It's Time To Smile 1945 04 18 (189) Introducing Fred Martel

# It's Time To Smile — April 18, 1945

Step into a radio studio humming with wartime energy as Eddie Cantor, the man with the infectious giggle and those famous wide eyes, welcomes America into his world of vaudeville hijinks and musical merriment. On this April evening in 1945, with the war in Europe entering its final chapter, listeners tuned to their sets are about to meet Fred Martel, a fresh talent whose introduction promises the kind of delightful surprise that keeps America coming back week after week. Expect the rapid-fire jokes, the endearing malapropisms, and that unmistakable Cantor charm that had audiences roaring in theaters and now fills living rooms coast to coast. The band strikes up, the crowd's laughter crackles through the airwaves, and for thirty minutes, the weight of the world lifts just enough.

The Eddie Cantor Show had become an institution by 1945—a beacon of American entertainment that proved radio was far more than mere news and soap operas. Cantor's career spanned vaudeville, Broadway, film, and now radio, making him one of the few entertainers capable of bridging all mediums. This episode captures the show at its height, when a talent introduction meant something special; discovering new performers alongside established stars was radio's unique gift. The variety format allowed Cantor to showcase not just comedy, but music, pathos, and genuine human warmth—qualities especially precious during wartime when families gathered around the radio seeking connection and hope.

Don't miss this window into a golden age when entertainment was live, unscripted, and thrillingly unpredictable. Tune in to hear Eddie Cantor at his finest, and discover Fred Martel at the threshold of his career, captured forever in this pristine recording from April 18th, 1945.