BROADCASTS.com

Debuting in 1931, before networks had been established coast to coast... there were two separate casts. One in San Francisco starring Floy Margaret Hughes and the other in Chicago starring Shirley Bell as Annie. When the networks went Coast to Coast the Chicago cast became the permanent one. The show was sponsored by Ovaltine... and actually used up to 7 minutes of each broadcast pitching Ovaltine. Secret Decoder badges, rings, shake-up mugs for drinking Ovaltine, a fan club handbook... and announcer Pierre Andre talking about the virtues of Ovaltine for children who would drink it. It was quite an operation for its time... but it was one of the shows that is listed in the role of "One of the Great Radio Heroes" ... and it was the only show to deal with and appeal to young children. More episodes in the playlist on Soundcloud.com in the "Orphan Annie" playlist.