It's Time To Smile 1945 06 13 (197) Marilyn Maxwell

# The Eddie Cantor Show: It's Time to Smile (June 13, 1945)

Picture yourself tuning in on a warm summer evening in 1945, the radio crackling to life with the familiar, energetic voice of Eddie Cantor—banjo eyes twinkling even through the airwaves. This week's broadcast brings the glamorous Marilyn Maxwell into the spotlight, and the chemistry between Cantor's rapid-fire comedy and Maxwell's elegant presence crackles with genuine entertainment. You'll witness witty repartee, musical numbers that showcase both stars' talents, and the kind of spontaneous humor that only live radio could deliver. The orchestra swells, the audience roars with laughter, and for thirty minutes, the weight of a nation at war melts away into pure, unadulterated joy—the very mission Cantor had championed since the depths of the Depression.

By 1945, *The Eddie Cantor Show* had become an American institution, one of the most beloved programs on radio. Cantor himself was a vaudeville legend turned broadcasting pioneer, famous not only for his comedic timing but for his genuine warmth and humanitarian spirit. During World War II, he'd become known as "Banjo Eyes," a nickname that endeared him to servicemen and civilians alike. This particular episode, broadcast just weeks after D-Day, carries the historical weight of a nation in transition—still fighting overseas, yet beginning to imagine peacetime again. Maxwell, a rising starlet, represented Hollywood's glamour bleeding into America's living rooms, a bridge between entertainment and aspiration.

Step back into June 1945 and experience the radio magic that sustained millions through uncertain times. *It's Time to Smile* delivers exactly what its title promises—laughter, music, and the infectious energy of Eddie Cantor at the height of his powers. Tune in and discover why this show remained one of America's most cherished broadcasts for over two decades.