“Ovary Soap” The Flub That Helped Mel Allen Get “The” Job

On September 17, 2012 - TV History

“Ovary Soap”

Believe it or not, that’s the line that helped Mel Allan become the Voice Of The Yankees. Mel’s big break came in 1939 when Garnett Marks, Arch McDonald’s partner on Yankee broadcasts, twice referred to Ivory soap, the Yankees’ sponsor at the time, as “Ovary Soap.” He was fired, and Allen was tapped to replace him. McDonald himself went back to Washington after only one season, and Allen became the Yankees’ and Giants’ lead announcer. Allen was able to do double duty for both teams because only the home games were being broadcast.

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5 Comments

  1. Don Newbury May 14, 2015

    Wasn’t that the home of The Honeymooners as well? Or am I confused? I love these announcers because they would explain the game and you could tell they were having fun.

  2. Howard Hoffman May 14, 2015

    I brew up listening to him and watching WPIX…also the home to Officer Joe Bolton and the Three Stooges

  3. Don Newbury May 13, 2015

    Mel was great. Just announcing the game and no ‘inside’ bullshit. We had Curt Gowdey doing the Red Sox games back then. The old guys were the best and the bums today could take a lesson.

  4. David Moisan September 20, 2012

    Not for use in confined spaces (cue old cigarette ad…)

  5. Chuck Pharis September 17, 2012

    Great photo. Love the field Zoomar lens. 27 elements and a video engineer killer!