The Beulah Show "Honorary Santa" (12-23-53) and (12-24-53) - Boxcars711 Saturday Matinee Three

The Beulah Show, the first radio and television sitcom to star an African American. The show was broadcast on radio from 1945 to 1954 and seen on TV from 1950 to 1953. Originally portrayed by Caucasian actor Marlin Hurt, Beulah first appeared in 1939 when Hurt introduced the character on the Hometown Incorporated radio series. In 1943, Beulah moved over to That's Life and then became a supporting character on the popular Fibber McGee and Molly radio series. In 1945, Beulah was spun off into her own radio show, The Marlin Hurt and Beulah Show, with Hurt still in the role. Beulah was employed as a housekeeper and cook for the Henderson family: father Harry, mother Alice and son Donnie. After Hurt died of a heart attack in 1946, he was replaced by another white actor, Bob Corley, and the series was retitled The Beulah Show.When black actress Hattie McDaniel took over the role on November 24, 1947, she earned $1000 a week for the first season, doubled the ratings of the original series and pleased the NAACP which was elated to see a historic first: a black woman as the star of a network radio program.McDaniel continued in the role until she became ill in 1952 and was replaced by Lillian Randolph, who was in turn replaced for the 1953-54 radio season by her sister, Amanda Randolph.