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''The Happy Gang'' was a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio lunchtime variety show that ran from 1937 to 1959. During the Golden Age of Radio and well into the 1950s, it was one of Canada's most popular programs. In its heyday, it had about two million listeners a day.〔http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/the-happy-gang-emc/〕 The show was known for its "spontaneous humor, music, and corny jokes." 〔Bill Taylor. "Happy Gang's Bert Pearl Dies in Los Angeles at 73." ''Toronto Star'', June 19, 1986, p. F1.〕 The Happy Gang debuted on June 14, 1937 on station CRCT, a CBC affiliate in Toronto, later known as CBL.〔Morris Duff. "Old Happy Gang Gather to Recall Knock, Knocks." ''Toronto Star'', April 8, 1963, p. 18.〕 Originally intended as just a summer fill-in, it gained a following, and was moved to the CBC network four months later. The Happy Gang ran for 22 years, totalling nearly 4900 broadcasts, until it was finally canceled in late August 1959.〔"Smiles Leave Happy Gang as End of 22-Year Era Looms." ''Toronto Star'', August 28, 1959, p. 37.〕 According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, the series also served as the template for CBC's French language service, ''Les Joyeux Troubadours'', which was broadcast in Quebec from 1941 to 1977. ==Early years== In 1937, CBC Regional Program Director George Taggart was given the assignment to come up with a Monday-through-Friday half-hour variety program that would fill the period 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. E.S.T. His tight budget permitted only four musicians. To “lead the band”, and as Master of Ceremonies, Taggart’s choice was Bert Pearl, whose real name was Bert Shapira. Credited with coming up with the concept that became the Happy Gang, Pearl's on-air persona was "that slap-happy chappy, the Happy Gang's Own Pappy." 〔Ross McLean. "Bert Pearl: Canadian Superstar Leaves Quietly." ''Toronto Globe & Mail'', July 5, 1986, p. 8.〕 His fellow musicians were trumpeter Robert (Bob) Farnon, violinist Blain Mathé and organist Kathleen (Kay) Stokes. Stokes was already a popular entertainer; she had been the staff organist at CFRB in Toronto, and was also known in vaudeville and on the air as "Canada's Sweetheart of the Theatre Organ." 〔"Kay Stokes, 85, of the Happy Gang." ''Toronto Star'', December 17, 1979, p. A16.〕 She was the only female member of the Happy Gang, and she remained with them throughout their 22 years on the air.〔Frank Rasky. "Happy Birthday, Kathleen." ''Toronto Star'', March 23, 1977, p. F1.〕 The fact that Stokes was the Happy Gang's only female member was mentioned in the show's signature song: they would sing "It’s the Happy Gang with the boys and Kay Stokes. We hope you’ll like our music and our songs and our jokes..." 〔Alan Redway. "The Leaside Gang that Made Canada Happy." http://leasidelifenews.com/the-leaside-gang-that-made-canada-happy/〕 Herb May, who served his apprenticeship with CBO Ottawa and had been moved to Toronto, became the show’s first regular announcer.〔Dennis Braithwaite. "Happy Thoughts." ''Toronto Globe & Mail'', December 13, 1967, p. 29.〕 George Temple was appointed the Happy Gang's first producer, and he remained a producer for the show till 1955. The Happy Gang show was originally broadcast at 11:30 a.m.;〔Dennis Braithwaite. "Yesterday, When I Was Young." ''Toronto Star'', June 19, 1975, p. PE13.〕 it was later moved to 1 in the afternoon. Singer-accordionist Eddie Allen joined in 1938 and stayed with the Gang for the remainder of their history, along with Mathé and Stokes. After Bert Pearl's departure in 1955, Allen became the Happy Gang's Master of Ceremonies.〔"Blain Mathé, Happy Gang Star, With Show 20 Years." ''Toronto Globe & Mail'', December 12, 1967, p. 18.〕 The show had an iconic opening which became a catch-phrase for Canadian listeners: first there was the sound of someone knocking at the door—it was actually violinist Blain Mathé, rapping on his violin.〔"Blain Mathé, Happy Gang Star, With Show 20 Years." ''Toronto Globe & Mail'', December 12, 1967, p. 18.〕 Then a voice asked, "Who's there?" The response, "It's the Happy Gang." And the reply, "Well, come on in!" 〔Morris Duff. "Old Happy Gang Gather to Recall Knock, Knocks." ''Toronto Star'', April 8, 1963, p. 18.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Happy Gang」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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