The Edgar Bergen Show
Edgar Bergen, Mortimer Snerd and Charlie McCarthy
The Edgar Bergen Show
Edgar Bergen made his first radio appearance with Charlie McCarthy on December 17, 1936 on Rudy Vallee's program.
The response was so overwhelming that the following year they were given regular spots on The Chase and Sanborn Hour. That began a long and illustrious career that ran from 1937 to 1956.
The popularity of a ventriloquist on radio, whre the audience was unable to see the dummies nor witness the skill of the ventriloquist, surprised and puzzled many critics - both then and now.
Even knowing that Bergen provided the voice, listeners by and large believed Charlie was a real person.
Why was Edgar Bergen so wildly popular as a ventriloquist on radio? Because Bergen's sense of comedic timing was superb and he handled Charlie and Mortimer's dialog with aplomb.
It was Bergen's wit in creating striking personalities was what made the show. Listen and see if you don't agree!