Halls of Ivy

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The Halls of Ivy was a radio program which ran from 1949-1952. Its themes centered around the the joys and tribulations of being a college president (William Todhunter Hall) at Ivy College USA. (The Halls of Ivy. Don Quinn, the show's creator, loved puns.) I have fond memories of it, although for some reason I don't recall being able to listen to it on a regular basis - Boy Scouts or other social activities must have interfered. The show was adapted for television (1954) but I don't remember ever seeing it.

I must have been 12 or so when I first heard the show. The tune for the Alma Mater stuck with me and I remember William Todhunter Hall having problems finding the telephone.

Since then I've seen various radio shows (not Halls of Ivy) being made available on records or tape but at prices I didn't want to pay. Then came eBay. Old time radio (OTR) on cd in mp3 format availble with sometimes 100 programs for less than $5.00. WOW!!! My first purchases included the entire run of The Great Gildersleve and over 200 episode of The Lone Ranger. Then I found the "Halls of Ivy". Now I have listened to them all and find them enchanting. They hold up very well. Here is a sample episode - you judge for yourself. Halls of Ivy - Census.

The pilot episode starred Gale Gordon (the principal on the Our Miss Brooks show) as Hall, with Edna Best as his wife. Then the creator of the show, Don Quinn, remembered the funny and charminng English neighbors on the Jack Benny show - the Colemans. With this change the charm of "Halls of Ivy" was created.

Most shows opened:
(Announcer) The Joseph Shlitz brewing company of Milwaukee Wisconsin presents the Halls of Ivy staring Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Coleman.

(a brief commercial)

(Announcer) And now the Halls of Ivy.

(Chorus singing
Oh we love the halls of ivy
That surround us here today
And we will not forget thou
We be far far away

(Announcer) Welcome again to Ivy - Ivy College that is in the town of Ivy USA.

Starred:
Ronald Coleman played Dr. William Todhunter Hall
Benita Hume (Mrs. Ronald Coleman) played Victoria Cromwell (former star of the English musical stage.
Herbert Butterfield played Clarence Wellman, the cantankerous Chairman of the Ivy Board

Alma Mater Listen Oh we love the halls of ivy That surround us here today And we will not forget thou We be far far away To the hallowed halls of Ivy Every voice will bid farewell And shimmer off in twilight Like the old vesper bell One day a hush will fall, the footsteps of us all Will echo down the hall and disappear. But as we sadly start Our journeys far apart A part of every heart will linger here In the sacred halls of ivy Where we�ve lived and learned to know That through the years we�ll see you In the sweet afterglow.

Other versions of the song:

The Lettermen

Notre Dame Glee Club

EPISODE LOG - Here is a link to all episodes: Halls of Ivy

Pilot Episode 1949 Jun 23 1949 Dr Hall's Reappointment (Stared Gordon and Best) Series Episodes 1950 Jan 06 Dr Hall's Reappointment (Stared Mr and Mrs Coleman) Jan 13 Student Editorial Jan 20 The Gangster's Son Jan 27 Wellman's Nose Charter Day Ceremonies Feb 02 Dr Bromley, Shakespeare Expert Feb 10 The Snowman Feb 27 The Chinese Student Feb 24 Student Thief Mar 03 Merton Savada's Crush Mar 10 Victoria's New Review Mar 17 Dirty Politics Mar 24 Professor Gerhardt's Secret Mar 31 The Ivy Chamber Music and Knockwurst Society Apr 07 Toddy Plays Hookey Apr 14 Mrs Foster's Lost Dog Apr 21 Traffic and Cocoanuts Apr 28 The Scofield Prize May 05 Student Actress May 10 Mrs Whitney's Statue May 17 Dr Abel May 14 The Fighting Med Student May 31 The Sexton Award Jun 07 DDay Jun 14 Stolen First Edition Jun 21 The Bentheimers and the Census Jun 28 Faculity Raffle Jul 05 Poetry Reading Jul 21 Education Of Annie Bell Sep 27 The Leslie Hoff Painting Oct 04 The New English Teacher Oct 11 Phone Problems Nov 22 Jack Benny Visits Ivy

Episodes 1951 Jan 03 Professor Barrette's Play Jan 24 The Goya Bequest Jan 31 Professor Warren's Retirement Feb 28 The French Scholarship Mar 07 Eddie Gray's Wedding Apr 18 Romiette and Julio May 02 Champ Waterfield May 30 Finals Day Award Jun 13 Finals Season Jun 20 Pork Barrel Politics Oct 03 Adoption Oct 10 Editorial in the Ivy Bull Oct 17 Student Council Election Oct 31 Football Coach Nov 07 Halloween Nov 15 Don Quinn Interview Nov 21 The Minister's Son Nov 28 Professor Warren's Romantic Folly Dec 05 Calhoun Gaddy's Agricultural Development Dec 12 Professor Royce Returns Dec 26 Sweet Sorrow

Episodes 1952 Jan 02 Hell Week Jan 09 Nelson Carter's Son Jan 16 Art Exhibit Jan 23 Medal of Honor Jan 30 Track Star Feb 06 Glee Club Donation Feb 13 Dean Huxley Feb 20 Voice of the Ivy Vine Feb 27 Budget Problems Mar 05 The Astronomy Exam Mar 12 The Lame Girl and the Hypochondriac Mar 19 The Oldest Living Graduate Mar 26 Stolen Money Apr 02 Professor Grimes Apr 09 Faculity Marriage Apr 23 Professor Walden's Son Apr 30 Faculty Follies Part 1 May 07 Faculty Follies Part 2 May 14 Student Singer May 21 Doctor Spatzen May 28 Mummynapper Jun 04 Pregnant Student Jun 11 The Wellman's Come to Dinner Jun 18 Math Professor Jun 25 Summer Vacation