Radio Voices: American Broadcasting, 19221952. Broadcasting had become a profession in the 1930s and was experiencing the growing pains of becoming an established and accepted part of society. President Roosevelt used the radio for regular "fireside chats" with the American people, explaining the major events of the time and his response to them in a calm and reassuring voice. Bergmeier, Horst J. Hitler's Airwaves: The Inside Story of Nazi Radio Broadcasting and Propaganda Swing. Retrieved February 22, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-and-education-magazines/radio-1929-1941. "Ruggles of Red Gap," an episode of the motion-picture adaptation series Academy Award Theater, starring Charles Laughton; airdate June 8, 1946. Almost one-fourth of the nation normally listened to his fireside chats. As the 1930s progressed, and as reporters such as Edward R. Murrow, H.V. Radio Priest: Charles Coughlin, the Father of Hate Radio. Radio use was not confined to economic class. . Live musical groups that played on the radio during the late 1920s and early 1930s included The Sylvania (light bulbs) Foresters, The Champion (spark plugs) Sparkers, and The Planters (peanuts) Pickers. Americans expected to learn about events quickly, and as television gained momentum later in the century, this expectation was carried into television broadcasting: viewers expected to see events virtually as they happened. Brown, Robert J. Manipulating the Ether: The Power of Broadcast Radio in Thirties America. HYLAND: Good lord! For example candidates for public office must be treated equally and sponsors must be identified. Henry Ford (1863 - 1947) US Industrialist. The FCC took the place of the Federal Radio Commission and oversaw the telecommunications industry as well as broadcasting. When German planes bombed the Basque town of Guernica in Spain in 1937, it solidified writer and director Norman Corwin's hatred of fascism. Garner, Joe.
Radio DJs - Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia He was the radio quiz show host of 'Information Please!', chief editor at Simon & Schuster, and literary editor of The New Yorker magazine in the 1930s and 1940s, among other employments. 32. They also complained that political conventions were organized for the benefit of radio, rather than to facilitate substantive political discussion. remain connected to the public. That is some serious growth! A license would be issued only if the public interest, convenience or necessity was served. As radio developed, daytime shows such as soap operas and childrens programs generally ran 15 minutes. Kaltenborn also covered the Munich appeasement "Against the Storm," "Brighter Day," "City Hospital," "Tale of Today," and "We Love and Learn" were all popular soap operas. Radio played an important role in politics during the Depression. Andy: Instead o' payin' 'tention to whut you was doin', you was sittin' here dreamin'. She also played an uncredited bit part as a sales assistant in The Women* pictured here w/ Joan C*, filmed after Gone with the Wind but released before it. Some of the leading voices from radio's golden age, in the 1930s and '40s, may have gone on to even greater fame elsewhere, such as Bob Hope and Gene Autry. In March 2012 the faculty at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University, together with an Honorary Committee of alumni, selected "the 100 Outstanding Journalists in the United States in the Last 100 Years.". The program lamented the German military planes flying at will over his native country and wreaking havoc with their bombs.
