The Cruise of the Poll Parrot Radio Program

Background

The Poll Parrot and Star brands of shoes were two of the shoe manufacturing and retailing subsidiaries of Roberts, Johnson & Rand, a Division of the International Shoe Company of St. Louis, Missouri which RJ&R also controlled. There was nothing particularly 'international' about International Shoe Company until its 1959 launch of an International Retail Sales division. Roberts, Johnson & Rand (RJ&R) had been manufacturing shoes since the turn of the century, had done very well supplying the military during World War I, and had begun marketing Poll Parrot shoes in 1928. RJ&R had acquired the Poll Parrot line from its creator, Paul Parrott, in 1928. Paul Parrott had begun manufacturing Paul Parrot Shoes in St. Louis in 1922. Not to be confused with the Hal Roach Studios' comedian of the 1920s, James Parrot [as 'Paul Parrott']. The comedian Paul Parrot had appeared as "the new clerk" in one of Hal Roach's shorts, "Tight Shoes" (1923). The play on the actor's name and the title of the short were apparently yet another of Hal Roach's inspired ironies. The Paul Parrott of the former 'Paul Parrott Shoes' stayed on with RJ&R as a senior regional factory representative for both the 'Poll Parrot' and 'Star' brand shoe lines. From the September 13, 1934 edition of the Kingsport Times:

"Mr. Paul Parrott, for whom the "Poll Parrot" shoes were named will be in the city Friday and Saturday and will give demonstrations on his famous line of shoes for boys and girls.
Mr. Parott is the factory representative out of St. Louis, and is completing a tour of cities throughout the South and Tennessee. He also will present a complete line of ladies' fancy novelty, ladies' arch type shoes that are being worn throughout the South and East."

Here's the cutest, friendliest, gentlest little Shetland pony you ever saw.  His name is Bimbo.  We're going to give him away.  Some lucky boy or girl will be the proud owner of this dandy little pony, saddle, bridle, and all--and he won't cost a penny.  Let us tell you about it.

We're putting on a big contest for the children.  We want you all to know more about Poll-Parrot shoes--how well these wonderful shoes fit your feet-- how stylish they are--the comfort that comes from their flexible, easy-bending soles--how they hold their shape, and the long wear that Poll-Parrot solid leather shoes will give.  We want you to know that Poll-Parrot shoes for live, red-blooded, active boys and girls, have built into them the same smart style, the same fine fit, and identically the same all-leather quality and good value as Star Brand Shoes for Mother and Dad.
 
Now about Bimbo.  The very first time you have a chance, stop in at the store and join the Poll-Parrot Pony Club.  It won't cost you a cent.  We'll give you a button to wear.  That won't cost you anything either.  Then you write us a letter and tell us, in not more than thirty-five words, why Poll-Parrot shoes are better shoes for boys and girls to wear.  That's easy, isn't it?  And, Children, that's all there is to it.  The boy or girl who writes the best letter will be the one to get Bimbo--absolutely free.  What do you think about that?

Throughout the 1930s, the Poll Parrot line also distributed 'Poll Parrot Shoe Money' in the form of discount savings coupons intended to approximate dollar bills in appearance. "Shoe Money," a term all too familiar to post-Depression America, was a long common euphemism for the bills one might keep in one's shoes for an emergency--or to hide from a wife, boyfriend, girlfriend or landlord. Because the Poll Parrot line was actively targeted to juveniles and parents, the firm's advertising tended to prominently feature illustrations of children at play, the Poll Parrot line's mascot, "Poll Parrot," and its slogan for both the Poll Parrot and Star lines: that their shoes were "every improvement pre-tested" prior to releasing their shoes for sale.

RJ&R subsequently obtained huge contracts from the government for shoes for the war effort throughout World War II. As International Shoe Company it acquired the famous Florsheim and Converse shoe brands during the 1950s. International Shoe Company changed its name to INTERCO, Inc., in 1966. It acquired furniture maker Ethan Allen in 1979. The current company, Furniture Brands International, Inc., is the largest domestic manufacturer of residential furniture in the United States. Though now a predominately furniture manufacturing concern, up until the 1990s INTERCO, Inc. still operated two famous shoe subsidiaries and lines--Florsheim and Converse. INTERCO Inc. divested itself of the two popular shoe lines during their bankruptcy and restructuring of 1996 that resulted in Furniture Brands International, Inc.

International Shoe had previously produced the well-received Red Goose Adventures beginning in 1931. They'd also produced the Robin Hood Club beginning in 1934. With the advent of popularly available Radio then well underway by 1936, Roberts, Johnson & Rand devised a clever Radio promotion for their Poll Parrot children's shoes line: a juvenile advetnures serial Radio program featuring two young children as the male and female protagonists.

R. J. & R. syndicate The Cruise of The Poll Parrot in 1936

One of the more cleverly conceived serial Radio adventures of the era, the series' thirty-nine, 15-minute episodes were performed and transcribed such that potential buyers of the independently syndicated production could buy either:

• one of the three complete, thirteen-episode adventures
• the entire thirty-nine episode series of three adventures
• or the last twenty-six episodes which, though consisting of two, thirteen-part adventures, were structured so that the final twenty-six installments sounded like a complete twenty-six installment serial.

It was a clever marketing structure for the era, given the target clients. This was after all the period following the Great Depression. Targeted at retail shoe stores, the first broadcasts of the syndicated series appears to have aired during the Fall of 1936, though it's possible that the series first aired even earlier during 1936.

The adventures follow Johnny Robbins and Suzanne 'Sue' Grange as they embark as eventual passengers on the whaling bark, the Poll Parrot. Based out of New Bedford Harbor, New Bedford, Massachusetts, the port was a major center of the American whaling industry since Revolutionary War days. The Poll Parrot was commanded by its new skipper, Captain Roy Dalton [performed by twenty-three year old Marvin Miller of 'The Millionaire' fame] and his new First Mate--and best friend--George Wainright. Actor Marvin Miller also voiced the squawks of 'Poll Parrot' throughout the series. The three macro-adventures of the series comprised thirteen, 15-minute episodes each, centering around whaling adventures, a search for buried treasure, the dangers of storms at sea, and mutiny. All in all, three varieties of serial adventure, each scripted to both educate and entertain children and their families at the dinner hour each evening.

The series prided itself on incorporating well-researched historical information into each installment so that the series both educated and entertained its audiences. Set in the Spring of 1858 New Bedford, the whaling bark 'Poll Parrot ' was owned and operated by Grange & Sons of New Bedford, with Ezra Grange, Sue's older brother and co-owner of Grange & Sons, accompanying the ship's complement on Captain Dalton's maiden cruise as the Master. Former First Mate Roy Dalton had just received his Master's Papers and the Poll Parrot would be Dalton's first command as skipper. Captain Dalton undertook provisioning his first whaling cruise with a relatively free hand--for a whaling ship captain of the era. Ezra Grange mysteriously promised Captain Dalton all the funds he needed to both assemble the most reliable crew possible, and the very best stores and equipment Dalton could obtain for Dalton's initial cruise. Captain Dalton engaged his best friend George Wainright as his First Mate--albeit reluctantly. Wainright was understandably hesitant, given the traditionally dubious reputation of most whaling ships and their crews or the era--and his suspicions regarding Ezra Grange's unusually generous budget for the cruise. The first episode also introduced the Spaniard, "Altesti", one of the villains of the adventures, and "Old Dicken" the peg-legged cabin-hand and his pet parrot, "Poll Parrot," the namesake and mascot of Grange & Sons' whaling ship, the Poll Parrot.

Each installment of the three adventures opened with Poll Parrot squawking the series' catch phrase, "Poll Parrot Shoes speak for themselves." The sounding of 'six bells' would then signal announcer Dave Ward's introduction and opening exposition regarding the night's installment.

From the August 29, 1937 edition of the Pampa Daily News: 

Series Derivatives:

Notes on Provenances:

The most helpful provenances were the log of the radioGOLDINdex and newspaper listings.

Missouri-born Marvin Miller, then an announcer and actor at KMOX--the St. Louis, Missouri key station for CBS during 1936 had already portrayed both "The Old Scoutmaster" and "Montgomery Mouse" on the Robin Hood Club, for the Central Shoe Company of St. Louis. The floor above KMOX was occupied by Premier Radio Enterprises, a St. Louis transcription company. Roberts, Johnson & Rand contracted with Premier Radio Enterprises to produce, record and press a modular, thirty-nine episode transcription set of The Cruise of the Poll Parrot. Young Marvin Miller was pressed into service as both Captain Roy Dalton, Master of the Poll Parrot, and the 'voice' of squawking "Poll Parrot."

The only person actually credited in the series was the announcer and narrator, Dave Ward.

The complement of the Poll Parrot while at sea was exposited by Old Dicken in Episode No. 8 of the first adventure as follows:

• Ezra Grange, co-owner of Grange & Sons
• The Poll Parrot's Officers:
  • Captain Roy Dalton, Skipper
  • George Wainright, First Mate
  • Mr. Jowett, Second Mate
  • Mr. Buscara, Third Mate
  • Mr. Nicholson, Fourth Mate [and Helmsman]
• Four Boat-Steerers, one each for the Poll Parrot's four whale boats
• Sixteen Ordinary Seamen, four for each whale boat
• Four Ordinary Seamen who remain aboard the Poll Parrot during whaling operations
• The Ship's Cooper, who takes care of the whale oil casks and acts as Ship's Carpenter
• The Ship's Cook
• The Ship's Steward, who also acts as the Ship's Doctor
• Johnny Robbins, the Cabin Boy
• Sue Grange
• Old Dicken
• Poll Parrot, the ship's mascot

And of course--unbeknownst to Captain Dalton--Altesti had also stowed away aboard the Poll Parrot.

Others mentioned were:

• Old Man Breckenridge, the Poll Parrot's Ship Keeper
• Ezekial Kipp, co-discoverer of the secret diamond mine
• Jonathan Robbins, Sr., Johnny Robbins' father
• Pancho, Altesti's peg-legged henchman
• Seaman 'Jameson,' a crew member with a secret
• The volcanic Galto Island, noted for its active volcano, 'Old Smokey Mouth'
• Lawrence Stanhope and his family on Ascension Island
• Dirk Briscoe, the Privateer
• First Mate Hollings, of Dirk Briscoe's Privateers
• Governor and Mrs. Cotton, of Tristan da Cunha
• Captain Bruno Karsh, of the 'Afrikaner'
• Annabelle Wilson, Captain Karsh's fiance
• Mr. Briny, the hook-handed First Mate of the Afrikaner
• Blackie, Mysto's black leopard
• Mysto, the "World's Greatest Magician"
• Jaggie, the wild Brazilian Jaguar

OTRisms:

Contrary to widely disseminated misinformation about The Cruise of the Poll Parrot from Martin Grams' Radio Drama, the OTRR, The Vintage Radio Place and most others, the series didn't begin in 1937. The Cruise of the Poll Parrot was first recorded during the Summer of 1936 and first broadcast during the Fall of 1936, fully a year before the widely and authoritatively declared run dates for the canon by Grams, the OTRR, other 'credentialed OTR historians', the Vintage Radio Place, et al.

Nor, as the announcements for the series support, were the first twenty-six episodes the longer of the three [or two] adventures. It was the first thirteen-part adventure that was the true, stand-alone macro-adventure. The prevailing above cited 'authorities' for the series to date have characterized the first twenty-six episodes as the longer macro-adventure of the series. It was just the reverse:

