Before Jack Benny, Al Jolson, Ed Wynn, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Fred Allen. It was this banjo-eyed singer that stole the hearts of many audiences in the early 1930s. It was his expertise in vaudeville and things that were in the burlesque that catapulted Eddie's career into the radio stratosphere.
Eddie was born Edward Israel Iskowitz to Russian immigrants. His mother died soon after his birth and his father died of pneumonia a week after his mother's death. Little orphan Edward, grew up in the tenement houses in New York with his grandmother. He was placed in the lowly public schools, where the school register misspelled his last name, and put down, "Kanter." It was later on that Edward changed it to "Cantor." A frequent truant, hooligan, and cart napper, Edward befriended his future wife, Ida Tobias, who gave him the nickname "Eddie." It was during this time that little Eddie discovered his talent for singing. During school, he sang in the cafeteria. He admitted that performing was his version of "heat and food." It was here that Eddie decided that going into show business was his future.
During his late teens, Eddie got a job as a singing waiter on Coney Island, where he met Jimmy Durante, who was the restaurant's pianist. While working at the restaurant, Gus Edwards decided to have Eddie appear in one of his play. After his role in the play, a slew of jobs opened up for Eddie.
Eddie's air career took off when he appeared on Rudy Vallee's "Fleischmann Hour," which led to a four-week long tryout with Chase and Sanborn, who were looking to replace one of their actors. It wasn't long before Eddie's extreme talent took over the show, thus changing the name from the "Chase and Sanborn Show" to "The Eddy Cantor Show."
During it height of popularity, the show pulled off many publicity stunts, one being announcing Eddie Cantor for president, while people in the background chanted "We want Cantor! We want Cantor!" The stunt proved effective when Eddie received a ton of write-in votes for president.
| Air Date |
Title |
Synopsis |
| 1969-12-31 |
Cantor 44101 Martha Raye |
|
| 1931-12-13 |
Violinist Rubinoff |
|
| 1937-01-03 |
Al Jolson, Deanna Durbin |
|
| 1939-11-30 |
Eddie's Job |
|
| 1941-06-04 |
Al Jolson, Dinah Shore |
|
| 1942-04-01 |
John Charles Thomas |
|
| 1942-05-27 |
From Camp Elliot San Diego |
|
| 1942-11-25 |
With Jack Benny |
|
| 1942-12-23 |
With Ida Lupino |
|
| 1943-02-03 |
Adolphe Menjou |
|
| 1943-03-31 |
Edward G. Robinson |
|
| 1943-06-09 |
Groucho Marx, Jack Benny, Burns&allen |
|
| 1944-09-27 |
Joan Davis |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay. The first show of the season. The first appearance on radio of Leonard Sues ("The Young Man With A Horn") and His Orchestra. The cast does "Mr. Skeffington." "The Mad Russian" runs for president. The final commercial has been deleted. Bert Gordon, Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Joan Davis, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin, The Sportsmen. |
|
| 1944-10-04 |
June Alyson |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay. The cast does its version of, "Two Girls and A Sailor." The final commercial has been deleted. Bert Gordon, Eddie Cantor, Gloria De Haven, Harry Von Zell, June Allyson (guest, wife of Dick Powell), Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin, The Sportsmen. |
|
| 1944-10-18 |
Esther Williams |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Trushay, Sal Hepatica, Minit-Rub. The program originates from Roosevelt Base, Terminal Island, California. Guest Esther Williams makes her first appearance on radio. Eddie and Harry try to decide whether to go to college or join the Navy. Network, sponsored version of cat. #43269. Eddie Cantor, Esther Williams, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1944-10-25 |
Vonzells Baby |
+ NBC net, KFI, Los Angeles aircheck. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. A celebration of Harry Von Zell's new baby. Bert Gordon, Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin, Billy Gray. |
|
| 1944-11-09 |
Presidential Election |
+ NBC net, KFI, Los Angeles aircheck. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. Eddie Cantor has been elected president! A tribute to George M. Cohan. Bert Gordon, Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1944-11-15 |
Vonzells Apartment |
+ NBC net, KFI, Los Angeles aircheck. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. Eddie gets a new apartment for Harry Von Zell, in a building where no babies are allowed! Bert Gordon, Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1944-11-22 |
Alan Ladd |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Trushay, Minit-Rub. Guest Alan Ladd is hired to kill Eddie's Thanksgiving Turkey. Alan Ladd, Bert Gordon, Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1944-11-29 |
From Chicago |
