Premier Collections: 
The Komedy Kingdom
Liner notes written by Harlan Zinck

Click to listen to an audio sample

Ask the average senior citizen for their memories of radio and they’ll usually recall the well-known classics: Jack Benny, “Fibber McGee and Molly,” “The Lone Ranger,” and perhaps “The Shadow.” But ask anyone who grew up on the west coast during the depression years and they might well remember a much-loved depression-era variety program titled “The Blue Monday Jamboree.”

Though little known today, “The Blue Monday Jamboree,” airing from station KFRC in San Francisco, was ideal entertainment for depression audiences. Airing for two full hours each Monday evening, the program was a broad mix of comedy sketches, monologues, music, dramatic performances, dialect humor, and practically anything else that the diverse and talented performers and their guests could come up with to entertain audiences. First heard locally in 1927 and airing well into the mid-1930s via both CBS and the Mutual-Don Lee Network, the “Jamboree” was the kind of program that inspired tremendous listener loyalty – and no wonder, with so many soon to be well-known performers involved in its production and presentation:

* Don Wilson, who would later spend decades working as Jack Benny’s announcer, began his career on the “Jamboree” as a member of the singing “Piggly Wiggly Quartet”;

* Meredith Willson, who would go on to musically direct hundreds of radio programs and later write “The Music Man” and other Broadway shows, left his career as a flutist with the New York Philharmonic in 1929 to become the show’s (and the station’s) musical director at the ripe old age of 21;

* Ralph Edwards and Art Linkletter, both to later become radio and television legends with their “Truth or Consequences” and “House Party” shows, began their careers as staff announcers at KFRC;

* Radio character actress Bea Benaderet, as well as comedians Morey Amsterdam and Al Pearce, rode the radio fame they first enjoyed on the “Jamboree” and other similar KFRC programs to long-time broadcasting careers.

Another performer who enjoyed and appreciated her time associated with “The Blue Monday Jamboree” was a young singer and comedienne named Elvia Allman. Hailing from North Carolina, Allman was in her mid-twenties when she first appeared on the program – but it was obvious from the first that her talents fit the program like a glove. Despite her youth, she quickly proved herself by singing novelty musical numbers, acting as straight woman with various comedians, performing in delightful solo skits (some of which she also co-wrote), and enacting hilarious characterization such as etiquette and beauty expert Auntie MacCasser, high society matron Octavia Smith-Whiffen, and home economist Pansy Pennypincher. By the time Al Pearce left KFRC in 1933 to host his own national program on NBC, Allman was the leading comedy star of the “Jamboree.”

Another person who appreciated the appeal of both the show and Elvia Allman was Lindsay MacHarrie. MacHarrie’s association with the program was limited – he was the dramatic director of KHJ, the Don Lee station on which the “Jamboree” aired throughout the Los Angeles area - but he knew a good thing when he heard it. In addition to his duties at KHJ, MacHarrie was also the production manager for Transco, the Hollywood-based Transcription Company of America, which had successfully duplicated the formats of many other local and network shows for prerecorded distribution to subscribing radio stations nationwide. Transco had already had some success with a syndicated variety program titled “The Laff Parade” with host Ken Niles – why not do something similar with “The Blue Monday Jamboree”?

In 1937, MacHarrie decided to do just that. By this time, the “Jamboree” had left the air and Allman and some of her fellow performers had come to Hollywood to further their radio careers at the new west coast studios of NBC and CBS. Their relocation (and a radio performer’s ongoing need for a regular income) made them more than willing to record shows for Transco, utilizing some of the same material they had earlier performed at KFRC. To avoid possible infringement problems, Transco called upon their long association with KFRC, with which it had worked as early as 1931 in recording the series of “live” big band remotes that first made its reputation, and received their blessing to recreate the pleasures of “The Blue Monday Jamboree” for national distribution.

