Helmet
Item
Title
Helmet
Description
Brown leather training helmet Chamois lining with green velveteen sweat absorbing panel on brow. The name Draycott and service number R1696A1 is stamped into the lining on the left side of the helmet neat the chin strap. Both zippered ear covers contain a soft pink pad with a tiny sach attached to it with the name BETTY LOU printed on it similar to a signature.
Identifier
008.122.001
Format
Provenance
Talented comedy teams were a staple during the golden age of radio. Arguably the most unusual team in radio history consisted of only one performer; it featured a young man who had the ability to switch his voice from a deep baritone to that of a seven year old girl. The man was Tommy Riggs and he called his second voice Betty Lou Barrie. He brilliantly mastered the trick of a double voice and it propelled him into a show business career. The debut of Betty Lou on the air was the result of a spontaneous accident. He was rehearsing a routine with his partner when a poor script went from bad to worse. Frustrated by the lack of good material, Riggs impetuously started swearing like a sailor while using the Betty Lou voice. The program director heard the tirade and thought it was hilarious; he recommended making Betty Lou a regular part of the act. The Tom and Betty Show debuted and became extremely popular in the Pittsburgh area. The show went on the air at 11:00 p.m., a time that caused unanticipated problems for Riggs. One night a representative from the Labor Department inquired as to why a little girl was working so late in the evening. “It took quite a while to convince him” remarked Tommy, “but at last he believed me.” The show was heard by singer Harry Frankel, better known as “Singin Sam”, who contacted a radio agent. A recording of the act was ultimately was sent to New York and came to the attention of Rudy Vallee. This ultimately became Tommy’s big network break, garnering Riggs a 13 week engagement on the show. His contract was ultimately extended to total 49 guest appearances during 1937-38. A successful 15 week engagement on the Kate Smith Show was followed by a stint as summer replacement for Burns and Allen in 1942. The series was popular enough to propel Tommy and Betty Lou into their own ensemble series. Lead roles were played by Wally Maher as Betty Lou’s boyfriend Wilber. Bea Benaderet was nosey neighbor Mrs. Wingate; Verna Felton played Mrs. McIntyre, the housekeeper for Betty and her Uncle Tommy. Anita Kurt was a vocalist and scripts were prepared by Sam Perrin, Jack Douglas and George Balzer. The series was cut short during WWII, due to Riggs’ service aboard a Navy minesweeper in the Pacific. During his service to our country, he performed over 400 shows for servicemen. Betty Lou was the envy of Waacs, Waves and Waafs during the war, since she served in the regular Navy along with Tommy.
Abstract
Good
Date Created
07-Sep-08