Afternoon Radio Theater: The Old Gold Comedy Club - Fred Allen

Fred Allen (born John Florence Sullivan, January 31, 1885 – March 15, 1956) was an American comedian whose absurdist, topically pointed radio show (1932–1949) made him one of the most popular and forward-looking humorists in the so-called classic era of American radio.

His best-remembered gag was his long-running mock feud with friend and fellow comedian Jack Benny, but it was only part of his appeal; radio historian John Dunning (in On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio) wrote that Allen was radio's most admired comedian and most frequently censored. A master ad libber, Allen often tangled with his network's executives (and often barbed them on the air over the battles), while developing routines the style and substance of which influenced contemporaries and futures among comic talents, including Groucho Marx, Stan Freberg, Henry Morgan and Johnny Carson, but his fans also included President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and novelists William Faulkner, John Steinbeck and Herman Wouk (who began his career writing for Allen).

Fred Allen was honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for contributions to television and radio. [...]   READ MORE

The Old Gold Comedy Club

"The Show Off" - Starring Fred Allen

Original Air Date: Jan 21, 1945

The Old Gold Comedy Theater was an NBC anthology series that aired for the single 1944-1945 season. It was hosted by comedy star Harold Lloyd, of silent film fame, and featuring some of the biggest names from film and radio. The series was intended as a lighter version of The Lux Radio Theater, featuring half hour shows that were cut-down versions of successful comedy films from the time period. Despite Mr. Lloyd's best efforts, the presence of big-name movie and radio stars and the selection of successful films for scripting, the series did not last, perhaps due to the half-hour format. However, in today's time period they are quiet entertaining. It was also known as, The Old Gold Comedy Theater, Harold Lloyd Comedy Theater and The Comedy Theater