Bertha Brainard

[1][2] She was born and raised in South Orange, New Jersey, the daughter of Henry Brainard (a former journalist and publisher) and his wife Ada.

[3] She became a theater critic, and began hosting a program called Broadcasting Broadway for WJZ in Newark beginning in March 1922.

[6] Host Vallée appeared along with regulars Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson (1932), followed by Tom Howard and George Shelton (1935).

On this show, the American listening audience heard many future stars for the first time, as it introduced such talents as Milton Berle, Burns and Allen, Alice Faye, the Mills Brothers and Kate Smith.

Other guests included Ray Bolger, Fannie Brice, Ilka Chase, Helen Hayes and Bert Lahr.