+ NBC net, KFI, Los Angeles aircheck. Sponsored by: Trushay, Sal Hepatica, Minit-Rub. The program originates at the Navy's Sixth War Loan Exhibit in Chicago. A network, sponsored version of cat. #18079. Bert Gordon, Billy Gray, Eddie Cantor, Joe Kelly (host), Leonard Sues, Nora Martin, Roy Shield and His Orchestra. |
|
| 1944-12-06 |
Von Zell Quits |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. Harry Von Zell quits the show. Eddie tries to hire guest Don Wilson to replace him. Bert Gordon, Billy Gray, Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell (announcer), Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin, The Sportsmen, Don Wilson. |
|
| 1944-12-13 |
Von Zell Returns |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Trushay, Sal Hepatica, Minit-Rub. Eddie searches for Harry and convinces him to return to the show. A very well-written, clever program! Bert Gordon, Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1944-12-20 |
Xmas Show |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. Christmas show. Eddie and Harry shop for a Christmas tree for Harry's new baby. The Mad Russian as Santa Claus? Bert Gordon, Billy Gray, Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1944-12-27 |
New Year Preparation |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay. The cast does its version of, "The March Of Time" and reviews the events of 1944. Billy Gray as "Eddie Cantor Von Zell Jr." The system cue has been deleted. The Mad Russian sings! Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin, Bert Gordon ("The Mad Russian"), Billy Gray, The Sportsmen. |
|
| 1945-01-03 |
With Rochester |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Trushay, Sal Hepatica, Minit-Rub. Rochester comes over to help with Eddie's New Year Party. Rochester shoots dice with Eddie, the show features several other racist jokes. Part of the final commercial and the system cue have been deleted. Bert Gordon, Billy Gray, Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin, Eddie Anderson, Emily Kipp. |
|
| 1945-01-10 |
With Andrews Sisters |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit Rub. Eddie plans to send Eddie Cantor Von Zell Jr. to college. Eddie recalls his youth on New York's lower East Side, and does a fine version of "Sonny Boy" with The Andrews Sisters. The same arrangement was done by Al Jolson and Edgar Bergen on The Kraft Music Hall on October 2, 1947 (see cat. #828). Eddie Cantor, The Andrews Sisters, Harry Von Zell, Bert Gordon ("The Mad Russian"), Billy Gray, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1945-01-17 |
Bing Crosby |
+ NBC net, KFI, Los Angeles aircheck. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Minit-Rub. Eddie is jealous that Bing Crosby has won the Critic's Award. Harry opens the show as Eddie does, very clever! Bing is imitated by Sidney Miller. Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Nora Martin, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Billy Gray, Bert Gordon, John Brown, Sidney Miller. |
|
| 1945-01-24 |
Ida Leaves Eddie |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Bristol Meyers, (commercials seem to be public service announcements). Eddie's funny summary of Nazi and Japanese radio newscasts. Ida threatens to divorce Eddie when she learns that he's purchased a new dress for another woman. Bert Gordon appears as, "The Mad Russian." Billy Gray appears as, "Eddie Cantor Von Zell Jr." Eddie Cantor, Nora Martin, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Bert Gordon, Billy Gray. |
|
| 1945-01-31 |
With Burns And Allen |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. It's Eddie's fifty-third birthday today and he's depressed. Guests George Burns and Gracie Allen try to cheer him up. Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Bert Gordon ("The Mad Russian"), George Burns, Gracie Allen, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1945-02-07 |
Harrys Baby Kidnapped |
|
| 1945-02-14 |
With Hoagy Carmichael |
+ NBC net, KFI, Los Ageles aircheck. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. The first tune is, "Swanee." "Around The Clock With Eddie Cantor." Guest Hoagy Carmichael sings, "Billiaduk." Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Hoagy Carmichael, Bert Gordon (as "The Mad Russian"), Nora Martin, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Billy Gray. |
|
| 1945-02-21 |
Ella Logan |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. The program originates from the Army Air Forces Relocation Center, Santa Ana, California. Eddie's first tune is, "I'm Coming Home To Missouri." Eddie appears as a newscaster on Radio Tokyo. Guest Ella Logan describes her USO tour of the front. She reads a few pages from her diary (a comedy skit with Eddie and Harry) and sings, "They Called It Ireland." Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Ella Logan, Nora Martin, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Billy Gray, Bert Gordon (as "The Mad Russian").
