President Roosevelt in early 1934 "Too Many Problems," an episode of the situation comedy series Father Knows Best, starring Robert Young; airdate November 2, 1950. It builds to a crescendo as she screams: 'Tommie! "The First Radio War: Broadcasting in the Spanish Civil War, 19361939." The firm would make random telephone calls to people who lived in 36 major cities. View More. The specialists had to be very creative to discover ways to communicate and support the actionthe sound of walking, breaking glass, a door closing, a train whistling. 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. In the 1930s, Father Coughlin was one of the most influential public figures in the United States. Radio technology was still evolving as the country entered the Depression. 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. Inventing American Broadcasting 18991922. Everyone in America knew Jack Benny and his foibles. I <3 Gracie. 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. At Hoovers behest, most frequencies between 550 kHz and 1,350 kHz were turned over for broadcast use in May 1923. Comedies took on issues of race relations, poverty, and cultural misunderstandings, providing a framework to help people make sense of their rapidly changing country and world. Radio offered Americans a shared common entertainment experience, right in their living rooms. 1940s radio show hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy As Germany's aggression in Europe became increasingly evident, Coughlin lost some of his popularity, however, for much of the Depression he was a significant voice in American radio. October 2nd, 1924, the day WCCO Radio came to the airwaves of Minnesota. While in London Murrow brought together several exceptionally talented newsmen, known as "Murrow's Boys.". The performers would have a set of gagsjokesthat they could perform night after night in venues all over the world. Radio was a burgeoning and competitive field. It will take timeand plenty of timeto work out our remedies administratively even after legislation is passed. The program played on the increased racism related to the hard times of the Great Depression. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1998. View More. Licenses for Edwin Armstrong's "static-free" frequency modulation (FM) concept of radio transmission were first granted in 1940-41. 1940s: TV and Radio | Encyclopedia.com Amos: : Wait a minuteyou can't do dat wid de stuff. Early in 1927, a competing network called United Independent Broadcasters was formed. Swing represented decadent America, and jazz was seen as antithetical to the purity of the Aryan race, which was a term for the non-Jewish white population. This program provided a key opportunity during the Depression when many could not afford to go to movie theaters. Sometimes the days' news events were dramatized over the radio, with actors playing the roles of major participants. What time is it? Good memories." The deepening Depression impacted every aspect of American life and Americans looked for new avenues to escape the dreariness of unemployment, homelessness, and hunger. October 1999. Early Radio and the beginning of TV - Historic - Memphis Audiences were able to hear performances by entertainers that they would never be able to see in person. RYLE, MARTIN His first song was "Goodnight My Beautiful". Westport, CT and London: Praeger, 1998. The Radio Act of 1927 created a confusing array of federal agencies to oversee the growing industry. Similarly crime dramas were also popular, with shows like "Sherlock Holmes" and "The Green Hornet.". form 1. denoting radio waves or broadcasting: radio-controlled radiogram. Raised on Radio. Detroits WXYZ remained a world unto itself, producing popular adventure shows through the early 1950s. His last radio show was in 1955. As CBS News Vice President and Director of Public Affairs, Murrow remained uncomfortable as an executive and returned to reporting in 1951. Grote Reber (born 1911) was a radio engineer who became interested in radio astronomy as a hobby. He also provided the voice of Norville "Shaggy" Rogers in the Scooby-Doo franchise from 1969 to 1997, and again from 2002 until 2009. More Robin Quivers. *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. The Great Depression especially brought new and troubling problems. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The Great Depression had established a fertile bed for radical politics as many were disillusioned with the capitalist economic system of the United States. The formation of NBC was followed by the formation of CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System). The screenwriter, performer and composer was . Lord Baden Powell (1857 - 1941) British Founder of scout movement. About $75 could buy a Marconi console, a common reference to a popular type of radio in a wooden cabinet and named after the inventor of radio, Guglielmo Marconi of Italy, who remained active until his death in 1937. Throughout the 1930s, as the world careened toward war, America debated the appropriate response to the emerging conflict. New York: Great American Audio Corporation, 2000. Jack Benny (18941974). These concerns were later mirrored by similar concerns expressed over the effects television and personal computers posed on child development. Orson Welles Actor | Citizen Kane His father, Richard Head Welles, was a well-to-do inventor, his mother, Beatrice (Ives) Welles, a beautiful concert pianist . Known as an American DJ, music historian, radio personality, and actor, he was the host of several music radio countdown programs, notably "American Top 40" from 1970 until his retirement in 2009. 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. During World War I, most private U.S. radio stations were either shut down or taken over by the government under order of President Woodrow Wilson, and it was illegal for U.S. citizens to possess an operational transmitter or receiver. Many of the comic-strip-based programs that became popular radio shows during the Golden Age of Radio are still part of American culture at the start of the twenty-first century. But that began what we called "personality radio." . 