#Pepsodent Show

[travsd]

The Pepsodent Show Starring Bob Hope

February 24 was the natal day of William M. Ruthrauff (1881-1969), inventor of Pepsodent. At least, he’s the inventor according to this excellent article at the Made in Chicago Museum. The article also tells us that he was paid handsomely for his formula, and basically told to kiss off, which is probably why his wikipedia entry describes him only as a football coach, and his FindaGrave page…

[citizenscreen]

Linda Darnell, co-host Jerry Colonna, and Rita Hayworth for the popular “The Pepsodent Show Starring Bob Hope” in 1940.

[retrotariotr]

The Bob Hope Show with Blondie and Dagwood

The Pepsodent Show is an American radio comedy program broadcast from 1938 to 1948, during the Golden Age of Radio. The program starred Bob Hope and Jerry Colonna, alongside Blanche Stewart, Elvia Allman, and a continuously rotating supporting cast of actors and musicians which included, for a time, Judy Garland, Frances Langford, and Desi Arnaz and his orchestra.

[waynelvslcy]

Mother and daughter pitch woman. In 1963, Lucille endorsed Pepsodent toothpaste as a tie-in to her movie, 'Critics Choice'. She filmed a lengthy two minute commerical for the movie and similar one minute commercials were packaged with 'The Lucy Show'. It would appear that Lucy's relationship with Lever Brothers lasted many years since Lucie would also pitch Pepsodent for 'Here's Lucy' in the early 1970's. #lucilleball #luciearnaz #pitchwoman #commercials #vintagecommercial #pepsodent #toothpaste #toothpastecommercial #pearlywhites #thelucyshow #hereslucy #criticschoice #motheranddaughter #waynelvslcy #spokesperson #advertising https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpk5l5vuLkK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[porterdavis]

This harmless-looking hotlink leads to the mother of all internet rabbit holes. Enter at your own risk.

Seriously, I am hopelessly lost in 60s TV shows. I want to get to the ads (you'll wonder where the yellow went, when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent) but I keep clicking 'just one more' Gunsmoke episode.

(You can also find complete concerts from the likes of the Grateful Dead)

[peterlorrefanpage]

"You know, Peter, I've always admired the way you commit a crime."

"Thank you, Bob, and I've always admired your programs, too."

Bob Hope and guest Peter Lorre do their version of a story from "Inner Sanctum" on the Pepsodent Show, May 13, 1947.

17:05 Bob introduces Peter Lorre 💜

[greatworldwar2]

• Hollywood Canteen

The Hollywood Canteen founded by John Garfield, Bette Davis, and Jules C. Stein as a club offering food, dancing and entertainment for servicemen, usually on their way overseas.

The driving forces behind the creation of the Hollywood Canteen were Bette Davis and John Garfield, along with Jules Stein, President of Music Corporation of America, who headed up the finance committee. Bette Davis devoted an enormous amount of time and energy to the project and served as its president. The Hollywood Canteen operated at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard in the Los Angeles, California, neighborhood of Hollywood. The 1944 motion picture featuring the canteen has Bette Davis introduced to the crowd as the canteen's founder and president. The various guilds and unions of the entertainment industry donated the labor and money for the building renovations. The canteen was operated and staffed completely by volunteers from the entertainment industry. By the time the canteen opened its doors, over three thousand stars, players, directors, producers, grips, dancers, musicians, singers, writers, technicians, wardrobe attendants, hair stylists, agents, stand-ins, publicists, secretaries, and allied craftsmen of radio and screen had registered as volunteers. Even though the majority of visitors were US servicemen, the canteen was open to servicemen of allied countries as well as women in all branches of service. A serviceman's ticket for admission was his uniform and everything at the canteen was free of charge.

