Shell Chateau

Shell Chateau was a musical variety radio series heard on NBC from April 6, 1935 to June 26, 1937. Sponsored by Shell Oil, the hour-long program, sometimes called The Shell Show, was broadcast on Saturday evenings at 9:30pm.^[1]

Al Jolson was the host when the show debuted April 6, 1935, with Jolson singing the opening theme song, "Golden Gate". The format usually featured a song by Jolson, a comedy routine, a singing guest performer, more music, another Jolson song and a dramatic sketch, followed by more Jolson. Film stars often did scenes from a movie they were promoting. Victor Young was the orchestra leader, with Ernie Watson and his orchestra on later shows.

Carroll Carroll was the writer-producer for the J. Walter Thompson agency with Herb Polesie directing. Carroll devised the unusual title because the sponsor wanted its name in the title, and programs at the time sometimes attempted to create the illusion that they were emanating from a luxurious hotel or an exotic location.^[2] The J. Walter Thompson agency was responsible for pioneering several big-name variety programs, including The Chase and Sanborn Hour, The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour and the Kraft Music Hall.^[3]

On March 6, 1936, when Jolson left the series, the ratings dropped considerably. It continued until June 26, 1937, with other hosts, including Walter Winchell, Wallace Beery, Edward Everett Horton, Smith Ballew and Joe Cook. The announcers included Foster Williams.

Entre los invitados figuraban Louis Armstrong , John Barrymore , Lionel Barrymore , Ben Blue , Bette Davis , Joan Davis , Judy Garland (quien hizo dos apariciones en 1935 en el mismo mes), Florence Gill (haciendo las voces de los pollos de animación de Walt Disney ), George Jessel , Boris Karloff , Dixie Lee , Joe E. Lewis (quien fue invitado cuatro veces), John McCormack , Maxie Rosenbloom , Joe Penner , Eleanor Powell (haciendo una imitación de Katharine Hepburn ), Ginger Rogers , Babe Ruth , Benay Venuta (quien se convirtió en artista de la cadena como resultado de su aparición en 1935), Fats Waller , Johnny Weissmuller , June Marlowe , Midge Williams y Lee Wiley . ^{[ 1 ]}

• Archivo de Internet: Castillo de Shell

• Registros de radio antiguos de Jerry Haendiges: Shell Chateau