Barrel of Fun

Barrel of Fun was a half-hour comedy sketch and variety show hosted by Charlie Ruggles, versatile character actor of stage, screen, and radio, who is best remembered for his comedic talents. Each show loosely--very loosely--follows a plot designed to give Ruggles and the other performers room for rapid-fire puns, jokes, and non sequiturs of all sorts, interspersed with musical interludes which were in no way related to the plot.

Charlie is supposedly the proprietor of the Barrel of Fun Cafe, but the cafe is decidedly a minor element in the plots. Among the cast regulars are Benny Rubin, best known for appearances on Jack Benny's shows, and Verna Felton, who voiced many Disney animated characters.

Music is provided by Linda Ware, Dave Rose and his Orchestra, and The Sportsmen quartet. The show aired in 1941 and 1942.

For more information, see the Wikipedia article on Charles Ruggles.

Series description provided by Frank Bell.