November/December 2010

THE
BIG
LITTLE
TIMES
®
__________________________________________________
VOLUME XXIX, NUMBER 6
BIG LITTLE BOOK COLLECTOR’S CLUB
P.O. BOX 1242
DANVILLE, CALIFORNIA 94526
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010
_______________________________________________________________________________________
RADIO, PREMIUMS, and BLBs
RADIO, PREMIUMS, and BLBs
Back
Front
Cover
Cover
Thanks go to the several energetic Club Members who went
recruiting
newiscollectors
to our
Club since
thislearned
idea was
posed
in of the
Frank Chandler
a fictitious
character
who
the
secrets
the
July/August
issue
of
our
newsletter.
Since
then
we
have
gained
Yogi’s in the Far East. He used his special powers and a crystal23
ball to
new names.
Also since
then, we lost
members.
As our members
fade the
thwart
the enemies
of mankind.
He39became
well-known
as Chandu,
away, so do the memories of our generations.
An article in this issue
Magician.
tells about the fading of some memories Club Members hold in common.
The popular juvenile radio •program
•
• Chandu the Magician, began on
October
10,
1932
the WestinCoast
Don
Lee Network,
radio
station KHJ,
The puzzle
that
wason
presented
the last
BLT attracted
only three
responses,
Los
soon expanded
to thebut
East
oncomplete.
Mutual. The
5-day series of
noneAngeles.
of them It
correct.
One was close,
not
The caricatures
15-minute
was
sponsored
Whiteclockwise
King Soap
in the
West and
on the coverepisodes
of the Hap
Lee
BLB are (inby
counter
order):
Wallace
by
Beech
Nut Gum
in Groucho
the East. Marx, Leslie Howard, Charlie Chaplin,
Beery,
William
Powell,
Will Rogers, Richard Dix, Laurel and Hardy, Joan Bennett, Jimmie Durante,
The
character
wasChevalier,
American-born
Frank
Chandler
who
learned
occult
Joantitle
Blondell,
Maurice
Mae West,
Adolph
Menjou,
Greta
Garbo,
secrets
inMarx,
India.Edward
He acquired
supernatural
skills,
including
projection,
Groucho
G. Robinson,
John Payne,
Harpo
Marx,astral
Boris Karloff,
teleportation,
and the ability
create
illusions.
Chandu,
and Douglas Fairbanks.
For me,tothe
hardest
ones toCalling
identifyhimself
were Adolph
he
intended
fight Joan
any “evil
that and
threatens
mankind.”
Menjou,
JohntoPayne,
Blondell,
Boris Karloff
(I thought this was
John Barrymore). Of course, you could peek into the BLB where all the
The
original
was created by Raymond Morgan and Harry Earnshaw.
characters
areshow
identified.
Vera Oldham who worked for• them,
several hundred episodes in
• wrote
•
which
Chandler’s
sister,#1102,
Dorothy
Regent,
two children,
Betty and
Walt Needham,
Member
provides
us and
withher
another
of his extensive
Bob,
tryabout
to find
husband,
Regent,
whoprograms
disappeared
articles
BigDorothy’s
Little Books
and theirRobert
relationship
to radio
and in a
shipwreck.
Suspecting
play, Chandler
takes the
to Egypt where
radio premiums
- like thefoul
following
radio premium
ad family
for a BLB.
they encounter dangerous adventures and the evil Roxor. Chandler has
a mild romance with Nadji, an Egyptian princess, and he discovers that
Roxor had kidnapped and holds Robert prisoner in an attempt to get his
plans for a powerful ray gun.
Although the program came to an end in 1936, it was revived for another
run beginning June 28, 1948. The original scripts were reworked by Vera
Oldham, and the episodes were again sponsored by White King Soap on
ABC, Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. The spooky theme music was provided
by organist Juan Rolando under his Hindu pseudonym, Korla Pandit.
Then
on February
the serialized
were
dropped,
and the
It is always
fun to look2,at1949,
the many
premiumsepisodes
I remember
having,
or wishing
program
a 30-minute,
story
each
week. The last
I had, as a became
kid. Needham’s
articlesself-contained
always bring back
great
memories.
broadcast was heard on September 6, 1950.
LARRY LOWERY
Editor
4
3
Send For Yours Today!
Radio and Cereal Premiums of Big Little Book Characters
from 1930 to 1950
Part 2: Another Cowboy, Plain Clothes & Uniformed Heroes, Plus Funny Folk
by
Walt Needham (Member #1102)
Here they come! They’re riding fast and they’re riding hard!
It’s time for action and adventure in the modern west with Bobby Benson
And the B-Bar-B riders,
And out in front, astride his golden palomino, Amigo,
It’s the Cowboy Kid himself, Bobby Benson (1).
