I'm highlighting something pretty unusual this week.
We're tapping into the wonderful world of radio broadcasting.
Meet Snooks Higgins.A pint-sized menace.She lives in California with her father, Lancelot "Daddy" Higgins, her mother, Vera "Mommy" Higgins, and later on her little brother, Robespierre Higgins.Snooks isn't exactly a mean child-just a pestial one.She doesn't have many friends, scares away her tutors, and babysitters are also out of the question.So, most of her time is spent with Daddy Higgins, much to his despair.Overall an affectionate father, Daddy Higgins has a short temper, especially when it comes to his daughter and her mischievious antics, small mind,and incessant questions.Not to mention that Snooks has a problem with repeating things without knowing what they mean or fully understanding them, so she often gets Daddy in trouble.Mommy Higgins is usually busy,and only appears occasionally.Later on,Snooks' little brother Robespierre is added to the mix.Snooks doesn't take too kindly to her baby brother, refusing to include him in her evening prayers,force-feeding him soap,and tying him to the faucet in the bath tub and leaving him there.
They're probably the most unconventional family you'll ever meet,but now you can come into their home and meet Baby Snooks for yourself.
The concept for Baby Snooks has been around since the early 1900's.It started gaining more popularity in 1912, when a young Fanny Brice started doing the part of Baby Snooks in her vaudeville acts.The word spread, and Baby Snooks was welcomed as a guest on other regular radio programs, and also helped advertise things like Maxwell House Coffee.
Finally, in 1944, CBS became the home of The Baby Snooks Show, which aired every Friday at 8:00 pm.Fanny Brice, who was already in her 50's when the show officially aired, played the impossibly loveable Snooks,creating an incredible character with her voiceover skills.Hanley Stafford played Daddy Higgins.Fanny took her portrayal of Baby Snooks very seriously.Her
backgroud as a comedienne came into play in front of the broadcasting audience,where she would always dress in child's clothing, with a big bow in her hair, and would act out the scene for the audience while it was being recorded.CBS remained the home of Baby Snooks until 1949 when the show moved to NBC.
In 1950, NBC brought The Baby Snooks Show to television.It only lasted for one episode,though.As Fanny Brice said herself, the character of Snooks just "didn't work properly when seen."From then on, The Baby Snooks Show was broadcasted every Tuesday night at 8:30 until 1951.On May 29, 1951, the show was brought to an ubrupt close with the death of it's star, Fanny Brice.There was no possible way anybody could have replaced her as Baby Snooks.
Finally, in 1944, CBS became the home of The Baby Snooks Show, which aired every Friday at 8:00 pm.Fanny Brice, who was already in her 50's when the show officially aired, played the impossibly loveable Snooks,creating an incredible character with her voiceover skills.Hanley Stafford played Daddy Higgins.Fanny took her portrayal of Baby Snooks very seriously.Her
backgroud as a comedienne came into play in front of the broadcasting audience,where she would always dress in child's clothing, with a big bow in her hair, and would act out the scene for the audience while it was being recorded.CBS remained the home of Baby Snooks until 1949 when the show moved to NBC.In 1950, NBC brought The Baby Snooks Show to television.It only lasted for one episode,though.As Fanny Brice said herself, the character of Snooks just "didn't work properly when seen."From then on, The Baby Snooks Show was broadcasted every Tuesday night at 8:30 until 1951.On May 29, 1951, the show was brought to an ubrupt close with the death of it's star, Fanny Brice.There was no possible way anybody could have replaced her as Baby Snooks.
The Baby Snooks Show became one of the most beloved radio programs of all time.
And now, you can enjoy it too.There are quite a few episodes (some in multiple parts) that can still be accessed.These are rare gems, and I encourage everyone to listen to them.They will definitely get you laughing.So, I've picked out two episodes that I've really enjoyed.The second one is in multiple parts,but here they are:
The Baby Snooks Show: "Magic" Aired April 18, 1940http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ9psYtPJpcThe Baby Snooks Show: "Halloween" Aired October 31, 1941
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doBtRg5wRcA
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWcSxKBFDrM&feature=related
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJEldv_brBc&feature=related
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