RADIO | Encyclopedia of Cleveland History - Case Western Reserve University In 1943, Beulah moved over to That's Life and then became a supporting character on the popular Fibber McGee and Molly radio series in late 1944. Adam Carolla (; born May 27, 1964) is an American comedian, radio personality, television host, actor, podcaster, and director. KELLYSUTTON KELLY SUTTON. Songwriters were under incredible pressure to produce new material, and many collapsed as a result. He spoke with clarion clarity, his voice an elocution . His career started in vaudeville, and he debuted in 1931 on radio on the Ed Sullivan show, getting his own radio show in 1932. Amos: Yeahif I hadn't been thinkin' 'bout goin' to Chicago den, I'd of got de mil in de buck a' right. (18901972). Tens of millions of people listened to his weekly radio broadcasts. Even in the 1990s and early twenty-first century presidents Bill Clinton (served 19932001) and George W. Bush (served 2001) used weekly radio broadcasts to I got a idea. Necrology of Old Radio Personalities; OTR Actors and Their Roles This page was last edited on 21 January 2023, at 02:02 (UTC). The public found radio to be the most accessible form of entertainment and information available. Another example of the growth of radio news was the presence of tabloid reporting, which emphasized sensationalized topics. It wasn't until 1920 that radio stations were regularly making commercial broadcasts, beginning with KDKA of Pittsburgh and WWJ of Detroit. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. *loved them when they would guest star on the Jack Benny show!*. Radio personalities are very popular and the success of a radio channel is largely dependent upon the popularity of the radio personality who host its programs. In . I am reminded of that evening in March, four years ago, when I made my first radio report to you. More people owned radios, were listening to radio in increasing numbers, and were listening to radios for an increasing amount of time each day. In 1947 Jackie Robinson became the first black to play Major League Baseball. After tackling various pursuits in his young life, including time as a vaudevillian dancer, Winchell became a famous news commentator and gossipmonger, drawing millions of listeners during the Great Depression. "Kitty Foyle," an episode of the motion-picture adaptation series Academy Award Theater, starring Ginger Rogers; airdate April 6, 1946. It was a time when the airwaves were dominated by big personalities with loud voices. She also worked with NBC, ABC, and New York Herald Tribune's radio broadcasts. I know whut I'se doin'. The Golden Age of American radio as a creative medium lasted, at best, from 1930 to 1955, with the true peak period being the 1940s. British husband-and-wife actors Ronald Colman (1891-1958) and Benita Hume (1906-1967) starred in both versions of the show.
1940s: TV and Radio | Encyclopedia.com The power of radio was being exploited in the international arena, also. Beginning in the 1930s and continuing for more than two decades, a majority of prime-time network programs were actually created by advertising agencies employed by sponsors. His first song was "Goodnight My Beautiful". Dials ME 7-1212. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Murrow's broadcasts during the Battle of Britain were often accompanied by air raid sirens or bomb explosions. Jack Benny (18941974). This act provided basic assumptions that have continued to underpin broadcasting policy in the United States to this day. WSM Radio - Air Personalities.
10 Legendary Vintage Black Radio DJs - Radio Facts The New Deal's Communications Act of 1934 survives largely intact. Radio of the 1930s provided a blueprint for the understanding and expectations of media for the rest of the century. Music led the way onto radio, with the broadcasting of swing and big band music in the 1920s. *I <3 Allens Alley* His best-remembered gag was his long-running mock feud with friend and fellow comedian Jack Benny, but it was only part of his appeal; radio historian John Dunning (in On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio) wrote that Allen was radio's most admired comedian and most frequently censored. Broadcasting Freedom: Radio, War and the Politics of Race, 19381948. Radio had become a powerful and influential media for the expression of opinion on an international basis. Even these artists were under strict supervision of the agencies, which usually had representatives present during the rehearsals and broadcast. Programs became fixed in quarter-hour and half-hour blocks and featured a wide variety of formats. "Radio 1929-1941
