It's Time To Smile 1943 09 29 (121) Guest Martha Raye

# The Eddie Cantor Show: "It's Time To Smile"

Picture this: September 29th, 1943. America sits down to their radios on a Wednesday evening, eager to escape the weight of wartime worries. Eddie Cantor's signature banjo eyes and infectious energy practically leap through the speaker as he welcomes the incomparable Martha Raye to the microphone. What unfolds is a masterclass in comedic timing and musical brilliance—Cantor's rapid-fire jokes and vaudeville wit clash delightfully with Raye's legendary versatility, her voice shifting from sultry crooner to rubber-faced comic in an instant. The orchestra swells between sketches, the audience erupts in genuine laughter, and for thirty minutes, the living rooms of millions transform into the most glamorous theater in America.

This particular broadcast arrives at a pivotal moment for The Eddie Cantor Show, now in its eighth year on the airwaves. By 1943, Cantor had become more than entertainment—he was a national institution, a voice of resilience during depression and war. Martha Raye, herself a tireless entertainer who would later become legendary for her dedication to American troops, brings a kindred spirit to the program. Together, they represent radio's golden age at its zenith: stars at their peak, material sharp as a tack, and an audience hungry for the communion that only live radio could provide.

This is radio as it was meant to be experienced—spontaneous, vital, and utterly alive. Tune in to discover why Eddie Cantor remained America's favorite entertainer for over two decades, and witness Martha Raye prove why she could hold her own with the industry's finest. *It's Time To Smile* captures the magic of an era when a family gathering around the radio was the greatest entertainment available, and two consummate professionals delivered nothing less than perfection.