Constance Bennett Calls on You

Constance Bennett Calls on You is an American old-time radio talk show. It was broadcast on ABC May 21, 1945 - March 15, 1946.[1] Beginning November 20, 1945, it was also carried on CJBC in Toronto, Canada.[2] The program was also known as The Constance Bennett Show.[3]

Constance Bennett Calls on You
Constance Bennett, circa 1930
Other namesThe Constance Bennett Show
GenreTalk
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
SyndicatesABC
StarringConstance Bennett
AnnouncerGeorge Ansbro
Robert Latting
Original releaseMay 21, 1945 (1945-05-21) – March 15, 1946 (1946-03-15)

Format

Constance Bennett Calls on You featured discussion of topics in which women were interested — from new hats to families to world events.[1] A preview article in the trade publication Billboard said, "She'll tell about the people she meets, the places she goes and the things she does."[4]

Fridays on the program were devoted to answering letters mailed in by listeners. The show also had a "woman of the week" feature.[1] In conjunction with the weekly recognition, the Gruen Watch Co. designed a new model watch named after Bennett and awarded one of them to each "woman of the week".[5]

Sponsorship

As one of ABC's "co-operative programs", Constance Bennett Calls on You was part of a plan under which advertisers paid only for sponsorship in their own listening areas. The live broadcasts had commercials inserted by local announcers.[6] Broadcasts were sponsored by various businesses (mainly department stores and specialty stores) in the markets in which the program was heard. By late October 1945, the number of sponsors had reached 26.[5]

Bennett often integrated advertising into her comments. Advertisers were notified in advance what items of clothing or accessories she planned to talk about in a particular day's broadcast. Sponsors who had those items for sale could then advertise in newspapers and in-store promotions that Bennett would be talking about them on that day's program.[7]

Personnel

Actress Constance Bennett was the hostess for the program. She and the announcer discussed whatever topics were on each day's agenda. Announcers were George Ansbro and Robert Latting. Bennett sometimes interviewed prominent guests, such as Elsa Maxwell.[3]

References
  1. Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 180. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved 2019-10-29. Constance Bennett Calls on You, talk.
  2. "Sponsors" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 3, 1945. p. 61. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  3. Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4.
  4. "Blue Co-Op Options Constance Bennett" (PDF). Billboard. March 10, 1945. p. 10. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  5. "Exchange Promotion" (PDF). Broadcasting. October 29, 1945. p. 72. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  6. "(American Broadcasting Company ad)" (PDF). Broadcasting. May 7, 1945. p. 49. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  7. Robertson, Bruce (August 27, 1945). "Co-op Sales Boosted by Network Aid" (PDF). Broadcasting. pp. 22, 24. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
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