MacHarrie and his Transco associates titled the new show “The Komedy Kingdom” and hired Elvia Allman to be the hostess and star comedian. Unlike the “Jamboree”, which received two full hours each Monday night, “The Komedy Kingdom” was to be a quarter-hour variety show; the fifteen-minute format was far more acceptable to the local stations who would line up local and regional sponsorships for their individual airings. In addition to Allman, MacHarrie contracted with a number of her “Jamboree” colleagues – singer Tommy Harris, comedian Morey Amsterdam, singer/guitarist Tony Romano, the comedy team of Doakes and Doakes (Betty and Hardy Gibson) – and a wide variety of other singers, monologists, comedy teams, and ex-vaudevillians to fill out the bills of each show. A total of 39 fifteen-minute programs were recorded in short order, each performed before a live audience, then quickly pressed onto 16” discs by the American Record Corporation to be contracted station-to-station by Transco’s sales force.

From all accounts, “The Komedy Kingdom” was a successful show. Small stations appreciated the chance to offer “big time” entertainment to their listeners, larger stations enjoyed the opportunity to supplement their own locally produced variety shows with a similar program, and even big city stations with network affiliations appreciated the advertising income that a syndicated show like “The Komedy Kingdom” could generate. In addition, 1937 proved to be a banner year for Transco, with a wide range of diverse series in distribution and, later in the year, production starting on “The Cinnamon Bear,” a limited run series that would entertain and enthrall young listeners for many decades to come.

Heard today, “The Komedy Kingdom” affords us the chance to hear what a typical variety show was like in the mid- to late-1930s and, in particular, to appreciate the wide range of performers who appeared on them. Radio enthusiasts who remember Elvia Allman for her appearances with Bob Hope (as the man-hungry spinster Cobina Gusher), Burns and Allen (as Gracie’s best friend Toots Sagwell), on “Blondie” (as the wife of Dagwood’s boss Mr. Dithers) and with both Abbott and Costello and Jimmy Durante (as Mrs. Niles, the battle-ax wife of announcer Ken Niles) will be surprised by her singing voice, her charm as a hostess, and the diversity she demonstrates on these programs. Likewise, for those who enjoyed Morey Amsterdam as comedy writer Buddy Sorrell on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” of the 1960s, it will be a real delight to hear him in his youth. For vaudeville aficionados, appearances by such veterans as Al K. Hall, Al Herman, and Gus Van (half of the legendary song and dance team Van and Schenck) will be a real surprise. And for film buffs, the chance to hear “bit” performers like Ben Carter (“The Harvey Girls”) and Mabel Todd (“Hollywood Hotel”) take “star” turns is a rare opportunity indeed.

Best of all are the musical numbers. Thanks to both Hollywood movies and frequent airings on the radio, the 1930s was the golden age of the popular song. Interpreted here by talented singers such as Clark Ross, Tony Romano (who would later tour with Bob Hope), Maureen O’Connor (who would later become a star with “The Hollywood Barn Dance”), and Loretta Lee, as well as by delightful and swinging musical groups like The Rhythmettes, Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe, The Basin Street Boys, The Hallelujah Quartet, and The Yodelers Three, modern day listeners will delight in a virtual cornucopia of songs both familiar and obscure, shining and bright in stylish 1930s arrangements.

The discovery, preservation, and restoration of the complete thirty-nine episode “The Komedy Kingdom” series is a real delight for Radio Archives – particularly as we have been able to preserve these programs direct from a collection of previously unplayed 16” Transco file copy discs. The result of our efforts are shows that sound bright, fresh, crisp, and sparkling -- frankly, they sound as if they were recorded just yesterday, instead of more than seventy years ago.

Return to the 1930s and take a visit to the joyous and laugh-filled musical court of Queen Elvia and her “Komedy Kingdom.” It’s a time-traveling trip we know you’ll enjoy for many years to come.

