User:Teblick/List of summer replacement old-time radio programs

Summer replacement programs were a staple in the Golden Age of Radio. In order for stars of old-time radio to enjoy a vacation, a 1949 newspaper article observed, "When the warm weather rolls around, so do the 'Summer replacements.'" In an era before recorded replays were available, bandleader Richard Himber commented: "The public would soon tire of its favorites if they failed to leave the air occasionally. Also, the stars benefit because they avoid staleness and return to radio with fresh material and a brighter outlook." Use of summer replacement programs also helped the regular stars' reputations. "To avoid the stigma of playing to smaller audiences (and to allow time for their own summer vacations and extracurricular show-business activities), the major radio stars ... would leave the airwaves in June and return in September."

Although exact durations varied, typically a summer replacement program was on for "that 13 week period when the stars of radio's winter season are on their vacations."

A summer replacement program might have offered a group of well-known stars (Four Star Playhouse with Fred MacMurray, Loretta Young, Rosalind Russell and Robert Cummings. ). It might have offered a well-known regular on radio his or her only starring role in that medium (Bea Benaderet on Granby's Green Acres ). Or it might have simply filled a time slot until the regular program returned in the fall.

Listed below are some of the programs that were summer replacements on old-time radio, with related information.

A
Abbott and Costello
 * July 3, 1940 - September 25, 1940, replacing the first half-hour of Town Hall Tonight. The comedy team had previously been featured on the Kate Smith Hour.

Abbott Mysteries
 * June 30, 1945 -, replacing Quick as a Flash on Mutual. Julie Stevens and Charles Webster starred.


 * 1946, replacing Quick as a Flash on Mutual. Les Tremayne and Alice Reinheart starred.

The Adventures of Ellery Queen
 * June 1, 1947 - September 21, 1947, replacing The Bob Burns Show on NBC. )

The Adventures of the Thin Man
 * July 2, 1941 -, on NBC-Red. Les Damon and Claudia Morgan starred.

Alan Young Show
 * June 28, 1944 - September 20, 1944, replacing Time to Smile on NBC.

The Aldrich Family
 * July 2, 1939 - October 1, 1939, replacing The Jack Benny Program on NBC. It went on to run until 1953.


 * June 23, 1940 -, replacing The Jack Benny Program on NBC-Red.

Alec Templeton Time (The Alec Templeton Show)
 * July 4, 1939 -, replacing Fibber McGee and Molly


 * June 2, 1946 - August 25, 1946, replacing The Chase and Sanborn Hour on NBC.


 * June 1, 1947 - August 31, 1947, replacing The Chase and Sanborn Hour on NBC.

Don Ameche
 * June 1946 -, replacing Rudy Vallée on NBC.

Don Ameche and Connie Boswell
 * 1941, replacing Kraft Music Hall

American Comedy Theatre
 * July 9, 1943 - October 8, 1943, replacing Camel Comedy Caravan on CBS.

An Evening with Romberg
 * June 12, 1945, replacing Hildegard's Raleigh Room on NBC.
 * 1946, replacing The Red Skelton Show on NBC.
 * June 10, 1947 - September 2, 1947, replacing The Red Skelton Show on NBC.
 * - August 31, 1948, replacing The Red Skelton Show on NBC.

Attorney-at-Law
 * 1938, replacing Fibber McGee and Molly on NBC-Red. Henry Hunter and Betty Winkler starred.

B
Bandwagon Mysteries
 * June 30, 1945 -, replacing Bandwagon on NBC.

Bringing Up Father
 * July 1, 1941 - September 30, 1941, replacing ? on Blue Network.


 * 1943, replacing Grand Central Station on NBC.

Broadway Bandbox
 * July 19, 1943 - September 13, 1943, replacing Lux Radio Theatre on CBS.

By Popular Demand
 * June 27, 1946 - replacing Treasure Hour of Song on Mutual. Mary Small and Harry Babbitt sang, accompanied by Ray Bloch and his orchestra.

