Fred Allen specialized in literate wordplay, lacerating satire, and a squinty-eyed critique of the passing scene. His style was entirely his own: the slate-pencil whine of his voice, the ludicrously-named supporting characters, and the small-town-cum-big-city rattle of his dialogue. Join him in a promenade through parody, along with co-stars Portland Hoffa, Alan Reed, Kenny Delmar, Minerva Pious, John Brown, Charlie Cantor, and Parker Fennelly. Even Fred’s guest stars jump into the jest! Frank Sinatra, Orson Welles, Roy Rogers, Bela Lugosi, Ed Gardner, Norman Corwin, Edgar Bergen, and Charlie McCarthy, and many more give us droll dramas, mock murder mysteries, and legitimate laughs. This digitally restored and remastered collection including the very first walk down Allen’s Alley.  

Episodes include: First 30 Minute Show with guest Charles Laughton 10-04-42; Les Miserables with guest Orson Welles 10-18-42; Courtin’ Of Jenny Suggs with guest Roy Rogers 10-25-42; Guest: Hugh Herbert 11-08-42; Guest: James Melton 11-22-42; Allen’s Alley Begins with guest George Jessel 12-06-42; Guest: Rise Stevens 12-20-42; Guest: Bela Lugosi 04-25-43; Guest: Ted Lewis 03-19-44; Guest: Ed Gardner 03-26-44; Guest: Norman Corwin 05-14-44; An Audition With Charlie McCarthy 10-07-45; Guest: Frank Sinatra 10-21-45; Charlie McCarthy Sues Fred for Slander 10-28-45; Guest: Monty Woolley 11-11-45; Guest: Boris Karloff 11-18-45; Take It or Leave It 01-06-46; Guest: Arthur Treacher 02-24-46; Guest: Sydney Greenstreet 05-12-46; The Perfect Crime 10-19-47.