Servicemen could dance with Betty Grable, be served a sandwich by Shirley Temple, and watch a performance by Carmen Miranda. Roy Rogers even rode his horse, Trigger, right onto the stage for some prancing tricks. The canteen provided an outlet for stars anxious to contribute to the war effort in the best ways they knew how—their trade as entertainers. Just 10 days after the canteen opened, Bob Hope broadcast his top-rated radio production, The Pepsodent Show from the Hollywood Canteen. He performed bits with Davis, and members of “Hope’s Gypsies”—the troupe of entertainers who accompanied Hope on his tours to perform for troops on the front lines in Europe and the Pacific during the war—made appearances. The décor of the canteen played on the building’s history as a stable by employing a western theme—the sign was made of rope lettering and chandeliers were constructed from old wagon wheels and retrofitted kerosene lanterns. Celebrities pitched in with decorations and furnishings as well; the piano was donated by Cary Grant. On the first anniversary of the Hollywood Canteen, Davis unveiled the Hall of Honor, a wall of photos of Hollywood figures who served in the military, featuring the likes of such A-listers as Clark Gable and Jimmy Stewart. In 1944, Warner Bros. produced a film called Hollywood Canteen. It was a fictionalized account of two soldiers’ experiences at the canteen, in which dozens of stars played themselves, volunteers for the war’s entertainment efforts.

Musical performances were also a common attraction to servicemen at the Hollywood Canteen. Performances by The Andrew Sisters, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Kay Kyser, and Bing Crosby. References to the Hollywood Canteen often erroneously give it the address of The Hollywood Guild and Canteen, which was located at 1284 North Crescent Heights Boulevard in a home owned by the estate of actor Dustin Farnum. It was here that Anne "Mom" Lehr provided meals and bunk beds for servicemen until the end of the Second World War. When the home was razed in 1948, news articles failed to distinguish between the two "Hollywood Canteens", leading to a lasting confusion.

Before it closed on Thanksgiving Day 1945, over 3,000 volunteers, many famous stars among them, entertained nearly four million servicemen. Three million packs of cigarettes were distributed; six million pieces of cake, 125,000 gallons of milk, and nine million cups of coffee were served. When the Hollywood Canteen closed after the war, the $500,000 surplus was applied to veteran relief funds. Bob Hope was one of the many celebrity entertainers who recognized and entertained those in America’s fighting forces. The building where the canteen was located no longer exists; a parking garage and a building are now located on the site, which is just south of Sunset Boulevard. The East Coast counterpart was the New York City–based Stage Door Canteen, which featured Broadway stars and was also celebrated in a film, Stage Door Canteen.

This post is dedicated to @overlookedwwiimedia for their continued support of this page. Go see well written reviews of ww2 films and tv series.

[papermoonloveslucy]

TOO MANY HUSBANDS

April 21, 1947

The Gulf Screen Guild Theater present  Wesley Ruggles’ Too Many Husbands, which was a 1940 Columbia Pictures release.

Produced and Directed by: Bill Lawrence

Music by: Wibur Hatch

Synopsis ~ Vicky Lowndes (Lucille Ball) loses her first husband, Bill Cardew (Bob Hope), in a boating accident in which he is presumed drowned. The lonely widow is comforted by Bill's best friend and publishing business partner Henry Lowndes (Frank Sinatra). Six months later, she marries him. Six months after that, Bill shows up, after having been stranded on a uninhabited island and then rescued. Vicky has a tough choice to make.

The Screen Guild Theater (aka The Screen Guild Players), was one of the most popular drama anthology series during the Golden Age of Radio. At this point it is being sponsored by Gulf Oil. From its first broadcast in 1939, up to its farewell in 1952, it showcased radio adaptations of popular Hollywood films. Many Hollywood names became part of the show, including Bette Davis, Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and many more. The actors’ fees were all donated to the Motion Picture Relief Fund, an organization that provides aid to retired actors. Screen Guild Theater was heard on different radio networks, beginning with CBS from 1939 to 1948, NBC from 1948 to 1950, ABC from 1950 to 1951, and back to CBS until its last episode on June 29, 1952. Throughout its run, a total of 527 episodes were produced.

The radio show brought movies to radio for thirty minutes each Monday evening on CBS. The show aired for 242 programs beginning with “Yankee Doodle Dandy” starring James Cagney and ending with “My Reputation.” In between were all time classics such as “Casablanca” with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, “Sergeant York” with Gary Cooper and “Holiday Inn” with Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Dinah Shore.

