Jack Neely is executive director of the Knoxville History Project. He has become one of Knoxville’s most popular writers and its unofficial historian. Jack is well known for his thoughtful, well-researched, and provocative pieces of long-form journalism, not to mention his books, speeches, and other public appearances...
123 S. Gay Street Ste. C
Knoxville, TN 37902
JACK NEELY
jack@knoxhistoryproject.org
(865) 337-7723
PAUL JAMES
Development Director
paul@knoxhistoryproject.org
(865) 300-4559
NICOLE STAHL
Administrative Coordinator
nicolestahl@knoxhistoryproject.org
(865) 360-8053
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Site by: Robin Easter Design
2 Comments
In the early 1930s, Knoxville native Jeanne Ellison was a very young and talented singer. She sang between the serial and movie at the Tennessee Theatre on Gay Street in downtown Knoxville on weekends, and regularly on WNOX radio as Little Red Riding Hood.
The station started a Little Red Riding Hood Club, sponsored by Swan Bakery. Young listeners could send in two Swan bread wrappers and receive a campaign-type celluloid button with a picture of Jeanne in her red silk outfit, and a card certifying the holders as bona fide members of the club. The child could then wear the button, or show the card, and be admitted free to the Saturday morning movie at the Tennessee.
Swan Bakery made small pies wrapped in transparent wrappers with red letters which told you that you were buying Little Red Riding Hood pies baked by Swan. They also sent each club member a free birthday cake every year. The campaign was highly successful, as children and their parents listened to WNOX for promotional announcements and rewarded Swan by buying their products because they sponsored Little Red Riding Hood.
Swan’s Bakery sold a LOT of great products through the years. I truly miss all their delicious bakery goods!