CHANDU
Card Tricks
BOBBY BENSON
Decoder
TERRY AND THE PIRATES
Telescope Ring
DON WILSLOW
Radio Club Pin
EXAMPLES OF 1930s RADIO PREMIUMS
DICK TRACY
Mask
TARZAN
Signal Oil Tarzan Club Pin
POPEYE
Ad for radio program and premiums
4
Although Bobby Benson held the stage in only two books with big
little book formats, Bobby Benson on the H-Bar-O Ranch and Bobby
Benson and the Lost Herd, he was one of the most enduring of the radio BLB
heroes. His only connection with a cereal company, however, was from
1932 to 1936. Hecker H-O Cereals named the program as The H-Bar-O
Rangers and subsequently that of Bobby Benson’s Adventures. Although
western in label, Bobby followed other young heroes of that era and
became a globe-trotting adventurer. Richard Wanamaker was the first
Bobby Benson but of particular note is that Billy Halop, who later became
a Broadway and film actor as a “Dead End Kid,” followed as the second
Bobby Benson. In 1949, the show returned, Bobby moving to the B-Bar-B
and a more national format. Sponsors at various times during this period
were Kraft, Chiclets, and Dentine. It was supplemented with a spinoff,
Songs of the B-Bar-B which continued to 1955. The latter Bobby Benson
programs were memorable since Don Knotts, Tex Ritter, and Al Hodge
were in the cast, Ritter and Hodge playing the role of Tex Mason. Two
Bobby Benson television shows appeared, these sponsored by a chocolate
syrup and a grape drink company. Bobby Benson radio premiums were
limited to those offered by H-O cereals. These include cereal bowls, a
bracelet, a cardboard decoder, colored drinking glasses, a circus game, a
lariat, maps, a tie clasp, mystery money, and photos of the cast.
BOBBY BENSON
BLB, Cereal Bowl, Promo Photo
5
O n e o f t h e g re a t r a d i o i c o n s i s J a c k
Armstrong, the All American Boy. This radio
adventure serial, which ran from July of 1933
to June of 1951, featured a younger but no less
competent version of Frank Merriwell whose
turf was Hudson High instead of Yale University.
This Jack was not a flawed or wounded hero,
such as is popular today, but the role model of an
ideal young American. His mental and physical
capacities were vast. There were no doubts in
the minds of his listeners that he could become
President of the United States after he completed
graduate school at a highly prestigious university
with highest honors– but only if he wanted to.
The origin of the name, Jack Armstrong, remains in
question. Harmon (2) cites two possibilities. The
first is that it was the inspiration of writer Robert
Hardy Anderson inspired by a box of Arm &
Hammer baking soda. The second was that there
was a real person with this name who was a friend
of a General Mills executive.
Jack Armstrong was memorialized in two big little books, which were graced
by illustrator, Henry Vallely. Jack Armstrong and the Ivory Treasure published
in 1937 was based on the radio scripts by famed writer Talbot Mundy but
authored by Leslie N. Daniels Jr. In 1939 Jack Armstrong and the Mystery of
the Iron Key was published. Although based on Mundy radio scripts, the
book listed no specific author.
JACK ARMSTRONG BLB
JACK ARMSTRONG
Unauthorized Book
However, another Jack Armstrong made his appearance in two juvenile
books, authored by Stanley J. Wallace and published in 1936 by Cupples
and Leon. The hero in Jack Armstrong’s Mystery Eye and Jack Armstrong’s
Mystery Crystal seemed to bear little resemblance to the radio Armstrong.
Although of high school age this young man is more of a boy Chandu.
Born in India, he has magic powers that he uses as he searches for his
teacher, Yogi Sher Dal and his parents, encountering various villains in
his quest. None of the radio characters, Billy, Betty and Uncle Jim, were
present. It is suspected that the short run of the book series was due to the
unauthorized use of the name.
JACK ARMSTRONG
COMIC BOOK
Jack Armstrong was also featured in a
series of comics, often drawn by Jack
Sparling, which began in 1947 and lasted for 13
issues. The author remembers the considerable effort involved in shaking out several
dimes from the opening of a rather secure
saving bank unit to cover the cost of the first
issue. There was also a Columbia serial,
Jack Armstrong, the All American Boy, which
featured the recently deceased, John Hart, a
competent but older version of the hero.
6
Jack Armstrong, whose vacations often exceeded his school year,
adventured throughout the world. The many radio premiums that Wheaties,
his enduring sponsor, offered reflected this. However, Wheaties was also
not adverse to marketing both radio based and “bounce-back” premiums
related to other celebrities, including a photo of Johnny Weissmuller in 1933,
a Babe Ruth flip booklet in 1933, a Strong Heart (the movie dog) wrist band
in 1938, and a Frank Buck explorer sun watch in 1948 (3). Wheaties, which
sponsored the show during its entire run, was early out of the gate with its
Armstrong box top bonanzas. Beginning n 1933 they included a water pistol,
a shooting plane, baseball cap, a stamp offer, photos of Jack and Betty, a
grip developer, a wee gyro, and a sugar and creamer set. There were many
war related items later on, including a series of Tru-Flite model airplanes
which included American, allied, and enemy types. Not only authentic
in detail they were quite capable gliders. Some of the items especially
valuable at present are the secret bombsight with wooden bombs, a baseball
ring, a dragon’s eye ring with a green stone, and a listening squad captain’s
badge/whistle. Armstrong premiums were discontinued after 1948.
BOBBY BENSON
Decoder, Comic
Jimmie Allen
Big Little Book
1935 First Radio Annie
Decoder Pin
JACK ARMSTRONG
Still Photo from Movie Serial
7
JACK ARMSTRONG
Pedometer
JACK ARMSTRONG
Flying Rings
JACK ARMSTRONG
Magic Answer Book, Cardboard Airplane Kit, Bomsite, and Ring
8
Terry Lee, the young hero of Terry and
the Pirates, had many adventures in
places that offered great opportunities for
exotic premiums. The program ran
from 1937 to 1948. However, its initial
sponsors were not cereal companies
but a dairy (Dari-Rich) and a vegetable
juice producer (Libby). The range of
premiums scarcely approached that of
Jack Armstrong. In the program’s last
years, Quaker, with its Puffed Wheat
and Rice, paid for the air time. Early
issues included a victory plane spotter, a
“Terryscope,” a game book for The
Ruby of Genghis Khan, airplane photos, and two rings: a gold detector and
a crocodile glow-in-the-dark ring.
