Robert Arthur Jr.

Robert Arthur Jr. was born on November 10, 1909. He was an American writer and editor known for crime fiction and speculative fiction. He significantly contributed to The Mysterious Traveler radio series and created The Three Investigators, a popular young adult mystery series. Arthur and collaborator David Kogan won three Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America for their radio scripts, with adaptations for Alfred Hitchcock's TV show as well. Born in the Philippines, Arthur moved frequently during his childhood due to his father's military career. He initially enrolled at West Point but shifted to the College of William & Mary, later transferring to the University of Michigan, where he earned a B.A. in English in 1930 and an M.A. in Journalism in 1932.

Arthur's stories appeared in numerous magazines, including The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. He wrote several mystery novels for children and young adults, with The Three Investigators series gaining the most recognition, initially marketed as "Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators." In 1959, he relocated to Hollywood, transitioning to screenplays and television scripts. His notable radio work included Dark Destiny and The Sealed Book. He received Edgar Awards for his excellence in radio drama in 1950, 1951, and 1953. Arthur passed away at fifty-nine in Philadelphia and was buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Pennsylvania.

Jon Arthur

Jonathan Arthur Goerss (1918–1982), known as Jon Arthur, was an American entertainer and the host of the children's radio series Big Jon and Sparkie. Sparkie, voiced by Arthur at a sped-up rate, was a little elf wanting to be a real boy. Born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, to a Lutheran minister and his wife, he was a third-generation German-American. Arthur began his broadcasting career after attending radio school, starting at WJLS in Beckley, West Virginia, in 1939, before moving westward.

In Cincinnati, he began the Big Jon and Sparkie show, which aired daily on ABC stations starting in 1950. His Saturday show, No School Today, attracted 12 million weekly listeners on 275 stations, featuring "Teddy Bears' Picnic" as its theme. Arthur, with scriptwriter Don Kortekamp, developed Sparkie from a character that interrupted him on-air. The program, with Arthur voicing various characters and Kortekamp providing storylines inspired by his childhood, became popular. However, in 1951, the show moved to new studios after WSAI did not renew its contract.

No School Today included Sparkie's recounting of Captain Jupiter's episodic adventures, often referencing his foes and inviting listener participation in the birthday segment, signified by the song "Happy Birthday, Friend." Although the program did not transition successfully to television, it aired on the Family Radio Network for two decades (1962–1982). Kortekamp even considered remarketing the characters in new stories.

The radio program was adapted into the Big Jon and Sparkie comic book, published by Alden Getz for Ziff-Davis, and also inspired The Daily Weekly newspaper giveaway. The characters were parodied in Mad magazine. During the 1960s, Arthur worked at WKRC in Cincinnati, and his life was featured on the radio show Unshackled. Arthur passed away in Alameda County, California, in 1982.

ABC Mystery Theater

ABC Mystery Theater is an American radio anthology series, aired from October 3, 1951, to June 30, 1954, featuring 115 episodes over three seasons. Initially, Robert Carroll portrayed Inspector Mark Saber, a British detective from a Homicide Squad, while Sgt. Tim Maloney was first played by James Westerfield, then Douglas Chandler, and ultimately Walter Burke in later seasons. Despite mixed reviews, the show succeeded in garnering a second season beginning in the fall of 1952.

The first season of ABC Mystery Theater introduced listeners to the life and work of Inspector Saber and his assistant. The narrative centered around a separate murder mystery each episode, which led some critics to feel that the show’s premise would become tiresome. The radio series faced competition from CBS Mystery Theatre and later CBS's Hearthstone of The Death Squad, showcasing similar themes and storylines. Amidst audience fatigue from the overlapping concepts, neither series continued past the 1952-1953 season.

In contrast, ABC Television aired a similarly titled show, also called Mystery Theater, featuring Tom Conway as Mark Saber, which ran until June 1954. Following the original television series, a reboot titled The Vise debuted in December 1955, later changing its name to Saber of London in 1957 when it moved to NBC and continued until 1960.

