THE PHIL BAKER SHOW

Broadcast History:

CBS Dec. 6-Dec. 20, 1931 30m.
Blue Network March 17, 1933-July 26, 1935 30m.
CBS Sept. 29, 1935-July 3, 1938 30m.
CBS Jan. 14 - Oct. 4, 1939 30m.

Cast: Phil Baker, accordion playing vaudeville comic, Harry McNaughton as his butler, Bottle. Hank Ladd as Beetle, a mysterious ghost like voice who heckled the star. Sid Silvers and Ward Wilson also as Beetle. Supporting players' ca. early 1930's Mabel Albertson, Florence Seward, Jack Murray. Agnes Moorehead as Mrs. Sarah Hearburn, an abrasive nitwit.

Announcers: Tom Hanlon, 1938, Harry Von Zell, 1939. Orchestra: Roy Shield, ca 1933; Leon Belasco, 1935 Hal Kamp, 1936; Oscar Bradley 1937-38 Eddie DeLange ca 1939.

Series Description: Comedy with Musical Variety.

The Phil Baker Show achieved a high rating in the early 1930s, despite its scheduling on only part of a national network. Baker had an extreme fear of the microphone, a fact that may ironically have contributed to his success. So he created the heckling stooge, a character who would appear from nowhere and keep things rolling by making life miserable for the star. In addition to the star, Phil Baker, this half hour comedy show featured Ward Wilson and then Sid Silvers as Beetle the Heckler, Harry McNaughton as Bottle the Butler, Ward Wilson as Ferdinand, Agnes Moorehead as Mrs. Sarah Heartburn, and Artie Auerbach. The show presented comedy sketches, amusing interviews, and songs.

References:

On the Air; John Dunning Encyclopedia of American Radio; R. Lackmann