The 1944 Christmas Seal Radio Spots

I don't know how long Christmas Seals put out messages for use on radio, but this is probably the earliest set of spot announcements I have seen. It's from 1944 and it comes to us from Ernie of Christmas sharity fame, who found it on Internet Archive.

These spots were pressed on a transcription disc that was then sent to radio stations for potential public series airplay. 

Today if we were to hear such a message, we would probably expect it to come from a pop celebrity. But back then, the idea was to have authoritative voices make the appeal. The messages came from men who were well known from being on radio - reporters, commentators and announcers one and (almost) all.

Nor were the spots personal in nature - there were no individual stories or appeals to the heart. The closest approach was a mention that Frédéric Chopin died of tuberculosis at 39.

1944 Christmas Seal Campaign Label

The personalities heard on the record have faded from our collective memory. I was born less than five years after these spots were recorded, and I recognized just a handful of the names. Sic transit gloria mundi.

Here are a few words about each of the participants. The spots are only 20-30 seconds long, so read fast.

John Nesbitt, Raymond Gram Swing, Fulton Lewis, Jr.

John Nesbitt

John Nesbitt (1910-60) created, wrote and narrated the radio show The Passing Parade, which later became a series of MGM short subjects.

Raymond Gram Swing

Raymond Gram Swing (1887-1968) was one of the most influential news commentators of his era. He broadcast from Britain during World War II.

Fulton Lewis, Jr.

Fulton Lewis, Jr. (1903-66) was a conservative American radio broadcaster from the 1930s to the 1960s. At his  peak, he was heard on more than 500 radio stations.

Bob Hawk, Milton Cross, Red Barber

Bob Hawk

Bob Hawk (1907-89) was an radio quizmaster and comic who helped popularize "man in the street” interviews.

Milton Cross

Milton Cross (1897-1975) was an American radio announcer best known as the host of the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts for several decades. He wrote many books on music.

Red Barber

Red Barker (1908-92) was a former sportswriter who became the announcer for the Cincinnati Reds, Brooklyn Dodgers and then the New York Yankees.

Robert St. John, Clifton Fadiman, Phil Baker

Robert St. John

Robert St. John (1902-2003) was a journalist and broadcaster who was an NBC war correspondent in London when this was recorded.

Clifton Fadiman

Clifton Fadiman (1904-99) was an author, editor, and radio and television personality. He was the host of a popular quiz show, Information, Please!, from 1938 to 1948.

Phil Baker

Phil Baker (1896-1963) was a comedian and radio emcee. Baker had also been in vaudeville, wrote songs and played the accordion. He was hosting radio's Take or Leave It at the time of these spots.

Ralph Edwards, Parks Johnson, Deems Taylor

Ralph Edwards

Ralph Edwards (1913-2005) was a radio personality who would become best known as the host of This Is Your Life, first on radio and then television. He was on Truth or Consequences at the time.

Parks Johnson

Parks Johnson (1891-1970), was a radio personality who created Vox Pop, the first radio quiz show.

Deems Taylor

Deems Taylor (1885-1966) was a well-known composer, music critic and commentator. His music has appeared on the main blog.

LINK