It's Time To Smile 1942 05 27 (77) Guest Gracie Allen

# The Eddie Cantor Show: "It's Time To Smile" (May 27, 1942)

Step into the bright lights of a 1942 radio studio where Eddie Cantor, America's "Banjo Eyes," brings his irrepressible energy and lightning-quick comedy to an eager nation tuning in from living rooms across the country. This evening's guest is the incomparable Gracie Allen, whose dizzy charm and perfectly timed non-sequiturs promise hilarious sparring with Cantor's rapid-fire wit. What begins as scripted banter quickly spirals into inspired improvisation—Gracie's logic-defying observations colliding with Eddie's frantic charm create comedy gold that keeps studio audiences roaring with laughter. With the country deep in World War II, this broadcast offers what Cantor promised in the title itself: a reason to smile, an hour of escape from the anxiety and rationing that characterized the home front.

The Eddie Cantor Show was among radio's most prestigious variety programs, running continuously from 1931 through the 1950s and showcasing Cantor's legendary ability to command a stage with unrelenting charisma. By 1942, Cantor had already spent four decades in entertainment—vaudeville, Broadway, and film—making him one of America's most beloved entertainers. This episode captures the show at its zenith, when Cantor's brand of sentimental comedy and showmanship felt especially vital to audiences seeking reassurance during wartime. Gracie Allen's guest appearance represents the golden age of radio variety, when top entertainers would cross-promote on each other's programs, creating must-listen events.

Settle in for an evening of genuine spontaneous laughter and warm performer camaraderie. This is radio entertainment at its finest—no canned laughter, no safety net, just skilled professionals giving their all to brighten the spirits of a nation at war.