The Screen Guild Players previously broadcast an adaptation of “Too Many Husbands” on March 8, 1942 starring Hedy Lamar, Bob Hope, and Bing Crosby. On September 4, 1944 yet another version was aired by the Players, starring Donna Reed, Frank Sinatra, and Bill Goodwin. 

Too Many Husbands (1940) was produced and directed by Wesley Ruggles, with a screenplay by Claude Binyon. The film stars Jean Arthur, Fred MacMurray and Melvyn Douglas, and is based on the 1919 play Home and Beauty by W. Somerset Maugham, which was retitled Too Many Husbands when it came to New York.  The story is a variation on the 1864 poem Enoch Arden by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. In the UK, the film was released as My Two Husbands. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Sound Recording. Too Many Husbands was remade as a musical, Three for the Show (1955), with Jack Lemmon and Betty Grable. 

Two of the film’s background players, Bert Stevens and James Conaty, were later seen in as extras on “I Love Lucy.” Sam McDaniel (brother of Oscar-winner Hattie McDaniel of Gone With the Wind), plays a porter, just as he will do on “I Love Lucy,” becoming the first black actor to have lines on the series. Star Fred MacMurray will appear with Lucille Ball in “Lucy Hunts Uranium” in 1958. 

RADIO CAST

Lucille Ball (Vickie) plays the role originated in the film by Jean Arthur. In April 1947, Ball was awaiting the release of two films: Lured and Her Husband’s Affairs.  

Bob Hope (Bill) plays the role originated in the film by Fred MacMurray. Hope had just released the film My Favorite Brunette. Hope and Ball would do four films together, staring in 1949 with Sorrowful Jones. 

Frank Sinatra (Henry) plays the role originated in the film by Melvyn Douglas. Sinatra had just released the film It Happened in Brooklyn on April 7, 1947. Primarily a singer, this is the only time he acts opposite Lucille Ball. 

Truman Bradley (Announcer) was selected by Henry Ford to be the announcer for the “Ford Sunday Evening Hour”. With his distinctive, authoritative voice, he soon became a radio actor as well as a narrator in numerous movies. Bradley was the radio announcer for shows by Red Skelton, Burns and Allen, and Frank Sinatra. 

Peter, the Butler is played by an uncredited performer. 

‘TOO MANY’ TRIVIA!

The title is easily confused with the title of Lucille Ball’s radio series “My Favorite Husband,” and her films Too Many Girls, and Her Husband’s Affairs. 

Lucille Ball also appeared with Screen Guild Players in “Tight Shoes” (April 12, 1942), “Nothing But the Truth” (May 3, 1943), and “A Night To Remember” (May 1, 1944). 

From late 1942 to July 1947 Lady Esther Cosmetics sponsored the show which had been previously sponsored by Gulf Oil. It was first known as the “Lady Esther Presents the Screen Guild Players” and then became "The Lady Esther Screen Guild Theater.” 

As is his penchant, Hope ad libs during the script. While hugging Vickie upon his return from the ‘dead’, he says “Let’s just stay like this till ‘Take it or Leave It’ comes on the air!”  “Take It or Leave It” was a radio quiz show, which ran from April 1940 to July 1947 on CBS. It switched to NBC in 1947, and in September 1950, the name of the program was changed to “The $64 Question.”  Hope often flubs his dialogue, but covers with comedy. 

Bill (or maybe it is Bob ad libbing) mentions Dorothy Dix. Author Elizabeth Meriwether Gilmer (1861-1951) was widely known by the pen name Dorothy Dix. As the forerunner of today’s popular advice columnists, Dix was America’s highest paid and most widely read female journalist at the time of her death. Her advice on marriage was syndicated in newspapers around the world with an estimated audience of 60 million readers.

Bill (or maybe it is Bob ad libbing) wonders why Vickie married Henry: “Did you lose a question on “Truth or Consequences?” “Truth or Consequences” was a game show originally hosted on NBC radio by Ralph Edwards (1940–1957), although it also was later seen on television. 