Thank Goodness for Cleveland Radio! - moderncleveland.com NEIL: We'll have to move fast. Radio was born. With his comfortable style, Roosevelt had the uncanny knack of speaking to the people through the radio as if he was sitting in their living room. "The First Radio War: Broadcasting in the Spanish Civil War, 19361939." Pluggers were named for "plugging" or aggressively selling the idea of recording a publisher's music. On October 30, 1938 a radio musical performance was interrupted by a reporter. The 1930s were also the genesis of some of the major broadcasting industry conflicts that would continue to be played out throughout the remainder of the twentieth century. Other forms of paid entertainment had become prohibitively expensive in the lean times, and so Americans turned to radio. The most famous radio show was the Lux Radio Theater, which was performed live on stage in front of a studio audience. The 1940s were a decade of tension and transition. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Golden-Age-of-American-radio, Long Wharf Theatre - The Golden Age of Radio, Public Broadcasting Service - Radio In The 1930s, Digital Public Library of America - Golden Age of Radio in the US, Audio Engineering Society - Golden Age of Radio. (Tone: Phone drops to floor). In the 1930s, Father Coughlin was one of the most influential public figures in the United States. His plan was to make radios affordable and to bring music into the home by way of wireless technology. The 1930s were a time of profound and lasting changes at home and abroad. By 1933, 25 percent of the workforce, or over 12 million people, were out of work. Attendance at the movie theaters remained strong through the first few years of the Depression, but that also would eventually decline substantially. What time is it? Some radio performers had teams of writers preparing jokes for them. No other media of the time was as pervasive. Audiences were able to hear performances by entertainers that they would never be able to see in person. View More. Historic Events for Students: The Great Depression. By 1948, his program received higher ratings than Fred Allen or Jack Benny. The show has subsequently been criticized as racially insensitive and insulting, but some critics contend that it humanized black people. 2. Between 1941 and 1945, Americans tuned in to listen to breaking news from Europe, hearing about major battles and the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii just moments after the actual events. Our story begins in the 1920s, when networks began to sponsor a few hours of weekly programming for Black audiences, including live musical and theatrical performances.
Golden Age of Black Radio - Part 2: Deejays - Google Arts & Culture The A&P Gypsies, an orchestra conducted by Harry Horlick, was sponsored by A&P grocery stores. Winchell had many critics of his approach of publicizing activities that many considered inappropriate for public comment. The National Association of Broadcasters created standards of performance and objectivity that spawned discussion and that evolved throughout the rest of the twentieth century. How was radio used to try to change Americans view of the conflict? The list consists of 665 members. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Winchell had been a supporter of Senator Joseph McCarthy's anticommunism efforts, and his popularity suffered when the nation turned its back on the senator. Her distinctive, high-pitched voice also took people by surprise. The effects of the Depressionpoverty, joblessness, homelessness, and hungertook a mental toll on Americans. This inexpensive form of enjoyment for the whole family included radio shows, music, and more. The immediacy of information had the added impact of making the entire world feel like one's neighborhood. Lillian Disney. In 1895 Guglielmo Marconi became the first person to communicate by sending radio signals through the air.
1940's - Famous People - Weebly Radio's intimate communication style was a powerful force during the 1930s and 1940s. In 1922, David Sarnoff introduced the Radiola console, which sold for $75not an insignificant amount but still within the reach of middle class citizens in the 1920s. Body crumples) There; now he'll be quiet for a minute. The Golden Web: A History of Broadcasting in the United States, Volume II, 1933 to 1953. Alienation from American traditions was minimized and a foundation for a later boon in such interests following World War II was established. Germany was mobilizing to occupy a large portion of Europe and much of the world was moving towards what would come to be known as World War II (19391945). Lillian attended high school in Lapwai and went to college in Lewiston. Lackmann, Ronald. Radio provided a shared national experience of entertainment and information.
Here Are The Top 50 Streamed Talk Show Hosts - Radio Ink New stars were also created, as performers discovered the medium and created unique shows. The war years clearly raised the profile of radios role in society. He was introduced (with actress Verna Felton playing his mother) as a young (nineteen year old), naive boy singer a character he kept through his whole career. A selection of shows from American radios Golden Age is presented in the table.
