Philip Morris Night — May 23, 1948: Broadcast from Chicago

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Date: January 18, 2026
Host: Horace Heidt
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Theme: A celebratory talent contest capturing the spirit of the Golden Age of Radio, featuring young performers vying for the "Golden Championship Crown" and a cash prize, while interspersed with live musical performances and community messages.

Main Theme & Purpose

"Philip Morris Night" delivers an exciting, talent-filled live show that merges radio variety entertainment with a friendly championship contest. Young competing performers, each with unique stories and aspirations, perform for a chance to win the coveted crown and cash prize. The show blends musical acts, youthful ambition, inspiring community messages, and patriotic remembrance — all set within a lively 1948 radio studio atmosphere.

Key Discussion Points & Talents

Opening Segment and Contest Introduction

• [00:03] The show opens with the iconic Philip Morris jingle, setting the nostalgic tone.
• [00:18] Host Johnny introduces Horace Heidt and the promise of "waking up fresh with no cigarette hangover," demonstrating the period's blend of entertainment and advertising.
• [01:34] Horace Heidt welcomes the audience, introducing the night’s championship contest: 16-year-old trombonist Stanley Morse (Zanesville, Ohio) defends his crown against four Chicago contestants.
  • "Nice people, welcome ... to our great championship contest." (Horace Heidt, 01:34)

The Contestants: Showcases and Performances

[Round 1: The Harmatones]

• [02:00 – 05:06]
  • Trio: Leo Panino (machine shop), John Crutch (freight dispatcher), Dominic Latino (pickle processor).
  • Origin: They met fishing on Lake Michigan and discovered a shared harmonica talent.
  • Performance: Debut their own composition, "Knockabout Boogie."
  • Quote: "They hoped to take a healthy bite out of the championship belt ... with their own composition." (Horace Heidt, 02:52)

[Round 2: Robert Morton]

• [05:06 – 07:44]
  • NBC transcription library worker; never before sung on the radio.
  • Performs "Song of the Open Road," dedicated to his dream of a musical career.
  • Memorable Moment: His powerful rendition earns notable praise for a "well-deserved break."
  • Quote: "Let me love and then ride away, life is short, they say, and maybe for me ... let me be free." (Robert Morton, 06:30)

[Round 3: Marilyn Tilton]

• [07:44 – 10:36]
  • 20-year-old Northwestern University senior.
  • Performs impressions of Ella Fitzgerald, Ella Mae Morse, and Betty Hutton.
  • Captivates with her vivacity and versatile vocals.
  • Quote: "Her hobby is impersonating famous girl singers and she hopes to button up first prize." (Horace Heidt, 08:03)
  • Memorable Moment: Marilyn’s upbeat impressions, particularly her playful "rocking horse" number.

[Round 4: Bob Hite]

• [11:43 – 14:40]
  • Navy Cross-winning fighter pilot and music major at Northwestern.
  • Performs a punchy rendition of "Honeysuckle Rose."
  • Quote: "Bob packs a mean punch with his version of Honeysuckle Rose ... a fella who is mighty fast with his hands." (Horace Heidt, 12:27)

[Round 5: Stanley Morse]

• [14:40 – 18:13]
  • Reigning champion; 16-year-old trombone virtuoso from Zanesville.
  • Attempts "Second Hungarian Rhapsody" by Liszt — never before performed on trombone for radio.
  • Quote: "Now if he can battle his way through this selection, it will be quite an achievement for a 16-year-old lad." (Horace Heidt, 14:58)

The Judging and Awards

[Pass in Review & Results]

• [18:13 – 26:29]
  • Contestants’ performances are recapped for the judges and audience.
  • Judges: Judge Joseph Sabbath (38 years on the bench) and Police Commissioner John C. Prendergast.
  • Memorable Build-up: Host and judges deliberate, reinforcing the tension and excitement.

[Winner Announced]

• [26:29]
  • Winner: Stanley Morse, by 10 and 11 points from the two judges.
  • Receives the championship crown and $250 prize.
  • Quote: "Stanley Morris, the trombone player, is the winner. There you are, Stanley." (Horace Heidt, 26:29)
  • Stanley’s jubilant reaction: "Thanks to me... I did it again... Tell everybody in the church that I did it. $250." (Stanley Morse, 26:42)

Notable Musical and Patriotic Interludes

[Memorial Day Tribute: "My Buddy"]

• [22:08 – 25:09]
  • Harold Parr and Dick Contino perform a moving rendition of "My Buddy" in honor of Memorial Day and fallen soldiers.
  • Followed by Horace Heidt reading "In Flanders Fields."
  • Quote: "We are the fallen. Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow ... now we lie in Flanders fields." (Horace Heidt, 24:25)

Closing: Community and Touring Announcements

[Mayor Martin H. Canelli’s Address]

• [28:06 – 29:26]
  • Commends the show for inspiring youth.
  • Asks the tour to promote safety among young people.
  • Presents Horace Heidt with a plaque from the city.
  • Quote: "If we can impress on our young people how important this is ... you will be enlarging on the great service you are already accomplishing." (Mayor Canelli, 28:41)

[Upcoming Shows]

• Heidt announces the schedule for upcoming touring broadcasts across the Midwest, building excitement for live audiences.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:34] Horace Heidt: "Welcome nice people ... to our broadcast with Chicago, Illinois. The scene this evening of our great championship contest."
• [05:06] Horace Heidt: "Oh, it's going to be a hard job deciding tonight who the winner will be."
• [14:40] Horace Heidt: "Oh, that ball is hot, Bob Height. That was wonderful, Bob boy."
• [24:25] Horace Heidt (Memorial tribute): "We are the fallen. Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow ... now we lie in Flanders fields."
• [26:29] Horace Heidt: "Stanley Morris, the trombone player, is the winner. There you are, Stanley."
• [26:42] Stanley Morse: "Thanks to me. We've been sw... I did it again. Tell everybody in the church that I did it. $250."
• [28:41] Mayor Canelli: "If we can impress on our young people how important this is ... you will be enlarging on the great service you are already accomplishing."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Jingle: 00:03 – 01:34
• Contestant Rounds:
  • The Harmatones: 02:00 – 05:06
  • Robert Morton: 05:06 – 07:44
  • Marilyn Tilton: 07:44 – 10:36
  • Bob Hite: 11:43 – 14:40
  • Stanley Morse: 14:40 – 18:13
• Judging & Recap: 18:13 – 22:08
• Memorial Day Tribute ("My Buddy" & "In Flanders Fields"): 22:08 – 25:09
• Winner Announced: 26:29
• Mayor’s Address: 28:06 – 29:26
• Upcoming Shows Announced: 29:26 onward

Overall Tone & Experience

Warm, celebratory, and vibrant — the broadcast captures the community spirit and optimism of post-war America. Horace Heidt’s friendly, encouraging style sets a supportive tone, while Mayor Canelli’s speech and the musical memorial reflect a deep sense of civic pride and collective remembrance. A nostalgic immersion into the heyday of radio variety, full of youth, human interest, and a dash of patriotic sentiment.