• The first thirteen episodes are almost entirely expositional, setting down the characters, mysteries, as yet unanswered questions, and framework for the actually two thirteen-part adventures that succeed the first thirteen episodes. And in fact those first thirteen episodes could just as well have been combined with either of the two succeeding sets of thirteen as a prologue to either of the other two adventures. The only element that might have been left unresolved in that manner would have been the ultimate disposition of Altesti the Spaniard.
• The syndication was structured such that a subscribing broadcast station or sponsor could air from thirteen to thirty-nine episodes and still maintain both continuity and a satisfactory beginning and end to each thirteen-episode increment:
  • A first adventure we characterize as "The Search for Altesti." The Poll Parrot doesn't even leave New Bedford until Episode No. 5. The remainder of that thirteen-part macro-adventure comprises the search for Altesti, suspected of stowing away aboard the Poll Parrot. That adventure comes to a plausible conclusion at Episode No. 13, during which Altesti and 'Red' Mulhooley join forces, attempt to find Ezra Grange's 'treasure map', attempt to kill Capt. Dalton and Ezra Grange, and take Sue Grange at knifepoint. Johnny Robbins saves the day by disabling both Altesti and Red Mulhooley.
  • A second adventure we characterize as "A Whaling Adventure and Buried Treasure." The first episode of that set is taken up entirely with Old Dicken's revenge on the old Blue Whale that had resulted in Dicken losing his leg years before. The remaining twelve episodes comprise the search for a diamond mine on the volcanic Galto Island. Altesti is consumed by sharks during Episode 15, the second episode in that block of thirteen. That macro-adventure resolves itself at Episode No. 26, the last of that block of thirteen episodes, with the diamonds salvaged from the--then--vanished diamond mine safely hidden aboard the Poll Parrot and the Poll Parrot 'setting sail for home.'
  • The final macro-adventure of the three, we characterize as "An Adventurous Return Home." Had a subscribing station or sponsor ended their subscriptions or broadcasts at either Episode No. 13 or Episode No. 26, the listening audiences would have heard two stand-alone, thirteen-part adventures that ultimately resolved themselves independently of each other. The second and third adventures both resolve themselves with the Poll Parrot setting sail for a return to New Bedford. For those stations or sponsors who wished to take the series even further, RJ&R structured the final adventure to greatly expand on Episode 26 with several other perilous situations enroute back to New Bedford.
• Thus it was the last twenty-six episodes that could be construed as one, longer, twenty-six installment adventure if a subscribing station or sponsor wished to air it that way--and at least one did. The last twenty-six episodes comprised a brief whaling adventure, the search for Ezra Grange's diamond mine, and the exciting, perilous return home.
  • But of course that was the very point of the manner in which The Cruise of the Poll Parrot was recorded, transcribed and syndicated. Retail shoe stores of the midwest of the era--especially those targeted by RJ&R--were still mostly 'mom and pop' or family-owned small businesses. There were few 'chain-stores' exclusively engaged in retailing footwear during the era. RJ&R's primary competition of the era was Buster Brown Shoes, already widely advertised and distributed throughout North America. RJ&R began as a regional shoe manufacturer of the era, understandably still targeting mostly midwest retailers and department stores of midwest. It therefore made perfect sense for RJ&R to structure The Cruise of the Poll Parrot so that it could be successfully marketed to small businesses of relatively modest means--as well as to department stores and sustaining broadcast outlets. This was also the 'Dustbowl Era' or what was referred to as the 'Dirty Thirties,' during which much of the economy of the Midwest had been decimated, further exacerbating the effects of the Great Depression that immediately preceded it.
  • The whole point of RJ&R's aggressive and expensive promotions of the era was to expand the Poll Parrot and Star lines beyond the midwest, while still maintaining and defending a healthy market share on their home turf. Judging by their greatly expanded advertising campaigns of the 1940s and 1950s, Poll Parrot and Star Shoes ultimately achieved those goals.

Universally misnamed "El Teste", the Spaniard villain of the first and second adventures of The Cruise of the Poll Parrot was actually named Altesti. Apparently some OTR wag felt it was more 'fun' injecting a schoolyard vulgarity into the canon of American Vintage Radio than actually listening for or researching the actual name of the Spaniard. As it is, "El Teste" smacks more of Beavis and Butthead humor than Jr. High schoolyard vulgarity. You can almost hear the infantile snickering as someone first included all those "El Teste" references into the circulating canon of titles back when Beavis and Butthead was all the rage. Altesti was a shipping agent for DaSilva & Company, one of Grange & Sons' competitors. We make the point simply because several of the erroneous circulating anecdotal titles of the canon use the name "El Teste" somewhere in the title. The whole Beavis and Butthead thing amused us as well--for about a week until we grew out of it. Apparently others in the hobby have taken a couple of decades longer to mature than the rest of us.

