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The 1940's Radio Hour

Play with Music by Walton Jones. Based on an idea by Walton Jones and Carol Lees.

St. James Theatre, Broadway. Opened 7th October, 1979; Closed 6 January, 1980 (105 perfs & 14 previews)

Full of 1940s music, dancing and old-time sound effects the play portrays the final holiday broadcast of the Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade on the New York radio station WOV in December 1942.

Synopsis

Fabled WOV, a seedy little New York radio station takes to the air at the beginning of World War II, this time to record a broadcast for the troops overseas.

The narrative concerns the harassed producer whose leading singer is often drunk, the delivery boy who wants a chance in front of the mike, the second banana who dreams of singing a ballad, and the trumpet-playing sound effects man who chooses a fighter plane over Glenn Miller.

Cast of Characters

• Clifton Feddington: The announcer and general manager (head of everything at WOV). He has ulcers from it all and is sometimes hysterical.
• Ann Collier: The 'old standard' in the Radio show since its start in 1936. She sings like Dinah Shore, Doris Day, and Peggy Lee (all rolled into one). She is a secretary by day, and at looker by night who is dating Johnny.
• Johnny Cantone: Featured vocalist with the Cavalcade who is on Sinatra's bandwagon. He's an ex-boxer and a rough guy who drinks too much and has a voice like velvet.
• Ginger Brooks: A bubble-headed waitress-turned-singer. She has a pinup, Betty Grable look with lots of makeup and speaks with a Gracie Allen vacancy.
• Neal Tilden: Cab driver by day and singer, dancer, and choreographer at night. He is hopeful for the 'featured vocalist' slot.
• B.J. Gibson: The third of the Gibson brothers to work for the Cavalcade. He is squeaky-clean, good looking, and a preppy student at Yale.
• Connie Miller: A bobbysoxer from Ogden, Utah. She is perennially in love and runs an elevator by day.
• Pops Bailey: A crotchety, wizened stage doorkeeper who is a racing bookie on the company phone and reads hidden copies of Show Girl magazine.
• Lou Cohn: A big shot (at least in his own mind) who tries to impress the girls and is sometimes obnoxious. He runs the show and is the sound effects man.
• Wally Ferguson: Young hopeful from Altoona, Pennsylvania who came to NYC to work for his uncle at the drugstore to get his big show-biz break.
• Biff Baker: A young trumpet player with the Zoot Doubleman orchestra who will be leaving after the concert for Army duty.
• Stanley: Lugs cable and runs around a lot and otherwise lives in the control booth.
• Zoot Doubleman: WOV Orchestra Leader

Musical Numbers

1. I Got a Gal From Kalamazoo - Clifton, Chorus
2. Pepsi Cola - Neal, B.J., Connie, Ginger
3. Daddy - Connie, The Band
4. Love Is Here To Stay - Johnny
5. That Old Black Magic - Ann
6. Ain't She Sweet - Biff, All
7. How About You - B.J., Connie
8. Blue Moon - Neal
9. Chiquita Banana - All Girls
10. Rose of the Rio Grande - Geneva, Men & The Band
11. I'll Never Smile Again - Johnny, Quintet (Neal, B.J., Ann, Ginger, Connie)
12. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - B.J., Connie, Ginger
13. Blues in the Night - Ginger, Men
14. Jingle Bells - All (except Johnny)
15. I Got It Bad - Geneva
16. You Go To My Head - B.J.
17. The Five O'Clock Whistle - Connie, The Band
18. Merry Little Christmas - Ann
19. Strike Up The Band - Full Company
20. I'll Be Seeing You - Full Company
21. Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade - Full Company