It went off the air for the last time on June 7, 1955. Here’s to Lux Radio Theater.
◊
To everyone from me and Cecil B. DeMille a hearty welcome!
Following is information on Lux Radio Theater as noted on The Radio Hall of Fame site with some details and images added by me:
“Lux…presents Hollywood!”
These words introduced broadcast radio’s biggest and most important dramatic program. For two decades, The Lux Radio Theatre presented radio versions of movie attractions, current or coming, while the biggest names in cinema played the leading roles.
The Lux Radio Theatre debuted in 1934, dramatizing Broadway plays from New York. The premiere show was an adaptation of “Seventh Heaven” starring Miriam Hopkins and John Boles.
In an effort to improve ratings, the show moved West in June 1936 to capitalize on Hollywood talent and popular movie fare. Lux’s extravagant productions were a huge success. Renowned director Cecil B. DeMille—whose films were synonymous with spectacle—was brought in to host the show.
Stars were routinely paid up to $5,000 to appear and over 50 actors, musicians and technicians were on hand every week for productions which ranged from “The Thin Man” to “The Jazz Singer” to “The African Queen.”
Before the show left the air in 1955, DeMille—and subsequent hosts William Keighley and Irving Cummings—welcomed nearly every major movie and radio star to the Lux microphone, including Cary Grant, Claudette Colbert, Ginger Rogers, Bing Crosby, Katherine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, Judy Garland, Roy Rogers and Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Adding enjoyment to each broadcast were the interviews after the shows, which often featured these great stars in candid moments not available through on mediums.
Here are images of just a few of the Hollywood faces of Lux Radio Theater during its golden age…
Lux Radio Theatre went off the air for the last time on June 7, 1955 and was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1989.
It’s impossible to commemorate this classic radio show without acknowledging the show’s sponsor, which of course was part of its title as was the practice in those days. The fact that these ads are fabulous has aboslutely nothing to do with why I’m posting them here. Here’s to Lux…
And finally, to the shows. Following are three Lux Radio Theater productions from starring a few fairly fabulous motion picture stars. Enjoy.
- From July 1936 “The Brat” starring Marion Davies and Joel McCrea
- 1937 version of “Dulcy” starring George Burns and Gracie Allen
- From June 1948 “Jane Eyre” starring Ingrid Bergman and Robert Montgomery
This is a fond remembrance to Lux Radio Theater. I recently took a long road trip the best part of which was listening to these old-time radio gems, a favorite pastime. Long live Lux.
Once upon a screen... 
Great post and pictures. How lucky folk were back then and how lucky we are that we can listen to so many of the great radio shows like Lux Radio Theater.
Thanks and YES INDEED! I love finding new gems to listen to. Stars in roles that we only picture others doing and those candid moments. Also, for the most part the stars sound like they had such a blast doing these.
So glad you enjoy them as much as I do!
Aurora
This series was so well done. I sometimes catch it in the car on Sirius. Cecil was the perfect host, in my opinion.
Wonderful tribute! Happy Birthday, Lux Radio Theatre!
Thanks, Ruth!
WOW – I didn’t know they had these old radio shows on Sirius. I’ve resisted subscribing because my iPod is filled with my favorite music and some old radio shows I’ve downloaded. But that may be the deciding factor!
Glad you liked this. 🙂
Aurora
Sirius channel 82, Radio Classics. My faves are The Jack Benny Program, Suspense, and some of the old Gangbusters shows. They have the programs on a rotating weekly schedule. I love ’em for longer road trips.
I think I may get it it then. A hell of a lot easier than downloading the OTR shows on the iPod!
Aurora
What a wonderful tribute to what’s become one of my favorite listens this year. Thank you for these!
Thanks, Sarah. So glad you’re enjoying these.
Aurora
“Dulcy” is the only surviving episode from Lux’s New York period; most of the Hollywood-based episodes are available. For a contemporary look at “Lux,” go to http://carole-and-co.livejournal.com/619551.html.
OH! I didn’t know only one survived!
So many fond memories of listening to them on the radio. I thought I died and when to heaven when I bought the completed library of the programs on cd’s from OTRCat.com
You have an amazing website! I found it when I was searching “Buster Keaton films” and saw your review of Convict 13. My grandfather was Big Joe Roberts and that is one of my favorite short films. I also saw your postings for Lux soap under radio programs. After Big Joe passed in 1923, my grandmother, Nina Roberts was employed at United Artists studio as the chief hairstylist. She was interviewed and promoted Lux soap during a commercial break in the “Dark Victory” radio series.
OH MY!! Thanks so much for the visit and kind words. I’ll be sure to listen to that “Dark Victory” broadcast again soon. Big Joe Roberts was wonderful.