famous radio personalities 1940s famous radio personalities 1940s

As a result, NBC decided to sell its Blue network in 1943. Networks used telephone lines to transmit their signals to affiliates, and because they were designed to be broadcast from the East Coast to the West, AT&T charged $1,000 an hour to reverse the circuits. ." Wendy. During American radios Golden Age, much of the programming heard by listeners was controlled by advertising agencies, which conceived the shows, hired the talent and staff (sometimes drawing performers directly from the old vaudeville theatre circuit), and leased airtime and studio facilities from the radio networks. 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. How did radio change American's understanding of the people "over there?" I am reminded of that evening in March, four years ago, when I made my first radio report to you. WCCO Radio turns 94: A look back at our history - Audacy The expansion of radio also played a key role in this change of national character. No other media of the time was as pervasive. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The list was selected from more than 300 nominees plus write-ins and was announced at a reception in honor of . Radio was how America got its news and how it was entertained. Dat's de right thing to do. What Did People Do for Entertainment in the 1940s? - Reference.com Richard Rogue was a working stiff kind of a private eye, and had a quick tongue. The disc jockey became important in Chicago radio during the 1930s, well before the term "disc jockey" was coined in the 1940s. Date of birth: 8 August 1952. Bolino, August C. From Depression to War: American Society in Transition1939. At the star, John Peel MIKETERRY MIKE TERRY. Some sources say the whistling theme for The Saint was created by Leslie Charteris while others credit RKO composer Roy Webb.Price left in May 1951. His Fireside Chats have been considered some of the first forms of managed news. Variety shows lampooned racial preconceptions, theater on the air challenged ideas of war and peace, and comedies provided a humorous critique of Middle American values. Lillian Disney at Schiphol Airport in 1951 by Carel L. de Vogel from Wikimedia Commons. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. His career started in vaudeville, and he debuted in 1931 on radio on the Ed Sullivan show, getting his own radio show in 1932. . Douglas, Susan Jeanne. Roosevelt would use radio to not only lobby for public support of his programs, but also to inform the public of important events and perhaps most importantly reassure the public through his unique personal character that faith in the future was warranted. In 1949, he wins the National Leagues Most Valuable Player Award. As at the start of the twenty-first century advertising paid for most radio programming. The most famous radio show was the Lux Radio Theater, which was performed live on stage in front of a studio audience. The Nickel and Dime Decade: American Popular Culture During the 1930s. Starring Jack Benny as himself, the laugh-out-loud sitcom is widely considered the epitome of 20th century American comedy. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Good memories." Among the many running jokes on his show were his stinginess, his "feud" with Fred Allen, his ancient Maxwell automobile, and the vault in his basement where he kept his money. Amos: I know, but if Mister Hopkins ever see you goin' dat, he's li'ble to fire both of us. typical "household hints" programming that was de rigueur at the time for female radio personalities The studio, however, was three hundred miles from the actual game. Her first work on radio was with WOR in New York City where she hosted a show from 1934 to 1940. Early Years, 1920s-1940s. More people owned radios, were listening to radio in increasing numbers, and were listening to radios for an increasing amount of time each day. At a time when many could feel isolated in their struggle against the effects of the Depression, radio provided a community of experience. Ranking the most iconic sportscasters in Los Angeles history 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. 1940s radio show hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy On site to report on the Hindenburg's voyage, instead the reporter's response to the tragedy was recorded and later broadcast, bringing the horror into thousands of living rooms. He built the first radio te Martin Sir Ryle, Ryle, Martin RYLE, MARTIN (b. Andy: Now, lissen yere, Amosdon't never try to tell me whut to do or whut not to do. As radio came into its own, it discovered the major issues that would continue to challenge it into the future. 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 had become a powerful and influential media for the expression of opinion on an international basis. British husband-and-wife actors Ronald Colman (1891-1958) and Benita Hume (1906-1967) starred in both versions of the show. Kaltenborn, and William Shirer broadcast reports of the bombing of London and the German occupation of continental Europe, the view of many Americans began to change. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-and-education-magazines/radio-1929-1941, "Radio 1929-1941 Other once-influential radio personalities, such as Mary Margaret McBride (1899-1976), are not as well known today. Not only news shows, but also entertainment shows, frequently provided perspective and gentle criticism, helping to break down barriers between communities. His last radio show was in 1955. The "Adventures of Superman" went on to both television and film success. The number of programs and types of programming for radio grew astonishingly quickly. Famous Radio Personality - List Of Famous Radio Personality - Famousbio 1940s: TV and Radio. Group photograph of Eddie Anderson, Dennis Day, Phil Harris, Mary Livingstone, Jack Benny, Don Wilson, and Mel Blanc. 1940. NEIL: We'll have to move fast. The failure of the government to suppress the rebel broadcasts appeared to signal the collapse of the military government. In addition newspapers owned many early radio stations including WGN (named after the "World's Greatest Newspaper," the Chicago Tribune). Vintage airchecks from the 1950s to the 1990s is a directory of other sites. OPERATOR: (Distant at first, as if coming though receiver on floor) When you hear the signal the time will be eleven fifty-nine and one quarter. Many of the major newscasters of the century got their start in radio during the Depressionincluding H.V. Listeners waited impatiently for each new episode to discover what troubles would befall the mishap-prone twosome. In 1939 he wrote "They Fly through the Air with the Greatest of Ease" for his "Words Without Music" radio series. Programming was innovative and daring, with pioneers exploring new ways of making the medium of radio captivating. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks, 1998. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The growth in radio provided a large audience for various voices in cultural and political criticism. This inexpensive form of enjoyment for the whole family included radio shows, music, and more. Harriet Hilliard, 1930's (Ozzie & Harriet), Agnes Moorehead with William Spier (Suspense producer/director). Men were often out of work, stressed by their situation, and maybe even on the road for long periods looking for job opportunities. The firm would make random telephone calls to people who lived in 36 major cities. Amos: I wuz sittin' yere dreamin' 'bout Chicago an' 'stead o' puttin' de milk in de bucket, I put half of it on de ground. "Guiding Light" first aired on radio in 1937 and continued on television into the twenty-first century. Listen to the radio news, watch television news, and read a newspaper all on the same day. Critics complained that the use of radio deterred thoughtful analysis of political issues. New York: Oxford University Press, 1968. In September of 1895, Guglielmo Marconi, a young Italian inventor, pioneered wireless telegraphy when he transmitted a message to his brother, who wa, Grote Reber 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. It was "The Golden Age of Radio.". Many radio shows were broadcast all over the country, and served to create a community of shared experience for a diverse and widespread world. An episode of The Bob Hope Show, starring Bob Hope and featuring Les Brown and His Band of Renown; recorded at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, January 9, 1951. Golden Age of American radio, period lasting roughly from 1930 through the 1940s, when the medium of commercial broadcast radio grew into the fabric of daily life in the United States, providing news and entertainment to a country struggling with economic depression and war. Prominent sports figures became larger than life. Amos: Yeahif I hadn't been thinkin' 'bout goin' to Chicago den, I'd of got de mil in de buck a' right. Sponsored by Eversharp, the first series ran on CBS Radio from July 5, 1945 to March 28, 1947. The A&P Gypsies, an orchestra conducted by Harry Horlick, was sponsored by A&P grocery stores. To complete our program of protection in time, therefore, we cannot delay one moment in making certain that our National Government has power to carry through. Tonight, sitting at my desk in the White House, I make my first radio report to the people in my second term of office. Radio, In September of 1895, Guglielmo Marconi, a young Italian inventor, pioneered wireless telegraphy when he transmitted a message to his brother, who wa Grote Reber, Grote Reber Grote Reber Grote Reber (born 1911) was a radio engineer who became interested in radio astronomy as a hobby. Through four decades,, Radio Address Roosevelt's Defense of the New Deal, Radio Broadcasting, Station Programming and, http://www.old-time.com/otrlogs/390921.html, https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-and-education-magazines/radio-1929-1941, Compare the growth in and uses of radio during the 1930s with the growth and use of. It will take timeand plenty of timeto work out our remedies administratively even after legislation is passed. Welles's Mercury Theatre on the Air. Its premiere was lauded as exceptional, bold radio. Born before the first commercial radio stations went on the air, Harvey fashioned a personality and career that spanned the medium's Golden Age, its postwar retreat into a pop jukebox and its later resurgence as the place for news and talk exactly what Harvey did for more than 75 years. Frequencies used for broadcasting were to be held by the government, not owned by licensees. talks in 1938, reportingcorrectlythat Munich was a "complete victory for Hitler." (Tone) (The sob is audible now) When you hear the signal the time will be (Pause) twelve o'clock. Those who answered were then asked to name the radio program to which they were currently listening, if any. The plugger would sell songs, to which the publisher held the recording rights, to popular musicians who would hopefully make the songs famous, which would increase a song's sales and the publisher's profit. CBS sent Murrow to London in the 1930s and it was from there that he began a series of memorable broadcasts. Programming began to grow despite the fact that radios were still too pricey for most Americans. His first song was "Goodnight My Beautiful". Singer Bing Crosby provided audiences with decades of entertainment. Originally sponsored by Alka-Seltzer, the series was first broadcast on NBC from Chicago, June 28, 1940, airing as a summer replacement show for Alec Templeton Time. The networks merely provided the airtime and studio facilities. Here is their schedule for September 21, 1939 (from Old-Time Radio. How was radio used to try to change Americans view of the conflict? Congress soon passed legislation that required diversity of ownership. #37 of 61. (Tone: Phone drops to floor). Since the 1940s, Black disc jockeysor deejayshave been an inseparable part of Black radio. The program played on the increased racism related to the hard times of the Great Depression. Many had more leisure time on their hands, but less money to spend. Joseph Stalin (1879 - 1953) Leader of Soviet Union 1924 - 1953. A new Federal Radio Commission established by the law would define what the public interest meant, though broadcasters would be held responsible for the content they provided. For example candidates for public office must be treated equally and sponsors must be identified. Later a film and television star, Burns contributed greatly to the development of the early sitcom. Nachmann, Gerald. Raised on Radio. Age: 70. Andy: Instead o' payin' 'tention to whut you was doin', you was sittin' here dreamin'. In 1922 he introduced the Radiola, for $75, and made radio a household appliance. This lack of self-regulation and mutual cooperation between station operators resulted in increased pressure on Congress to update radio legislation, which was accomplished with the landmark Radio Act of 1927. Amos: When I tell Mister Hopkins dat I lost half de milk, he goin' git mad wid me. Initially all stations in the United States had to operate on a single frequency, 833 kilohertz (kHz), and stations in the same area were forced to share time so their signals did not interfere with each another. Warren, Donald. Boston, MA: Little, Brown & Co., 1993. Early Work Tens of millions of people listened to his weekly radio broadcasts. Historic Events for Students: The Great Depression. Such fads were a good buy for entertainment during the Depression when budgets were tight. Also radio programming could be enjoyed by the entire family who gathered in front of the radio in the comfort of their own home. Radio, however, had a rocky start in America. While not all radio programs reflected the values in tension during the Great Depression, radio was a forum for exploring the many aspects of America that were being challenged by poverty and decay. 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. Colbert was one of radio's earliest and most prolific soap opera performers, appearing in "Stella Dallas," "Life Can be Beautiful," "Young Dr. Malone," "Portia Faces Life," and "Aunt Jenny," among others. Composer Irving Berlin complained that Americans were becoming listeners rather than singers. By the time the infant son of national hero Charles Lindbergh was kidnapped and murdered, the role of communication in radio had become so important that the 1935 verdict in the Lindbergh kidnapping trial was broadcast over radio. Sports commentary was popular on radio and play-by-play commentary on baseball and other games was popular, though not always what it seemed. Radio stations in nearby Morocco and the Canary Islands broadcasted in support of the rebels, and rebel resistance grew. A new era in radio dawned with this broadcast. Jack Benny (18941974). Early efforts to regulate the radio industry were not very effective. Marjorie Finlay was an American television personality and opera singer. Robin Ophelia Quivers (born August 8, 1952) is an American radio personality, author, and actress, best known for being the long-running news anchor and co-host of The Howard Stern Show. His special comedic style allowed the joke to be at his expense, instead of at the expense of others. In 1933 Edwin Howard Armstrong produced the first FM transmitter and receiver, although it was six years before an FM station would air. Throughout the war, broadcasts in many languages and sponsored by many groups rallied support and impacted the outcome of the war. In the age of the Depression with limited expense budgets, radio provided an economical way of reaching millions of people. 