Premier Collections: 
Amos 'n' Andy, Volume 3
Liner notes written by Ivan G. Shreve, Jr.

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During its radio heyday, "Amos ‘n’ Andy" was - to use a popular modern-day expression - the “water cooler” show of its era. Though the Crossley poll (the rating system of the time) reported that the show had a rating of 53.4 during the 1930-31 season, such a system wasn’t necessarily a wholly reliable instrument to truly measure "Amos ‘n’ Andy’s" audience; better indicators are the facts that there was precious little telephone activity or “bathroom breaks” while the program was on the air and, in addition, many movie theaters back then made arrangements to interrupt their screenings and “pipe in” in the broadcast mid-film for fear of losing paying customers. Newspapers frequently published daily accounts of the events that took place on the serialized show. An oft-told anecdote relates that, at the peak of the show’s popularity, it was possible to take a walk around any neighborhood block on a warm spring evening and not miss a moment of the broadcast, since the windows of most homes were open and practically every radio was turned to the program.

While entertainment programs have an admirable capacity to instill loyalty in their audiences, very few have the magic to capture the public’s imagination forever...and "Amos ‘n’ Andy" was no exception to this rule. From its peak years during the Depression, the show slowly shed listeners that once constituted an audience estimated at forty million. "Amos ‘n’ Andy’s" long-time sponsor, Pepsodent, soon hitched their wagon to comedian Bob Hope and Campbell's Soup began paying the bills...but still the ratings declined. Even a move to CBS in April 1939 did nothing to resuscitate the show.

So, in February 1943, the show’s creators and stars — Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll — took a brief sabbatical to revamp the series from its original serialized quarter-hour format to a slickly-produced, half-hour situation comedy. The two men lined up a new sponsor, Lever Brothers, and the writing on the show (which in the early days had been the sole bailiwick of Gosden and Correll) received a boost from a team of comedy writers - notably the young team of scribes Bob Mosher and Joe Connelly, who would later supervise the television version of the series in the 1950s.

The new "Amos ‘n’ Andy" was radically different from the earlier program which fans had come to know and love, but in the halcyon years of the show’s “sitcom period” it made a valiant attempt to capture as much of the flavor of the old version as possible. Though each broadcast was pretty much a self-contained show from week to week, occasionally Gosden, Correll and the writers would stretch out an idea over two or more broadcasts. Beloved characters such as Brother Crawford, Fred Gwindell and Flukey were featured from time to time, but they gradually gave way to the steamrolling popularity of one George “Kingfish” Stevens.

The Kingfish was one of the program’s best-known and popular supporting characters, making his appearance in the early days of the show. But the half-hour format proved to be his meat; audiences loved his weekly attempts to swindle Andy out of some fortune or treasure which the thick-witted Andrew H. Brown had managed to acquire, and it wasn’t too long before the focus of the comedy zeroed in on a weekly formula highlighting the Kingfish’s machinations.

With the revamping of its format, "Amos ‘n’ Andy" soon vaulted back into the top-tier of radio’s comedy shows, spending two seasons in a Friday night timeslot before being added to NBC’s powerhouse lineup ("Fibber McGee & Molly"/Bob Hope/Red Skelton) on Tuesday nights beginning in the fall of 1945. After leaving NBC in 1948 as part of the notorious CBS “talent raids,” the series enjoyed even greater success, featured back-to-back with Jack Benny on Sunday nights and posting even larger audience figures than those it had enjoyed on NBC. Though a few individuals have criticized the relative sameness of "Amos ‘n’ Andy" broadcasts in its later seasons, they cannot deny that the program — and its beloved characters — were still as funny as ever.

Because of his continuing concern about the quality of the series, Charles Correll had most of the programs of the new series recorded on 16" transcription discs for his personal library. In the 1970s, Correll had the programs professionally transferred from discs to top quality 1/2" tape -- but explicitly requested that the commercials for Rinso, by then the show’s sponsor, be edited out at the same time. Thus, though the programs in this new Premier Collection may be commercial-free, they're all taken right from Charlie Correll’s own transcription collection. The audio fidelity of these shows is astounding - in fact, they sound far better than when they were first heard over NBC in 1944-45 - and have been painstakingly restored for your enjoyment.