Bill (or maybe it is Bob ad libbing) says that the mattress on the bed that he and Henry have to share feels like it has been stuffed with Grape-Nuts. Grape-Nuts is a breakfast cereal developed in 1897 by C. W. Post. Post originally developed the product as a batter that came from the oven as a rigid sheet, which was then broken into pieces and run through a coffee grinder to produce the "nut"-sized kernels.

The first commercial break advertises Lady Esther’s four-purpose face cream.  In these live commercials, the spokeswoman in known as Lady Esther, although she was not the actual Esther Cohen that the cosmetics line was named for. 

Bob Hope ad-libs about his “Pepsodent contract”.  Hope hosted “The Pepsodent Show” from September 1938 to June 1948. The program also featured Jerry Colonna along with Blanche Stewart and Elvia Allman as well as a continuously rotating supporting cast and musicians which included Desi Arnaz and his orchestra.

Henry tells Bill he should leave and join the Foreign Legion. Bill replies that he’ll meet him halfway by going to the library and reading Beau Geste. Beau Geste is an adventure novel by P. C. Wren, which details the adventures of three English brothers who enlist separately in the French Foreign Legion following the theft of a valuable jewel from the country house of a relative. Published in 1924, the novel has been adapted for the screen several times: 1926, 1939, and 1966. 

Henry asks Bill (Bob) if he can spell “pithecanthropus" and defines it a the missing link between man and ape. Bob (Bill) replies “C.R.O.S.B.Y”!  Bing Crosby was a singer that partnered with Hope on dozens of films, particularly their “road” films.  In April 1947, Crosby had just appeared in a cameo role in Hope’s newest film, My Favorite Brunette. By the end of 1947, The Road to Rio will be released.  Coincidentally, in the 1942 Screen Guild production, Crosby played Henry, the role taken here by Sinatra. 

Just before Vickie breaks it to Henry that she’d rather be married to Bill, Henry (or maybe it is Crosby) sings “Time After Time” (1946), a romantic ballad by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, written for Sinatra to introduce in the 1947 film It Happened in Brooklyn, which had premiered two weeks earlier.  In return, in the very next scene, Bob Hope warbles a few notes of “Thanks for the Memory”, his signature song. 

At the end, Lucille Ball thanks the Motion Picture Relief Fund and it’s country house. In 1940, Jean Hersholt, then-president of the Motion Picture Relief Fund, found 48 acres of walnut and orange groves in the southwest end of the San Fernando Valley to build the Motion Picture Country House. The dedication was on September 27, 1942. The Motion Picture Hospital was dedicated on the grounds of the Country House in 1948.

The final commercial, once again delivered by ‘Lady Esther’ is for Lady Esther Bridal Pink Face Powder. 

‘TOO MANY’ CLOSING CREDITS

The announcer (Truman Bradley) promotes next week’s program, Stork Bites Man, starring Jackie Cooper, Anita Louise, and Gus Schilling.  

Stork Bites Man was a United Artists film that would not be released until June 1947. It also starred Cooper and Schilling. 

Columbia Pictures is credited as the producer of The Guilt of Janet Ames, starring Rosalind Russell and Melvyn Douglas. Coincidentally, Douglas starred in the film version of Too Many Husbands. 

The music was arranged and conducted by Wilbur Hatch, who also did the same for “My Favorite Husband” and “I Love Lucy.” 

Lucille Ball appeared courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, producers of The Sea of Grass starring Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, and Robert Walker.  

Bob Hope appears through the courtesy of Pepsodent, and can currently be seen in the Paramount picture, My Favorite Brunette.

Frank Sinatra appears through the courtesy of Old Gold cigarettes, and can currently be seen in the MGM musical It Happened in Brooklyn, also starring Katharyn Grayson, Peter Walker, and Jimmy Durante.

The announcer reminds listeners that part of the country goes on Daylight Saving Time, and that the show will be heard one hour earlier.  

