Alois Havrilla

Alois Havrilla (July 6, 1891 – December 8, 1952) was a Slovak American radio announcer and singer, best known for his role as announcer on The Jack Benny Program from 1933-1934.

Early years Havrilla was born on July 6, 1891, in Prešov, now Slovakia (before Austria-Hungary), and came to the United States with his family when he was four years old. His father, John, was a pharmacist who brought his family to Bridgeport, Connecticut. He began to learn English at age seven, Havrilla worked in radio in New York City from 1924 to 1946 as announcer, commentator, and narrator on programs. At various times he was employed by WABC, WEAF, WJZ, and WOR, all in New York City. In 1946 he began working at WNJR in Newark, New Jersey, and WPAT in Paterson, New Jersey. a program that featured recordings of popular and semi-classical music supplemented by Havrilla's comments about his personal knowledge of composers and performers.

Network programs for which Havrilla was the announcer included The Jack Benny Program, The Palmolive Hour, Strange as It Seems, Colgate House Party, Conoco Presents, Spartan Triolians, and Double or Nothing.

Havrilla's voice was heard from 1928 to 1946 as narrator and commentator for travelogues from RKO and for films from Paramount Pictorial, Pathe Newsreel, and Universal Pictures. This Is China (1937), The World's Largest Electrical Workshop (1938), You Bet Your Life (1939), and Hercules Land (1944).

Havrilla also performed on Broadway in Hassan (1924), Louie the 14th (1925), and Princess Flavia (1925).

Personal life and death When Havrilla lived in Briarcliff Manor, he directed the Briarcliff unit of the Westchester Choral Union and two choirs at the Briarcliff Congregational Church.

Havrilla married Marion Munson, whom he had met when both sang at Bridgeport's Universalist Church, and they had a daughter.

He died on December 8, 1952, in Englewood Hospital, aged 61.

Papers Havrilla's papers are housed in the University of Maryland Libraries' archival collections. They include correspondence, manuscripts, newspaper clippings, photographs, scrapbooks, scripts, and sheet music. Items in the collection date from 1893 to 1965, with most coming from the 1920s and 1930s.