Hap Hazard
{{Short description|American old-time radio comedy-variety program}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
Hap Hazard is an American old-time radio comedy-variety program that was broadcast on NBC-Red beginning on July 1, 1941{{cite book |last1=Dunning |first1=John |title=On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio |date=1998 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-977078-6 |page=309 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EwtRbXNca0oC&dq=%22Hap+Hazard%22+Sherman&pg=PA309 |language=en}} and on CBS beginning in January 1942.{{cite news |title=Hap Hazard Show Renewed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101795579/herald-and-review/ |access-date=May 14, 2022 |work=Decatur Herald |date=January 23, 1942 |page=22|via = Newspapers.com}}
Premise
The title character, Hap Hazard, was the proprietor of Crestfallen Manor, "a ramshackle hotel in the 'Stop-and-Flop' chain." Flaws in the building, such as creaking floors, dripping faucets, and non-shutting doors, kept Hazard busy trying to help guests in the hotel. In the program's CBS version, guests at the hotel demanded "a variety of entertainment ranging from music appreciation lessons to talks on the international situation".{{cite news |title=On the Air |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101796202/harrisburg-telegraph/ |access-date=May 13, 2022 |work=Harrisburg Telegraph |date=January 23, 1942 |page=15|via = Newspapers.com}}
Personnel
=NBC version=
On the NBC version, Ransom Sherman had the title role, and wrote the scripts, with Dick McKnight as assistant writer.{{cite magazine |last1=Green |first1=Nat |title=Chicago |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/40s/1941/BB-1941-08-23.pdf#page=7 |access-date=May 14, 2022 |magazine=Billboard |date=August 23, 1941 |page=7}} Edna O'Dell was the show's vocalist, and Harlow Wilcox was the announcer. Billy Mills and his orchestra provided music. Other members of the cast were Elmira Roessler as Miss Mink, Arthur Kohl as Mr. Pittaway, Ray Grant as Demitasse,{{cite news |title=Ransom Sherman Opens A Hap Hazard Tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88815567/the-times/ |access-date=May 13, 2022 |work=The Times |date=July 1, 1941 |location=Louisiana, Shreveport |page=14|via = Newspapers.com}} and Mary Patton as Kitty.{{cite news |title=Hap Hazard show gets top rating |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101794238/hap-hazard/ |access-date=May 13, 2022 |work=The Tampa Times |date=August 5, 1941 |page=11|via = Newspapers.com}} Cecil Underwood was the program's producer, and Van Fleming was his assistant.{{cite magazine |last1=Green |first1=Nat |title=Chicago |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/40s/1941/BB-1941-08-30.pdf#page=11 |access-date=May 14, 2022 |magazine=Billboard |date=August 30, 1941 |page=11}} The show initially originated from Chicago, but in August 1941 it moved to Hollywood. Johnson Wax was the sponsor.
Hap Hazard began as a summer replacement for Fibber McGee and Molly,{{cite news |last1=Curtiss |first1=Bowden |date=July 1, 1941 |title=Ransom Sherman Assumes New Role Of Hap Hazard Over WIBA Tonight |page=15 |work=The Capital Times |location=Wisconsin, Madison |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101793858/the-capital-times/ |access-date=May 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} broadcast in that program's time slot from 9:30 to 10 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC-Red. However, it remained on the air when Fibber McGee and Molly returned in the fall. Initial plans called for Hap Hazard moved to Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC-Red beginning on October 1, 1941,{{cite news |date=August 18, 1941 |title='Hap Hazard" Stays |page=63 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1941/1941-08-18-BC.pdf#page=63 |access-date=May 14, 2022}} but the debut in the new time slot was delayed until October 15, 1941. Shirley Mitchell and Paula Winslowe were in the cast, and Martha Tilton was the singer. Johnson's Car-Nu Wax was the sponsor.{{cite news |title=Fibber McGee to Return Sept. 30 Without Peary |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1941/1941-09-29-BC.pdf#page=20 |access-date=May 14, 2022 |work=Broadcasting |date=September 29, 1941 |page=20}}
=CBS version=
CBS began carrying Hap Hazard in 1942 with a three-week run on seven West Coast stations beginning on January 2. Distribution was expanded to the national network on January 23, 1942.{{cite news |title=P&G Show Ready |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1941/1941-12-29-BC.pdf#page=29 |access-date=May 14, 2022 |work=Broadcasting |date=December 29, 1941 |page=29}} Sherman still portrayed Hazard, and Irene Ryan was in the cast, as was Dix Davis, as the hotel's bellhop.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/289173735/?clipping_id=140375861 "Films Discover Valuable Face—Ransom Sherman"]. Salt Lake Telegram. June 1, 1942. p. 9. "Hollywood discovered Ransom Sherman, but he's NOT in pictures. He's one of radio's topflight fun-making men, and as he puts it: 'There's one thing certain about a microphone; It doesn't care whether you get a few gray hairs in your head or not.' Here's Sherman and his bellboy, Dix Davis, who plays in his show." Tilton was the singer, and Gordon Jenkins led the orchestra. Jack Harvey and Arthur Stander were the writers, and Joe Parker was the producer. Ivory Soap was the sponsor. The show was broadcast on Fridays from 10 to 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time, replacing Hollywood Premiere.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hap Hazard}}
Category:1941 radio programme debuts