Jack Bailey

Jack Bailey was born on September 15, 1907, he was an American actor and daytime game show host known for his role as the host of "Queen for a Day." This show, which began in 1945 on the Mutual Broadcasting System, transitioned to television and aired locally in Los Angeles from 1948 to 1955, followed by broadcasts on NBC until 1960 and on ABC until 1964. Each episode typically began with an engaging introduction leading to Bailey enthusiastically asking the audience if they wanted to be "Queen for a Day."

Bailey's career began as a vaudeville musician and he experienced various roles, including working with jazz bands and directing musical comedies. He also served as an announcer for radio shows like "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" and "Duffy's Tavern." In addition to "Queen for a Day," he hosted "Place the Face" and "Truth or Consequences," and made guest appearances on shows such as "Mister Ed" and "Gunsmoke." He acted in the film "It's a Wonderful Life" and toured in musical productions like "Hello Dolly."

A member of Alcoholics Anonymous from around 1948, Bailey publicly supported the organization for over 30 years. He received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to radio and television. He was survived by his second wife, Jean, after being preceded in death by his first wife, Carol. He died on February 1, 1980.

Bob Bailey

 

 

Robert Bainter Bailey, born on June 13, 1913, was a notable American actor recognized primarily for his extensive work in radio, particularly as the lead in the popular detective series "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar." Born in Toledo, Ohio, he was the son of actors Edwin B. Bailey and Grace Lockwood Bailey, which set the stage for his early involvement in performance arts; he appeared on stage with his mother at just 10 days old and began acting in their family's stock company at age 4.

At 15, Bailey's career took an eclectic turn as he worked in a wild-west carnival, engaging as both a barker and an actor, alongside various jobs like ushering and waiting. His foray into radio began in Chicago, where he took advantage of his mother's connections to find work on soap operas. He later secured a position at radio station KWK in St. Louis, eventually leading him back to Chicago for a marriage and participation in the Chicago Theater of the Air.

Throughout the 1930s and early 1940s, he gained recognition for roles in numerous radio programs. Notable early roles included the title character in the comedic series "Mortimer Gooch" and appearances in "That Brewster Boy," "Meet Corliss Archer," and "Kitty Keene, Inc." In 1943, Bailey made his transition to film with 20th Century-Fox, participating in seven feature films, most notably alongside Laurel and Hardy, before returning to radio when his contract was not renewed.

His most significant contributions came from 1946 onwards when he starred as George Valentine in the detective series "Let George Do It." However, his legacy is cemented by his portrayal of Johnny Dollar in "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar," where he was known for embodying "America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator." The series operated from 1949 to 1962 and became one of the last radio dramas to air on CBS. Bailey played Johnny from 1955 to 1960 and even crafted scripts for some episodes, using the pseudonym Robert Bainter.

Despite his success, Bailey’s association with "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar" ended when CBS sought to cut costs by relocating the show to New York, a move he was unwilling to make. By then, he had already participated in nearly 500 episodes, solidifying his connection to the character. The show continued for two more years with subsequent actors before concluding in 1962. In tandem with his radio career, Bailey co-wrote for films and television, contributing to "Underwater!" and the Western series "Fury," showcasing his versatility as a writer and performer in the entertainment industry.

 

Bailey had a brief stint in television with a few guest appearances from 1961 to 1963, including a small role in the 1962 film "Birdman of Alcatraz," where he appeared as a reporter among characters portrayed by Burt Lancaster and Edmond O'Brien. His contribution was minor, and much of his dialogue was dubbed. Notably, O’Brien had previously played the lead in the radio program "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar." His final film role was uncredited in Disney's "A Tiger Walks."

Born in 1936, Bailey married Glorianna Royston, a model. Throughout his career, he faced challenges with alcoholism but managed to achieve over two decades of sobriety before relapsing in the 1960s, which led to an eight-year disappearance from the public eye. Eventually, he overcame his addiction and resumed contact with his family, dedicating his efforts to helping others struggling with similar issues in a rehabilitation facility. His life took a turn when he suffered a stroke, resulting in a decade-long confinement to a rest home.

Bailey passed away at the age of 70 in Lancaster, California, on August 13, 1983.

Inner Sanctum

 

 

Inner Sanctum Mystery, or Inner Sanctum, is a renowned old-time radio program that was broadcast from January 7, 1941, to October 5, 1952, created by producer Himan Brown. The program was based on the mystery novels published under the "Inner Sanctum" imprint by Simon & Schuster, which first debuted in 1930 with Claude Houghton's I Am Jonathan Scrivener. While the imprint encompassed serious drama and romance, it became primarily associated with mystery fiction featuring distinctive green covers, with Lee Wright as the long-serving editor who introduced notable authors like Craig Rice and Gypsy Rose Lee.

The radio adaptation, which premiered in 1941, utilized the name under a licensing agreement with Simon & Schuster, obliging the announcer to promote new book releases at the end of each episode. The anthology program delineated tales of mystery, terror, and suspense, characterized by its cheeky and sardonic tone, a noteworthy divergence from contemporaneous shows like *Suspense*. The show's early narration by Raymond Edward Johnson, who introduced himself with a mock sardonic voice, became iconic. Johnson's ghoulish humor and playfulness were complemented by a haunting organ score, composed by Lew White, with his distinctive sign-off "Pleasant dreeeeaams, hmmmmm?" setting a standard for future horror narrators.

