Beulah Show, The

The Beulah Show was an American sitcom that ran on CBS Radio from 1945 to 1954, and on ABC Television from 1950 to 1953. The show is notable for being the first sitcom to star an African-American actress, and for being ABC TV’s first hit situation comedy. It was also the first hit TV sitcom without a laugh track.

The show centered around Beulah Brown, an African-American housekeeper and cook for the Henderson family. Much of the comedy derived from Beulah’s ability to solve the problems that her employers could not figure out. The show was controversial for its caricatures of African Americans, with Beulah viewed by some as a stereotypical “mammy” figure similar to Aunt Jemima.

The radio version of The Beulah Show started out with white actor Marlin Hurt portraying Beulah, but in 1947 the role was taken over by acclaimed African-American actress Hattie McDaniel. McDaniel’s portrayal of Beulah was a groundbreaking achievement, as she became the first black woman to star in a network radio program.

The television adaptation of The Beulah Show ran for three seasons on ABC from 1950 to 1953, with several actresses portraying the title role, including Ethel Waters, Hattie McDaniel, and Louise Beavers. The show faced similar criticism as the radio version for its stereotypical depictions of African Americans.

The Stars

Hattie McDaniel was the most well-known and acclaimed actress to portray Beulah on the radio version of the show. McDaniel, who had previously won an Academy Award for her supporting role in Gone With the Wind, brought a nuanced and sympathetic interpretation to the character.

Other notable stars of the radio series included Marlin Hurt, who originated the role of Beulah, as well as Bob Corley, Lillian Randolph, and Amanda Randolph, who all took turns playing the title character. The show also featured a supporting cast that included Ruby Dandridge, Ernest Whitman, and Nicodemus Stewart.

Key Dates

• The Beulah Show debuted on CBS Radio on July 2, 1945 and ran until May 28, 1954. The radio series went through several format changes and cast changes over the years. In 1947, the show briefly aired on ABC before returning to CBS. 
• The television adaptation of The Beulah Show premiered on ABC on October 3, 1950 and ran for three seasons, ending on September 22, 1953. The TV series also saw significant cast changes, with Ethel Waters, Hattie McDaniel, and Louise Beavers all portraying the title role at various points. 

Other Information

The Beulah Show was sponsored by a variety of companies over the years, including Tums, Dreft detergents, General Foods, General Motors, and Murine.

The show was referenced in the 2004 mockumentary film C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America, which depicted a fictional television series called Leave It to Beulah featuring Beulah as a domestic slave. This was a satirical commentary on the show’s controversial racial stereotypes.

Despite its problematic elements, The Beulah Show was a groundbreaking program that paved the way for more nuanced and complex portrayals of African Americans on radio and television. Its legacy continues to be debated and discussed by scholars and fans of old-time radio.