Radio - The Golden Age of American radio | Britannica We've got it! From the old Oak Grove Hotel to the present day studios on 2nd Avenue and 7th Street, WCCO has brought Minnesota and Upper Midwest radio listeners big news stories and major events . William Powell and Myrna Loy performed "The Thin Man" and Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert performed "It Happened One Night." Sale of advertising time was not widely practiced at early radio stations in the United States. Amos: When I tell Mister Hopkins dat I lost half de milk, he goin' git mad wid me. Encyclopedia.com. AM (or amplitude modulation) radio could reach long distances, but with greatly diminished quality. Jun 8, 2015 - Explore April's board "Radio Stars of the 40's and 50's", followed by 2,433 people on Pinterest. Radio news had reached its maturity. HYLAND: An innocent boy is going to die in one minute. Young reporters such as Edward R. Murrow, William Shirer, and Walter Cronkite covered breaking news at the front, while commentators such as Walter Winchell analyzed events at home. Famous Radio Personalities. Some radio programming was used for propaganda purposes, while other programs were aimed at keeping up the morale of the public. CBS would soon become a major force in radio, although it would take years before it would challenge NBCs supremacy. In 1922 he introduced the Radiola, for $75, and made radio a household appliance. Read; Edit; View history . Sound effects were created in the most innovative ways. 3334). He remained associated with Benny's radio and television programs until Benny's death in 1974. Its premiere was lauded as exceptional, bold radio. William S. Paley became president of the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) on September 25, 1928, two days before his 27th birthday, and he would lead the network for more than 60 years. The era of television influence came forward in the 1960 presidential campaign between future presidents John F. Kennedy (served 19611963) and Richard Nixon (served 19691974). Amos: He tol' you to milk de cowhe didn't tell me to do it. An outstanding comedic duo, the show was a huge success providing many laughs to the American audiences during the Great Depression and later made the transition to television. List of old-time American radio people. View More. Radio then morphed into radio formats . An episode of the variety series The Kraft Music Hall, starring Bing Crosby with special guest Phil Silvers; airdate December 16, 1943. There is also a DMOZ directory. The former vaudevillian actor mastered the unique art of radio and created a variety show of immense popularity. Hardships of the Great Depression increased hatred toward racial minorities by society in general. Episode 2 of "The Perada Treasure," from the children's adventure series Captain Midnight; airdate October 18, 1939.
WCCO Radio turns 94: A look back at our history - Audacy Johnny Otis Collection (SC 106) Over 800 radio programs of black popular music (live and prerecorded), hosted by Johnny Otis, and featuring live interviews with blues and rhythm & blues artists from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Radio itself was not brand new in the 1930s, but it is during this time that it became an integral part of the lives of Americans. One master of the use of radio was Father Charles Edward Coughlin. Millions of others saw their paychecks reduced or lived in constant fear that they, too, would finally be hit with economic hardship.
8 Moments When Radio Helped Bring Americans Together - HISTORY Comic strips had long provided a shared form of entertainment in America. The program changed names over the years as it was sponsored by different products, but Benny remained a household name as the protagonist of the show. Murrow set the standard for American journalism providing descriptive reports of many of the 1930s and 1940s important events. Grote Reber (born 1911) was a radio engineer who became interested in radio astronomy as a hobby.
Legendary radio personality Ronnie Kaye brings Oklahoma music world The hot drink Ovaltine and "Little Orphan Annie" were partners for many years. A band remote broadcast of Artie Shaw and his orchestra, with vocalists Helen Forrest and Tony Pastor, from the Blue Room of the Hotel Lincoln, New York City; airdate December 6, 1938. The show is notable for being the first sitcom to star an African American actress.Originally portrayed by white actor Marlin Hurt*pictured*, Beulah Brown first appeared in 1939 when Hurt introduced and played the character on the Hometown Incorporated radio series and in 1940 on NBC radio's Show Boat series. Other politicians and political pundits, regardless of their agreement or disagreement with what Roosevelt had to say, were generally in awe of his natural ability to make great use of the mass media. Boston, MA: Little, Brown & Co., 1993.
