Jumbo - 1935 Radio Cast

This recording will form the basis of the long delayed AEI release (if it is ever released).

Just prior to the opening of Jumbo in 1935 Billy Rose began a series of 30 minute radio broadcasts devoted to his production of Jumbo. They contained songs and sketches from the show featuring the members of the original cast, most notably Jimmy Durante. The format was that of a continuing series recounting the problems of the circus, the plot adapted from the stage spectacle. Since the broadcasts were begun while the show was in rehearsal there are also some cut songs. Over the course of the first few episodes nearly all the Rodgers and Hart songs were presented. The first ten episodes are available for download at

http://www.archive.org/details/JumboFireChiefShow

This site also has 30, 45 and 60 minute versions of a number of musicals form the 1940s and 1950s. Search for Theater Guild and The Railroad Hour.

Is AEI still active? Haven't seen any releases from them in a long time.