Little Orphan Annie

On the 5th August 1924, The New York "Daily News" debuted the comic strip "Little Orphan Annie," by Harold Gray.

It was later adapted for radio by Frank Dahm in 1930, who would often write his own stories from imagination. 

At 5:45pm each weekday from 1930 until 1942 you could hear the juvenile serial adventure Little Orphan Annie which was based on the comic strip. 

In the stories, Mr and Mrs Silo were farmers and were Annie’s parents by adoption. Joe Corntassle was the shy kid down the road who had a crush on Annie, and whose catch phrase was leapin’ lizards. 

Each show would start with that unforgetable theme tune:-

Who’s that little chatterbox? The one with pretty auburn locks? Who can it be? It’s Little Orphan Annie. 

She and Sandy make a pair. They never seem to have a care. Cute little she, This Little Orphan Annie. 

Bright eyes, Cheeks a rosy glow. There’s a store of healthiness handy. 

Mite-size, Always on the go. If you want to know “Arf,” says Sandy. 

Always wears a sunny smile. Now wouldn’t it be worth a while, If you could be Like Little Orphan Annie?

I recently was excited to find quite a few more episodes from Little Orphan Annie to add to RUSC, so these will be going live on the website over the next few weeks. I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I have!

Happy listening my friends,