RADIO PREMIUMS -
RELIVE THEM AGAIN!
TOM CORBETT, SPACE CADET
This show only ran a short time on radio from January 1952 to June of the same year. It's more well-known as a television program. The sponsor on radio and television was Kellogg's PEP cereal.
- 3-11-52
Title of episode: "The Metal Men of Mercury". 16 different 'Magic Eyes" were available inside packages of Kellogg's PEP. The 'Eyes' were small discs inset with flicker pictures of planes, movie stars, trains and sports stars. Tom Corbett, himself, was featured on one of them.
- 4-17-52
Title of episode: "Holiday of Terror". Pictures of Tom Corbett and the other Space Patrol members were on the backs of Kellogg's PEP packages. The announcer, Jackson Beck, also announced a major change in the package style of PEP
- 5-27-52
Title of episode: "Revolt on Prison Rock". Real space goggles were available for one Kellogg's PEP box top and 25c. Unlike regular sunglasses, these goggles were designed for the future and consisted of a single, sweeping piece of plastic which covered both eyes. Astro said he wore them in the engine room of the Polaris to keep from being blinded by radiation!
TOM MIX
Tom Mix was one of the longest running children's programs and was the king of radio premium offerers. Although, there are very few surviving programs, some include references to premiums or the offers themselves and give a hint at the variety of goodies Tom offered. Ralston Cereals (Instant, Hot and Shredded Ralston) sponsored the show throughout it's entire run
- 0-0-40
Title of episode: "Mystery of the Border Smugglers". A secret message was broadcast at the end of the show. It was "Great guns, but Tony is a swell horse". There were no Tom Mix manuals offered in 1939 or 40, so, assuming the show was, in fact, broadcast in 1940, there is little to go on to decipher this message. Perhaps an old straight shooter out there may be able to help.
- 00-00-41
Subject of episode: Whisper plans to blow up the powder plant. Tom Mix Comics #5 was offered. This issue featured full color comics of Tom, Pecos, Wrangler, and Jane. It also included magic tricks, games, puzzles and facts about the West. It was available for only 2 Shredded Ralston box tops.
- 8-10-45
Title of episode: "Mystery of the Vanishing Village". Sheriff Mike Shaw's "Whistling Sheriff's Badge" was offered for 10c and the circle with the letters "RSS" from the top of a box of Shredded Ralston. It was just like the badge the vigilantes gave Sheriff Mike. Made of sturdy metal, it had a siren whistle in the middle of the badge so you could send signals or call for help.
- 4-28-48
Title of episode: "Mystery of the Hurricane Horse". Mike Shaw wants to try and "bust" the Hurricane Horse. Tom is afraid to let him try but agrees to call a Straight Shooter at home for advice. Mike agrees to abide by the decision. Names were selected from those kids who had previously sent for the Tom Mix Identification Bracelet and, therefore, had identification cards on file with Tom (Little Orphan Annie operated an identification bureau like this, too, remember?). The Straight Shooter called was Jantha Pomeroy, a 7 year old girl from Massachusetts. She decided Mike should try and break the horse so he could replace his beloved Redskin. Of course, Tom and Mike were honor-bound to accept Jantha's advice.
- 1-3-50
Jack Laramie is accused of killing Buckshot Baker. This is a 12 minute excerpt in poor sound and generally won't be found in any catalog. In this episode, Tom uses his Bullet Telescope to check on who is spying on him and Mike Shaw. The Bullet Telescope was made of plastic and came apart to reveal a bird whistle inside. This whistle was used to warn of danger or call for help.
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