on the vaudeville circuit, moving into films and radio in the early 1930s. In 1937, he joined the cast of The Jack Benny Program as Rochester van Jones, Jack Benny's valet, becoming the first African American to have a regular role on a nationwide radio show. He continued in this role when the series transitioned to CBS television in 1950, maintaining his presence until its conclusion in 1965.

Born in Oakland, California, to a theatrical family, Anderson faced various challenges. His father was a minstrel performer and his mother was a former tightrope walker whose career ended due to an accident. Describing himself as a descendant of slaves who escaped via the Underground Railroad, his family moved to San Francisco when he was 10. Anderson left school at 14 to support his family by working as an errand boy.

Anderson's passion for entertainment started young, as he frequently visited theaters and performed in street shows with his brother, Cornelius. After facing weight issues that ended his aspirations of becoming a jockey, he began performing in all-African-American revues at 14. He gained early recognition for his talent, winning an amateur contest in a vaudeville theater. His comedy act emerged by 1926, incorporating both song and dance elements. Notably, he ruptured his vocal cords selling newspapers, giving him his distinctive gravelly voice.

His debut on The Jack Benny Program happened on March 28, 1937, initially as a guest performer in minor roles. After positive audience reception, he was invited to join the cast permanently as Benny's valet, Rochester, becoming a groundbreaking figure in African American representation on national radio. Anderson's first official performance as Rochester was on June 20, 1937, marking a significant milestone in entertainment history.

In film, Anderson's career began with a role in George Cukor's What Price Hollywood? (1932) as a butler. Over the following years, he appeared in numerous films, including notable works such as The Green Pastures (1936), Gone with the Wind (1939), and Cabin in the Sky (1943), the latter providing him with a rare leading role. He faced censorship for his roles, particularly in Brewster's Millions (1945), due to themes of racial equality.

Together with the cast of The Jack Benny Program, Anderson contributed to the Warner Bros. cartoon The Mouse that Jack Built (1959). His final significant film role came in the comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). He was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1975.

In addition to his performances, Anderson participated in various television shows, including a mystery guest appearance on What's My Line? in 1952. He reprised his film role as Noah in a Hallmark adaptation of The Green Pastures, which received an Emmy nomination. He guest-starred in shows like The Dick Powell Show, It Takes a Thief, and Love, American Style. In the 1970s, he voiced Bobby Joe Mason in animated shows but attempted a nightclub comeback that was curtailed by declining health.

Outside of acting, Anderson was an enthusiastic horse racing fan, owning and training horses at the Hollywood Park Racetrack. He was married twice and had four children. His business endeavors included ownership of the Pacific Parachute Company during World War II, which provided parachutes for the military. Although he identified the potential in Las Vegas as an entertainment destination, attempts to create a black-friendly hotel and casino did not materialize due to investor challenges.

On May 2, 1939, Anderson married Mamie Wiggins from Georgia, who passed away on August 5, 1954, after battling cancer for two years. Mamie's son, Billy, from her prior marriage, adopted Anderson's surname and played professional football for the Chicago Bears. After Mamie's death, Anderson remarried Evangela "Eva" Simon on February 8, 1956, in Kingman, Arizona, and they had three children: daughters Stephanie, Evangela Jr. ("Eva"), and son Edmund Jr. Following their divorce in 1973, Anderson gained custody of his minor children.

Anderson resided in the West Adams district of Los Angeles, a neighborhood that had once been affluent but declined during the Depression. In the 1940s, the black entertainment community began moving there, renaming it Sugar Hill. Some property owners attempted to enforce restrictive covenants against black residents, a practice that the U.S. Supreme Court deemed illegal in 1948. Anderson, limited by these covenants, built a luxurious home in an area of smaller houses, which was later named after his character, Rochester.

In the political sphere, Anderson supported Ronald Reagan's candidacy in the 1966 California gubernatorial election. He had a keen interest in model airplanes, racing cars, and even designed a life-size sports car featuring a Cadillac engine, showcased at sports car shows nationwide.

In February 1946, Anderson was reported missing at sea after his cabin cruiser suffered engine trouble. He and two friends were eventually rescued after signaling distress throughout the night. Anderson learned of the search for him through a radio news report.

An owner of racehorses, Anderson made history as the first African-American to enter a horse, Burnt Cork, in the Kentucky Derby in 1943. Despite criticism regarding publicity motives due to Burnt Cork finishing last, Anderson faced no similar scrutiny for King George VI's horse, which also came in last at Ascot. Following the race, he employed a Kentucky colonel persona. After the Benny television show concluded, Anderson retrained as a horse racing trainer until shortly before his death.

In his final years, Anderson struggled with health issues, leading to his resignation from a Broadway revival of Good News. He passed away from heart disease on February 28, 1977, at the age of 71.