Major Bowes' Amateur Hour
Major Bowes as his Amateur Hour became a national radio program, 1935.
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| Other names |
The Original Amateur Hour, Major Bowes and His Capitol Family |
|---|---|
| Genre | Amateur talent show, Variety show |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station |
WHN (Apr. 1934—Mar. 1935) NBC (Mar. 1935—Sept. 1936) CBS (Sept. 1936—July 1945) ABC (Sept. 1948—Sept. 1952) |
| Hosted by |
Edward Bowes Jay C. Flippen Ted Mack |
| Announcer |
Norman Brokenshire Phil Carlin Ted Cott |
| Created by | Edward Bowes |
| Directed by | Bob Reed |
| Recording studio | New York City, New York, USA |
| Original release | April 1, 1934 – September 18, 1952 |
| Audio format | Monaural sound |
| Sponsored by |
Chase and Sanborn, Chrysler, Old Gold Cigarettes |
Advertisement for The Original Amateur Hour, with Ted Mack
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| Created by | Major Bowes |
|---|---|
| Based on | Major Bowes and His Original Amateur Hour |
| Starring | Ted Mack |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Release | |
| Original network | DuMont (January 18, 1948 - September 25, 1949) NBC (October 4, 1949 - September 11, 1954) ABC (October 30, 1955 - June 23, 1957) CBS (May 1, 1959 - October 9, 1959) ABC (March 7, 1960 - September 26, 1960) CBS (October 2, 1960 - September 27, 1970) |
The Major Bowes Amateur Hour was an American radio talent show broadcast in the 1930s and 1940s, created and hosted by Edward Bowes (1874–1946). Selected performers from the program participated in touring vaudeville performances, under the "Major Bowes" name. The program later transitioned to television under host Ted Mack.
Bowes brought his amateur hour to the New York City radio station WHN in April 1934. On March 24, 1935, on NBC, Chase and Sanborn chose this show to fill The Chase and Sanborn Hour. This arrangement lasted until September 17, 1936, when the show moved to the CBS Radio Network. The show remained on CBS for the remainder of its run on radio.
Each week, Bowes would chat with the contestants and listen to their performances.
Bowes sent the more talented contestants on "Major Bowes" vaudeville tours, often with several units roaming the country simultaneously. Bowes presided over his radio program until his death on his 72nd birthday, June 14, 1946.
Frank Sinatra was perhaps the best-known alumnus of the Bowes program, having appeared as part of the Hoboken Four quartet. Maria Callas also appeared on the program at age 11, performing as Nina Foresti when she sang a selection from Madame Butterfly.
In 1945-1946, CBS presented "an extension series" of the original program. In addition to new talent, it featured performances by winners on the original program who had achieved some additional success.
Major Bowes Amateur Hour also toured the US under the name Major Bowes Jamboree in 1938. The following performers appeared on the stage of Shea's Buffalo:
"It is composed of 12 prize winning acts which have never before appeared in Buffalo, with Ted Mack, former conductor of Shea's Buffalo Orchestra, returning in the role of master of ceremonies. On the screen will be Mickey Rooney, the delightful star of the Judge Hardy family series, in his newest role, "Hold That Kiss" with Maureen O'Sullivan and Dennis O'Keefe, Shea's Buffalo News will conclude the bill."
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