TERRY AND THE PIRATES
The Game Board
TERRY AND THE PIRATES BLB
TERRY AND THE PIRATES
Canada Dry Ad
TERRY AND THE PIRATES
Board Game
9
Buck Rogers bested his space hero competitor, Flash
Gordon, on radio although he lost the movie serial
war. Flash Gordon lasted only from 1935-1936
with sponsorship from a rug company and a soap
company. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century began in
1932 and continued until 1947. The program had
one of the largest numbers of cereal sponsorships,
which included Kellogg, Cocomalt, Cream of
Wheat, and Post Cereals. Buck had time to offer his
fans badges, banners, buttons, helmets, manuals,
rings, lead figures, a disintegrating pistol, games,
a flashlight, a rocket ship, and a telescope. Two
Whitman Big Little Book peripherals, Buck Rogers
in the 25th Century, and Buck Rogers in the City of
Floating Globes were offered by Cocomalt in 1933
and 1935, respectively.
Smilin’ Jack as a radio hero seemed like a
good idea. The program began with the droning sound of an airplane and a voice over a
microphone saying, “Clear the runway for
Smilin’ Jack!”
BUCK ROGERS BLB
BUCK ROGERS
Ring of Saturn
The program, however, only lasted a
little over three months. Jack’s adventures
did better in newspapers, comics, and a movie
serial than on the air.
SMILIN’ JACK BLB
Only a single premium was offered — a flying chart “like the one Jack uses” for just
ten penny wrappers from Tootsie Rolls.
Tootsie Roll sponsored the program from
February 14, 1939 to May 19, 1939. It was on
for 15 minutes, three times a week at 5:30.
The actor playing Smilin’ Jack, Frank Readick,
Jr., was one of the first to play The Shadow.
FLASH GORDON
Pinback
OG, SON OF FIRE BLB
SMILIN’ JACK
Movie Ad
Og, Son of Fire, ruled a prehistoric world from
1934 to 1935 in 15 minute segments. Although
the series initially appeared to be a take off on
Tarzan, a Variety review (5) likened it more to
Jack Armstrong with loud sound effects and creativity in bringing brontosauri and other beasts
to life. Irving Krump, author of the Og big little
book, was its creator and author. Libby Foods
sponsored the program and the premiums
included small statues of the characters as well
as a map of Og’s environs.
OG, SON OF FIRE
The figures arrived in the mail in
little cardboard cannisters like
these
— 1½¢ postage paid! —
with an accompanying letter
PHOTO OF BUCK AND WILMA
Eagerly sought and expensive premiums include a solar scout weather
emblem valued at $4000, a repeller ray ring for $3000 a solar scout knife
at $1600, and a uniform at $1500, these from Cream of Wheat (3).
10
OG RADIO PREMIUMS
Libby 1935
11
Don Winslow was an adventurer in the course of his
duties as Navy Commander. Originally he was created in a newspaper comic designed to encourage
navy recruitments in the Midwest. Former Naval
intelligence officer, Lt. Commander Frank V.
Martinek, worked with Leon A. Berotil and Carl
Hammond to create a series which had a newspaper run from 1934 to 1955 (4). Don Winslow also
had two radio enlistments, 1937 to 1939, and 1942
to 1943. In his first, he dealt with the Scorpion
while during the second his adversaries were
“the Japs and Nazis.”
DON WINSLOW BLB
Tarzan who first appeared on radio in 1932 was
truer to the Edgar Rice Burroughs hero than
most movie versions of that era. He continued
to swing on vines until 1936 but was brought
back from 1952 to 1953. The ape-man worked
for many companies including Signal Oil,
Burley Coffee, Kolynos, KSL Royal Bakers, Weston
Biscuits, Vita Hearts and Fould’s products but
no cereal companies. Premiums included small
statues of the radio characters, a paint set, a map
and club badges (3).
Besides seven big little books, he was also featured in two
serial movies, Don Winslow of the Navy (1941), and Don Winslow of the
Coast Guard (1942) with Don Terry portraying this military hero. He also
was featured many comic books, such as Popular, Four Color Comics, and
Famous Features as well as those with his own name which were published by Fawcett and Charlton.
TARZAN BLB
TARZAN
Club Pin
Kellogg offered the first group of premiums, including a membership
card and manual, a good luck coin, pins, rings and a periscope. Post,
sponsor of the second series of broadcasts, produced a catapult bomber,
various certificates, a badge, a magic slate, and a gold torpedo decoder.
The latter in mint condition is valued at $3500 (3). His image also is
found in one of the Pep cereal pinbacks to be discussed later.
