Blue Ribbon Town

Blue Ribbon Town is a half-hour variety show set in a fictional town named after the show's sponsor, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. Typical shows feature music, a special guest, and a comedy skit. The two-part show from February 1944 in this collection is notable as it celebrates the centennial of Pabst Blue Ribbon and includes a vision of American a century in the future. Sadly, very few of the show's episodes survive.

For most of its run in 1943 and 1944, Groucho Marx served as host, serving up classic Groucho--twisty comedy skits, wrenching puns, and convoluted non sequiturs. Guests included such stars as Barbara Stanwyck, Charles Laughton, and Jack Benny. Durwood Kirby, who I remember as Garry Moore's announcer in the early days of television, served as the show's announcer. Groucho left the show in June, 1944, and the show ended its run two months later.

For more information, see Wikipedia.

Series description provided by Frank Bell.