WISL Radio Turns Three Years Old in 1951

WISL Radio celebrated their third birthday on January 27th 1951 by running a full-page advertisement in the Shamokin News-Dispatch. In the advertisement you will see a massive list of all of the sponsors heard on WISL as well as a list of some of the Mutual Network programs aired by WISL.

The list of advertisers is transcribed below. It is truly incredible to see just how many businesses operated in the Shamokin area in the post-war era.

WISL Advertisement – Shamokin News-Dispatch January, 27th 1951

LoCal Advertisers

Albertini Motors
Alexander’s Restaurant
Amato Cleaners
Double-A Wafers
Anchor Diner
Ann’s Dress Shop
Anthracite Auto
Leonard Appichel, Contractor
Arcade Beauty Salon
Arena Gardens
Joseph Arnoldin & Sons
Atlas Rug Cleaners
Baker’s Auto Exchange
Midnight Cafe
Ballentine’s Radiator Shop
Baum’s Sport Center
John A. Belsky
Ben’s Fur Shop
Kaiser Frazer Dealers
Black Diamond
M. R. Bodner-Studebaker Dealer
The Bootery
Bowl-Mor Rowling Alleys
Raymond Boyle, Service Station
Burkett’s Service Station
Burns Furniture
Bycoskie Motors
Camera & Music Mart
Caravella Amusement Enterprises
Catino & Krayniak Auto Sales
Central Sales & Service
Choplick’s Cafe
Cohen’s Men’s Shop
John J. Chowka, Mortician
Crissincer Motors
Croll Furniture
Crone’s
Crowl Tire Company
Dale Circus
Daniel’s Pottery
Danville Livestock Market
James A. Davis
Davis Hosiery Company
Dell Cleaners
Sam Dluge
Dobroski Furniture
Dornbach Motors
Durdach Brothers
Dusick & Hoberg
John J. Dusick
Eagle Shoe Shop
East End Beverage Company
Edgewood Park
Edgewood Restaurant
Eisenhart’s
Ely’s Sample Shoe Store
Emily’s Corset Shop
Emworth’s Poultry
Fetterolf Chevrolet
Firestone Store
Follmer’s Florist
Forman’s Furniture
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Fryling Stationery
Fun Novelty Company
Fuhrmann & Schmidt
Gallagher’s
Charles N. Geist
Ghezzi’s
Girard Investment Company
Wlllard P. Graber, Insurance
Guinan’s Department Store
V. C. Hack & Sons
Hazel’s Gift Shop
Herr Gas & Oil Company
Economy Stores
Ben Hirsh Shoe Store
Hodrick’s Appliance
Home Furniture Company
Horowitz’s
Houghton’s Summer Resort
Household Appliance
Ideal Park
Island Park
Jay’s New York Store
Jeddo Store
Jepko’s
Jones Hardware Company
Katch Furniture
Keystone Auto Electric
King Music House
Kirby Sales & Service
Kiwanis Club
Ernest Klase
Kline Motors
Knoebel’s Groves
Charles Krebs Stores
Kresge Store
Kulpmont Athletic Club
Kulpmont Auto Wreckers
Kuzo Brothers
James LaCross Store
1st Roundup Cafe
Lazarus Store
Leader-Hamilton Company
Leaven’s & Donlan
Liachowitz Jewelers
Little Giant
Loyal Order of Moose
Lupold’s Furniture
Little Norway
M&L Cleaners
McElwee’s Jewelry Store
Madden’s Vacuum Cleaner Service
Maine Fire Company
B. Mallett A Sons
Mallett’s Variety
M. J. Marcinek
Martin & Kohler
C. E. Hoover
Mertz Motor Sales
Miller Brothers Shoes
Miller’s Cafe
Reba Miller
Mount Carmel Motors
Modern Dress Shop
Monarch Laundry
Moser’s Department Store
Mowery’s Radio Service
Moyer’s Sunoco Service
Murphy & Scovern
Natalie Drive-In
Natalie Grove
National-Dime Bank
J. J. Newberry
Thomas Nicholas, Plating
Nu-W’ay Drive-In
Dunkleberger’s Furniture
Pearock Shop
Parenzan’s Music Store
Peter Patti
Penn Premier Shows
J. C. Penney Company
Peter’s Hardware Store
Peter’s Furniture Store
Peter’s Appliances Store
Phil’s Men’s & Boys’ Store
Picarelli Markets
Pipa’s Beverage Company
Pitello’s Kiddies Shop
Pitello’s Dairy Lunch
Ralph Pupo
R-Radio & Appliance
Raker Lumber & Planing Company
Raup Lumber & Construction Company
Reed’s Milk & Ice Cream
George H. Reitz Jewelry
J. T. Rhoades, Florist
Rolling Green Park
Rosini Brothers Restaurant
Rosini Brothers Coal
Helen Rosini, Beautician
Rummel’s Nursery
SOS Radio Electric
Sam’s Restaurant
Same Day Vacuum Service
Shoener’s Millinery
Schneider’s Philco Dealer
Shades’ Venetian Blind Service
Shamokin Bible Depot
Shamokin Christian Laymen’s Association
Shamokin Cycle Shop
Shamokin Equipment Company
Shamokin Flying Service
Shamokin Home Association
Shamokin Sports Supply
Shamokin Tire Service
Shamokin Upholstering
Shamokin Ready Mixed Concrete Company
Shusner’s House of Glass
Silverman’s Variety
Smart Shop
Smink’s Book Shop
Marlin B. Snyder, Roofing
Sperry & Hutchinson
E. C. Stashinski
Style Shop
Superior Furniture
Superior Electric
George Swank
Switzer’s Cafe
Tomol’s
Troutman Motors
Union Fire Company
Union Beverage Company