TARZAN
Picture Puzzles
DON WINSLOW
Comic Book
TARZAN
Safety Club Pin
DON WINSLOW
Pep Cereal Pinback
DON WINSLOW
Magic Slate
12
DON WINSLOW
Crossword Puzzle
TARZAN
8 Figure Set
Jungle Jim, a jungle hero attired in more than a
loin cloth, was on the air from 1935 to 1954 in a 15
minute program. Many episodes exist but little
is written about its sponsors or premiums. He
is specially remembered for being a newspaper
comic creation of Alex Raymond and the radio
programs being broadcast just prior to the
release of the Sunday paper. While Grant
Withers played Jim in the serial, Johnny
Weissmuller, after leaving the role of Tarzan,
served as this hero in a series of B features filmed
by Columbia.
13
JUNGLE JIM BLB
Mandrake the Magician worked for the Tastee
Bread Company, among others, from 1940 to 1942.
Raymond Edward Johnson, famed host of “Inner
Sanctum,” played the part. Premiums included
membership in the Mandrake’s Magician’s Club
as well as a membership card and a pinback.
Warren Hull, later a TV game host wielded the
wand in the Columbia serial. Mandrake seems
ready for a comeback on the big screen.
Chandu the Magician first appeared in 1932, the
program’s initial run continuing until 1936. It
was brought back twice, from 1948 to 1949, and
from 1949 to 1950. White King Soap was its
primary sponsor although Beech Nut funded
the program on the East Coast during its first
appearance. Chandu is perhaps now best known
for the feature film with Edmond Lowe and the
serial with Bela Lugosi that is depicted in a movie
version big little book. Although not promoting
cereal products, the radio sponsors offered photos
of the cast and magic tricks.
MANDRAKE BLB
The Dick Tracy radio programs were greatly overshadowed by the famed
detective’s appearances in newspaper comics, comic books, movie
serials, B feature films, and television as well as big little books. As
Lowery (6) has noted, the Dick Tracy big little books are second only to
Mickey Mouse in total number of titles, 27 as opposed to 29. The
Tracy radio programs were aired intermittently and did not have an
especially long run (7). They began with New England stations in
1934. The programs continued off and on from that time to 1939 with
Quaker Cereals serving as it primary sponsor. Sources vary on whether it
resumed either in 1942 or 1943, although the latter seems more probable.
It left the air in 1948, with the Sweets Company, manufacturer of Tootsie
Rolls paying the tab most of the time. This 15 to 30 minute program,
initially well plotted and heavy on sound effects, unlike the movie
serials, featured the cast of characters found in the comic strips.
CHANDU BLB
DICK TRACY PREMIUM
VOLUME I
CHANDU Magic Trick
White King Soap Premium
Vanishing Handkerchief
A DICK TRACY
BIG LITTLE BOOK
DICK TRACY PREMIUM
VOLUME II
Two premium books based on radio scriipts,
published by Whitman, were offered by Quaker
products: Dick Tracy and the Invisible Man, Vol. I
and Dick Tracy and The Ghost Ship, Vol. II.
However for its limited broadcast history the program issued many
radio premiums. Quaker offered numerous badges of varying ranks for
both boys and girls. Rings were also a popular premium, including one
with a secret compartment, not unlike that found on an Orphan Annie
badge, with Tracy’s sharp features on the surface. Paper pop guns and
rubber band guns were popular. Detective kits with a wooden decoder,
bracelets, books, and stickers were offered to Tracy’s crime fighting radio
listeners.
14
CHANDU Magic Trick
Beech Nut Premium
FIRST DT PIN 1933
15
DAN DUNN BLB
SECRET AGENT K-7 BLB
Dick Tracy’s rival, Dan Dunn, Secret
Operative #48, had a 1937 15 minute, 78
episode series which lasted only that year.
Secret Agent K-7 also had a 15 minute
episode program that was limited to 1938.
Unsponsored nationally, the program
apparently
did
not
produce
any
premiums. Charlie Chan was a radio hero at
varying times from 1932 to 1948. Lifebuoy
Soap, primary sponsor, did not produce
premiums. Ed Begley often played Chan with
Leon Janney as his Number 1 son. Santos
Ortega also often played the role.
GREEN HORNET BLB
Kellogg’s Pep paid the tab from
1943-1947.
Especially popular
were the numerous comic characters, penny sized pinbacks which
could be found in packages of
Pep, many of these being big little
book characters. They included
images of the characters found in
the Gumps, Blondie, Brenda Starr,
Dick Tracy, Felix the Cat, Flash
Gordon, Bringing Up Father, the
Katzenjammer Kids, Moon Mullins, Popeye, Little Orphan Annie,
Smilin’ Jack, the Phantom, Tillie the Toiler, and Winnie Winkle.
Superman was featured in several
versions.
The Green Hornet began his run in
1936. It ended in 1952. Sponsored
locally, its premiums were mostly limited to
photos, membership cards, and plastic rings.
General Mills, however, rose to the occasion with a Green Hornet glow in the dark,
secret compartment ring, its face allowing the
wearer to leave the seal of the Green Hornet
at will. This mint condition ring is said to be
valued at $350.00 (3).
The Hornet was introduced by actor Al Hodge
who played the title role. The Green Hornet
is about to reappear in a new movie although
he has been well played by Gordon Jones,
Warren Hull and Van Williams in serial and TV
versions.
CHARLIE CHAN BLB
America’s most popular super hero, Superman, made a late appearance
in a big little book format with Superman in the Phantom Zone Connection,
published in 1980. The star of Action Comics began on the air in 1940 in a
series of primarily 15 minute episodes and continued until 1950, its
schedule, time format, and sponsors changing over time. One of its initial
sponsors was Force, a cereal product of Hecker H-O, a company which
had earlier sponsored Bobby Benson (8). The first of the offerings included
various badges, pins, and buttons although pennants, club sets,
manuals, and decoders were available from various sponsors, but
apparently not by Heckers.
The Shadow had a long radio run from 1936
to 1954. Conceived for an adult audience, the
sponsors did not produce many premiums,
although
the
Shadow
magazine
offered
various Shadow merchandise. Blue Coal and later
Carey Salt were its national sponsors.
It provided a photo of the
Shadow aka Frank Readick,
a pin, a rubber stamp, a Gloin-the-Dark
Shadow
ring,
blotters, books on home heating,
samples of the Shadow magazine,
stickers, match books, and a
plastic crocodile ring.
16
THE SHADOW BLB
PEP PIN AD
KELLOG’S BEANIE
FOR PEP PINS
Although Batman and Robin
made a short appearance on
The Adventures of Superman,
their images did not grace
these pinbacks. Airplanes,
walkie-talkies, and a variety
of rings were also available
for Pep cereal eaters who
could part with a dime and a
box top.
COMPLETE SET OF PEP PINS
SUPERMAN PEP PIN
17
Mainstream BLB radio adventurers and crime fighters had long running
radio shows but their sponsors did not offer premiums. These included
Gangbusters, Ellery Queen, and Mr. District Attorney. Tailspin Tommy had a
brief time in the air as did Tim Tyler, Secret Agent K-7, and Tillie the Toiler.
GANGBUSTERS BLB
ELLERY QUEEN BLB
MR. D. A. BLB
With few exceptions, humorous comic characters did not enjoy the
popularity with radio cereal fans. Compared to the more serious
serials, they were relatively short lived. Even the Pepsodent sponsored,
Mickey Mouse Theater of the Air, had just over a four month run in 1938
(7). The show was not short on talent as Disney was the voice of Mickey,
Clarence Nash was Donald Duck, Thelma Boardman was Minnie and
Stuart Buchanan was Goofy. However the Disney characters later
appeared both on and inside various cereal boxes, including those of
Post Toasties, Cheerios, Raison Bran, and Wheaties. Besides the standard
Disney characters, Brer Rabbit was also often featured.
Skippy, somewhat cast in young Tom Sawyer
clothing, was on the air during various times
from 1932 to 1935. Wheaties was an early
sponsor although Phillips Dental Magnesia
funded it periodically. Harmon’s listing of
premiums (3) includes pictures, compasses,
cereal bowls, code cards, pinback buttons,
and certificates. The peripheral big little
book, The Story of Skippy, was out in 1934.
A Skippy comic, Skippy’s Own Book of Comics,
issued in the same year, is valued at $3000.
THE GUMPS
IN RADIOLAND
PREMIUM
UNCLE DON BLB
The Gumps was not a cereal sponsored show but involved BLB characters. It lasted from 1934 to 1937,
sponsored by Pebeco Toothpaste, and Lehn and Fink.
Of note is that the cast at one time featured Agnes
Moorehead and Wilmer Walter. Dunning (5) quotes
Michael Shnayerson who described it as involving a
“cranky couple, the Archie and Edith Bunker of their
day.” The BLB, The Gumps in Radio Land seems to be
the only premium that was issued, this from Pebeco
Toothpaste.
SKIPPY BLB
IN THE NAME
OF THE LAW BLB
CAPT. FRANK HAWKS
BLB
JUNIOR G-MEN BLB
G-MAN BLB
POPEYE BLB
Popeye the Sailor has been one of the most durable of the funny folk conics
and his initial sponsor was a cereal company, Wheatena. On radio Popeye
gave up his spinach for the product, King features netting $1200 a week
for this favor. His theme song was changed to “Wheatena’s me diet, I ax
ya to try it, I’m Popeye the sailor man. Beep-beep.” Popeye continued
to eat Wheatena from 1935 to 1937. In 1938, he returned to spinach but
also promoted popsicles during the run of less than a year. Wheatena
premiums include pins of the characters, and a harmonica,
18
Uncle Don was on the air for 21 years, from 1929
to 1949, most on the weekend, at times reading
the newspaper comics. Maltex and Bond Bakers
were among its sponsors. Premiums included an
adventure booklet, a letter from Uncle Don, and a
map.
CAPT. FRANK HAWKS MANUAL AND PINBACK
PURVIS JR G-MEN AND LAW AND ORDER BADGES
A number of big little book heroes, while not having radio voices, were
found on cereal boxes with their adventures also chronicled in newspaper
advertisements which contained a comic panel. Real life G-man Melvin
Purvis, who only appeared in one chapter of the BLB, In the Name of the
Law, was more of a celebrity than Frank Hawks, who was also a Post Cereal
hero. Purvis was listed in the early 30s as second only to Franklin Roosevelt in popularity/recognition by Liberty Magazine. Letters to Post Cereals flooded the mail with requests for Purvis Junior G-Man Corps manuals
and badges as well as Law and Order Patrol manuals, badges, shoulder
holsters, knives, rings, finger print kits, note books and key rings.
19
Mainstream
radio
characters
that were not sponsored by
cereal companies, had other
sponsors that produced some
premiums.
The
Charlie
McCarthy Show aired in 1937
and
continued
until
1954.