Despite setbacks, ABC Mystery Theater received enough viewer engagement for a third season, which consisted of minor modifications of second-season episodes. Concurrently, the television adaptation faced competition, eventually renaming itself to attract more viewers. When rebranded as Inspector Mark Saber – Homicide Squad during the 1952-1953 television season, it struggled against strong contenders like CBS Lux Video Theatre.

The televised Mark Saber retained the essence of the radio version, featuring a British detective in a major American city's homicide department, alongside his assistant, Sergeant Maloney. The television series ended in 1954, with a notable transition into a reboot form titled The Vise, where Inspector Saber was reimagined as Donald Gray's one-armed private investigator based in London. This shift included new storylines and characters as Sgt. Maloney was removed in favor of various new sidekicks.

Over the years, The Vise underwent several title changes, including Saber of London and Saber of Scotland Yard, reflecting its evolving narrative. The character of Saber transitioned from a US detective to a British private investigator, evolving with shifting audience preferences and television trends as it navigated various scheduling changes until its cancellation in the 1960 television season.

Clifford Charles Arquette

Clifford Charles Arquette was born on December 28, 1905 and was an American actor and comedian known for his comedic alter-ego, Charley Weaver. Born in Toledo, Ohio, he was the youngest of four children of Winifred Ethel Clark and Charles Augustus Arquette, a vaudevillian. The family was of part French-Canadian descent, with the original surname being "Arcouet." Arquette's children included actor Lewis Arquette, and his grandchildren are actors including Rosanna, Richmond, Patricia, Alexis, and David Arquette.

Alongside Dave Willock, he had a radio and briefly a television show called "Dave and Charley" in the early 1950s, during which he developed his trademark character Charley Weaver. Invited by Jack Paar to appear on his NBC Tonight Show in 1957, he embodied the character of "Charley Weaver, the wild old man from Mount Idy," known for reading humorous letters from his "Mamma." The character's popularity led Arquette to largely identify publicly as Charley Weaver, complete with distinctive attire. His charm and timing frequently entertained audiences with hilarious stories about fictional family misadventures.

Arquette was credited with inventing the modern rubber theatrical prosthetic mask, flexible and porous enough for performers to convey expressions while allowing air access to the skin. He had a varied career in radio, theater, and films, retiring from show business in 1956. Notably, he performed on 13 different daily radio shows in the Chicago market, using motorboats to travel between studios. One notable series was "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok."

Arquette hosted "Charley Weaver's Hobby Lobby" on ABC from September 30, 1959, to March 23, 1960, and appeared on "The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show" in 1962. Recognized for his contributions to radio, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. His portrayal of Charley Weaver made him a staple on the game show "Hollywood Squares," where he often answered questions about American history correctly.

As a Civil War enthusiast, Arquette opened the Charley Weaver Museum of the Civil War in Gettysburg, housed in a historic building that served as General O.O. Howard's headquarters during the battle. The museum operated for about ten years before becoming the Soldier's National Museum, which closed in November 2014.

In the early 1970s, Arquette faced health challenges due to heart disease and suffered a stroke in 1972 that temporarily sidelined him from "Hollywood Squares." He passed away in Burbank, California, on September 23, 1974, at the age of 68, following another stroke. Arquette's legacy includes his contributions to comedy, television, and his family's continued presence in the entertainment industry.

Abbott Mysteries

Abbott Mysteries, a comedy-mystery radio program, adapted from Frances Crane's novels, aired from 1945 to 1955 on Mutual and NBC. Initially a summer replacement for Quick As a Flash, the show debuted on June 10, 1945, sponsored by Helbros Watches, and featured a San Francisco couple, Jean and Pat Abbott, portrayed by Julie Stevens and Charles Webster. 

The series was characterized by its lighthearted approach to solving murders. In 1946, the show shifted its timeslot and Les Tremayne and Alice Reinheart took over the lead roles until its end in 1947. After a seven-year hiatus, the characters returned on October 3, 1954, in The Adventures of the Abbotts on NBC, with Claudia Morgan and Les Damon in the lead roles, running until June 12, 1955. 

The series inspired Mutual's It's A Crime, Mr. Collins, a direct imitation that followed a similar format, highlighting the competitive nature of radio programs during the Golden Age. Frank Gallop and Cy Harrice served as announcers, with music provided by Albert Burhman's orchestra.

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.