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.

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.

Arthur Anderson

Arthur John Miles Anderson was born on August 29, 1922. He was an American actor known for his work in radio, film, television, and theater. Born on Staten Island, New York, he was educated at the Professional Children's School in Manhattan. His radio career began in 1934 with Uncle Nick Kenny's Radio Kindergarten, and he gained prominence as the orphan Buddy in NBC’s Tony and Gus (1935). Anderson became a consistent presence on Nila Mack's Let's Pretend until its end in 1954, later documenting its history in a book published in 2004.

He contributed to Orson Welles's Mercury Theatre on the Air and appeared in productions like Julius Caesar and Treasure Island. His Broadway credits include 1776 and Il Trovatore. He succeeded Lionel Wilson as the voice of Eustace Bagge in Courage the Cowardly Dog. Anderson's filmography features works like Midnight Cowboy and Zelig, alongside television appearances in series such as Car 54, Where Are You? and Law & Order.

In his later years, Anderson engaged actively with Friends of Old Time Radio, participating in conventions and ultimately serving as honorary chairman for its successor event in 2012. Anderson was married to casting director Alice Middleton, and they had one daughter. He passed away at his Manhattan home on April 9, 2016, at the age of 93.

Morey Amsterdam

Moritz "Morey" Amsterdam was born on December 14 and was an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer known for his contributions to television and film. He hosted his own sitcom, The Morey Amsterdam Show, from 1948 to 1950 and was well recognized for his role as Buddy Sorrell on CBS's The Dick Van Dyke Show from 1961 to 1966. Born in Chicago, Illinois, to Jewish immigrants Max and Jennie Amsterdam from Austria-Hungary, he was the youngest of three sons. His career in entertainment began in vaudeville in 1922, where he initially served as the straight man to his older brother’s jokes.

A skilled cellist, Amsterdam demonstrated his musical talent throughout his career, including a stint at a speakeasy owned by Al Capone in 1924. Following an incident during a gunfight, he relocated to California to work as a joke writer. By the late 1940s, he was hosting a program on CBS and a daily show on WMGM in New York. His CBS program concluded in early 1949, and in 1950 he hosted Broadway Open House, a pioneering late-night comedy-variety show on NBC, which laid the groundwork for future late-night programming like The Tonight Show.

In February 1952, Amsterdam made his dramatic television debut in an episode of the DuMont series Not for Publication and later hosted Breakfast With Music on WNBT-TV. He appeared in the syndicated sitcom How to Marry a Millionaire in 1957 and played a saloon manager in a 1958 episode of the CBS western Have Gun, Will Travel. He also made guest appearances on various sitcoms, including CBS's Pete and Gladys.

Amsterdam's most notable role was that of comedy writer Buddy Sorrell on The Dick Van Dyke Show, where his character was known for quick wit and running gags, particularly with producer Mel Cooley. The character's Jewish background was significant for its time, featuring a storyline about Buddy deciding to have a Bar Mitzvah. Amsterdam wrote lyrics for the show’s theme song, although they were never aired but later performed by Dick Van Dyke in concert.

Later in his career, in the 1970s, Amsterdam appeared in a Partridge Family episode and an episode of The Littlest Hobo, where he played a con man. He occasionally participated as a panelist on game shows like Match Game and Can You Top This? and had roles on soap operas like The Young and the Restless in the 1990s. His final television appearances were alongside Rose Marie in The Hollywood Squares and NBC's Caroline in the City, both in 1996.

Amsterdam's film career included roles in low-budget movies like Machine-Gun Kelly (1958) and the film Murder, Inc. (1960), where he portrayed a nightclub owner. He also featured in two Beach Party films during the 1960s as the owner of a local nightclub. In addition to his acting work, he co-wrote and produced the film Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title in 1966, which included appearances from other notable stars.

Amsterdam's personal life included two marriages; he wed actress Mabel Todd in 1933, but they divorced in 1945. His second marriage, to Kay Patrick, began in 1949 and lasted until his death. He passed away at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles from a heart attack on October 28, 1996, at the age of 87.