The Jumbo Fire Chief Program
Robert Farrell
The Jumbo Fire Chief Program is an American old-time radio program featuring the talents of Jimmy Durante, Donald Novis, and Gloria Grafton. This entertaining series was broadcast from WEAF radio in New York and syndicated nationally over the Red Network of the National Broadcasting Company.
Based on Billy Rose's musical circus act Jumbo, which premiered on Broadway in November 1935, the program continued the legacy of sponsor Texaco's The Fire Chief, a show starring Ed Wynn that concluded its run shortly before Jumbo's debut. Durante stars as Claudius "Brainy" Bowers, the enthusiastic circus promoter whose exaggerated claims often lead to financial troubles, while Novis and Grafton portray young love interests Matt Mulligan, Jr. and Mickey Consodine.
The series aired from October 22, 1935, to January 14, 1936, and was recorded live at the New York Hippodrome, entertaining an audience of 4,500 to 5,000 spectators each week.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
Chapters
| Trouble with the IRS | 30:04 |
| Romantic Mix-Up | 29:38 |
| Jumbo Is Hidden | 29:15 |
| The Circus Is to Be Sold | 28:39 |
| An Investor for the Circus | 30:00 |
| Brainy Modernizes the Circus | 29:25 |
| An Old Fashioned Show | 29:01 |
| The First Payment Is Due | 29:58 |
| Fights with Bosco | 30:04 |
| Brainy Woos a Wealthy Woman | 28:54 |
| The Wealthy Woman Visits the Circus | 29:59 |
| The Big Fight | 29:25 |