The First Nighter Program

[2] An article in a 1939 newspaper observed, "First Nighter was the first show to present complete and separate original plays each week.

Before each week's drama began, Mr. First Nighter was first heard walking on Broadway, emerging from the noise of people and street traffic into the crowded lobby of "The Little Theater Off Times Square" and then taking his seat in the third row center, where he gave the whispered introduction: Romantic comedies were the specialty of the series, and the principal roles were played by the teams of Don Ameche and June Meredith (1930–36), Ameche and Betty Lou Gerson[4] (1935–36), Les Tremayne and Barbara Luddy (1936–43) and Olan Soule and Luddy (1943 and after).

Music was provided by "The Famous First Nighter Orchestra", under the direction of Eric Sagerquist (1930–44), Caesar Petrillo (1945–46) and Frank Worth (1947–53).

[5] Performing before a studio audience, the actors wore formal attire, with Luddy in a gown and Tremayne clad in evening clothes and top hat.

The series ran on four radio networks in the following timeline: The show was sponsored by The Campana Company and solely featured commercials for their products.