8 Moments When Radio Helped Bring Americans Together - HISTORY Franklin D. Roosevelt used radio to talk directly to Americans in his fireside chats. News events such as the Lindbergh baby kidnapping and the Hindenburg disaster captured the nations attention. Radio proved its importance during World War II (1939-45) with almost immediate coverage of events. The Great American Broadcast: A Celebration of Radio's Golden Age. Known as one of the original shock-jocks, Greene was a trailblazer of talk radio; and his influence was such that he has been credited with quashing the riots in Washington, D.C . Nevertheless, the end of World War II in 1945 roughly coincided with the arrival of commercial television, and this new mediumwhich added the visual element to radios tried-and-true formula of sound and immediacysoon drew creative talent, listener loyalty, and advertising revenue away from radio. Indeed, as radio became more and more of a business, station owners banded together to seek stronger government licensing regulation. (Sock. Mutual did not own any of its affiliated stations, however, whereas NBC and CBS each owned and operated several stations. NEIL: But you said it what quarter to twelve the last time I asked. (Picks up phone. The 1950s was a decade of change for radio. On March 9, 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt gave his ninth "fireside chat" over the airwaves to the public. Radio was the best buy for escape and information during hard times. Quiz Kids, a popular radio and TV series of the 1940s and 1950s, was created by Chicago public relations and advertising man Louis G. Cowan. Historic Events for Students: The Great Depression. Artists interviewed include Little Esther Phillips, Al Frazier, Mary Wells, Zola Taylor, the Coasters, Horace Silver . and radio performer. Radio news had reached its maturity. Movie attendance was down in the Depression and this was a popular way for the family to be entertained. Amos: : Wait a minuteyou can't do dat wid de stuff. 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. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Daily soap operas, mysteries, science fiction, and fantasy programs were performed alongside radio productions of classic plays and live musical performances. I ain't goin' do it. Colbert provided an escape for the women of the nation toiling under difficult economic conditions. Czechoslovakia didn't seem so far away, and the invasion of Poland didn't seem so insignificant to the United States. As radio grew into a commercial force, it became necessary to determine the popularity of particular shows, as this would affect the price of the programs advertising time. Wellss science-fiction tale The War of the Worlds created panic when listeners failed to hear the disclaimer and believed Martians actually were invading Earth. The most popular early network series by far was NBCs Amos n Andy, a daily 15-minute situation comedy in which two white men (Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll) acted the parts of two black operators of a taxicab company in Chicago. Amos: Where you goin'? 22 Feb. 2023 . Winchell is sometimes considered the father of tabloid reporting. "The Chevrolet Chronicles" were one of many "transcription shows"shows produced for the distribution simply of scripts to stations around the country to be performed locallyand an example of how radio programming was inseparable from its advertisers. March 3, 2023 6:21 PM PT. Dials ME 7-1212. Famous Radio Personalities. Radio was an inexpensive way to keep up with news events of the Great Depression and farming news, and provided a ready means for escape from the economic hard times through sports broadcasts and entertainment programs. The world was suddenly smaller and as a result, more frightening for many Americans. Later recorded music was regularly broadcast, and radio stations had a series of continuing battles with ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) over how to charge fees for playing recorded music that had copyrights. Music publishing companies hired song pluggers to "place" their songs with singers and musicians. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. These are some of the most famous black Radio DJs on the planet. It was a time of rapid, exciting growth for radio, much like the 1990s were for the growth of the Internet. For example Fred Allen sometimes told jokes about the "Full Moon Nudist Colony." Radio offered Americans a shared common entertainment experience, right in their living rooms. 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). 3. KSTP in St. Paul Minnesota covered a wedding in a hot air balloon for its listeners. "Against the Storm," "Brighter Day," "City Hospital," "Tale of Today," and "We Love and Learn" were all popular soap operas. (18901972). Barnouw, Erik. Andy: Yere's de well right yere. In 1932 NBC posted a profit of $1 million and CBS posted a profit of $1.6 million. Corrections? Jun 8, 2015 - Explore April's board "Radio Stars of the 40's and 50's", followed by 2,433 people on Pinterest. Not everyone approved of the escapism of radio. Isolationist beliefs, opposition to the United States entering the war, made even the mention of the possibility of war controversial, but the airing of the program resulted in a thousand favorable letters being sent to CBS. 2. The public found these programs a welcomed escape from worries of the Depression and the demand grew for more. The change of one vote would have thrown all the affairs of this great Nation back into hopeless chaos. 