Here is the complete content of this exciting new Premier Collection:

Madame Queen Marriage
David Johnson, a suitor of Madame Queen’s, wants very much to marry her - but she still feels beholden to Andy. So Johnson gives $125.00 to the Kingfish to get Andy married off...and the Kingfish enlists the help of his fellow Mystic Knights of the Sea to find him a suitable “fiancée.” With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, Ernestine Wade, Lillian Randolph, Lou Lubin, Ruby Dandridge, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, October 27, 1944 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Nieces
Sapphire departs for a three-day trip to Philadelphia for a family reunion, leaving the Kingfish alone and nearly flat-broke. After encountering a pair of stranded female travelers at the train station, he hits upon a scheme to rent his apartment out for five dollars...and then gets a telegram from Sapphire announcing her early return! With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, Ernestine Wade, Ruby Dandridge, Lou Lubin, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, November 3, 1944 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Employment Agency
With guests Jack Benny and Eddie “Rochester” Anderson
Andy and the Kingfish start an employment agency and their first client is a Mr. Rochester Van Jones, who’s seeking a career change from his former position (“Why, my boss is the only man I know who laundries his pipe cleaners!”). Their second client is Jack Benny...who desperately needs a new valet! With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, James Baskett, Lou Lubin, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, November 10, 1944 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

DeWitt
Wealthy Mrs. Minerva DeWitt and her daughter Loretta arrive in New York for a short visit, and the Kingfish naturally wants to pair up Andy with Loretta from a purely financial standpoint. In making the necessary social introductions, however, Andy winds up engaged to the mother! Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll sing the “Rinso White” jingle as Amos ‘n’ Andy! With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, James Baskett, Lou Lubin, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, November 17, 1944 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Cleaning Fluid
With guest star Hugh Herbert
Flukey Harris lends Andy a substance that he thinks will help remove some stains from Andy’s vest. The spot remover proves so successful that the Kingfish devises a plan to go into business manufacturing the cleaning fluid...if Flukey can remember the formula! Adolphe Menjou makes a cameo appearance promoting war bonds. Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll sing the “Rinso White” jingle as Flukey ‘n’ Andy! With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, Ernestine Wade, Ken Christy, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, November 24, 1944 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Fountain Pen
Andy and the Kingfish are selling “Ink Flow” fountain pens in the hopes that they’ll be made the exclusive Harlem sales agents for the company. There’s only one other salesman competing for the job...but little do our heroes know that it’s Miss Genevieve Blue, Andy’s old stenographer! Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll sing the “Rinso White” jingle as Amos ‘n’ Andy! With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, Joseph Kearns, Madeleine Lee, Ruby Dandridge, James Baskett, Lou Lubin, Will Wright, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, December 1, 1944 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Brazilian Brass
With guest star Frank Morgan
A fire inside the Stevens’ apartment nets the Kingfish a $400.00 insurance check. Sapphire tells him to make sure he banks that money...so naturally, the Kingfish complies with her request. Ah, who are we kidding…he puts his windfall in a “Brazilian Brass” mine at investment firm The House of (Frank) Morgan! Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll sing the “Rinso White” jingle as Amos ‘n’ Andy...and are joined by guest Frank Morgan! With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, James Baskett, Ernestine Wade, Lou Lubin, Madeleine Lee, Ken Christy, Will Wright, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, December 8, 1944 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Andy Fakes Suicide
Andy learns that he’s proposed to the wrong mail order bride, so he asks the Kingfish to inform Miss Gardenia Smith that he’s committed suicide. This news soon snowballs into a murder rap...for the Kingfish! With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, James Baskett, Ruby Dandridge, Lou Lubin, Ken Christy, Will Wright, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, December 15, 1944 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Christmas Show
With guest stars The Paul Taylor Chorus
The series’ traditional Christmas episode, with Andy landing a job as a department store Santa in order to get a doll for Amos’ daughter Arbadella. Later, Amos interprets for his daughter the true meaning of “The Lord’s Prayer.” A genuine classic! With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, December 22, 1944 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