Here is the complete content of this 10-CD Premier Collection:

Royalty (#1)
Kings and Queens are the theme, as double-talk comedian Joe Blow tells a tale of the King's court, The Rhythmettes sing "The Queen Was in the Parlor," the comedy team of Broader and MacDonald sing "The India Rubber Man," and Tony Romano sings "Love is King."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Marriage (#2)
Monologist Al K. Hall discusses the battles of his 30-year marriage, comedian Morey Amsterdam narrates a typical day in a typical marriage in the form of a prize fight, the chorus sings "The Girl in the Garden (and the Boy at the Gate)", and vocalist Mabel Todd sings "You're Not the Kind of a Boy (For a Girl Like Me)".
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Sports (#3)
The Yodelers Three open the program with a clever ditty titled "He Took Up Golf." Then monologist Al K. Hall tells of his life in sports, Mabel Todd sings a hot rendition of "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," the orchestra performs "Collegiate" as a football match (shades of Spike Jones!) and the program closes with "You've Got to Be a Football Hero."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Music (#4)
Vocalist Tony Romano opens the show with "Oh Niccolini," followed by a dialogue between Elvia Allman and Al. K Hall on the finer points of music. The Court Choristers continue the program with "What's the Name of That Song?” and Queen Elvia closes the show with the clever comedy number "I Took My Harp to a Party."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Movies (#5)
Double-talk specialist Joe Blow instructs on "How to Become a Movie Star in Ten Easy Lessons," followed by the Yodelers Three rendition of "There's Always a Happy Ending," Morey Amsterdam telling tales of his writing career in Hollywood, and Mabel Todd singing "Strutting Like a Peacock, Feeling Like a Millionaire."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Geography (#6)
The Rhythmettes open the program with "Paris in the Spring," followed by the team of Broader and MacDonald describing their recent trip around the world. Singer Tony Romano continues the program with "Look Out, Sailor" and the show closes with a comedy skit in which Ebenezer Tollgate and his wife Maleria bring us up to date on their Amazon expedition.
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Etiquette (#7)
Auntie MacCasser (Elvia Allman) instructs on the finer points of table manners, followed by the orchestra and chorus performing "Thank You for a Lovely Evening." The cuckoo comedy team Null and Void discuss the ongoing romances, births, and deaths in their families, and twelve-year-old Maureen O'Connor closes the show by singing "It's Like Reaching for the Moon."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Dancing (#8)
The orchestra and chorus open the show with "I'd Like to Have a Little Dance With You," followed by renowned actress Reba Hoffowitz describing the highlights of her show business career. Pianist/composer/singer Ben Carter performs one of his latest compositions, "Harlem Break 'Em Down," and the program closes with Elvia Allman as Octavia Smith-Whiffen, a society woman who decides to take dancing lessons in order to lose weight.
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Restaurants (#9)
Maureen O'Connor opens the program with "Alone at a Table for Two," followed by a skit in which a harried customer asks a harried waitress "What Do the Cover Charges Cover?" Homemaking advisor Auntie MacCasser offers suggestions on what to do with old worn out shirt collars and the orchestra and chorus end the program with a spirited rendition of "Shortnin' Bread."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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History (#10)
The comedy team of Hipp and Kehoe discuss history and paychecks, followed by the orchestra and chorus performing "We Don't Want to Make History (We Just Want to Make Love)." Next, a clairvoyant calls forth a woman's late husband from the great beyond and, in closing, Ben Carter plays and sings "Get Away from My Back Door."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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The Gay Nineties (#11)
Elvia Allman celebrates the 1890s with a number titled "Those Were Wonderful Days," followed by Maureen O'Connor singing "Beautiful Dreamer." The male quartet sings "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and the ladies of the Tuesday Morning Muscle Relaxing Club enjoy a solo performance of the ballad "Don't Put Your Foot in My Face, Dear."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Singing (#12)
Hipp and Kehoe discuss singing and gambling, followed by the orchestra and chorus performing "This Night Shall Be Filed with Music." Madame Concilia Lungmuscle (Allman) offers her lecture on the analysis and classification of singers and Ben Carter concludes the show with his own composition, "Kentucky Lullaby."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Home (#13)
