Great Beginnings: First Nighter and “the little theatre off Times Square” March 5, 2007
Posted by William Spear in >> Great Beginnings, >> Radio Drama.trackback
The First Nighter program took listeners to “the little theatre off Times Square” to rub shoulders with celebrities attending each week’s premier on the great White Way.
It was also home to a popular drama anthology which ran for 23 years sponsored by Campana, Miller Beer and, later, sustained.
Hosted by Mr. First Nighter, played by Don Ameche, each show began with the sounds of Broadway and walking into a theatre. The following is the introduction for The Chinese Gong:
. . .
MR. FIRST NIGHTER: (COLD) Theatre time. Broadway’s buzzing with excitement and eagerly awaiting to welcome an opening night performance at the little theatre off Times Square. There’ll be a crowd of onlookers and autograph fans on hand at the entrance to greet the celebrities who always attend the premier on the great White Way. So let’s not miss a minute of the excitement.
SFX: BED: TRAFFIC SOUNDS, HORNS.
MR. FIRST NIGHTER: It’s just a short walk around the corner. Will you join me?
SFX: LET BED BREATHE.
MR. FIRST NIGHTER: There’re lots of uniforms in the crowd tonight at Broadway and 42nd Street. Shall we cross the street here?
SFX: BED: TRAFFIC SOUNDS, HORNS. THEATRE CROWDS MILLING ABOUT.
MR. FIRST NIGHTER: Well here we are at the little theatre off Times Square.
SFX: THEATRE CROWDS MILLING ABOUT. POLICE WHISTLES.
TICKET TAKER: (OFF MIC) Have your tickets ready, please. Have your tickets ready, please. (LET BED BREATHE: ON MIC) Good evening, Mr. First Nighter. The usher will show you to your box.
MR. FIRST NIGHTER: Thank you. We’ll go right in.
MUSIC: THEME: UP AND ESTABLISH.
MR. FIRST NIGHTER: We’ll here we are and every seat is taken. Advance theatre notices have heralded tonight’s play as a thriller packing plenty of excitement in every scene with the biggest surprise coming at the very end. Its title is The Chinese Gong and it was written by Arch Oboler. Topping an all star cast is our popular leading lady, Barbara Luddy, and opposite Miss Luddy is her guest leading man, Olan Soule. The play is pure fiction of course and does refer to real people or to actual events. And now, before first curtain, let’s listen to Eric Sagerquist’s First Nighter Orchestra.
MUSIC: UP AND ESTABLISH AND OUT.
. . .
We’ll take two tickets; front row center. Don’t worry about being late; they’ll hold the curtain for friends of the First Nighter.
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Mr. First NIghter once opened with him saying to cab driver, “Little theater off Times Square.” Later in his box he would announce the night’s program which always starred Barbara Luddy and Les Tramain.
Ed,
Thanks for stopping by and adding to the post. Mr. First Nighter is one of my favorite openings.
Warm regards,
William
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