Chase & Sanborn coffee, its
primary sponsor, offered the
listeners of the program, a photo,
fan card, a spoon, a radio game,
cardboard dummies of Charlie
and Mortimer Snerd, and a ring
(9). McCarthy’s Radio Party Game
was a 1938 premium from Standard
Brands. This game consisted of 21
figures ... one of Charlie McCarthy
and four each of Edgar Bergen, Don
Ameche, Dorothy Lamour, Nelson
Eddy and Robert Armbruster. A
spinner
was
included
to
determine the play.
THE CHARLIE McCARTHY BLB
Even the dogs had their day. Rin-Tin-Tin was on the air at various
times from 1930 to 1955 with famed Francis X. Bushman, Don Ameche,
and trainer Lee Duncan were featured on the program at various times.
Rinty himself and later his son produced some of the sound effects.
Although some radio premiums, such as photos and movie related materials were issued, most of the premiums offered by the subsequent
television shows and will not be mentioned here. Sponsors were KenL-Ration, Nabisco’s Shredded Wheat and Milk Bone. Unlike most of
the products, the premiums themselves were not for use by potential
dog heroes but rather their owners.
The complete history of radio and cereal premiums has yet to be compiled. Many premiums like many transcriptions and recordings of radio programs were considered ephemeral and lost. Perhaps devoted
EBay users will not only be able to obtain those premiums in the current lists but also find a few unlisted items.
References
(1). French, Jack. (1996). Bobby Benson: Radio’s Cowboy Kid. Retrieved
7/7/2010 at http://www.otrsite.com/articles/artjf002.html
Blondie was a long-lived high
profile 1939-1950 show, apparently
without premiums. Its sponsors
were Camel Cigarettes and later,
Super Suds.
RADIO PARTY GAME
(2). Harmon, Jim. (1992). Radio Mystery and Adventure and Its
Appearances in Film, Television and Other Media. Jefferson, North
Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc.
(3). Harmon, Jim (1997). Radio & TV Premiums. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause
Publications
(4) Goulart, Ron.
Publishing.
The BLB-style Goldsmith Radio
Star Series featured well known
performers, Eddie Cantor, Joe
Penner, Ed Wynn, and Jack Pearl
who did not enter either the
cereal or premium business.
(1995).
The Funnies.
Holbrook, MA: Adams
(5). Dunning, John (1998). On the Air, The Encyclopedia of Old-Time
Radio. New York: Oxford University Press.
BLONDIE BLB
(6). Lowery, Lawrence F. (1981). Lowery’s The Collector’s Guide to Big
Little Books and Similar Books. Danville, California: ERA Corp.
(7). Goldin, J. David (1998).
Connecticut: Radio Yesteryear.
The Golden Age of Radio.
Hamden,
(8). Daniels, Les. (1998). Superman, the Complete History. San Francisco:
Chronicle Books.
THE GOLDSMITH RADIO STAR SERIES
(9). Tombusch, Tom. (1989). Illustrated Radio Premium Catalog and Price
Guide. Dayton, Ohio: Tomart Publications.
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FADING MEMORIES
DICK TRACY
In the summer of 2010, the last daily strip for Little Orphan Annie was
printed. The continuity story line is now put to rest.
BLB collectors know that it was Dick Tracy who was the first
character to appear in a Big Little Book - in time for Christmas of 1932.
After that, he appears in over 30 more books and dozens of peripherals
related to BLBs. Any youngster growing up in the 30s, 40s, or 50s
knows the square-jawed detective.
In July of 2010, the Roy Rogers Museum closed its doors. The
taxidermined horse, Trigger, and dog, Wolf, were auctioned off. There were
actually 8 other Triggers - each trained to do a different set of stunts. Olivia
de Havilland rode Trigger in the Adventures of Robin Hood film.
Sadly, on June 1, 2008 Chester
Gould’s Dick Tracy Museum in Woodstock, IL. officially closed due to lack
of attendance and financial reasons.
A little more than a year ago, the Dick Tracy Museum closed its doors
forever. Attendance was not enough to keep the museum going.
Younger generations have no fond memories of things most of our Club
Members have. They have their own heroes. Cowboys are replaced with
astronauts, western stories are replaced with science fiction. Who today
knows Smokey Stover, Toonerville Trolly, Harold Teen or such movies as
Limelight, The General, The Thin Man? What does it mean to them to hear
“Remember the Alamo” or “Remember Pearl Harbor”?
BLB Club Member Walt Needham, while on vacation, recently took a side
trip to the place where Tim McCoy is buried. In the grand Irish tradition,
he poured a small whisky drink on McCoy’s gravestone in fond remembrance
of a bygone hero.
“I had learned that Tim McCoy and his wife were buried in a family plot
at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Saginaw,” wrote Walt. “We stopped there on
the way back home. I had heard that the old Colonel (a mullti-volume
big little book hero) used to like a drink of bourbon so I brought part of a
bottle and poured it on the headstone as per an old Irish custom.”
Gould, who lived in Woodstock for
much of his life, started drawing the
Dick Tracy comic in 1931 and continued to do it for 46 years. At its peak,
the comic strip was published in
over 600 newspapers.
The DICK TRACY MUSEUM
The privately funded museum, which opened in 1991, had been
struggling financially for a couple of years when newswoman Carolyn
Starks wrote that the museum guest book hadn’t been signed in weeks.