The orchestra and quartet sings "Let's Have Our Breakfast in Bed," followed by an eavesdropping session on a typical married couple that concludes with Elvia Allman singing "C'mon and Let's Get Friendly." The program closes with Maureen O'Connor singing "It's Only a Shanty in Old Shanty Town."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Weather (#14)
Weather expert Reba Hoffowitz's lecture is interrupted by the troubles of her announcer, followed by the orchestra and chorus performing "Rain, Rain, Go Away." Null and Void continue the show with a comedy routine that ranges from tailoring to families and the program closes with Ben Carter singing "You Drove the Gloom Away."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Babies (#15)
The vocal trio opens the program with "Brahms Lullaby," followed by the Norwegian comedy team of Ole and Oscar discussing the best names for babies. Next, the Plantation Boys and the Basin Street Boys perform "Sweet Sue" and Elvia Allman attempts to tune in her radio to hear a lecture on raising children.
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Love (#16)
The minstrel comedy team of Harrison and Elmo chat about love, followed by the orchestra and chorus performing "Don't Let Your Love Go Wrong." Comedian Al Herman offers details of his relationships with women and the program closes with Betty Borden and Peter Kent singing "Until Today."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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School Days (#17)
Betty Borden and Peter Kent open the program with "School Days," followed by Ole and Oscar comparing their knowledge and education. Next, the Plantation Boys and the Basin Street Boys perform "In the Little Red Schoolhouse" and the program concludes with a skit featuring a flirtatious student trying to get a better grade out of her flustered professor.
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Vacations (#18)
The program opens with a nice quiet day at the beach as a mother (Elvia Allman) tries to keep her errant family in line. Continuing the show, The Three Dots perform "South Sea Island Magic," comedian Al Herman chats about his recent vacation with his wife, and the Plantation Boys and the Basin Street Boys perform "St. Louis Blues."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Sailors (#19)
It's Navy Day as the good ship Blog is honored with a visit from the imperious Mrs. Smith-Whiffen. While on board, she meets crew members Ole and Oscar, overhears Betty Borden and Peter Kent perform "Hey Babe," and chats with Al Herman as he relates his days as a sailor.
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Pets (#20)
The minstrel team of Harrison and Elmo search for a lost dog, vocalist Paul Keast sings "Old Faithful," Reba Hoffowitz delivers a lecture on pets, and Betty Borden and Peter Kent perform "Robins and Roses."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Fashion (#21)
Paul Keast sings "The Beautiful Lady in Blue," Ole and Oscar attend a fashion show, The Basin Street Boys perform "Streamlined Greta Green," and Al Herman tells tales of his wife's wardrobe.
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Gardens (#22)
Harrison and Elmo discuss their gardening efforts, Paul Keast sings "The Garden of Tomorrow," the married couple next door bicker over their vegetables, and the choir sings "A Garden in the Rain."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Afternoons (#23)
In a program dedicated to afternoon socialites and hobbyists, librarian Miss Leticia Tillinghast (Allman) offers reviews of recent books. Next, The Three Guesses sing "On the Day I Let You Get Away," followed by the nutty comedy team of Null and Void chatting about their hobbies and banjo virtuoso Lee Keener performing "When Day is Done."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Hobbies (#24)
The vocal quartet Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe open the show with a swinging version of "Tiger Rag," followed by the comedy team of Doakes and Doakes chatting about their hobbies, Court Troubadour Harris singing "What Will I Tell My Heart," and Italian dialect comedian Don Orlando chatting with Elvia Allman about his complete lack of leisure activities.
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Personality (#25)
The cuckoo comedy team Null and Void chat about their personalities (or lack thereof), followed by Shirley Watson singing "Trust in Me," and Uncle Hank the Lanky Yank singing a novelty song about his jack-of-all-trades career. Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe close the show with a delightful rendition of "You're Nobody's Sweetheart Now."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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The Orient (#26)
The Three Guesses open the program with a swinging vocal version of "Nagasaki," followed by a skit in which Doakes and Doakes play a daffy tourist and a confused ticket agent, "Chinatown, My Chinatown" as performed by banjo virtuoso Lee Keener, and another visit with Ebenezer Tollgate and his wife Maleria as they travel to Turkey and take in a traditional Turkish bath. The program closes with an orchestral version of "Hindustan."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Explorers (#27)