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. then cuts suddenly into a body fall. Discuss how radio changed America's response to the war in Europethe war that would eventually become World War II. Paul Harvey: The End of the Story - TIME His special comedic style allowed the joke to be at his expense, instead of at the expense of others. At a time when many could feel isolated in their struggle against the effects of the Depression, radio provided a community of experience. One master of the use of radio was Father Charles Edward Coughlin. They were a good investmentafter the initial expense, the family was able to enjoy drama, comedy, quiz shows, the news, and more for free in the comfort of their homes. 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. The world seemed to be a smaller place. Women and Radio: Airing Differences, edited by Caroline Mitchell. At first his program was primarily inspirational and welcomed by the Depression-weary public but became increasingly political. As radio came into its own, it discovered the major issues that would continue to challenge it into the future. Not only news shows, but also entertainment shows, frequently provided perspective and gentle criticism, helping to break down barriers between communities. The open discussions with the public had a major impact on Roosevelt's presidency, building a high level of trust. Biggest stars of the 1940's - IMDb With the plays and movies represented on the radio many engaged with U.S. developments in the arts through the Great Depression. Amos: You know, YOU wuz de one he tol' to milk de COW. Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division. 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. Arthur Bernard Leaner was a professional radio DJ and record label owner that broke significant ground for Black music in Chicago between 1940 . 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. Ranking the most iconic sportscasters in Los Angeles history We ought to tell him. "Kitty Foyle," an episode of the motion-picture adaptation series Academy Award Theater, starring Ginger Rogers; airdate April 6, 1946. The disc jockey became important in Chicago radio during the 1930s, well before the term "disc jockey" was coined in the 1940s. News shows and commentary kept everyone informed of the dire situation at home and the deteriorating situation in Europe. ERICMARCUM ERIC MARCUM. The Shadow, a crime drama, also had a loyal following. As they moved to radio and their show was broadcast all over the world they had the awesome task of creating new material for each show. As radio developed, daytime shows such as soap operas and childrens programs generally ran 15 minutes. 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. Below, a lawyer has beaten up a witness who lied, thereby convicting a man who is scheduled to die at midnight. Adam Carolla (; born May 27, 1964) is an American comedian, radio personality, television host, actor, podcaster, and director. Radio - Encyclopedia of Milwaukee The Best Talk Show Hosts Of Daytime, Late Night, and All Time. Composer Irving Berlin complained that Americans were becoming listeners rather than singers. Barnouw, Erik. 8 Moments When Radio Helped Bring Americans Together - HISTORY Radio 1929-1941 | Encyclopedia.com News programs and commentary provided direct challenges to long-held views, likewise many "entertainment" programs provided cultural criticism. The original radio show, co-starring Lucille Ball, was the initial basis for what evolved into the groundbreaking TV sitcom I Love Lucy. Encyclopedia.com. Despite an initial decline in radio ownership in the early part of the Depression, children and others started becoming avid radio listeners. The former vaudevillian actor mastered the unique art of radio and created a variety show of immense popularity. The program began as Sam n Henry on Chicagos WGN station in 1926 and quickly became a national phenomenon when it made its network debut under its new name in 1929. Some became concerned that America was becoming a land of spectators, rather than a land of participants. Houston radio DJs and hosts: Where are they now? - Chron Advertisement, now nationwide with the networks, brought in much more money to support program development, improve production facilities, Radios provided an avenue for information that supplemented local newspaper. Americans listened to the radio and heard bombs exploding in background as a reporter explained that London was being attacked. Women were the key listeners during the daytime, so household products such as soap were eager advertisers for those time slots. Radio was a primary vehicle for the exchange of information and news during the Depression. Such creativity by non-whites and non-Protestants did not mesh well with the racist doctrines of the Nazis who preached the dominance of white society. In black-appeal radio, the disc jockey role was pioneered both locally and nationally by Jack L. Cooper, who began playing . Actor John Houseman said of Welles and "The War of the Worlds:" "The reason that show worked as well as it did was nerve the slowness of the show in the beginning." In 1932 NBC posted a profit of $1 million and CBS posted a profit of $1.6 million. 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. Wendy. Winchell made his radio debut in 1930 over WABC in New York. famous radio personalities 1940s religious interview questions and answers sharleen spiteri ashley heath . This inexpensive form of enjoyment for the whole family included radio shows, music, and more. Radio provided a shared national experience of entertainment and information. The most famous radio show was the Lux Radio Theater, which was performed live on stage in front of a studio audience. RM2HJCMA2 - Dr. Seuss (1904-1991) sketching Clifton Fadiman (1904-1999) as the Cat in the Hat. Rather than performing on stage in vaudeville or nightclubs requiring steady travel, they could reach the entire nation from a small studio, week after week. It was a time of rapid, exciting growth for radio, much like the 1990s were for the growth of the Internet. We've got it! The shift to television in the 1950s, however, had a major impact on radio. Fireside Politics: Radio and Political Culture in the United States, 1920-1940, by Douglas B. Craig "Remembering the LadiesA Salute to the Women of Early Radio," by Donna L. Halper, "Popular Communications," January 1999. We then began a program of remedying those abuses and inequalitiesto give balance and stability to our economic systemto make it bomb-proof against the causes of 1929. Read; Edit; View history; More. