It's Time To Smile 1945 01 24 (177) Ida Wants A Divorce

# It's Time To Smile – "Ida Wants A Divorce"

As the orchestra swells and Eddie Cantor's unmistakable voice crackles through the airwaves on this January evening in 1945, listeners settle in for another rollicking hour of comedy and musical delight—but tonight carries an extra spark of domestic turbulence. The premise is deliciously simple: Ida, Eddie's long-suffering wife, has finally had enough! What begins as another of Eddie's harebrained schemes quickly spirals into marital mayhem, complete with comedic misunderstandings, rapid-fire wisecracks, and the kinds of misadventures that only Cantor could orchestrate. The talented supporting cast—including the show's beloved regulars—plays off Eddie's manic energy with perfect timing, while the studio audience roars with approval at every turn. Between the laughs, you'll be treated to a selection of smooth musical numbers that showcase the show's variety show format at its finest.

By 1945, *It's Time To Smile* had become America's comfort during wartime, a beacon of escapist entertainment that helped audiences forget the anxieties of the war effort for a blessed sixty minutes each week. Eddie Cantor himself had become a national treasure—a vaudeville legend who'd successfully transitioned to radio with his trademark enthusiasm, physical comedy (perfectly captured through sound effects and audience reaction), and an everyman quality that made him relatable despite his star status. The domestic "battle of the sexes" comedy was a perennial favorite, and Cantor's ability to portray both the scheming husband and the victim of his own plots kept audiences laughing night after night.

Tune in now and discover why millions of Americans considered *It's Time To Smile* an essential part of their weekly routine. Eddie's charm is absolutely timeless.