The shelves were lined with unsold Dick Tracy pens, yellow fedoras and
coffee mugs. And on a recent February morning, a broken furnace kept
museum director Jim Johnson shivering until closing time. Only a few
visitors stopped by, one of them was the repairman who got the heat
turned back on.
With attendance plunging, museum officials decided to close the 1,000square-foot shrine to the comic-strip detective and his creator -- longtime Woodstock resident Chester Gould. The decision was difficult for
Gould’s daughter, Jean Gould O’Connell, who said her father’s estate
could not keep funding it.
“It’s quite a loss for the community,” said Jim Johnson, the museums
director. “It’s such a nice concentration of history. It’s 60 years of the art
of a genius.”
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Some of the artwork and memorabilia will remain at the Old Courthouse Arts Center where the museum was located. Other items will be
donated the McHenry County Historical Society and other museums.
About 300 pieces will be photographed and made available to the public
via an online exhibit in the near future, according to an article in the
Northwest Herald.
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LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE
Leapin’ lizards! Just seven weeks shy of 86 years after its debut, the Little
Orphan Annie comic strip came to an end. And it ended much like a classic cliffhanger - concluding with the teasing line: “And this is where we
leave our Annie. For now . . .” Readers are now forever suspended in the
middile of a mystery.
Today’s comic -- said to be the feature’s last -- concludes with the teasing
final line: “And this is where we leave our Annie. For now -- “
The reasons behind the newspaper strip’s farewell, however, aren’t so
mysterious. Newspaper editors were no longer buying Annie. The strip
was now in fewer than 20 newspapers, thus the strip’s earnings crossed
the profit-loss curve. As Steve Tippie, Tribune Media Service’s vice president of licensing said, “We want to pay the creators a deent wage ffor
the work they do. And Ted Slampyak and Jay Mader did terrific work.
But the strip was no longer profitable.” He added that in the licensing
business you follow the sources of money. Today that means shfting to
iTunes, kids’ television interests, and kid-centric websites. It is not worth
it to try to appeal to today’s kids via the funny pages.
As Annie’s last episode came to a close, she was held captive by a somewhat benevolent killer and taken to somewhere in South America. Daddy Warbucks lost clues to her whereabouts. It is up to readers to imagine
what happens next.
Many of Annie’s greatest adventures are preserved in the Big Little Book
format. Like Dick Tracy, she appeared in nearly 30 BLBs and dozens of
BLB-type peripherals.
The LAST
LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE
DAILY STRIP
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ROY ROGERS
Originally, the Roy Rogers’ Museum was set up in Victorville, California. In 2003, it moved to Branson, Missouri. The decision to close the
Museum came after two years of steady decline in visitors. Roy’s fans
were getting older. Due to a depressed economy, people travelled less and Branson was not a major city to visit. Roy’s son, Roy Rogers Jr. said,
“My dad told me that if the museum starts costing money, then liquidate
everything and move on.” Because the museum was accumulating debt,
the Board of Directors voted to close the doors at the end of 2009. It
officially closed on December 12, 2009.
Much of the museum’s artifacts were auctioned off. Trigger (Roy’s horse),
Buttermilk (Dale Evans’ horse), and Bullet (Rogers’ German Shepherd),
having been preserved by a taxidermist, were sold individually.
Roy’s son continues to carry on the memory of Roy and Dale through
his traveling show, Golden Stallion. He said, “I think this country needs
the message that Roy and Dale always put forth, not only in their
professional lives, but in their private lives as well.”
Roy’s ten BLBs also preserve the image of the cowboy as an honest,
dependable hero.
The ROY ROGERS’
MUSEUM
Today’s generation knows Garfield, but Krazy Kat and Felix are not in
their memories. They know Hagar and Zits, but Prince Valiant and
Harold Teen are strangers.
When he retired years after his leadership in WWII, General Douglas
MacArthur stated, “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.” We
might say something similar concerning the great comic and cowboy
characters of the past, “they never die; they just fade away.”
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Since I’ve been collecting radio premiums and related items for more than
50 years, I was most pleased to see in a few recent Big Little Times issues,
articles related to Big Little Books and radio related premiums.
LETTERS
Thank you for the wonderful job you did with the Walt Disney Big Little
Books and Sunday Funnies. I always look forward to the Big Little Times
and your well researched articles!
GARY WOOD
Member #276
I must say I hate to see the BLTimes come to a halt. I have been a member
for around 20 years and knew someday it would probably come to an end,
but truly understand and want to thank you for all the years of devotion.
You have enlighten and brought joy to all that collect and cherish Big Little
Books. I could only imagine all the hours you have given to the BLT and the
web site and how it shows your 100% efforts.
I do have a question about the web stie. Will this site remain? Would it still
be maintained by you? If it is, I have an idea about the web site, and that is
to possibly have a blog. Somewhere members might be able to communicate
between each other.
I, for one, don’t mind giving my email address to members. You asked about
that some time ago. And in one of the issues I thought you once did a survey
of members in the club. I wonder if before the last issue another survey might
be conducted to see what kind of people Big Little Books attract. Maybe
people can be asked their occupation, whether retired, age, state they live in,
what they started collecting, how many books in their collection, etc. I guess
it would give you an idea on how these books have given possibly so many
diversified individuals a common connection. No names need to be given.
I’m sure some members won’t participate, but maybe you could fill in some
of the blanks. Possibly much of this could b done through email?
