Behind the Mike (1937)

Interesting facts

Behind the Mike is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Sidney Salkow, which stars William Gargan, Judith Barrett, Don Wilson, and Sterling Holloway. The screenplay was written by Barry Trivers from a story by Thomas Ahearn and Walton Butterfield. The film was released on September 26, 1937.

Production

In April 1937 it was announced that A. Dorian Atvos had completed a screenplay based on the original story by Thomas Ahearn and Walton Butterfield. Lou Brock was picked to produce the film for Universal, with Larry J. Blake in the leading role. John King was also expected to appear in the film. A week later it was announced that Lester Cole would be re-writing the screenplay.

William Gargan was selected as the male lead by the end of June, and it was revealed that Sidney Salkow would helm the picture. Universal announced on July 3 that the start of production on the project was imminent. Shortly after, it was announced that Irene Hervey had been signed to a contract by Universal, and that her first project would be the lead in this film.

In mid-July, Deane Janis was flown in to record the film's theme song, "Behind the Mike". Around the same time it was revealed that Jimmy McHugh (music) and Harold Adamson (lyrics) were writing "Once You're In Love" for the picture, while Harold Adamson wrote "Crunchie Munchies". Roy Atwell, Spencer Charters, Grady Sutton, and Jerry Mandy were added to the cast in July, followed shortly by Harlan Briggs and Charles Brokaw.

Universal, believing they were making up a fictitious station, used the call sign "WBAM". However, those call letters were actually a station belonging to WOR, and used on one of their broadcast relay transmitters.

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