[cinamonrolljoots]

April 2, 1940:  Judy’s weekly appearance on “The Pepsodent Show starring Bob Hope” for CBS Radio.  There are no existing records of the content of the program nor are there any surviving recordings.

[meanstreetspodcasts]

On January 4, 1935, Bob Hope made his first radio appearance on a national program. Three years later, the vaudeville star came to the air in his own series as star of The Pepsodent Show. It kicked off a long career on radio for the comedian that lasted well into the 1950s.

Hope became legendary for his rapid-fire delivery of jokes and his versatility as an ad-libber. He appeared all over the country at camps, bases, and military hospitals during World War II, and it kicked off a long association Hope had with the Armed Forces and the USO.

[travsd]

A Bob Hope Finding Aid

We’ve only got about 20 posts in the Bob Hope (1903-2003) section of Travalanche, but still it seemed useful to create a post which laid them out in a sensible order for ease of perusal. And so we do. Retain All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here! Bob Hope Main Biographical Post The Pepsodent Show (Hope’s radio show, 1938-48) Writers: Mel Shavelson Norman Panama Wilkie Mahoney Movies: On Several Bob…

[citizenscreen]

Bob Hope and Jimmy Stewart prepare for a 1953 episode of “The Bob Hope Show” sponsored by Pepsodent. #DailyStewart

[emmanuel-t11]

DADY'S🧔 LOVE.🔥

Who ever thought of you!....

But I dearly respect you....

For you eagerly muscled through....

To make my dream, come true....

Who could stop the wrath.....

When the teachings were very thought....

And the beatings were quite rough.....

But the results were just enough....

To put me, on the right path.....

Indeed, it was tough.....

How dare me, ever to laugh.

But I dare to say......

You were the strong man power.....

Uncomparably the best goal scorer....

The only bulldozzer....

To project Mama's belly....

Into a pot-belly.....

In the queste to get me early......

To create, this beautiful family.

You were responsible.....

Even more dependable......

when things were terrible....

Making life feel comfortable......

Though you bought me no bicycle...

You showed me your old tricycle...

In a picture of Nineteen...o...o

Of Grandpapa and Kho.....

Who died Soo long ago.......

God will surely bless their soul.

Despite those slaps....

And countless pushups.....

Placing on your laps....

To give those hard spanks......

You showed me to be humble....

Cus life is never stable.....

Though I may fall or stumble.......

In circumstances of trouble.....

God, is always able....

For that, was your daily saying...

Which always, keeps me going...

You taught me to write......

Rather than to fight......

To unite... than to back bit....

To pray...... than to juju pay.....

To be thoughtful......

'For some girls are deceitful....

Don't spy those breast o....

Nor wast those sperms oo...

Nor get them pregnant ooo...

Life is indeed stressful oo...

You may lose your head ooo'....

For that was Your counsel oo.

I remember when in school...

You payed the way through...

Shaved my hair too.....

Supplied those big shoes...

Which confused the girls too...

Though it made me laugh too...

Pictures, will prove them true...

Oh Dady, I Soo trust you.

These are endless......

For your teaching are breathless.....

Your the best bet....

No wonder my achievement....

Your the wisest.....

I salute, your enlightment...

God bless your encouragement.

Now owning an apartment....

Heading a department....

I feel independent....

Even, much confident...

Dady.... your ever intelligent....

I'll never forget your pepsodent.

A HAPPY FATHER'S DAY...

Emma T.

[oldshowbiz]

The Bill Goodwin Show on Radio KFI. Goodwin was best known as an announcer on network radio programs like The Burns and Allen Show and Bob Hope’s Pepsodent Show.

[lipikaborah-blog]

With Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra and other beauty queens making their way to B-town after winning the world’s most-coveted crown people wanted to know if Lipika Borah too will follow the footsteps of her predecessors.

In an interview Lipika was asked will the face of north east 2009, Lipika Borah be the newest addition among the fresh face in B-town? She said yes definitely she would love to work with popular stars in near future.