TOM GARDNER
Member #488
Good questions, Tom. I intend to maintain the website after next year. It will be
redesigned. I’ll think about adding a blog. And if you prepare a questionnaire, I’ll
send it out to members with an upcoming issue of the BLT.
LARRY LOWERY
Editor
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Pricing these premiums is always a difficult task when so much depends on
the condition and desirability of an item. Notice I didn’t mention rarity, since
a premium may be very rare, but few collectors may be interested in it, thus
the market value may be low because of lack of demand. Pulp magazine
premiums also command hefty prices because of the considerable interest
in characters like Doc Savage, The Spider, The Shadow, and others.
Do you intend to write another book, as a companion to your excellent
Golden Age Big Little Book referenc guide - this time for the Silver Age up
to modern times? It would sure be nice to have this companion volume, if
your are up to the task. How many years did it take you to put together the
last volume?
I hope that you can find someone who is willing to take over for you, so
that our club will continue to survive a little longer. These are difficult
times, and we all could use a little “cheering up,” especially those of us who
appreciate the pleasure we felt when we got a chance to get our hands on
a Big Little Book we didn’t have in our collection. Hence, our reluctance
to give up future editions of the Big Little Times, which addresses our
interest. However, I’m thinking that perhaps you have done such a fine job
in documenting information about Big Little Books, that there really is no
need to proceed much further. Your work stands on its own, and what an
impressive contribution it is! Worthwhile writing, with useful information
bears re-reading. So maybe we club members can always go back to your
earlier editions of the Big Little Times and read them again.
As ever, my best to you in all your future endeavors.
MICHAEL A. SANTELL
Member #162
I do intend to write a Silver Age volume on the Better Little Books. It might take a
while, since the first volume took me about 10 years (No, I did not work on it every
day for 10 years). Every person who is a member of the Club when the Club ends
after December 1011, will be notified when the book is available. I also intend to
publish a Big Little Book in honor of the great Whitman BLBs. I’ll tell more about
these items and others during the coming year.
LARRY LOWERY
Editor
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CLASSIFIED ADS
WANTED
WANTED
BLB and related items
Golden Age 10¢ comics
WWI - WWII military items
Phantom BLBs:
Desert Justice (1421)
Return of the Phantom (#1489)
Flash Gordon BLB:
Monsters of Mongo (soft cover)
ROBERT JOHNSTON (Member #57)
5111 South 93rd Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68127
Also
Zorro, Lone Ranger, Davy Crockett,
Green Hornet, Shadow, and
Crusader Rabbit memorabilia
FOR SALE
And
non-sport cards, various board
games.
30 BLBs
Selling as a lot at wholesale prices.
Most VF to NM.
Some HTG premiums and FA.
For list, send email request to:
[email protected]
GUIDELINES FOR PLACING ADVERTISEMENTS IN
THE BIG LITTLE TIMES©
Communication concerning the buying, selling, seeking, and trading of BLBs will be
improved if all advertisers do the following:
1. Grade BLBs according to the criteria in the Collector’s Guide to Big Little Books
and Similar Books or on the Club’s website: biglittlebooks.com
2. Use standard symbols for grading: M (mint); NM (near mint); F (fine);
VG (very good); G (good); FAIR (fair); P (poor).
3. Provide other helpful information such as: “spine missing,” “ink marks on
the cover,” “softcover version.”
4. Use the Collector ’s Numbers from the Collector’ Guide to Big Little Books
and Similar Books in place of or along with the Publisher ’s Numbers.
The Collector’s Numbers help in identifying variations. The copyright
date of the book can be an optional addition.
Copy for advertising must be received by the 15th of the month
prior to the month of publication.
JEFF KEPLEY (Member #1337)
6956 Westmoreland Way
Sacramento, CA 95831
(916) 421-0921 evenings or weekends
STEVE ROBINSON (Member #840)
FOR SALE
Cocomalt Buck Rogers
in the 25th Century
Very Good Condition
Name written in pencil on title page.
$40.00 plus $5.00 shipping
FOR SALE
Top-Line Comics Box Set: Freckles,
Bronco Bill, Bobby Thatcher
Three books in box are in FINE
condition. The box is FINE
except for a tear along one side.
$125.00 + $5.00 shipping
CONRAD OKERWALL (Member #1165)
Call: (928) 474-0745
or email: [email protected]
FOR SALE
MINT Condition
The Golden Age of Big Little Books
This award winning BLB Club book
is out of print. The Club has just 6
soft cover copies left. $130.00 each
plus $5.00 shipping. When they are
gone, that is all there is.
LARRY LOWERY (Member #1)
Call: (925) 837-2086
or email: [email protected]
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LARRY LOWERY (Member #1)
Call: (925) 837-2086
or email: [email protected]
The BIG LITTLE TIMES© is published 6 times per year on a bimonthly
subscription basis by the Educational Research and Applications LLC. It is one
of several publications published for The Big Little Book Club by the ERA, LLC.
The publication is devoted to people who research, collect, or are just
enthusiastic about Big Little Books© and similar books.
Contents ©ERA, LLC 2010, all rights reserved
Subscription rates: One year (6 issues) . . . . $15.00 . . . . Single Issues . . . . $4.00
CANADA . . . . $18.00 . . . . Single Issues . . . . $5.00
Advertising Rates for Members . . . Up to 50 words . . . $3.00; Full page . . . $25.00
Advertising Rates for Non-members . . . Up to 50 words . . . $4.00; Full page . . . $$40.00
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