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. ." official reviewing the program material and determining what might be morally or politically objectionable to the public. A Tower of Babel: A History of Broadcasting in the United States, Volume I, to 1933. Radio not only widened the scope of Americans past their own communities, it brought the events of the world into their homes. Individual or local or state effort alone cannot protect us in 1937 any better than ten years ago. But when, almost two years later, it came before the Supreme Court its constitutionality was upheld only by a five-to-four vote. 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. Not everyone approved of the escapism of radio. His broadcasts helped lead a shift in public concern away from Great Depression economic problems to foreign policy issues. For example, during Bing Crosbys tenure as host of The Kraft Music Hall, the talent and staff were hired by the Kraft food companys advertising firm, the J. Walter Thompson agency. "Sam Bass," an episode of the western series Death Valley Days; airdate August 27, 1936. HYLAND: An innocent boy is going to die in one minute. Age: 70 . Many Philadelphia DJs became celebrities, actively engaged and influential in . The condemned man's sister is a telephone operator (from Leonard Maltin. Add links. 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. With these changes radio remained a highly popular medium of entertainment and information for the American public. FM was clearly superior in the quality of the broadcast. Here is their schedule for September 21, 1939 (from Old-Time Radio. The economic situation during the Depression directly impacted radio. Famous Female Radio Personalities There was so much competition for listeners that children's shows offered premiums such as decoder rings and badges to lure their young audience. Sports commentary was popular on radio and play-by-play commentary on baseball and other games was popular, though not always what it seemed. The failure of the government to suppress the rebel broadcasts appeared to signal the collapse of the military government. Physics connected with rays, radiation, or radioactivity:, NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO (NPR) is a private, nonprofit corporation serving more than 640 member radio stations throughout the United States. When war between Germany and the United Kingdom was declared, Murrow reported firsthand. Listeners couldn't get enough of it, and innovation flourished. The fabric of American life would be changed forever. The wide dissemination of incorrect or selectively chosen information could invite or reinforce opinions. Richard Diamond began in 1949, and took off as one of the most popular private eye shows on network radio, right up there with Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar and Phillip Marlowe, Private Eye. Radio Stars of the 40's and 50's - Pinterest Many radio shows were broadcast all over the country, and served to create a community of shared experience for a diverse and widespread world. Political parties made great use of radio during the 1930s, much as they did television later in the century. Originally broadcast as "Sam 'n' Henry" in 1926, the show was renamed when it changed networks. Welles's Mercury Theatre produced Shakespeare and other classic literature, as well as more popular fare such as "The League of Terror" and "Dracula." Radio was born. Andy: Hol' dat bucket o' milk dere while I pour some water in it. 1. (Tone) (Her voice starts to break) When you hear the tone the time will be eleven fifty-nine and three-quarters. #4 of 38 on. At the star, John Peel Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. The Women Who Overcame Radio's Earliest Glass Ceilings 1930s radio created an environment for new expressions of cultural identity and cultural criticism. For example they created the character of Dick Tracy, Jr. who encouraged listeners to become Dick Tracy Junior Detectives by sending in box tops from certain cereals. Side Projects and Homelife Given the impacts of the Great Depression on the average citizen's entertainment budget, it seemed that everyone in America turned to radio for entertainment in the 1930s. For artists radio opened up a whole new medium to pursue their craft. Andy: Come on over yere wid me. Nationally distributed magazines had been the key medium before the rise of radio and national broadcasting networks. The husband and wife comedy team of George Burns and Gracie Allen became representatives of the desired everyday world in American culture. BILLCOY BILLCODY BILL CODY. In 1936 she donned her soon-to-be-famous sarong for her debut at Paramount, The Jungle Princess (1936), and . 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 . In radios earliest days, Hollywood did not provide network programming, with rare exceptions. "Against the Storm," "Brighter Day," "City Hospital," "Tale of Today," and "We Love and Learn" were all popular soap operas. Date of birth: 8 August 1952. 3. Prime-Time: The Life of Edward R. Murrow. Kendrick, Alexander. You is de one dat's got take de milk in to him. Chicago also soon developed into a major centre of radio production, transmitting many of the daytime soap operas and afternoon shows for children. "Hold Back the Dawn," an episode of the motion-picture adaptation series Academy Award Theater, starring Olivia de Havilland; airdate July 31, 1946. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. The immediacy of information had the added impact of making the entire world feel like one's neighborhood. A master ad libber, Allen often tangled with his network's executives (and often barbed them on the air over the battles), while developing routines the style and substance of which influenced contemporaries and futures among comic talents, including Groucho Marx, Stan Freberg, Henry Morgan and Johnny Carson, but his fans also included President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and novelists William Faulkner, John Steinbeck and Herman Wouk (who began his career writing for Allen). His plan was to make radios affordable and to bring music into the home by way of wireless technology. New York: Richard R. Smith, Inc., 1931). 1. American Decades: 19301939. William Powell and Myrna Loy performed "The Thin Man" and Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert performed "It Happened One Night." Black Radio | AAAMC - Indiana University Bloomington As the world moved closer to world war, Kaltenborn reported on the invasion of Austria and Czechoslovakia. 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. 2. They believed that America should not get involved. Another example of the growth of radio news was the presence of tabloid reporting, which emphasized sensationalized topics. Remembering the Chicago radio deejays of the sixties Prominent sports figures became larger than life. Hysterical people hid in basements, and listeners called the police to volunteer in the fight against evil invaders. "Radio 1929-1941 famous radio personalities 1940s - isgho-sup.com Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. 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. Millions of American soldiers left for World War II, and with them went men and women journalists - most notably the "Murrow boys." Edward R. Murrow, made famous by World War II, began a transition from radio to television. The name would be famous, but you would never be. Mark Levin. Though his topic on this occasion was his proposed reorganization of the Supreme Court, the speech was notable in that he began by reviewing his first fireside chat he made four years earlier. Andy: Now, lissen yere, Amosdon't never try to tell me whut to do or whut not to do. 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. Sound effects were created in the most innovative ways. Millions of Americans listened to his weekly radio broadcast. New York: Free Press, 1996. Movies. New York still had a bustling radio community, but the Chicago shows began moving to one coast or the other. 25 memorable DJs and radio personalities from Philadelphia's past November 28, 1925, WSM-AM, Nashville. As censorship became stricter toward the end of the 1930s, the networks ruled that there could be no more jokes about nudity. As for WLS and WCFL and their deejays, Kittleson sums it up simply by saying, "Good stuff. List of old-time American radio people. As a result, NBC decided to sell its Blue network in 1943. These are some of the most famous black Radio DJs on the planet. Famous Radio Personalities - FamousFix.com list The growing war in Europe produced some of the most creative and thoughtful programming on radio. Radio - The Golden Age of American radio | Britannica Radio had given a voice to Americans' fears about the coming world war. By 1933, 25 percent of the workforce, or over 12 million people, were out of work. Many had more leisure time on their hands, but less money to spend. Hardships of the Great Depression increased hatred toward racial minorities by society in general. With the consolidation of radios into networks, the configuration of the radio industry began to look like the major television networks of the late twentieth century. . 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. Outside of the United States, the world was in a state of flux. *loved them when they would guest star on the Jack Benny show!*. Butterfly McQueen's first role would become her most identifiable as Prissy, the young maid in Gone with the Wind, uttering the famous words: "I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' babies!" Programs became fixed in quarter-hour and half-hour blocks and featured a wide variety of formats. They set a new standard for communications between the president and the public (from Franklin Roosevelt. On March 9, 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt gave his ninth "fireside chat" over the airwaves to the public. A license would be issued only if the public interest, convenience or necessity was served. To celebrate 40 years of . Today we are only part-way through that programand recovery is speeding up to a point where the dangers of 1929 are gain becoming possible, not this week or month perhaps, but within a year or two. Writer-producer-director Norman Corwin, one of radio's brightest talents, ruefully made the point that radio's most creative era was "the shortest golden age in history." During its brief heyday, however, dramatic radio thrived and was a vital part of . Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. The list consists of 665 members. Adolf Hitler in Germany used radio to further his goals. While much of his message regarded a type of economic populism, which emphasized the common person, he regularly attacked prominent Jewish people. By 1948, his program received higher ratings than Fred Allen or Jack Benny. They warned that children should be running and playing outside, not sitting inside being entertained by a box. He built the first radio te, Ryle, Martin Choosing just the top 10 radio presenters of all time was hard enough, so take the following with a pinch of salt. JEFFHOAG JEFF HOAG. List of Famous Radio Personalities - Ranker The tally resulted in an estimate of the number of people listening to a particular show; a rating of 14.2 meant that out of 100 people called, 14.2 were listening to a particular program at the time of the call. 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. Radio, with its thrillers and mysteries, classical theater and musical performances, and slapstick and silliness, provided a means of escaping the dreariness of life. Individuals all over America laughed together at Jack Benny and worried together over alien invasion orchestrated in a studio by Orson Welles.