C
Call the Police
 * June 3, 1947 - September 23, 1947, replacing Amos 'n' Andy on NBC.


 * June 1, 1948 - September 28, 1948, replacing Amos 'n' Andy (but broadcast in the Fibber McGee and Molly time slot) on NBC.


 * June 5, 1949 - September 25, 1949

Charlie Chan
 * July 6, 1944 - September 28, 1944, replacing Bob Burns on NBC. Ed Begley had the title role.

Claudia
 * June 1941 -, replacing half of the Kate Smith Hour.

Colgate Theater of Romance
 * July 4, 1944 -, replacing The Judy Canova Show on CBS.

The Coca-Cola Summer Show
 * Summer 1948 on CBS. Roger Pryor was "host of a program of music and songs."

The Colonel
 * July 6, 1943 - August 31, 1943, replacing Burns and Allen on CBS. Starred Colonel Stoopnagle

Correction Please
 * June 15, 1945 - September 14, 1945, replacing Duffy's Tavern on NBC. Jay C. Flippen was host of the quiz show.

Crooked Square
 * June 30, 1945 -, replacing Little Known Facts About Well-known People on Mutual.

D
A Date with Judy
 * June 24 - September 16, 1941, replacing The Bob Hope Show on CBS.


 * June 23 - September 15, 1942, replacing The Bob Hope Show on NBC.


 * June 30 - September 22, 1943, replacing The Eddie Cantor Show. Went on regular schedule 1944-1949 and 1949-1950.

Detect and Collect
 * June 13, 1945 - September 4, 1945, replacing Which Is Which on CBS. Wendy Barrie was host of the game program, in which contestants tried to identify hidden objects based on clues read to them.

The Doctor Fights
 * June 6, 1944 - August 29, 1944, Raymond Massey starred in "dramatizations based on actual experiences of doctors assigned to the battlefront during World War II."


 * June 5, 1945 - September 11, 1945, replacing This Is My Best on CBS. Episodes were like those in the 1944 version, but guest stars took Massey's place.

Alfred Drake
 * June 30, 1946, -, replacing The Ford Sunday Evening Hour on ABC.

Eddie Dunn
 * 1946, replacing Glamour Manor on ABC.

Dunninger, The Mentalist (aka The Dunninger Show)
 * June 8, 1945 - September 28, 1945, replacing Amos 'n' Andy on NBC.


 * June 4, 1946 - June 25, 1946, replacing Amos 'n' Andy on NBC.

E
The Ed Sullivan Show
 * April 27, 1941 - September 28, 1941, replacing Silver Theater on CBS.


 * April 2, 1946 - September 30, 1946, on the Blue Network.

Everything for the Boys
 * June 20, 1944 - June 25, 1945, replacing Ronald Colman's program on NBC. Starred Dick Haymes, with Gordon Jenkins' orchestra and female guest singers. Continued during the regular broadcasting year, ending June 25, 1945.

F
The Fabulous Dr. Tweedy
 * June 2 - September 22, 1946, replacing The Jack Benny Program. Featured Frank Morgan, Nana Bryant, Barbara Eiler, Harry Von Zell. Resumed that fall and ran until March 26, 1947.

The Ford Summer Hour
 * May 17, 1940 -, replacing The Ford Sunday Evening Hour. Jessica Dragonette starred.

Forever Ernest
 * April 29, 1946, - July 22, 1946, replacing Vox Pop on CBS. Jackie Coogan starred as "bumbling soda jerk" Ernest botch.

Four Star Playhouse
 * July 3, 1949-September 18, 1949, replacing on NBC.

'The Fred Waring Show'
 * June 18, 1946-September 24, 1946, replacing Fibber McGee and Molly.


 * 1947, replacing Fibber McGee and Molly

G
Granby's Green Acres
 * July 3, 1950 - August 21, 1950, replacing Lux Radio Theatre

H
Hap Hazard
 * July 1, 1941 -, replacing Fibber McGee and Molly.Ransom Sherman; Returned to network January 20, 1942.

The Harry Savoy Show
 * 1944, replacing Fibber McGee and Molly on NBC. Savoy, a comedian, was host. Benay Venuta and Peter van Steeden and his orchestra were featured.

Skitch Henderson
 * June 16, 1946 -, replacing Meet Me at Parky's on NBC. The musical variety program featured Henderson and the Golden Gate Quartet.

Hobby Lobby
 * 1938, replacing Jack Benny on NBC.

Edward Everett Horton
 * July 6, 1944 -, replacing Joan Davis and Jack Haley on NBC.
 * May 16, 1946 -, replacing Kraft Music Hall on NBC.

Hot Copy
 * July 3, 1943 - August 28, 1943, replacing Truth Or Consequences on NBC.

Housewarming
 * July 17, 1941 -, replacing __________.Benny Goodman's orchestra, Don McNeill,MC

J
Harry James
 * June 30, 1945 -, replacing Danny Kaye on CBS.

Johnny Mercer's Music Shop
 * June 22, 1943 -, replacing Bob Hope Show on NBC.

Spike Jones and Frances Langford
 * June 15, 1945 -, replacing The Chase and Sanborn Hour on NBC.

K
Hal Kemp
 * July 2, 1937, -, replacing the Chesterfield cigarette program on Friday nights. Alice Faye was the featured singer.

Wayne King
 * June 15, 1945 -, replacing The Jack Benny Program on NBC.


 * June 24, 1946 -, replacing The Durante-Moore Show on CBS.

The King's Men
 * June 7, 1949 - September 13, 1949, replacing Fibber McGee and Molly on NBC.

Andre Kostelanetz
 * June 30, 1937, -, replacing the Chesterfield cigarette program on Wednesday nights. Frank Parker was the featured singer.

L
Frances Langford and Carmen Dragon
 * June 5, 1947, -, replacing George Burns and Gracie Allen on NBC.

''Lanny Ross State Fair Concert'
 * July 21, 1935 - September 22, 1935, replacing The Jack Benny Program on the Blue Network. Howard Barlow's orchestra accompanied vocalist Ross.

Lawyer Tucker
 * June 1947 -, replacing The Dick Haymes Show on CBS.

A Life in Your Hands
 * June 7 - September 13, 1949, replacing People Are Funny on NBC.
 * June 27 - September 12, 1950, replacing People Are Funny on NBC.
 * June 29 - September 1, 1951, replacing The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on ABC.
 * July 10 - August 21, 1952, replacing Father Knows Best on NBC.

Lawyer Tucker
 * June 12 - September 4, 1947, replacing the Dick Haymes Show on CBS. Parker Fennelly starred.

Lone Journey
 * 1941, replacing Kitty Keene, Inc. on NBC-Red.

M
Gordon MacRae, Troubador 1947
 * August 1, 1947 -, replacing The Baby Snooks Show on CBS.

Maisie
 * June 15, 1945 -, replacing Let Yourself Go on CBS.

The Man Called X
 * June 30, 1945 -, replacing Bob Hope on NBC.


 * June 11, 1946 -, replacing Bob Hope on NBC.

Curt Massey Time
 * June 6, 1949 -, replacing Herb Shriner Time on CBS. The five-day-a-week program co-starred Martha Tilton.

Maxwell House Iced Coffee Time
 * June 16, 1944 -, replacing the first half-hour of The Kate Smith Show on CBS. Charlie Ruggles was MC with vocalist Carlos Ramirez, comedian Cass Daley and Carmen Dragon and his orchestra.


 * June 6, 1946 - August 22, 1946, replacing George Burns and Gracie Allen on CBS. Meredith Willson starred in the music/comedy/variety program. (Some sources list the program's title as Maxwell House Coffee Time.<ref

McGarry and His Mouse
 * June 26 - September 25, 1946, replacing Eddie Cantor Show on NBC. Wendell Corey starred. Resumed on Mutual January 6 - March 31, 1947

Meet Corliss Archer
 * July 2, 1943 - October 1, 1943, replacing the second half-hour of the Kate Smith Hour.