Ms. Lipika Borah – model & actor said, “I am passionate about acting, dancing, travelling, photography and gardening. I have been finalized for a music album and am also in talks for a couple of movies. I feel everyone needs to follow their dreams passionately through consistent learning and delivery of excellent results.”  

About Lipika Borah-model & aspiring actor: Lipika Borah is an Indian aspiring model and actress who started her career in 2004. She was crowned as face of North East in 2009 and won beautiful body of north east in 2006 pageant. She has done walk shows in Assam for designers and Jewelries. She was the showstopper for North east fashion week. She has done ad-commercials for brands like Bisleri, Reliance Jio, Pepsodent, Danone, Home Décor and NRHM. Also done lot of music videos and one of them is ‘Khirki Melute’ with Zubeen Garg which got very popular. She acted in couple of Assamese movies like Underworld, Joon Tora, Pakila and Rowd.

Ms. Borah was a brand ambassador for a Gems company named Geoshine Gems India Pvt. Ltd, Manik Chand Nand Kishore Jewellers and Euon. Apart from these she was involved in many print advertising assignments for different brands like International Expo 2010, Calcom cement, and Rongily Fabrics and many others.

http://nationalheraldnews.com/model-and-aspiring-actress-lipika-borah-soon-to-step-in-bollywood/

[maekkelae]

roadblog - Canadian tour 2018 (IV)