Vallish Furniture
Stank’s
Victory Fur Shop
S. Watral & Son
Weller Brothers
West Ward Building & Loan Association
O. K. Wetzel
Wolfe’s Department Store
Wolfgang’s Electric Service
Workmen’s Supply
Worth’s
Yellow Cab Company
Youth For Christ
Harold Zeigler Appliances
H. A. Zimmerman, Jeweler
Roy Zimmerman Appliances
Capitol Theatre
Victoria Theatre
A & P Stores
Albermarle Hotel, Atlantic City
Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania
Big Boy Auto Parts
Brest Packing Company
Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators & Paperhangers of America
Buckley Amusement Enterprises
Butter Krust Baking Company
Clark Packing Company
Clark’s Feed Mills
Congress of Industrial Organizations
Theron D. Conrad, Investment Securities
Chevrolet Dealers
Crosley Shelvador Dealers
Cluckey’s Fur Studios
Crowl Chemical Company
Dayton Tire Dealers
D & H Distributing Company
Eastern Press
Edward’s Lakes-to-Sea System
Electro-Metallurgical Company
Insulation Service Company
International Ladies Garment Workers Union
K-B Frosted Foods
Keller Auto Racing
Bloomsburg Fair
Lycoming County Fair
Reading Fair
Selinsgrove Fair
Maurer’s Dairy
Miller’s Auto Stores
Neighborhood Bakery
Northumberland Memorial Park
Philco Dealers
Rea & Derick, Inc.
Real French Cleaners
Roaring Creek Water Company
Rusco Products Company
Sanitary Diaper Service
Shamokin Packing Company
Spaulding Bakeries
Shamokin Sanitary Milk Company
Stegmaier Brewing Company
Styletex Clothes
Tharp’s Ice Cream
Textile Workers Union Local No. 173, U. T. W. U. of A.
Triangle Shoes
Upholstering Schools
Wise Potato Chips
Williams Grove Park
Yoch’s Bakery Company
Academy Distributors
Alamo Restaurant
Anna Jane Beauty Shop
Avellino Cafe
Art’s Coffee Shop
American-Australian Wool Shop
Atkins Store
Bardex Medicine
Blue Goose
Beaney’s Produce
Bashore’s
Ben Reimer’s Men’s Store
Black Diamond Garage
Broscious Farm Supply
Capital Hospital Service
Castetter’s Cafe
Concannon’s
Chrystal Bottling Company
Central Food Markets
Choplick’s Cafe
Crone’s Cigar Store
Cohen’s Hardware
DeSantis & Deitman Body Shop
D & R Radio & TV Sales
Esso Dealers
Exchange Club
Enterprise Specialty
Empire Vulcanizing Company
Esslinger
First National Bank of Mount Carmel
Frank’s Cafe
Forget-Me-Not Shop
Green Meadow Poultry Market
Louis Grossman & Sons
Gordon Airport
Guarantee Trust & Safe Deposit Company
Robert Graham
Harner Motor
Harry’s Grill
Hummel’s Furniture
Henry’s Auto Parts
Russell M. Seeds Company
Romberger Brothers Machine Shop
Roth’s Store
Highway Service Station
Hagan’s Barber Shop
Holy Name and Rosary Societies
Henlee’s Dress Shop
Huntsinger
Harris Paint Store
Rev. Heffner
Irvin R. Enders Kennels
Jay Store
Johnny’s Market
James Shop
Alex Klepacki
Kulpmont American Legion
Andrew Kurillo
Steve Kania
Kaiser-Frazer Dealers
Knights of Columbus
Kulpmont Gas Company
Kotanchik Lumber Company
Keller Racing, Incorporated
Kyle Jacobs
Allen Krebs
Lowery Electric Corporation
Vincent Lupia
L & S Oil Company
William Loftus
Lahr’s Wheel Service
Liberty Shoe Repair
Lee H. Mertz
Lincoln-Mercury Cars
Mount Carmel Business Men
Millie’s Dress Shop
Majestic Theatre
Mount Carmel Self Service Shoe Store
McDevitt’s Cafe
McCann’s School of Business
McElwee Home & Auto Supplies
Martini Markets
Mertz Motor Sales
Miller’s Furniture
May E. Jones Gift Shop
Rev. Donald Martin
Louis Matlow
Novotny Electric Service
Neversink Hotel
O. P. O. Clothes
Victor Paganotti
Pennsylvania Power & Light Company
Pennsylvania State Employment Service
Prescription Shoe Store
Phil’s Economy Store
Pioneer Troubadors
Casper Pinsker
Michael Potts
Peter’s Tavern
Pep Auto Sales
Jess Phillips
Pinkey’s Market
Polish Cadets
Polish Dramatic Club
Paul Roadarmel Meats
Royalist Cigars
Rovito & Company
Ralpho Township High School
James A. Reilley
Ranshaw Furniture
Ritz Cafe
Shamokin Hair Dressers
Sunoco Dealers
Shade’s Auto Supply
Shuey’s Jewelry Store
Shusterman’s
Sunbury Auto Wreckers
Slim’s Lunch
Harold Snyder
Spriggle’s Men’s Wear
Shamokin Merchants’ Council
Shimock’s Furniture
Serien C. Shipmen
Steinhart Appliance Store
Stroehman’s Bakery
J. A. Seitzinger
Superior Electric Service
W. R. Thomas & Sons
Thompson’s Advertising Service
Urich’s Gladiola Garden
United States Army
United Men’s Shop
Andrew Urban
Weis Pure Food Stores
West End Garage
Wydra’s Cafe
Warsaw Tavern
Ed Waugh
J. N. Werntz
Willow Cafe
Yuengling’s
Young Folk’s Club
Zurick & Zurick
Paul Zimmerman

