Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
While this was not a children's radio program, these comic characters were very familiar to 1930s children, as they have been for nearly a century. Also I want to highlight more unique "A Christmas Carol" adaptations. In this episode Dagwood falls asleep and dreams that his boss Mr. Dithers is Ebenezer Scrooge.
The first few Blondie movies from Columbia Pictures in 1938 and 1939 were so successful that a radio series was launched with its stars Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. This radio series and the film series ended in 1950.
Penny Singleton - Blondie Bumstead
Arthur Lake - Dagwood Bumstead
Leone Ledoux - Baby Dumpling [this character was later renamed Alexander with age]
Hanley Staffors - Mr. Dithers
NOTE: Blondie's long time sponsor was Camel's Cigarettes. A tobacco sponsor was common for prime time radio shows, even in the family hour. For the Christmas episode, it is only heard at the end.
While this was not a children's radio program, these comic characters were very familiar to 1930s children, as they have been for nearly a century. Also I want to highlight more unique "A Christmas Carol" adaptations. In this episode Dagwood falls asleep and dreams that his boss Mr. Dithers is Ebenezer Scrooge.
The first few Blondie movies from Columbia Pictures in 1938 and 1939 were so successful that a radio series was launched with its stars Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. This radio series and the film series ended in 1950.
Penny Singleton - Blondie Bumstead
Arthur Lake - Dagwood Bumstead
Leone Ledoux - Baby Dumpling [this character was later renamed Alexander with age]
Hanley Staffors - Mr. Dithers
NOTE: Blondie's long time sponsor was Camel's Cigarettes. A tobacco sponsor was common for prime time radio shows, even in the family hour. For the Christmas episode, it is only heard at the end.





![Popeye The Sailor [On Radio] Popeye Stops The Runaway Trolley c. 1935
Some sources list this episode as dated September 10, 1935, however it is unlikely that date is correct, based on description of the program. In this adventures Popeye needs Wheatena to save Olive and Matey from a runaway trolley
Detman Poppen or Floyd Buckley* as Popeye
Olive Lamoy as Olive Oyl
Jimmy Donnelly as Matey
Charles Lawrence as Wimpy.
*Buckley was known for a deep sounding voice, so he is probably the Popeye in this episode. Popeye The Sailor [On Radio] Popeye Stops The Runaway Trolley c. 1935](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gJxFouDHOpQ/mqdefault.jpg)



![1940s CLIFFHANGER SERIAL TRAILERS
It is long overdue, but here is a compilation of classic movie serials trailers from the 1940s. I hope to do a second volume with more well known chapter plays like King of The Rocket Men (1949).
Adventures of Red Ryder (1940). Today Tommy Cook (b. 1930) is the eldest surviving serial star. Don Barry was a gifted actor but also an early example of a controversial casting choice for a comics character.
Winners of the West (1941). The most appealing thing about the trailer may be Anne Nagel’s delivery.
Riders of Death Valley (1941). The “million dollar” serial? Great cast and outdoor scenes.
Gang Busters (1942). Recently restored with a 2K release worth checking out. Based on a true crime radio program but brought to the screen with a fantastic pulp like storyline.
[Return of] Captain America (1944). 1953 re-release trailer for Republic’s Captain America. The vigilante adventures of D. A. Grant Gardner.
Mystery of the Riverboat (1946). The main curiosity about this serial today is seeing Mantan Moreland as a supporting actor.
The Vigilante (1947). Ralph Byrd breaking away from Dick Tracy in one of the earliest DC Comics adaptations. 1940s CLIFFHANGER SERIAL TRAILERS](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jUuqEA9YlIg/mqdefault.jpg)
