A Stolen Melody? The Way It Was, 7 February

FEATURED BROADCAST . . .
THE JELL-O PROGRAM STARRING JACK BENNY:
JACK'S VIOLIN IS STOLEN
(NBC, 1937)

"They should have nominated the thief for the Nobel Peace Prize," is what Fred Allen might say about it after hearing of the theft---which Jack himself discovers after proclaiming he'll play "The Bee" this very night to show him and everyone else. Additional cast: Mary Livingstone, Kenny Baker, Phil Harris, Don Wilson. Music: Phil Harris Orchestra, Kenny Baker. Announcer: Don Wilson. Writers: George Balzer, Milt Josefsberg, William Morrow, Sam Perrin, John Tackaberry.

AIRWAVES . . .

1915---The first known train-to-station radio message is transmitted to Binghamton, New York. And if anyone Out There knows precisely what that message said, I'd still appreciate your sharing it greatly---since, two years after learning of it, I'm having only slightly less luck still finding that message, than I'd have catching and taking the A train on schedule and with room to squeeze into the morning rush hour crowd without having to leave a foot between the doors when they close.

CHANNEL SURFING

LUM & ABNER: LUM SAYS ABNER'S ARMS AREN'T BROKEN (MUTUAL< 1935)---He has to, just about, since Abner's (Norris Goff, who also plays Dick Huddleston) wife was fool enough to call the insurance company to put in a claim, and since Abner blames Lum (Chester Lauck) for starting the events that led to the ruse in the first place. Writers: Chester Lauck, Norris Goff.

THE MARRIAGE: BEN'S FATHER COMES FOR A THREE-WEEK VISIT (NBC, 1954)---Retired and presumed overactive, Father Marriott (Edwin Jerome) impresses the children (Denise Alexander, David Pepper) but wanting to be "no trouble at all" proves troubling to Ben (Hume Cronyn) and Liz (Jessica Tandy). Writer: Ernest Kinoy.

OUR MISS BROOKS: FOREIGN TEACHERS (CBS, 1954)---They're visiting Madison High, and their rude criticisms prompt reactions that may cost Connie (Eve Arden), Boynton (Jeff Chandler), and Conklin (Gale Gordon) their jobs, inspiring the trio to a desperate gesture when a major national education figure follows up. Walter: Richard Crenna. Harriet: Gloria McMillan. Additional cast: Unknown. Writer: Possibly Al Lewis.

SUSPENSE: VARIATIONS ON A THEME (CBS, 1956)---The best laid plans go to waste even for someone such as a man (Parley Baer) who thinks planning equals the perfect murder. Additional cast: Paula Winslowe, Sam Edwards, Barbara Fuller, George Walsh, Peter Lee. Writer: Anthony Ellis.

PREMIERING TODAY . . .

1915---Eddie Bracken (comedian/actor: The Aldrich Family; The Eddie Bracken Show), Astoria, New York.
1923---Keefe Brasselle (actor: Stars in the Air, Suspense), Elyria, Ohio.
1924---Hattie Jacques (actress: It's That Man Again, Educating Archie), Sandgate, Kent, U.K.