Dinah Shore Show, The

Dinah Shore was one of the most popular singers and entertainers of the 1940s and 1950s. Her radio program, The Dinah Shore Show, was a long-running and successful series that featured her distinctive vocals and charming personality. The show spanned several decades and went through various incarnations, each with its own unique format and cast of supporting performers.

The Stars

Dinah Shore was the undisputed star of the show, showcasing her rich, velvety voice and warm, engaging stage presence. She was a versatile performer who could handle a wide range of musical styles, from pop standards to jazz ballads. Shore’s effortless delivery and natural charisma made her a favorite with audiences throughout her career. See below for stars in specific date periods.

Key Dates

• The Dinah Shore Show first debuted on August 6, 1939, airing on the Blue Network. This initial 15-minute program featured Shore as the sole performer, accompanied by an orchestra led by Paul Lavalle.
• The series ended on January 14, 1940.
• A similar Friday-night program began on the same network on June 14, 1940, with Irving Miller leading the music.
• This version of the show concluded on September 27, 1940.
• On November 2, 1941, Shore began a 15-minute program on the NBC-Blue network, sponsored by Bristol-Myers.
• This series, titled “Songs by Dinah Shore,” ran until April 26, 1942.
• From May 1, 1942, to April 23, 1943, Shore starred in the 15-minute “In Person, Dinah Shore” program, which originated in Hollywood and was broadcast on the Blue Network. Truman Bradley was the announcer, and Gordon Jenkins was the music director.
• The longest-running incarnation of The Dinah Shore Show was “The Bird’s Eye Open House,” which aired on CBS from September 30, 1943, to May 30, 1946. This half-hour program featured comedy segments with Cornelia Otis Skinner and Roland Young, as well as performances by the Joseph Lilley Singers. The music director was Robert Emmett Dolan, and Harry von Zell was the announcer.
• Shore’s program then moved to NBC, where it was sponsored by Ford Motor Company from September 18, 1946, to June 11, 1947. Comedian Peter Lind Hayes was featured on this version, and Dolan again handled the music.
• In 1948, Shore’s program was titled “Call for Music” and aired on CBS and NBC, with Johnny Mercer and Harry James as co-stars. This series ran from February 13 to June 29, 1948.
• The final incarnation of The Dinah Shore Show was a simulcast of Shore’s television program on NBC Radio, which aired from 1953 to 1955 and was sponsored by Chevrolet Dealers.

Other Information

Throughout the various versions of The Dinah Shore Show, the format remained largely consistent, featuring Shore’s vocal performances along with comedy sketches and musical numbers by supporting cast members. The show was sponsored by a variety of companies over the years, including Bristol-Myers, Birds Eye Frozen Foods, Ford Motor Company, Philip Morris, and Chevrolet Dealers.

In addition to her radio work, Dinah Shore also appeared in several films during the 1940s and 1950s, including Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943) and Belle of the Yukon (1944). She later transitioned to television, hosting her own successful variety series, The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, from 1956 to 1963.

The Dinah Shore Show was a beloved and long-running radio program that showcased the talents of one of the era’s most popular and versatile entertainers. Dinah Shore’s warm, engaging personality and exceptional vocal abilities made her a favorite with audiences throughout her career.