+ NBC net origination, AFRS rebroadcast. The program originates from the Army Air Forces Relocation Center, Santa Ana, California. Eddie's first tune is, "I Don't Want To Get Well." Guest Ella Logan describes her USO tour of the front. She reads a few pages from her diary (a comedy skit with Eddie and Harry) and sings, "The Called It Ireland." Eddie Cantor, Ella Logan, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Billy Gray, Bert Gordon (as "The Mad Russian"), Nora Martin. |
|
| 1945-02-28 |
Eddie In Army |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. Eddie's first song is, "Evalina." Eddie dreams that he's in the army. Eddie and Harry visit Hitler at Berchestgarten. Eddie sings, "My Dreams Are Getting All The Time" with clever lyrics about Adolf Hitler. Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin, Bert Gordon (as "The Mad Russian"), John Brown (?), Hans Conried (?). |
|
| 1945-03-07 |
Baby Contest |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. Eddie's first tune is, "Candy." Eddie appears as a Nazi newscaster on German radio, and as a Japanese newscaster in Tokyo. Harry and Eddie wind up in jail. Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Nora Martin, Bert Gordon (as "The Mad Russian"), Billy Gray, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Hanley Stafford. |
|
| 1945-03-14 |
Fraud Trial |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. The first tune is, "Swanee." Harry and Eddie are still in jail and go on trial. "Around The Clock With Eddie Cantor." Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Cookie Fairchild and His Orchestra, Bert Gordon (as "The Mad Russian"), Nora Martin, Billy Gray, The Sportsmen. |
|
| 1945-03-21 |
Adoption |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. Eddie is just back from San Francisco. Eddie tries to convince an adoption official that Harry is a fit father. Harry adopts Eddie! Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin, Bert Gordon, Billy Gray (as "Eddie Cantor Jr."). |
|
| 1945-03-28 |
Golf |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. Eddie and Harry would like to play golf, but Ida has some ideas about getting the housework done. Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Bert Gordon, Nora Martin, Billy Gray ("Eddie Cantor Jr."). |
|
| 1945-04-04 |
Charles Boyer |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. Guest Charles Boyer has been Eddie's house guest for several weeks. Eddie starts an essay contest about, "Juvenile Delinquency: It's Cause and Solution." Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Nora Martin, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Charles Boyer, Billy Gray ("Eddie Cantor Von Zell Jr."), Bert Gordon. |
|
| 1945-04-11 |
20 Years In Radio |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. The twentieth anniversary of Bristol-Meyers. A cavalcade of radio during the past twenty years. Bert Gordon, Billy Gray, Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1945-04-18 |
Introducing Fred Martel |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. Eddie brings a sailor home for dinner. He's named Freddy Martell and he's a "returned veteran" who is offered another singing job on the show next week. Eddie eulogizes President Roosevelt. Bert Gordon, Eddie Cantor, Fred Martell, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1945-04-25 |
International Peace Conference |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. Eddie plans to attend the United Nations Conference in San Francisco. The final 18:13 of the program only. Bert Gordon, Eddie Cantor, Fred Martell, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1945-05-02 |
The Fur Coat |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. Harry tries to borrow $612 to buy his wife a fur coat. Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Bert Gordon, Nora Martin, Billy Gray ("Eddie Cantor Von Zell Jr."). |
