About "Wanna Buy a Duck?" and Joe Penner

Click HERE to visit my website dedicated to comedian Joe Penner, “Wanna Buy a Duck?”

That’s right. As if “Get it Got it Good” doesn’t fill up enough of my late night free time. But the subject matter is much more focused that this site, in fact, it’s dedicated to one individual. Who rates this singular treatment? Well, if you’re a fan of Old Time Radio, the stage (including Vaudeville, Burlesque & Broadway), or 1930s movie musicals, you may remember comedian Joe Penner. But odds are you won’t. So here’s a little of his first guest appearance on the Rudy Vallee Program on July 13, 1933:

(CLICK the arrow to listen)

That’s him in the masthead (or header) photo above with Lyda Roberti and his ubiquitous duck (Goo Goo) as they appeared in the 1934 Paramount musical College Rhythm, Penner’s first feature-length film.

Here’s the full photograph:

“Wanna Buy a Duck?” is all about Penner, and may be the only website around that is. Many past performers I admire (Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, Eddie Cantor, Jack Benny, Phil Silvers, etc.) have fansites, and I’ve always felt Penner deserved a little better. So, in addition to essays on his films, radio shows, stage performances, etc., I’ll be adding photos, posters, lobby cards, sheet music covers and other Penner ephemera you’ve probably never seen from a collection that just keeps growing.

Overkill? Maybe, but lots of fun.

– craig hodgkins

PS: “WBAD” (sounds like the call letters of a pirate radio station from back east, doesn’t it?) won’t be for the trendy, “what’s new and hot so I’ll know what I like” kinda person. But if you’re ready to jump head-first into another era of entertainment, come on in…the water’s fine!