[4] In 1941, the Summer Silver Theater was a variety program, with Ed Sullivan as host and Will Bradley as bandleader.

Announcers over the program's lifetime were John Conte, Dick Joy, Henry Charles, Roger Krupp, Jack Bailey, and Harry Bartell.

[2] The sponsor, International Silver Company, launched the program by inviting couples married 25 years or more to the CBS studio for the initial broadcast on October 3, 1937.

The ad quoted comments from International Silver: "After thirteen weeks on CBS: 'We find we can paint a more alluring picture ... by radio than with the printed page.'

Many also performed in the Silver Theater, including Judy Garland, Carole Lombard, Ginger Rogers, Rosalind Russell, and Loretta Young.

Another brand of the company, International Sterling, also promoted the Silver Theater in LIFE magazine advertisements.