In May 1945, Johnson's departure to serve in the Army prompted Paul McGrath, a Broadway actor seeking stable income, to take over the hosting role under the title "Your Host." Lipton Tea began sponsoring the series around this time, contrasting Mary Bennett's cheerful advertisements for the tea with the show's sinister narratives. The program's signature audio cue, the creaking door, stemmed from an improvised sound effect derived from a rusty desk chair, utilized due to a malfunctioning door prop. This sound effect remained quintessential to the show's ambiance, even causing misadventures when staff members unexpectedly altered its functionality.
 

In June 1943, Universal acquired the screen rights to "The Inner Sanctum Mysteries" from Simon and Schuster, Inc. This film series features a distinctive "stream of consciousness" voiceover, which scriptwriter Edward Dein included at the request of actor Lon Chaney Jr. Each film, with the exception of "Pillow of Death," opens with a sequence where actor David Hoffman appears, warning viewers about the potential for murder within each audience member. Chaney Jr. had high hopes for the series, seeking more diversity in his roles after being predominantly cast as monsters in Universal's horror films. Producer Pivar initially aimed to produce two Inner Sanctum films each year, featuring Chaney and Gale Sondergaard in leading roles; however, Sondergaard was replaced shortly before the filming of "Calling Dr. Death."

The films in the series include "Calling Dr. Death" (1943), "Weird Woman" (1944), "Dead Man's Eyes" (1944), "The Frozen Ghost" (1945), "Strange Confession" (1945), and "Pillow of Death" (1945). Retrospective reviews vary; Kim Newman characterized the series as encompassing both whodunnit and horror elements, noting that while the films differ in quality, they mostly provide peculiar entertainment. Newman highlighted "Weird Woman" as the standout, citing its incorporation of supernatural elements, whereas other film historians and critics in "Universal Horrors" referred to the series as "feeble melodramas," critiquing Chaney's performances as miscast and beyond his abilities. Collectively, they viewed the series as a missed opportunity in cinema history.

Parley Baer

Parley Edward Baer was born on August 5, 1914. He was a prominent American actor whose career spanned radio, television, and film. He is most famously recognized for his role as "Chester" in the radio adaptation of Gunsmoke and as Mayor Roy Stoner in The Andy Griffith Show. Baer's diverse contributions also include portraying Arthur J. Henson in The Addams Family. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Baer pursued drama studies at the University of Utah and began his professional journey in the circus as a press agent and ringmaster before transitioning into the entertainment industry.

Baer's early career involved significant roles as a circus entertainer before he served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, where he achieved the rank of Captain. His military service, lasting from 1942 to 1946, included deployment in the Pacific Theater, and he was honored with numerous awards such as the Army Presidential Unit Citation and several campaign medals.

With a robust background in radio, Baer began his career in this medium in 1933. He worked extensively with KSL and gained initial fame through shows like The Whistler, Suspense, and Dragnet. In 1952, he secured his legacy by taking on the role of Chester, the loyal jail assistant to Marshal Matt Dillon on the radio version of Gunsmoke. His ad-libbed character name transformation from "Chester Wesley Proudfoot" to "Chester Goode" for the televised version showcased his adaptability in the industry.

Throughout his career, Baer voiced several characters on various radio programs, engaging audiences with performances in radio dramas such as The Harold Peary Show and Fort Laramie. He also portrayed significant roles like Eb on Granby’s Green Acres, Gramps on The Truitts, and Reggie Duffield on the Adventures in Odyssey series in the late 20th century. Baer's impactful career includes his casting as Simon Legree in a television adaptation of Norman Corwin’s The Plot to Overthrow Christmas, illustrating his versatility as a performer, both in voice and character acting. His contributions to the entertainment industry reflect a rich legacy within the realms of radio and television.

Baer was a distinguished on-camera performer, recognized for his unique voice, portly appearance, and bald head, typically portraying authoritative and obstinate figures. His extensive television work included memorable roles such as the blustering Mayor Stoner on *The Andy Griffith Show*, the neighbor Darby on *The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet*, frequent guest roles on *The Addams Family*, and Miles Dugan on *The Young and the Restless*. Baer made guest appearances in various notable shows during the 1950s, including *The Dennis Day Show* and *It’s a Great Life*, and was featured on the CBS legal drama *Perry Mason* multiple times, with roles such as Edward Farraday and Willard Hupp.

His diverse casting continued through the 1960s on shows like *Harrigan and Son*, *National Velvet*, and *The Real McCoys*. Baer played distinct roles in anthologies such as *GE True* and participated in various sitcoms and dramas, including *I Dream of Jeannie* and *Petticoat Junction*. He also had appearances in several notable films, including *Gypsy*, in which he played Mr. Kringelein opposite Natalie Wood, and participated in several Disney films like *Follow Me, Boys!* and *The Ugly Dachshund*. Notably, Baer portrayed a complex character in the film *White Dog*, revealing deep-seated racism, a theme he explored earlier in his career in *Bewitched*.

Aside from his acting career, Baer was known for voicing Ernie Keebler in commercials. He had a remarkable personal life as well; he was married for 54 years to circus performer Elizabeth Ernestine Clarke, who passed away in 2000. He was an active member of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, where he held several roles, including head usher. Baer delivered the eulogy for his co-star Howard McNear in 1969, reflecting his close ties to colleagues in the industry. In his later years, he dealt with health issues, including strokes, but still managed to attend old-time radio conventions and participated in commercials dressed in vintage attire. Baer passed away on November 22, 2002, at the age of 88, following a subsequent stroke.