National Advertisers

Johns-Manville Corporation
Quaker Oats
Dawn Bible Students
American Federation of Labor
Murine
Pierson Pharmaceutical
First Church of Christ, Scientist
United States Tobacco Company
Lutheran Laymen’s League
Kellogg Company
Derby Foods
Nabisco
O’Henry Candy Bars
Ronson Lighters
Voice of Prophecy, Incorporated
Proctor & Gamble
Tide
Joy
Carling’s Ale
Wilson Sporting Goods
Gillette Razor
Miles Laboratories
Ballentine Beer
Pabst Blue Ribbon
Dodge Division (Chrysler Corporation)
Plymouth Division (Chrysler Corporation)
DeSoto Division (Chrysler Corporation)
R. B. Semmler
Ford Motor Company
Ford-Lincoln-Mercury
Hudson Motor Car Company
Trimount Clothing
Ralston Purina
Philip Morris
Hellmann’s Mayonnaise
Miles Laboratories
General Foods
Bayuk Cigars
Cudahy Packing Company
Mutual of Omaha
D-Con
Nucoa
Blue Goose Foods
Pepsi Cola
Perfect Circle Piston Rings
Hudson Motor Car Company
Annahist Corporation
A. O. Smith Company
Chamberlain Company
Dari-Rich
General Mills
Gulf Corporation
Episcopal Churches (National Council)
East-West Shrine Committee
American Schools
Oldsmobile Dealers

“I Was A Communist For The FBI” Starring Dana Andrews

WISL Promotional Sign – “I Was A Communist For The FBI”

Radio was a much different medium in 1948 when WISL first signed on the air. Back then, radio was programmed much like television is programmed today with a schedule of different programming types throughout the day. Most radio stations had network affiliations and would run prime time and news programing offered by them. WISL was a Mutual Network affiliate and aired several of their programs. We will dig into this topic at a later date. For this post we will revisit a short-lived program that centered on one of the biggest political topics of the day, Communism.