 * April 28, 1946, -, replacing Request Performance on CBS.

Men at Sea
 * July 4, 1943 - August 22, 1943, replacing The Great Gildersleeve. Drama about men in the Merchant Marine

The Meredith Willson-John Nesbitt Show
 * June 30, 1942 - September 22, 1942, replacing Fibber McGee and Molly. Music from Willson and his orchestra was supplemented by Nesbitt's Passing Parade segments.

Meredith Willson's Musical Revue
 * 1940, replacing Fibber McGee and Molly on NBC-Red.

Miss Charlotte
 * June 13, 1944 -, replacing The Bob Hope Show on NBC.

Mr. District Attorney
 * June 27, 1939 -, replacing The Bob Hope Show on NBC-Red. Mr. District Attorney had been a sustaining daily program. Here it became a sponsored weekly broadcast.


 * July 3, 1940 -, replacing the second half-hour of Town Hall Tonight. Mr. District Attorney had been on NBC-Red on Thursday nights.

Music for America
 * July 2, 1944 -, replacing Texaco Star Theatre. James Melton starred, with Al Goodman and his orchestra

Music in the Air
 * July 9, 1943 - July 29, 1943, replacing The Aldrich Family on NBC. "Entertainment provided by members of the Air Forces."

Musical Playhouse
 * June 11, 1939 -, replacing Screen Guild Theatre on CBS. Jane Froman, Jan Peerce and Ernos Rapee's Orchestra were featured.

Musical Roundup
 * May 16, 1944 -, replacing Hook 'n' Ladder Follies on NBC.Andy Devine starred.

Mystery in the Air
 * July 15, 1945 -, replacing Abbott and Costello on NBC.

N
NBC String Quartet
 * July 4, 1943 - September 12, 1943, replacing What's My Name? on NBC.

The NBC Symphony Orchestra Summer Concert
 * 1949

John Nesbitt and Meredith Willson
 * June 30, 1942 -, replacing Fibber McGee and Molly on NBC. The program combined "casual commentary by Nesbitt" with music from Willson and his orchestra.

New Jack Carson Show
 * 1943, replacing the Milton Berle Show on CBS.

Nitwit Court
 * July 4, 1944 -, replacing Duffy's Tavern on the Blue Network. Ransom Sherman starred.

Noah Webster Says
 * 1943, replacing Duffy's Tavern on the Blue Network. Became a regular sustaining program on NBC in October 1943.

P
The Passing Parade
 * June 29, 1943 -, replacing Fibber McGee & Molly. John Nesbitt was featured as a storyteller.

Paul Whiteman Presents
 * 1943, replacing Chase & Sanborn Show on NBC.

Paul Whiteman Varieties
 * July 1, 1936 -, replacing Walter Winchell.

Phil Harris
 * July 15, 1945 -, replacing Kay Kyser on NBC.

Philo Vance
 * July 15, 1945 -, replacing Bob Burns on NBC.

Promoting Priscilla
 * July 3, 1940 -, replacing Woodbury Hollywood Playhouse on NBC-Red. Jim Ameche and Gale Page starred in the serial.

Q
Quizzer Baseball
 * July 2, 1941 -, replacing Eddie Cantor Show. Harry Von Zell and Budd Hulick starred.

R
Ray Noble, by Request
 * June 15, 1945 -, replacing The Frank Sinatra Show on CBS.

Regular Fellows
 * June 8, 1941 -, replacing the Jack Benny Show on NBC-Red.
 * June 1, 1947 -, replacing the Jack Benny Show

Rexall Summer Theater
 * July 4, 1947 -, replacing The Durante-Moore Show on NBC. Lynn Bari and Pat O'Brien starred.

Rhapsody in Rhythm
 * June 11, 1947 -, on CBS. Jan Savitt's Orchestra, Peggy Lee, Robert Maxwell, Johnnie Johnston, and Buddy Clark starred.