Virtually all of the circulating titles of the canon are anecdotal, and even the anecdotal titles are mostly inaccurate or misleading as to the underlying scripts. It's obvious that the author(s) of the circulating titles never fully listened to the series--a regrettably common practice throughout the mostly commercial OTR component of the Vintage Radio collecting hobby. Whoever first 'logged' the canon simply listened to the expositional introductions or closes and 'guessed' at a title. That's why so many of the previously circulating titles seem to be one episode off from the actual script plot.

And yet the overwhelmingly commercial OTRR has declared all of the previously circulating title errors and erroneous dates as "Complete and Accurate" in their archive.org The Cruise of the Poll Parrot sets. Clearly none of the OTRR's legions of 'researchers,' 'certifiers,' and 'listeners' ever actually listened to the full canon--or their results were yet again vetoed by OTRR management to curry further favor with the commercial OTR vendors and authors that prop up the OTRR with their donations and commerce:

• The OTRR also authoritatively states that the series was recorded and aired in September 1937. As a matter of historical fact The Cruise of The Poll Parrot was both recorded and first aired more than a year earlier--in 1936. The OTRR appear to have relied entirely on an extensive 1972 Same Time, Same Station inteview with Marvin Miller for their 'historical information.' During that interview (available further above) Miller states that he'd participated in The Cruise of the Poll Parrot in 1937. His memory was simply off by a year. This is completely understandable given that Marvin Miller had performed in literally thousands of recordings and hundreds of roles in Radio, Film and Television during the intervening thirty-five years. Needless to say, given Marvin Miller's hundreds of far more ambitious and successful projects, his few weeks of work on The Cruise of the Poll Parrot could quite understandably have been misdated within his extensive memory. Barely 23 at the time, Marvin Miller was already a very busy young actor and staff announcer at KMOX, St. Louis at the time he participated in The Cruise of the Poll Parrot. He was almost 60 when he recorded the Same Time, Same Station interview. I'm lucky to remember the second car I owned for a few weeks, let alone what I was specifically working on during a given two-week period thirty-five years ago.
• The OTRR authoritatively states that Marvin Miller was 24 when he performed in the series--he was probably closer to 22 during the Summer of 1936.
• The OTRR authoritatively states that the main villain of the series was named "El Teste"--he was named Altesti.
• The OTRR authoritatively states that the mascot, Poll Parrot, was owned by "Old Dixon"--Poll Parrot belonged to Old Dicken. There is no 'Dixon' anywhere to be found in the canon of scripts from The Cruise of the Poll Parrot.
• The OTRR has butchered yet another canon by stereo-izing both sets they deliver from archive.org at 48/22. As best as we can determine, no one was broadcasting either stereo AM or stereo FM in 1936, let alone at such an abysmal bit rate--unless the OTRR is privy to yet another secret no one else in the history of Broadcast Radio knows. But of course the whole point is that the OTRR's copies aren't true stereo at all--they're simply bi-monaural. And that accomplishes what, exactly? . . . other than forever ruin an otherwise nominal set of The Cruise of the Poll Parrot. What a shame that those thousands of archive.org downloaders have no idea how much better and more authentic the canon could sound at a reasonably encoded monaural transfer. Or perhaps that is the motivating factor--to drive more downloaders to the OTRR's 'preferred vendors' (e.g., largest institutional donators) for authentic sounding recordings of the canon.

We don't make this stuff up folks--no one could. Heaven knows there are far too many 'credentialed experts' and 'credentialed OTR authors' making things up in this hobby--and profiting very nicely from it, thankew very much. If you're one of the trusting folks they're profiting from--oops! "Complete and Accurate" apparently implies a vast continuum of things to people these days--or it simply means fixing the 'facts' to prop up one's assertions, reputation, or ego.

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[Date, title, and episode column annotations in red refer to either details we have yet to fully provenance or other unverifiable information as of this writing. Red highlights in the text of the 'Notes' columns refer to information upon which we relied in citing dates, date or time changes, or titles.]