This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.

Mayor La Guardia kicks off a full-scale Christmas production with live orchestra and chorus. The show opens with the Marine Corps Hymn mixed with Jingle Bells.

WNYC Announcer: "On this 1,113th day of American democracy against the foes of freedom we bring you..."

La Guardia: "Christ the Lord is born!"

We hear a Christmas program featuring Mayor La Guardia reading from the scriptures, with Lauritz Melchior and Robert Shaw. The Mayor offers his own views on America and wishes the audience a Merry Christmas. There are performances of Christmas songs by Lauritz Melchior, of the Metropolitan Opera; the Queens College Chamber Ensemble, directed by Boris Schwartz; and the Collegiate Chorale, directed by Robert Shaw. His Honor also delivers a short sermon and reads The Prayer for Children, written by Archbishop Francis J. Spellman.

Concludes with Christmas concert announcement, Little Women announcement, notes about Christmas programming.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 56137
Municipal archives id: LT4075