An Ax Man Update: Radio Days

The post "Colonel Robert McCormick: Ax Man" stirred up several emails from readers. One in particular from Larry Reed, author of The Exaggerator, provided some additional information on both "Trees to Tribune" and Colonel McCormick's radio days.

With regards to "Col. Robert McCormick: Ax Man":

"Trees to Tribunes" was originally released as a silent film (with subtitles) in 1931; in 1937, it was reissued with sound and narration, howbeit with substantial editing from the previous such.

I saw the 1937 version, and I think it's infinitely superior in terms of actually having spoken narration explaining all.

Something which may be worth mentioning in future might want to be Col. McCormick's role in radio--not so much his involvement with WGN radio and television as with his hosting the Saturday-evening "Chicago Theatre of the Air" on the Mutual network (of which WGN was a founding affiliate, along with WOR New York and WXYZ Detroit). The Colonel would have a segment during the intermission discussing historical topics or other subjects of timeliness, which would be duly reprinted in the Sunday Tribune the next day.

FYI, "The Chicago Theatre of the Air" originated from "Insull's Throne," a/k/a the Civic Opera House, just off the Loop (nowadays, it's the Lyric Opera House).

For a list of the radio programs, see:
Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs

"The Great Waltz," was aired May 31, 1947 and you can listen to it here. (Sorry about the commercial.)

For more information on McCormick, see Richard Norton Smith's biography, The Colonel: The Life and Legend of Robert R. McCormick, 1880-1955.