New Year’s Show
Andy’s been bragging about how he’s the only one who’ll be invited to the exclusive New Year’s society soiree being thrown by his girlfriend Camellia Jackson and her family...but it seems everyone’s been invited BUT him! With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, Lou Lubin, Madeline Lee, Ernestine Wade, Amanda Randolph, Elinor Harriot, Harriet Widmer, Terry Howard, Eddie Green, Johnny Lee, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, December 29, 1944 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Victor Moore Show
With guest star Victor Moore
Andy’s new girl friend Yvonne Jefferson is working for the Honesty Insurance Company when a robbery takes place, an event which makes for front page headlines the next day. Complications begin when Andy confides in Amos that he witnessed Yvonne take money out of the company safe and put it in her pocketbook. With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, James Baskett, Ken Christy, Will Wright, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, January 5, 1945 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

George Washington Desk
The Kingfish buys an “antique” desk that purportedly belonged to George Washington, according to the sharpie that sold it to him. When he and Andy discover several love letters inside signed by “George,” the two men are convinced they were written by “The Father of Our Country”! With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, Ernestine Wade, James Baskett, Lou Lubin, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, January 12, 1945 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Adoption Show
Wealthy widow Bedilla Foster, looking for directions to a Harlem orphanage, confides in the Kingfish that she’s looking for a son to adopt. The ever-scheming Kingfish promptly nominates one Andrew H. Brown. Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll sing the “Rinso White” jingle as Amos ‘n’ Andy! With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, James Baskett, Lou Lubin, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, January 19, 1945 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Lovelorn Show
After getting a tongue-lashing from Amos about his lack of ambition, Andy takes a long hard look at himself to decide just which career would suit him best. The Kingfish, observing that Andy’s expertise is in romance and women, suggests to his friend that he offer advice to the lovelorn...which he does, getting a column in Fred Gwindell’s paper under the nom de plume of “Juliet Heart.” The Mystic Knights of the Sea Quartet sing “Don’t Fence Me In.” With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, James Baskett, Lou Lubin, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, January 26, 1945 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Breach of Promise
In his guise as lovelorn columnist “Juliet Heart,” Andy innocently gives counsel to a girl named Viola Johnson...who promptly files suit against our hero for breach of promise! The Kingfish attempts to help his pal out of his latest jam. The Mystic Knights of the Sea Quartet sing “Accentuate the Positive.” With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, Madeleine Lee, James Baskett, Lou Lubin, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, February 2, 1945 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Phony Soldier
After managing to extricate himself from an endless procession of breach-of-promise suits, Andy once again decides to swear off women. When old flame Sylvia Adams is spotted shopping for a trousseau, a nervous Andy pretends he’s in the Army in order to stave off any legal proceedings. The Mystic Knights of the Sea Quartet sing “Running Wild.” With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, James Baskett, Lou Lubin, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, February 9, 1945 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Valentine Show
The Kingfish receives a valentine card calling him a “lazy, no-good bum.” He decides to play detective to learn the identity of the malefactor...little suspecting that it might be a FEmalefactor! The Mystic Knights of the Sea Quartet sing “Emmalina.” With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, Ernestine Wade, James Baskett, Lou Lubin, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, February 16, 1945 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Jealousy Show
The Kingfish has observed his wife chatting it up with an old flame named Floyd Wilson. Sapphire assures her husband that there’s nothing serious involved...but when she receives a box of candy kisses from Floyd, Kingfish goes toe-to-toe with the ugly green monster known as jealousy! The Mystic Knights of the Sea Quartet sing “Straighten Up and Fly Right.” With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, Ernestine Wade, James Baskett, Lou Lubin, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, February 23, 1945 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Income Tax #1
Andy laments the fact that his dismal state of finances is wreaking havoc with his social life. But that’s small potatoes compare to the hot water he’s in when he learns he’ll have to pay income tax on the $250.00 he earned in 1944! The Mystic Knights of the Sea Quartet sing “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans.” With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, James Baskett, Lou Lubin, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, March 2, 1945 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

Income Tax #2
Stupefied by his income tax form, Andy gets his girlfriend to fill out the paperwork - but, since he’s been presenting himself as a rich businessman, he tells her that he earned $7,000.00 in 1944 so as not to disillusion her. She, trusting him, mails his return - and now our hero now owes the government $1200.00! The Mystic Knights of the Sea Quartet sing “Dinah.” With Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, James Baskett, Lou Lubin, and announcer Harlow Wilcox.
Friday, March 9, 1945 – 30:00 – NBC, sponsored by Rinso

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