Radio Stars of the 40's and 50's - Pinterest WKN New evidence has been sent to us by Alfred Cowles, Jr. that his father Alfred L. Cowles, Sr. started WKN, the first Memphis radio station in 1921. "Blondie," "Gasoline Alley," and "Li'l Abner" were closely followed by both children and adults. Not only news shows, but also entertainment shows, frequently provided perspective and gentle criticism, helping to break down barriers between communities. In the age of the Depression with limited expense budgets, radio provided an economical way of reaching millions of people. Radio was used to communicate political positions, and to show support of, and against, politicians. In February 2017, she left "97.9 The Boxx" to focus on her non-profit I'm Me Foundation and write a book. Grote Reber The performers would have a set of gagsjokesthat they could perform night after night in venues all over the world. Many had more leisure time on their hands, but less money to spend. The Golden Age of Radio created a new media environment. From 1922 to 1925, Herbert Hoover, then secretary of commerce and in charge of radio policy, convened four national conferences, each of which petitioned Congress to replace the only existing (and obsolete) laws regarding broadcasting, which had been established in 1912 to regulate ship-to-shore transmissions. Radio offered Americans a shared common entertainment experience, right in their living rooms. Orson Welles (19151985). . Child development specialists expressed concern that children were foregoing more wholesome activities, such as studying, reading, playing sports, and outdoor activities in favor of sitting passively inside, next to the radio, listening. On live band remotes carried from ballrooms in New York City and Chicago, big bands led by the likes of Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, and Tommy Dorsey played popular dance music for listeners around the country. Some comedians liked to tell what at the time were considered risqu jokes, meaning the jokes were on the edge of being considered indecent. While in London Murrow brought together several exceptionally talented newsmen, known as "Murrow's Boys.". Some of the early big names in radio moved on as TV stars, such as Dick Clark, Wolfman Jack and Casey Kasem in the 1960s. In the late 1940s, . Actors would appear on the show to plug their movies, and sometimes would appear in brief versions of their movies on "Hollywood Hotel." The chain was purchased by Edward J. Noble, president of the Life Savers candy company. Today's recovery proves how right that policy was. Having delivered such addresses to the citizens of New York as governor, he delivered 28 fireside chats to the nation during his presidency. Age: 70. Censorship involved a radio network Radio had given a voice to Americans' fears about the coming world war. His Fireside Chats have been considered some of the first forms of managed news. The expansion of radio also played a key role in this change of national character. Amos: Where you goin'? 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. Originally broadcast as "Sam 'n' Henry" in 1926, the show was renamed when it changed networks. (Tone) (The sob is audible now) When you hear the signal the time will be (Pause) twelve o'clock. 4. largely derived by black American musicians and frequently played by Jewish musicians. The networks merely provided the airtime and studio facilities. talks in 1938, reportingcorrectlythat Munich was a "complete victory for Hitler." The Radio Act of 1927 created a confusing array of federal agencies to oversee the growing industry. ." Soap operas were another area of significant growth in radio programming during the Depression. Dat's de right thing to do. In the past this approach had been successfulthe military had been able to convince the people that the rebellion was local and that it was futile to fight against the military, thereby discouraging action. (b. Brighton, Sussex, United Kingdom, 27 September 1918; d. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, 14 October 1984), ra, radio- comb. Soap operas such as Ma Perkins and The Guiding Light kept housewives company through the afternoon. Adam Carolla. On November 15, 1926, NBC made its debut over 19 stations extending from the East Coast to Kansas City, Missouri. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks, 1998. