The New Edgar Bergen Hour
A Bergen Family Christmas
by
Edgar Bergen brings his celebrated ventriloquist act to radio, where his sharp-witted wooden companions take center stage. Charlie McCarthy, the irreverent, top-hatted wisecracker, is Bergen’s most famous foil; other familiar figures include the homespun Mortimer Snerd and the gruff, slow-speaking Effie Klinker.
The program blends comic conversation and character routines with the broader variety-show style associated with Bergen’s broadcasts. Bergen plays the patient straight man to his puppets’ interruptions, teasing, and outrageous remarks, while the show’s entertainment can also include music and guest appearances. The result is a lively mix of banter and performance rather than a single continuous story.
At its heart is the distinctive illusion of a ventriloquist’s act translated for radio: Bergen’s calm delivery gives each character room to sound like an independent personality. The humor is playful and conversational, with Charlie’s confidence and cheekiness providing a spirited contrast to Bergen’s composure.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
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