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Barbara Eiler

Show Count: 107
Series Count: 4
Role: Old Time Radio Star
Old Time Radio
Born: July 27, 1922, Los Angeles, California, USA
Died: July 16, 2006, Sherman Oaks, California, USA
Barbara Eiler was a prolific actress in radio and television shows during the 1940s, 50s and 60s. She began her acting career as a teenager and was a regular on shows such as A Day In the Life of Dennis Day, The Life of Riley, Glamour Manor and The Fabulous Dr. Tweedy.

Actor, Dennis Day, starred in A Day In the Life of Dennis Day, and Eiler played his girlfriend, Mildred, along with other actresses, Sharon Douglas and Betty Miles. The situation comedy premiered in 1946 and ran until 1951.

The show was based on the comedic talents of Dennis Day and was considered a huge radio success. Day was excellent in his performance as the singing soda jerk and the humor was kept alive as the show focused on the problems between he and his girlfriend, Mildred (played by Eiler).

Dramas of Youth, a radio dramatic anthology, was another showcase for Eiler’s talents. The show was based on stories about the younger lives of famous people. She also played a role in the situation comedy, The Fabulous Dr. Tweedy, also starring Frank Morgan and Harry Von Zell.

Glamour Manor, another situation comedy, featured Eiler as the girlfriend of Kenny Baker, the “singing proprietor” of Glamour Manor. The radio show was based on the lives of the manor’s guests.

One of the better known radio shows in which Eiler appeared was the situation comedy, Life of Riley, starring William Bendix as Chester A. Riley. Barbara played the part of Riley’s daughter, Babs, during the show’s broadcasts in 1947.

The radio crime series, Mystery in the Air, featured Eiler in episodes during its 1945 summer replacement of the Abbott and Costello Show. Well known mystery actor, Peter Lorre, also starred in the show, which showcased his acting talents. Unfortunately none of the 12 summer episodes are extant.

Another situation comedy that featured the talents of Eiler was You Can’t Take It With You, based on the play by George S. Kaufman. Eiler played the part of the granddaughter (Alice) of Grandpa Vanderhof, played by Walter Brennan. It aired in 1944 and ended its run in 1951.

As well as the many situation comedies Barbara Eiler also appeared in episodes of Gunsmoke, The Railroad Hour, Have Gun Will Travel, Lone Ranger, The Saint, The Whistler, Arch Oboler's Plays, Family Theater, Screen Director's Playhouse, Suspense and Yours Truly Johnny Dollar.

Barbara Eiler married Martin Sperzen in 1943 and they had two children. She was 79 years old when she passed away on July 16, 2006 at Sherman Oaks Hospital in California from complications that arose after hip surgery.

Day In The Life Of Dennis Day,  ADay In The Life Of Dennis Day, A
Show Count: 54
Broadcast History: 3 October 1946 to 30 June 1951
Sponsor: Lustre-Creme Shampoo
Cast: Bea Benaderet, Dennis Day, Sharon Douglas, Barbara Eiler, Betty Miles, Francis Trout, John Brown
Director: Frank O'Connor
Producer: Frank O'Connor
Fabulous Dr. Tweedy, TheFabulous Dr. Tweedy, The
Show Count: 5
Broadcast History: 2 June 1946 to 26 March 1947
Sponsor: Lucky Strike, Pall Mall
Cast: Frank Morgan, Barbara Eiler, Harry Von Zell, John Hiestand, Nana Bryant, Eddie Green
Glamour ManorGlamour Manor
Show Count: 1
Broadcast History: 25 August 1945 to 27 June 1947
Cast: John McIntire, Bea Benaderet, Lurene Tuttle, Barbara Eiler, Tyler McVey, Cliff Arquette
Broadcast: 23rd February 1953
Added: May 09 2010
Broadcast: 30th January 1960
Added: Mar 27 2009
Broadcast: 5th July 1959
Added: Apr 22 2008
Broadcast: February 13, 1954
Added: Feb 20 2015
Broadcast: 1st January 1950
Added: Dec 30 2007
Broadcast: 17th February 1952
Added: Feb 20 2011