Tel: (818) 347-9665 PST

TheMuseumSFV@gmail.com

www.TheMuseumSFV.org




Thursday, June 5, 2014

BOB BURNS RADIO CELEBRITY OF THE 1940s

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

     Museum Associate Art Jacobs shares this story about radio's famous Bob Burns.

"Bob Burns a musical comedian who appeared on radio and in the movies is featured in the 1941 Radio-Movie-Guide magazine. Burns a native from Arkansas, is best known as "The Arkansas Traveler" a character that amused his audience with stories about the kinfolk back home. Burns played a novelty musical instrument of his own invention which he called the "bazooka". It consisted of a stove pipe and a whiskey funnel that created an unusual sound."

 Bob Burns, radio comic of the 1940s. Magazine photo courtesy of Art Jacobs 2014

"By 1940 Burns was nationally known on the radio and was signed as a contract player with Paramount Pictures. During the 1930's and 40's Burns began investing his money in real estate throughout the San Fernando Valley. At one time, it was said that Bob Burns owned over 800 acres of West Valley land. His ranch was located on the corner of Sherman Way and Mason in Canoga Park. 

Locally, Burns became the honorary mayor of Canoga Park and was very active in the community.

On February 1956, Bob Burns passed away in Encino, California of kidney cancer and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery."

No comments: