It's Time To Smile 1942 10 14 (84) Guest Rudy Vallee

# It's Time To Smile - October 14, 1942

Picture yourself huddled around the radio console on a cool autumn evening in 1942, the warm glow of the vacuum tubes casting a soft amber light in the darkened living room. Eddie Cantor's distinctive voice crackles through the speaker with infectious enthusiasm as he welcomes Rudy Vallée, the legendary "Vagabond Lover," to the program. What unfolds is a masterclass in live comedy and musical variety—Cantor's rapid-fire wisecracks and eye-rolling delivery (you can almost see those famous animated expressions through the speaker) punctuate musical numbers that showcase both men's talents. The audience's laughter erupts with genuine spontaneity, that unmistakable sound of a live studio audience responding to unscripted moments and perfectly timed gags. Between sketches, a crisp NBC orchestra provides sophisticated arrangements, and the whole production crackles with the electricity of performers at the height of their powers, knowing they're broadcasting directly into millions of American homes.

By 1942, The Eddie Cantor Show had already established itself as a cornerstone of American entertainment, having transitioned successfully from vaudeville and Broadway to the intimate immediacy of radio. This particular episode captures a unique moment in broadcasting history—wartime America hungry for laughter and escapism, yet radio itself still in its golden age before television would reshape entertainment forever. Cantor's blend of slapstick humor, song, and topical comedy made him a cultural touchstone, while Vallée's appearance represented the crossover between old and new entertainment royalty.

This is radio as it was meant to be experienced—raw, alive, and utterly captivating. Tune in and discover why millions made It's Time To Smile a weekly ritual, and why nearly eight decades later, these performances remain timelessly funny.