1930's Christmas show on WTMJ

Starter of this subject: Macandrew
Last post in this subject: 11/30/2001
Messages in this subject: 2

Macandrew 11/30/2001
2 replies
Many years ago Ideals magazine had an article about a WTMJ, Milwaukee, radio show that aired each year at the Christmas season. It began around 1930 and was sponsored by a local department store. The main character was one of Santa's elves, Billie the Brownie. He read the usual letters to Santa and told stories of the day-to-day goings-on at the North Pole. The last episode before Christmas had Santa in a mad-dash to leave for his annual journey, followed by a reading of A Visit from St. Nicholas. One of the characters was an Eskimo named, I think, Me-Tek; another was a dog named Willy Wagtail.

The show was one for fifteen or thirty minutes daily, during the five o'clock hour. The elf was voiced by women; one of them, whose first name was, I believe, Carol, went on to work for Wisconsin public TV.

Does anyone have information on this show, or know if the character was copyrighted?

Thanks, Macandrew

Jack French 11/30/2001
1 replies
As a kid living in Kaukauna, Wisconsin in the mid-40s (I was then 10 years old) my brothers and I listened to that show faithfully. But I can't recall any other data about the show than you've listed, other than the fact it was still airing in the 1940s.

Jay Hickerson's "Guide to all Circulating Shows" does not list it under the title of "Billie the Brownie", so either it no longer exists in audio form, or we've got the wrong title.

Macandrew 12/2/2001
0 replies
Thanks, Jack. As to the title, I really don't know if Billie the Brownie is correct. The only information I have is what was is that article. The writer, I think, was not old enough to have heard it and did it based on interviews. At least, this is my impression.

It would be interesting if any recordings exist, but I won't hold my breath in anticipation....(tongue in cheek)

Take care - happy and safe holidays.