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In the United States, active broadcasting preceded firm government policy. ), OPERATOR: (On filter) When you hear the signal the time will be eleven fifty-nine. Writer-producer-director Norman Corwin, one of radios brightest talents, ruefully made the point that radios most creative era was the shortest golden age in history. During its brief heyday, however, dramatic radio thrived and was a vital part of American culture. Watkins, T.H. For example he was tight with money, which many in the Depression could relate to. The Adventures of Maisie (aka Maisie) was a radio comedy series starring Ann Sothern as underemployed entertainer Maisie Ravier, a spin-off of Sothern's successful 1939-1947 Maisie movie series. In 1926 NBC (National Broadcasting Company) went on the air nationally, using telephone lines to carry the signal to nineteen stations and ten million listeners. It was created by Fibber McGee & Molly co-creator/writer Don Quinn before being adapted into a CBS television comedy (1954-55) produced by ITC Entertainment and Television Programs of America. Smaller regionally based networks also existed during the 1930s and 40s, such as the Boston-based Yankee Network, which ultimately became a pioneer in FM, or frequency-modulation, broadcasting. New York: The Free Press, 1991. Critics complained that the use of radio deterred thoughtful analysis of political issues. However, the record company soon sold its shares to a group of financiers that included Leon Levy, whose father-in-law was cigar magnate Sam Paley; before long, Paleys son William decided to invest his own million-dollar fortune in the new network. Also radio programming could be enjoyed by the entire family who gathered in front of the radio in the comfort of their own home. Andy: Come on over yere wid me. Charles Coughlin was a Canadian-American Catholic priest and populist leader who promoted antisemitic and pro-fascist views. Programming began to grow despite the fact that radios were still too pricey for most Americans. Early Years, 1920s-1940s. famous radio personalities 1940s religious interview questions and answers sharleen spiteri ashley heath . typical "household hints" programming that was de rigueur at the time for female radio personalities The growing war in Europe produced some of the most creative and thoughtful programming on radio. Bandleader Ozzie Nelson, who later married his vocalist Harriet Hilliard, became a radio phenomenon in the 1930s and went on to become a television phenomenon in "Ozzie and Harriet.". Eventually, the Radio Guild protested the actors appearing on "Hollywood Hotel" without pay and in 1938 the show was cancelled. John Lennon (1940 - 1980) British musician, member of the Beatles. Eighty-five percent of network daytime programming was soap operasserial dramas portraying the lives of a varied cast of characters. Westport, CT and London: Praeger, 1998. In 1936 the Republican Party's radio dramatization, "Liberty at the Crossroads," played an important role in the campaign. As would become true with television in later decades, frequently used expressions from popular programs became part of the vernacular, and people arranged their personal schedules, as they later did with television, around their favourite programs. In 1933 Edwin Howard Armstrong produced the first FM transmitter and receiver, although it was six years before an FM station would air.
Famous Radio Personalities Many Philadelphia DJs became celebrities, actively engaged and influential in . However, the date of retrieval is often important. Edward R. Murrow (19081965). These attacks that were so strong that he was sometimes called the father of hate speech. A pioneer in radio, Kaltenborn was first on the air in 1921 and by the 1930s he was a regular newscaster reporting on the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Vicki Vola c.1936 *She was best known for her portrayal of Edith Miller on both the radio and television runs of Mr. District Attorney. Radio Reader: Essays in the Cultural History of Radio. While some programs were more adult, some programs were specifically designed to appeal to children, such as "Jack Armstrong, All American Boy." Article; Talk; English. Rogue's Gallery was just a warm up for Richard Diamond, a series that took the best of the Richard Rogue character and made it even more suave and swinging by placing Diamond in New York City and giving him a Park Avenue girlfriend that purrs like a Jaguar. The first such network was the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), primarily organized by the general manager of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), David Sarnoff, who wanted the company not only to manufacture radios but to broadcast as well. October 2nd, 1924, the day WCCO Radio came to the airwaves of Minnesota. She was an ink artist and wife to Walt Disney. Radio, however, had a rocky start in America. It was almost too late . (1942), co-starring Ray Milland and Betty Field.My Favorite Husband began on CB, Marie Wilson best known *by me* as playing Irma in My Friend Irma, created by writer-director-producer Cy Howard, was a top-rated, long-run radio situation comedy, so popular in the late 1940s that its success escalated to films, television, a comic strip and a comic book, while Howard scored with another radio comedy hit, Life with Luigi. Walter Winchel l eventually died friendless and . Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). It's since gone on to experiment with other formats, added sports in the 1940s and adopted a personality driven, live-host music format in the '60s and '70s.