| Show Name: | The Electric Hour |
| Format: | Popular music |
| Runtime: | 30 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Syndicates: | CBS |
| Starring: | Nelson Eddy |
| Announcer: | Frank Graham |
| Producer: | Charles Herbert |
The Electric Hour is an American old-time radio program of popular music. It was broadcast on CBS from September 20, 1944, to June 9, 1946.[1]
Nelson Eddy starred in The Electric Hour, and each episode featured a guest star who sang duets with him. Genres featured included music from films, folk songs, and "ballads from many lands".[1] Gail Lulay, Eddy's biographer, wrote in Nelson Eddy, America's Favorite Baritone: An Authorized Biographical Tribute, "This was Nelson's dream show because it had a musical format."[2] Lulay added that the program contained "some of Nelson's best music".[2]
The program initially originated from CBS Columbia Square in Hollywood, California. Effective with the September 16, 1945, installment, it moved to the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. A report in the trade publication Billboard said that the change was caused by "acute studio space shortage at CBS".[3]
Eddy was the only regular featured performer on The Electric Hour. Guests included Jeanette MacDonald, who performed with Eddy in films.[4] Instrumental music was provided by Robert Armbruster's orchestra,[5] and Armbruster's chorus provided vocal support.[6] Frank Graham was the announcer, and Charles Herbert was the producer.
The program's title came from its sponsor, a group of electric utilities across the United States. The organization had the slogan "local electric companies — all producing power for America under American business management."[5] The number of participating utilities was 167 in 1945.[5]
In 1945, 1946, and 1947, the same sponsors presented The Electric Hour Summer Series as replacements for regular programs. Dates and featured artists, which varied from year to year, are listed below: