It's Time To Smile 1942 04 01 (69) Guest John Charles Thomas

# The Eddie Cantor Show: "It's Time To Smile" (April 1, 1942)

Step into the warm glow of your radio dial this April evening in 1942, where Eddie Cantor's infectious energy crackles through the airwaves like electricity. The maestro is in rare form, his rapid-fire patter and signature "bandeye" eye-rolls practically visible through your speaker as he trades quips with the evening's distinguished guest, the magnificent baritone John Charles Thomas. Expect the unexpected as Cantor weaves comedy sketches, musical numbers, and comedy bits with the practiced ease of vaudeville royalty, while Thomas brings operatic gravitas to the proceedings—a delicious contrast that made these variety hours the appointment listening of America's living rooms. The orchestra swells, the audience roars, and for thirty minutes, a nation at war finds respite in laughter and song.

By 1942, Eddie Cantor had already spent over a decade dominating the medium, transforming radio into a vehicle for his restless comedic genius and social commentary. The Eddie Cantor Show became must-listen entertainment, a bridge between vaudeville's golden age and the modern broadcast era. During wartime, when Americans desperately needed diversion from grim headlines and rationing, Cantor's show offered something essential: proof that joy and entertainment were still possible, that laughter itself was a form of resistance against despair. His willingness to tackle current events with humor while maintaining the show's entertainment value made him more than just a comedian—he was a national treasure.

Don't miss this sparkling encounter between the king of comedy and one of America's greatest singers. "It's Time To Smile" captures Eddie Cantor at his irreverent best, reminding us why this program remained one of radio's most beloved institutions for over two decades. Tune in now and discover why millions made this their favorite evening's entertainment.