Another day in Canada. Forgot which one. It's a long haul. I wrote this before. And right, we're still on that Greyhound bus on its way from Toronto to Thunder Bay. As impossible as it seems to sleep on the coach, after 20 hours awake it will inevitably happen. So it did to me. Somewhere between Wawa and Nipigon. Woke up right in time to see the sun rise and get ready for the last coffee break before Thunder Bay. Stunning landscape reminding me a lot of Finland. A bit of Kuopio to Joensuu in here. Makes a lot of sense so many Fins settled in this area. No need to adjust on new, unknown landscape or climate. All good here, it's pretty much like where we came from. Let's stay. In general it seems people are not too unhappy to live their lives around here. Buying a cuppa on our last stop the guy behind the counter asks if I've got some kind of bonus card. And no, haven't got one. "You can have one, they're valid in all our gas stations across Canada." "Thanks, but that doesn't make a lot of sense, I don't live in Canada." "Oh man, that sucks, eh?" I'm not sure it does. There are possibly some few places apart from Nipigon with it's -19°C I'd actually prefer for a permanent residency. ################### And then there is Thunder Bay, Ontario. Finally. And yessir, we're still in the province of Ontario, Canada. With its Greyhound stop strategically perfectly located 3.5 km from tonight's venue. As you might have figured out following this blog this means “very close to“ or “almost in the centre of town“ in terms of local geographical understanding. In theory there'd be public transport into town, in fact waiting for a bloody bus til fuck knows when in minus ten is nothing you want to do after 22 h on a bus. Let alone possibly not being taken for not having the right change for the ticket or whatever else there could go wrong. My first taxi ride in Thunder Bay turns out a full on success. Whilst watching the desolate beauty of Thunder Bay's industrial areas glide by I get a crash course in the town's history and am pointed on to the most important sights. The one thing I remember is, it's apparently the place where Terry Fox stopped running. Good idea. Would have been a bit to go from here. To any destination. Sorry, dear Canadians, I'm disrespectful here. What my tourist guide didn't mention is the big Finnish community in this town located pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Being very early for the show there is time enough to do a little research on this. And yes, they've got it all here. Karjalan Piirakka, Pulla, Pepsodent, Salmiakki. Had a coffee at Hoito, the cafe/restaurant of the Finnish culture centre, located in the old „Finnish Labour Temple“. Sweet. Bought a copy of the Finnish-Canadian newspaper “Kanadan Sanomat“. Good read — interesting things in there like “Finnish alcohol sells well abroad“. Wouldn't have thought. Enjoyed the show at The Apollo in Thunder Bay on that quiet Tuesday night a lot. Sheila & Alex being wonderful hosts (thanks again for having me, feeding me, putting me up and all...) it turned out a fun evening with an exclusive audience. Bet you know what I mean. Handnumbered so to say. And most of them spoke Finnish. In fact, I think the main reason for them to turn up was the cinema billboard on top of The Apollo's entry reading “Makkela“. Some nice chats after the show learning more about the Fins who came here beginning of the 20th century to settle down on the banks of the great lakes from here down to Duluth, Minnesota. A heartwarming evening in that cold little town on the edge of Ontario. I'll be back. I suppose I have to. In fact, I want to. Still, my Thunder Bay moment was yet to happen the following morning. Started a chat with the not very talkative cab driver who took me to the Greyhound station. A great guy it turned out once he realized he could chat with me in Finnish. And in a way a very Finnish story. Left his home near Kauhava in the early eighties to start a new, better life out here and — as it goes so often — failed. Now stuck here driving a cab trying to save enough money to make it back to Finland. Felt like the right thing to give him a copy of my last album. Catch up next time Harri, if you're still there. ########################## Thunder Bay Greyhound station. Oh my. Been there? It's the place where excitement starts. I have to admit I was pushing my luck here. The Mayor in Winnipeg — no, that's how the call him, he's not the mayor of Winnipeg — set the show for 7.30/8.00pm the very night. According to Greyhound's timetable I'm supposed to make it to Winnipeg by 6.45 pm. Fair enough, should work. That's what I thought. Of course, it didn't. I was on time. The bus was on time. Just the hydraulic ramp for the wheelchair refused to do what it was designed for. Which is lifting a wheelchair onto the vehicle. One hour after our scheduled departure time Greyhound staff is still trying to fix the thing whilst yours humbly starts getting kind of nervous. And no, things aren't improving. Two hours later still here, a smiling driver submitting updates on our status quo. Another thirty minutes later we're finally leaving Thunder Bay. It was a joyful and glorious moment when the Greyhound guys cheerfully announced it was nothing really big – just a fuse. Thank god. If a fuse means three hours, I suppose a spark plug would have cost us a week. This doesn't look too promising. I can see my Winnipeg show slowly disintegrate with every extra minute of waiting. Message to Mayor Matt: “This will be a late one I'm afraid. You still up for having the show?“ “Yeah, sure. We'll start later. Jaxon Haldane 9ish then you. Should work. We'll save 30 minutes if you get off one stop before Winnipeg.“ Today's driver seems to be a nice person even though he has to deal with multiple issues just now. He doesn't know how to work the bloody ramp (which has been fixed, but by some other personnel) and there is me making things even more complicated. “Excuse me sir, would you mind dropping me one stop before Winnipeg?“ “Sure, no problem. Just come to the front once we're near.“ That was just too easy. We're still running late, starting the show by nine is wishful thinking by now, I haven't got a clue where we are except of being approximately 40 minute away from Winnipeg. Walking up the aisle towards our pilot. “Is this the place or are we close to where you can drop me off? You remember?“ “Sorry man, I can't drop you off here. This is a motorway. I'm not allowed to stop here or drop anyone off. I don't know where you want to get off.“ Situation is not improving with me calling Mayor Matt, listening to his instructions on one ear, trying to understand what the driver is trying to explain on the other, all blurred by the powerful sound of a Greyhound engine. Confusion. Despair. A crossroad with traffic lights. Not too far from a Petro-Can and a Subway. I'm finally dumped without the slightest clue of my whereabouts. Ah, that's Matt calling. Good. “Where are you now?“ Erm... next to a Petro-Can. And a Subway. Oh, and a crossroad with traffic lights. Good luck. I still don't know how he did it, but he found me. He turned up. 9.30 pm. It's a miracle. Apparently there is still going to be a show. We're shooting towards his house and my first show in Winnipeg. But listen up now, here is what made Mayor Matt immortal in the house of Mäkkelä. Once in the car he passes me a thermos mug and a can of cold IPA. „Thought you'd need this now. Just make sure you first pour it in the thermos. You're not allowed having a beer in the car in Manitoba.“ What a guy. Impossible to play a bad show after a trip like this. Just a pity I couldn't see Jaxon Haldane perform.