Major Bowes Amateur Hour

Introduction

The Major Bowes Amateur Hour was an American radio talent show broadcast in the 1930s and 1940s, created and hosted by Edward Bowes (1874–1946).The Major Bowes Amateur Hour was an American radio talent show broadcast in the 1930s and 1940s, created and hosted by Edward Bowes (1874–1946).

Selected performers from the program participated in touring vaudeville performances, under the "Major Bowes" name.Selected performers from the program participated in touring vaudeville performances, under the "Major Bowes" name.

The program later transitioned to television under host Ted Mack.The program later transitioned to television under host Ted Mack.

Major Bowes and the Original Amateur Hour

Bowes brought his amateur hour to the New York City radio station WHN in April 1934.Bowes brought his amateur hour to the New York City radio station WHN in April 1934.

On March 24, 1935, on NBC, The Chase & Sanborn Coffee Company chose this show to fill The Chase and Sanborn Hour.On March 24, 1935, on NBC, The Chase & Sanborn Coffee Company chose this show to fill The Chase and Sanborn Hour.

This arrangement lasted until September 17, 1936, when the show moved to the CBS Radio Network.This arrangement lasted until September 17, 1936, when the show moved to the CBS Radio Network.

The show remained on CBS for the remainder of its run on radio.The show remained on CBS for the remainder of its run on radio.

Each week, Bowes would chat with the contestants and listen to their performances.Each week, Bowes would chat with the contestants and listen to their performances.

His familiar catchphrase "Round and round she goes, and where she stops nobody knows," was spoken in the familiar avuncular tones for which he was renowned, whenever it was time to spin the "wheel of fortune," the device by which some contestants were called to perform.His familiar catchphrase "Round and round she goes, and where she stops nobody knows," was spoken in the familiar avuncular tones for which he was renowned, whenever it was time to spin the "wheel of fortune," the device by which some contestants were called to perform.

Bowes sent the more talented contestants on "Major Bowes" vaudeville tours, often with several units roaming the country simultaneously.Bowes sent the more talented contestants on "Major Bowes" vaudeville tours, often with several units roaming the country simultaneously.

Bowes presided over his radio program until his death on his 72nd birthday, June 14, 1946.Bowes presided over his radio program until his death on his 72nd birthday, June 14, 1946.

Frank Sinatra was perhaps the best known alumnus of the Bowes program, having appeared as part of the Hoboken Four quartet.Frank Sinatra was perhaps the best known alumnus of the Bowes program, having appeared as part of the Hoboken Four quartet.

Maria Callas also appeared on the program at age 11, performing as Nina Foresti when she sang a selection from Madame Butterfly.Maria Callas also appeared on the program at age 11, performing as Nina Foresti when she sang a selection from Madame Butterfly.

Major Bowes' Shower of Stars

In 1945–1946, CBS presented "an extension series" of the original program.In 1945–1946, CBS presented "an extension series" of the original program.

"It is composed of 12 prize winning acts which have never before appeared in Buffalo, with Ted Mack, former conductor of Shea's Buffalo Orchestra, returning in the role of master of ceremonies."It is composed of 12 prize winning acts which have never before appeared in Buffalo, with Ted Mack, former conductor of Shea's Buffalo Orchestra, returning in the role of master of ceremonies.

On the screen will be Mickey Rooney, the delightful star of the Judge Hardy family series, in his newest role, Hold That Kiss with Maureen O'Sullivan and Dennis O'Keefe, Shea's Buffalo News will conclude the bill."On the screen will be Mickey Rooney, the delightful star of the Judge Hardy family series, in his newest role, Hold That Kiss with Maureen O'Sullivan and Dennis O'Keefe, Shea's Buffalo News will conclude the bill."

"In the stage show, Major Bowes has booked some of the outstanding acts heard over his weekly radio program, most of which have just won honors within the past weeks."In the stage show, Major Bowes has booked some of the outstanding acts heard over his weekly radio program, most of which have just won honors within the past weeks.

Among these are the Three Chords who startled the studio audience and radio listeners with their uncanny imitations of musical instruments and favorite bands, on the May 12 broadcast."Among these are the Three Chords who startled the studio audience and radio listeners with their uncanny imitations of musical instruments and favorite bands, on the May 12 broadcast."

"Bobby Blakeman, choir boy, who is called the Bobby Breen of the Major's hour, brings an unparalleled sweet voice to the program."Bobby Blakeman, choir boy, who is called the Bobby Breen of the Major's hour, brings an unparalleled sweet voice to the program.

Louise Boyd, the amateur Eleanor Powell, has a reputation for never missing a tap in her difficult routine; and the Wallace Brothers, was "first assistant in the talent selection, production and direction" where the radio show continued to run until 1952.Louise Boyd, the amateur Eleanor Powell, has a reputation for never missing a tap in her difficult routine; and the Wallace Brothers, was "first assistant in the talent selection, production and direction" where the radio show continued to run until 1952.

(Another source says that Mack's program ran on ABC radio, rather than on CBS.)(Another source says that Mack's program ran on ABC radio, rather than on CBS.)

Starting with the 1950–51 season, both the radio and television versions became simply Original Amateur Hour and in 1955, the TV version was renamed Ted Mack and The Original Amateur Hour.Starting with the 1950–51 season, both the radio and television versions became simply Original Amateur Hour and in 1955, the TV version was renamed Ted Mack and The Original Amateur Hour.

Future stars who appeared on the show included Pat Boone and Gladys Knight.Future stars who appeared on the show included Pat Boone and Gladys Knight.

Each episode usually featured eight acts.Each episode usually featured eight acts.

Viewers selected the winner, casting votes for their favorites by telephone or by mail.Viewers selected the winner, casting votes for their favorites by telephone or by mail.

Each segment's winner was announced the next week.Each segment's winner was announced the next week.

All contestants who won for three consecutive weeks appeared in an annual championship episode.All contestants who won for three consecutive weeks appeared in an annual championship episode.

Mack's style was decidedly more charitable than that of Bowes.Mack's style was decidedly more charitable than that of Bowes.

The Major made a strong impression on a young Alan King, who had appeared on the Bowes program as a teen.The Major made a strong impression on a young Alan King, who had appeared on the Bowes program as a teen.

He was discussing Bowes with Johnny Carson once, and suddenly stomped on the floor and yelled, "Can you hear me down there, Major Bowes?"He was discussing Bowes with Johnny Carson once, and suddenly stomped on the floor and yelled, "Can you hear me down there, Major Bowes?"

suggesting that the late radio host had been consigned to Hell as punishment for his treatment of young performers.suggesting that the late radio host had been consigned to Hell as punishment for his treatment of young performers.

In his comic monologue on his album Sinatra at the Sands (1966), Frank Sinatra describes how his vocal group The Hoboken Four's appearances were so popular on Major Bowes Amateur Hour in the mid 1930s that they were brought back week after week, under a different name each time.In his comic monologue on his album Sinatra at the Sands (1966), Frank Sinatra describes how his vocal group The Hoboken Four's appearances were so popular on Major Bowes Amateur Hour in the mid 1930s that they were brought back week after week, under a different name each time.

1992 version

On January 26, 1992, the Family Channel launched its version of the program, The New Original Amateur Hour, with Willard Scott as host.On January 26, 1992, the Family Channel launched its version of the program, The New Original Amateur Hour, with Willard Scott as host.