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. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 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. In this way radio was an excellent form of escapism during the particularly tough period when the public was greatly affected by the Great Depression. The FCC took the place of the Federal Radio Commission and oversaw the telecommunications industry as well as broadcasting. Goebbels and other German leaders knew it was the most effective way available to reach the greatest number of people with propaganda and other information. New York: The Free Press, 1991. Radio was how America escaped the harsh world outsideas four national and 20 regional networks and hundreds of smaller stations piped programming directly to the listening public. But acceptance of radio advertising was slow, as broadcasters did not want to offend listeners. Burns and Allen, an American comedy duo consisting of George Burns and his wife, Gracie Allen, worked together as a comedy team in vaudeville, films, radio and television and achieved great success over four decades. Hour-long blocks of time were generally reserved for prestigious big-star shows, such as Lux Radio Theatre, or for low-rated but esteemed and experimental shows, such as The Columbia Workshop. official reviewing the program material and determining what might be morally or politically objectionable to the public. The chat demonstrates Roosevelt's friendly style that many found comforting. 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. "One Man's Family" was a typical radio dramathe story of a multigenerational family, with ongoing stories that weren't too complicated for listeners just joining the show to understand. Coughlin was extraordinarily popular, with millions of listeners each Sunday. In the early 1940s, World War II catalyzed the growth of network news, as local stations depended on the major networks overseas correspondents. Golden Age of Black Radio - Part 2: Deejays - Google Arts & Culture List of Famous Radio Personalities - Ranker eds. Radio stations consolidated during the Depression, as smaller stations went out of business. Rush Limbaugh is one of the most prominent conservative voices in the U.S. and has been for quite some time. In the 1930s music was the foundation of radio and America's favorite escape from the Depression. 5) Petey Greene. October 2nd, 1924, the day WCCO Radio came to the airwaves of Minnesota. Detroits WXYZ became a major force in 1933 with popular shows such as The Lone Ranger. 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. The Golden Web: A History of Broadcasting in the United States, Volume II, 1933 to 1953. Adam Carolla (; born May 27, 1964) is an American comedian, radio personality, television host, actor, podcaster, and director. There were eight major transmitters and as many as sixty smaller transmitters. In the 1983 movie A Christmas Story, the advertising partnership with "Little Orphan Annie" was lampooned as the message in the long-awaited decoder ring turns out to be "Be sure to drink your Ovaltine." Many peopleespecially womenlooked to soap operas for advice on how to deal with the situations life presented to them. Very quickly programs became fairly sophisticated in these techniques. News shows and commentary kept everyone informed of the dire situation at home and the deteriorating situation in Europe. New York: Richard R. Smith, Inc., 1931). "The Presidential Election," an episode of the comedy series Amos 'n' Andy, starring Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll; airdate July 17, 1928. During American radio's Golden Age, much of the programming heard by listeners was controlled by advertising agencies . Andy: Wait a minute, yere, son. The future president Ronald Reagan, a sports announcer at WHO in Des Moines, Iowa during much of the Depression, called play-by-play for the Chicago Cubs. Alienation from American traditions was minimized and a foundation for a later boon in such interests following World War II was established. Orson Welles (19151985). Audiences were able to hear performances by entertainers that they would never be able to see in person. Retrieved February 22, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-and-education-magazines/radio-1929-1941. It was during the Great Depression that America became a more unified nation and regional differences significantly declined. He also provided the voice of Norville "Shaggy" Rogers in the Scooby-Doo franchise from 1969 to 1997, and again from 2002 until 2009. Read; Edit; View history . Individual or local or state effort alone cannot protect us in 1937 any better than ten years ago. Encyclopedia.com. "The First Radio War: Broadcasting in the Spanish Civil War, 19361939." Gosden and Correllboth white menappeared in black face and portrayed two Southern men forced to move to a Northern city. famous radio personalities 1940s religious interview questions and answers sharleen spiteri ashley heath . Radio - The Golden Age of American radio | Britannica