The year was 1952, the “Red Scare” was in full force and was a very popular source of material in the entertainment industry. This program is centered around the character Matt Cvetic, a real-life FBI volunteer undercover agent. His testimony in 1949 helped to put away several members of a conspiracy to overthrow the US Government. After the trial, Cvetic sold his story and it became a serial in the Saturday Evening Post, a bestselling book and a Warner Brothers Movie.

The Frederic W. Ziv Company would later turn his story into a syndicated radio program. The series was produced without help from the FBI, as they refused to assist in the project. The program aired from April 23rd, 1952, through October 14th, 1953, with a total of 78 programs produced. This is where WISL comes in.

Article From Legion Magazine, October 1952 mentioning WISL

Shamokin’s WISL was one of the over 600 radio stations in the US that carried this 30 minute, weekly radio program. The image above is an original billboard poster for the program, promoting it Sunday evening airtime on WISL radio. This poster was found, of all places, lining a drawer in an old store in Shamokin. The owner found the relic when cleaning and gave it to Tom Kutza who has shared it with us.

We have compiled a sample of these programs in this post. Simply click below to relive radio’s golden age, the days of the “Theater of the Mind”. And now, “I Was A Communist For The FBI”, starring Dana Andrews, brought to you by the Bakers of Blue Ribbon Cake, as heard on WISL radio from 1952-1953.

AUDIO EXHIBITS

“I Walk Alone” – Original Air Date: April 23rd, 1952

“Card Game In The Clouds” – Original Air Date: June 4th, 1952

“The Red Record” – Original Air Date: August 20th, 1952

“The Wrong Green” – Original Air Date: April 1st, 1953

“The Crossed Heart” – Original Air Date: June 3rd, 1953

“Rhapsody In Red” – Original Air Date: August 19th, 1953

“Mr. District Attorney” starring David Brian

TV Guide Ad from 1958 for the Television Version of “Mr. District Attorney”

“Mr. District Attorney” was a very popular and long running radio drama. Starting in April 1939 as a 15-minute serial, the program would become a 30 minute program by June when it was named the summer replacement for The Bob Hope Show. “Mr. District Attorney” was created, written and directed by Ed Byron who based the program on New York Governor Thomas Dewey who was famous for his war against racketeering. Byron sought to bring a very realistic program to the air. The stories were a product of Byron’s study of crime statistics, criminology texts and crime reports in the newspaper. Byron was known to even mix with local criminals and police to further his research.

David Brian “Mr. District Attorney” on the radio 1952-1953

From 1939 to 1952, “Mr. District Attorney” aired on NBC and ABC and starred Dwight Weist (1939 15-minute serials), Raymond Edward Johnson (1939 30-minute programs), Jay Jostyn (1940-1952) and David Brian (1952-1953 syndication) as the main character, simply called “Mr. District Attorney” or “Chief”.

Other cast members:

“Voice of the Law” – (The program’s opening announcer) Maurice Franklin and also Jay Jostyn before taking over the lead role.

“Miss Miller” – (Edith Miller the District Attorney’s secretary) Vicki Vola

“Miss Rand” – (The District Attorney’s receptionist) Eleanor Silver and Arlene Francis

“Len Harrington” – (The District Attorney’s Chief Investigator) Walter Kinsella and Len Doyle (1940 -1953)

“Mr. District Attorney” Ad from the Shamokin News-Dispatch October 16th 1954

The program began it’s television run on ABC on October 1st 1952, and was placed into general syndication on radio for the 1952 season.

WISL brought Mr. District Attorney to the air in late 1954, at the tail-end of it’s days on the radio. The episodes ran by WISL were the David Bryan independent syndication episodes. The program aired Sunday afternoons at 4pm and was sponsored locally by D&R Radio of Trevorton and Connaghan’s Music Store of Mount Carmel in what appears to be a ZENITH “co-op” advertising deal.

Presented here for your enjoyment are five original episodes of “Mr. District Attorney.”

AUDIO EXHIBITS

The Deadly Snowflake (original air date May 26, 1948)

The Unknown Source (original air date July 14, 1948)

The Bridal Path Murders (original air date May 31, 1953)

The Body On The Freight Train (original air date July 12, 1953)

The Lady Gamblers (1952)

The Bank Killer (1952)

The Blackmail Killer (1952)