Robert Q. Lewis Show
 * June 13, 1947 - July 25, 1947, replacing The Adventures of the Thin Man on CBS.

Romance
 * July 19, 1943 - September 13, 1943, replacing Lux Radio Theatre on CBS.

S
Sad Sack
 * June 12, 1946 -, replacing The Frank Sinatra Show.

The Saint
 * June 30, 1945 -, replacing Jack Carson on CBS.

Bob Shanley
 * June 14, 1946, -, replacing Nelson Eddy on CBS.

Silver Theater
 * June 8, 1940 -, replacing Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on CBS.


 * June 30, 1945 -, replacing Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on CBS.


 * June 18, 1946 -, replacing Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on CBS.


 * June 8, 1947 -, replacing Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on CBS. The program used "a distinguished parade of radio's own headliners," rather than "screen star guests." Conrad Nagel was master of ceremonies; Bud Collyer was the announcer.

Star Spangled Vaudeville
 * - September 6, 1942, replacing Bergen and McCarthy on NBC.

Starlight Serenade
 * June 22 - November 16, 1944, replacing Treasure Hour of Song on Mutual.


 * June 15, 1945 -, replacing Treasure Hour of Song on Mutual.


 * 1946, replacing Treasure Hour of Song on Mutual.

Rise Stevens
 * July 15, 1945 - replacing Information Please on NBC.

Stoopnagle and Budd
 * May 24, 1931 - ,

Ed Sullivan
 * April 27, 1941 - October 5, 1941, replacing Silver Theater on CBS. Will Bradley and his orchestra provided music.

Summer Theater
 * July 4, 1947 -, Pat O'Brien and Lynn Bari starred.

Sunday on the NK Ranch
 * July 15, 1945 - replacing The Andrews Sisters on ABC.

Sundown Serenade
 * July 10 - September 28, 1943, replacing Abie's Irish Rose on NBC.

Swing School
 * June 29, 1937 -, replacing Jack Oakie's College on CBS.

T
Ted Malone
 * June 12, 1944 -, replacing Top of the Evening on the Blue Network.

Theatre of War
 * July 4 -, replacing Fibber McGee and Molly on NBC. Dramatized books with a wartime theme.

Those We Love
 * July 1, 1942 -, replacing the Eddie Cantor Show. The program resumed October 11, 1942, as part of regular CBS programming.
 * July 6, 1944 -, replacing Maxwell House Coffee Time on NBC.

Tommy Dorsey Show
 * 1942, replacing Red Skelton & Co. on NBC.


 * 1945, replacing The Fred Allen Show on NBC.


 * June 15, 1945 - replacing Eddie Bracken on NBC.


 * July 1, 1946, -, replacing Fred Allen on NBC.

Tommy Riggs and Betty Lou
 * May 3, 1946, -, replacing The Ginny Simms Show on CBS.

Topper
 * June 15, 1945 -, replacing Dinah Shore on NBC.

Treasury Hour-Millions for Defense
 * July 2, 1941 -, replacing The Fred Allen Show on CBS. The program "Top-flight names in behalf of the United States defense bond sales.".

U
Uncle Jim's Question Bee
 * June 18, 1940 -, replacing Big Town on CBS.

V
Vacation Serenade
 * July 10, 1944 -, replacing Information Please on NBC.

Vaughn Monroe's Orchestra
 * June 29, 1942 -, replacing Blondie on CBS.

W
We, The People
 * April 26, 1942 -, replacing Screen Guild Theatre.

What's My Name?
 * July 5 - September 27, 1939, replacing Town Hall Tonight on NBC-Red.
 * 1941 replacing Bergen and McCarthy

Words At War
 * June 24, 1943 - August 26, 1943, replacing Maxwell House Coffee Time on NBC.

World News Tonight
 * April 27, 1941 -, replacing Screen Guild Theatre on CBS.

World of Song
 * April 16, 1944 -, replacing Metropolitan Opera Auditions of the Air on the Blue Network.World of Song ran for 32 weeks.