From 1933-40, Joe Penner headlined a total of four different national radio programs for three networks.
And,
although he had participated in radio as early as September of 1929 (for the opening performance of the Paramount-Publix radio
hour), it was a July 13, 1933 guest spot on the Rudy Vallee program that earned him his big break.
Click here for a more in-depth look at that historic first appearance.
Less than three months elapsed between Penner’s July appearance and the first episode of his own network show.
Here’s a complete listing of those programs, along with the network, sponsor and dates of broadcast:
The Baker's Broadcast
Blue
Network* - Fleichmann’s Yeast (Standard Brands)
October 8, 1933 - June 30, 1935
Click to hear the Program Intro
The Park Avenue Penners
CBS - Cocomalt
October 4, 1936 - June 26, 1938
Click to hear the Program Intro
|
| Penner broadcasting for CBS |
The Joe Penner Program
CBS
- Huskies Cereal
October 6, 1938 - March 30, 1939
The Tip Top Show
Blue
Network - Ward Baking
October 5, 1939 - April 25, 1940
* The Blue network was one of two National Broadcasting Company (NBC) radio divisions during Penner’s career, the other
being the Red Network. Following an anti-trust ruling, the Blue network was sold and re-named the American Broadcasting Company
(ABC) in 1943.
Note: This list is drawn from (and confirmed by) various 1930s radio publications. The broadcast dates, however, come directly
from John Dunning’s wonderful The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (1998), which is an expanded version of his
long-out-of-print Tune in Yesterday (1976).
- Craig Hodgkins