Comedian Don Orlando opens the show with a chat about his exciting experiences as a world explorer. Next, Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe perform "My Little Cannibal Dove," Doakes and Doakes go mountain climbing, and Court Troubadour Harris closes the show with "There's Spring in My Heart."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Hecklers (#28)
Vocalist Shirley Watson opens the program with "That Old Devil Love," followed by Uncle Hank the Lanky Yank singing "Elmer Root and his Nickel Plated Flute," and Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe performing "Ragtime Cowboy Joe". Doakes and Doakes close the program with an old fashioned medicine show.
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Beauty (#29)
Auntie MacCasser (Allman) opens the program with a lecture on beauty, followed by The Three Guesses singing "Early to Bed," Don Orlando chatting with Allman about the beautiful women he's known, and Court Troubadour Harris singing "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Moods (#30)
Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe open the show with a lazy version of "Rockin' Chair," followed by a skit in which “The Komedy Kingdom” neighbors Joe and Edna finish their dinner and debate Edna's attempts to economize. Court Troubadour Harris continues the show by singing "It's the Mood That I'm In" and, in closing, Null and Void chat about...well, pretty much everything!
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Hitch Hikers (#31)
The vocal quartet Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe open the show with "Big Boy Blue, Come Blow Your Horn," followed by comedian Harry Lash relating his driving experiences, vocalist Loretta Lee singing "That Lonesome Road," and Broadway and vaudeville star Gus Van closes the program with a spirited rendition of "I Love a Parade."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Reducing (#32)
Stammering comedian Dick Faber discusses his family's misbegotten attempts to lose weight, after which vocalist Clark Ross sings "Gee, But You're Swell." Elvia Allman, as Mrs. Smith-Whiffen, continues the show with a skit about golf and the Hallelujah Quartet closes the program with a wonderful version of the spiritual "Who Built the Ark?"
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Money (#33)
Vocalist Loretta Lee opens the program with "I Got Rhythm," followed by Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe singing "I Love to Play a Piccolo." The program continues with comedian Harry Lash discussing his attempts to make a living and Gus Van closes the program by advising us that "You Can't Take It With You."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Broadcasting (#34)
Vocalist Clark Ross opens the program with "Dedicated to You," followed by comedian Dick Faber as he reviews his fan mail. The Hallelujah Quartet continues the program with "Good News, the Chariot's a Comin'" and the program closes with Pansy Pennypincher (Allman) sharing handy hints and tips for the homemaker.
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Farmers (#35)
Comedian Harry Lash opens the program by describing a play he has written about farmers in Minnesota. Loretta Lee continues the show with a swinging version of "Hey Hey Hey (Your Cares Away)", followed by Gus Van performing the novelty number "What's Gonna Be Next?" and Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe close with "An Old Fashioned Swing."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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The Seasons (#36)
The Hallelujah Quartet opens the program with "Winter Wonderland," followed by Elvia Allman playing a mother trying to con her young son into taking a dose of castor oil. Clark Ross continues the show with "When the Poppies Bloom Again" and Dick Faber closes with memories of his father.
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Travel Bureaus (#37)
Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe open the show with "Hopping Down to Chinatown," followed by comedian Harry Lash discussing his recent train trip and his current accommodations in California. Loretta Lee continues the show with "When It's Sleepytime Down South" and Gus Van closes with a medley of Irish favorites.
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Sweethearts (#38)
Loretta Lee opens the program with "You Showed Me the Way," followed by comedian Dick Faber commenting on the different types of love. The Hallelujah Quartet continues the show with their own arrangement of "Honey" and, in closing, Auntie MacCasser (Allman) lectures on "The Will to Love."
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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Ghosts (#39)
The vocal quartet Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe open the show with "The Skeleton in the Closet," followed by comedian Harry Lash chatting with Elvia Allman about this, that, and the other. Loretta Lee continues the show with "Dinah" and, in closing, Gus Van sings about Gus Schneider, the musical German butcher.
1937 - 15:00 - Transco Syndication
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