|
| 1945-05-09 |
Fbi Agent |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. Eddie's a G-Man on the trail of a "Nylon Gang." He's even got a letter and a badge from J. Edgar Hoover. Bert Gordon, Billy Gray, Eddie Cantor, Fred Martell, Harry Von Zell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1945-05-16 |
Marilyn Maxwell Camp Pendleton |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. The program originates from Camp Pendleton Marine Base, Oceanside, California. Guest Marilyn Maxwell sings, "Two Marines On A Three Day Pass." Eddie does a nice tribute to the men who recently died on Iwo Jima and sings, "There's A New Flag On Iwo Jima." Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell, Bert Gordon, Nora Martin, Marilyn Maxwell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra (probably). |
|
| 1945-05-23 |
Rochester Visits |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay. The cast is getting ready to travel to St. Louis to sell War Bonds. The final commercial and system cue have been deleted. Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin, Bert Gordon, Billy Gray ("Eddie Cantor Von Zell Jr."), Eddie Anderson, Fred Martell, Eddie Cantor, Harry Von Zell. |
|
| 1945-05-30 |
Scott Field |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay. The program originates from Scott Field, Illinois. Eddie and Don are in the Air Force, looking for a date. Bert Gordon, Billy Gray, Don Wilson, Eddie Cantor, Fred Martell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1945-06-06 |
Missing Baby |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. The program originates from The U. S. Naval Training School, WAVES, New York. "Eddie Cantor Von Zell Jr." gets lost in the New York railroad station. Bert Gordon, Billy Gray, Don Wilson, Eddie Cantor, Fred Martell, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Nora Martin. |
|
| 1945-06-13 |
Alan Young |
+ ABC net. Sponsored by Bristol Meyers, but commercials suspended due to a bond drive. The program originates from Mitchell Field, New York. The first tune is, "Every Time I Fall In Love." "Japanese War News" as interpreted by Eddie Cantor, "Eddie Cantor Von Zell Jr." Marilyn Maxwell, Alan Young, Eddie Cantor, Don Wilson, Bert Gordon, Nora Martin, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Billy Gray. |
|
| 1945-06-20 |
With Ann Sheridan |
+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Sal Hepatica, Trushay, Minit-Rub. The first tune is, "There's Gonna Be A Great Day." The program originates from the U. S. Coast Guard Station, Manhattan Beach, New York. "Eddie Cantor Von Zell Jr." Guest Ann Sheridan appears as a Coast Guard instructor. Bert Gordon appears as, "The Mad Russian." The last show of the season. Fred Martell, just out of the Navy, sings. Eddie Cantor, Don Wilson, Leonard Sues and His Orchestra, Fred Martell, Ann Sheridan, Bert Gordon, Nora Martin, Billy Gray. |
|
| 1945-07-04 |
Opening Night At Lodge |
|
| 1945-07-11 |
Rationing Points |
|
| 1945-07-18 |
Vonzell's Birthday |
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| 1945-07-25 |
Shortened Show |
|
| 1945-08-01 |
Correct Air Corp Salute |
|
| 1945-08-15 |
Vj Day Several Minutes Missing |
|
| 1945-08-22 |
With Gus Edwards |
|
| 1947-01-30 |
With Jack Benny |
|
| 1947-03-06 |
How Eddie And Al Got Started |
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| 1948-01-08 |
Making A Movie With Eddie |
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| 1948-06-08 |
Michael Redgrave Wants House |
|
| 1948-12-17 |
Guest Jack Benny |
|
| 1949-01-07 |
Visiting Al Jolson |
|
| 1952-12-25 |
Christmas Special |
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| 1955-11-30 |
Benny, Durante, Jolson, Garland |
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| |
Harry Sorry He Quit Eddie |
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