Railroad Hour 48 11 22 (008) Hit The Deck

# The Railroad Hour: Hit The Deck

As the familiar whistle of the locomotive fades into the opening orchestral swell, listeners settle into their chairs for an evening of sophisticated entertainment. In this November 1948 broadcast, *The Railroad Hour* presents "Hit The Deck," a sparkling musical comedy that promises all the glamour and romance audiences crave. Picture the scene: a naval officer on shore leave, a spirited young woman with dreams of stardom, and the kind of misadventures that only shipboard settings can provide. The orchestra swells with infectious melodies as the cast brings Irving Caesar's beloved operetta to life—witty repartee crackles between scenes, while the full chorus launches into rousing numbers that practically leap through the radio speaker. This is escapist entertainment at its finest, perfectly calibrated for the postwar American family gathering around their Philco or Zenith.

*The Railroad Hour* occupied a unique niche in radio's golden age, blending the theatrical prestige of Broadway with the accessibility of popular music broadcasting. Sponsored by the Association of American Railroads, the show managed to be both genuine musical theater and patriotic Americana without feeling propagandistic. Each week brought a different classic operetta or musical comedy to life with first-rate orchestration and talented vocalists, making grand theatrical experiences available to millions who might never afford a Broadway ticket. This particular adaptation of "Hit The Deck" exemplifies the show's mission: bringing beloved American musical treasures into living rooms across the nation, complete with the crackle of genuine live performance.

Don't miss this delightful evening of song and comedy. Tune in to *The Railroad Hour* and discover why America fell in love with musical radio drama—where every ticket was free and every night felt like opening night on Broadway.