LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - AUGUST 31, 2014 “Two People Who Live Together and Like It” by Lynne Belluscio It was before my time, but show on Tuesday nights. “Henry Aldrich” was one of the The show opened with most popular radio programs Henry’s mother shouting in the 1930s, along with the “H-e-n-r-y - Henry “ Show” and “My Aldrich.” And Henry Favorite Husband,” starring would shout back in a high . All three programs pitched adolescent voice were sponsored by Jell-O. It was “Co-m-i-n-g Mother!” the Golden Age of Radio and few of us remember a time when lived at 117 Elm Street families would gather in the front in Centerville. Henry’s parlor to listen to the radio. father was a lawyer and his But you will have a rare mother was a homemaker. opportunity to gather at 58 On Henry was an awkward Main on Friday night, September teenager who bumbled his 12 at 7 pm or Saturday, September way through each episode, 13 at 2:00 pm for a smattering of but endeared himself to the radio programs. Jim Delooze audience each week. The has gathered several programs radio show developed into together for an entertaining radio comic books, . Tickets are available for and movies. The last radio only $5 at the Jell-O Gallery or program was in 1953. at Barista’s at 58 Main. Proceeds “My Favorite Husband” will benefit the Historical Society. aired in 1948 and ran The Aldrich Family was for three years, starring developed from a Broadway play, Lucille Ball as Liz Cugat. and first was included in short The name of her character episodes on the Show. changed to Liz Cooper Then it was a summer replacement after confusion with band for the Jack Benny Show. leader Xavier Cugat. The In 1939, it became a weekly Coopers lived at 321

Bundy Drive in the fictitious city the air with Mary Livingston, of Sheridan Falls and were billed “Rochester” his chauffeur, as “two people who live together Dennis Day, the band leader and like it.” Phil Harris, and the announcer, For several years, the show Don Wilson, who was often the was sponsored by Jell-O and brunt of Benny’s jokes. It was each episode included at least Don Wilson’s voice that sang out three Jell-O commercials, the familiar “J – E – L – L – O.” including Lucy’s greeting - - “The Jack Benny Show” “Jell-O Everybody!” In 1953, was sponsored by Jell-O from it was suggested that the show 1934 until 1942. It was said would go to television, but Lucy that the program created such a refused to appear on a television demand for Jell-O that production show without her husband was unable to keep up. When , so “My Favorite World War II broke out, the Husband” appeared on television sugar shortage created a terrible without Lucy. Instead she and problem for Jell-O and General Desi starred in “.” Foods changed the sponsorship Probably the radio program of the program to Grape Nuts, most closely associated with another General Foods product. Jell-O was the “Jack Benny So if you’re looking for a little Show”, which featured the penny- nostalgia, and a time when radio pinching, comedian who played was entertaining, join us at 58 On the violin terribly, and who was Main for a glimpse of the Golden always 39. He was joined on Age of Radio.

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