The Great Radio Soap Operas [Hardcover]

Jim Cox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1999 | ISBN-10: 0786405899 | ISBN-13: 978-0786405893 | Edition: 1St Edition

This reference work contains exhaustive histories of 31 of network radio's most durable soap operas on the air between 1930 and 1960. The soap operas covered are Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories, Backstage Wife, Big Sister, The Brighter Day, David Harum, Front Page Farrell, The Guiding Light, Hilltop House, Just Plain Bill, Life Can Be Beautiful, The Light of the World, Lora Lawton, Lorenzo Jones, Ma Perkins, One Man's Family, Our Gal Sunday, Pepper Young's Family, Perry Mason, Portia Faces Life, The Right to Happiness, Road of Life, The Romance of Helen Trent, Rosemary, The Second Mrs. Burton, Stella Dallas, This Is Nora Drake, Today's Children, Wendy Warren and the News, When a Girl Marries, Young Doctor Malone, and Young Widder Brown. Included for each series are the drama's theme and story line, an in-depth focus on the major characters, and a listing of producers, directors, writers, announcers, casts, sponsors, ratings, and broadcast dates, times and networks. Profiles of 158 actors, actresses, creators and others who figured prominently in a serial's success are also provided.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Today's soap opera viewers may not realize that these daytime dramas were once just as popular on the radio. During the fabled "Golden Age of Radio" (ca. 1930^-1960) faithful fans turned on and tuned in to the continuing stories of unseen heroes and heroines, told in some 200 programs sponsored not only by soap companies but by the manufacturers of a variety of other products as well.

Cox's criteria for selecting the 31 serials chronicled here include longevity, strength and size of audience, and uniqueness or influence on the program genre. Among those included are The Guiding Light, Stella Dallas, and Young Doctor Malone. Each entry provides the story line, director, producer, announcer, writer, sponsor, and casts. Dialogue excerpts are sometimes included, and air dates and ratings are always supplied. The publicity stills of program casts and individual performers scattered throughout the text add a nostalgic touch.

Although not as broad in scope as John Dunning's On The Air: The Encyclopedia of Old Time Radio [RBB S 1 98], the depth of detail provided for the dramas described here make this volume a worthy addition to the literature of broadcasting history. In addition to a well-chosen annotated bibliography, there is a list of programs by year of broadcast debut and one of "soap opera firsts, lasts and mosts." Recommended for libraries with comprehensive radio collections.

Review

"One of the better references on a radio genre...for all collections." --Choice

"Clear writing and in-depth research." --American Reference Books Annual

"An immensely readable reference work...exhaustive histories of 31 of network radio's most durable soap operas aired." --The Centerville-Bellbrook Times --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Mcfarland & Co Inc Pub; 1St Edition edition (August 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786405899
• ISBN-13: 978-0786405893
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,013,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much More Than Just A Book On Radio Soap Operas, August 1, 2001

By 

Radio Fan "Radio Researcher" (Denver, CO Metro Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Radio Soap Operas (Hardcover)

As the editor of an Old-Time radio club newsletter, I received a complimentary copy of "The Great Radio Soap Operas" from the publisher. While I was not a fan of radio soap operas, I decided to read and review this book.

Don't let the title keep you from seeking out this book. It is much, much more than a book on radio soap operas. Jim Cox has written a GREAT BOOK, including comprehensive histories of 31 of network radio's most durable soap operas. Don't be disappointed if one of your favorite "soaps" doesn't have its own chapter. Many others are also discussed in this book.

Each of the series covered in depth includes extensive information on casts, writers, production personnel, sponsors, ratings, dates on the air, and time slots. There is biographical information on many actors, producers, directors, & writers. Also, the opening lines for many soap operas are included. You'll also find interesting appendices and an excellent annotated bibliography.

Jim Cox manages to blend facts, entertaining anecdotes, scripting and plotting techniques, plot lines, and a generous portion of Radio history into a highly informative, readable, & enjoyable book. No small feat in deed! This book really captures the vitality of radio soap operas in such a way that the reader feels like the shows are still on the air. Even though the last radio "soap" went off the air over four decades ago, they live on in Jim's book. The love of his subject matter clearly shows through. "The Great Radio Soap Operas" is a book well worth adding to your Old-Time Radio library.

Once I finished reading the book and wrote the review, I turned the book over to the Club's Library. Then I placed an order with the publisher and purchased a copy of "The Great Radio Soap Operas" for my own.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't let this book get you weepy., April 27, 2002

By 

Eric (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Radio Soap Operas (Hardcover)

Sometimes the truly good books are those that cover the aspects of network broadcasting that are not always best remembered. One obscurity is radio soap operas. And to think Jim Cox actually spent the time to compile information about thirty plus radio soap operas is magnificent. True documentation from an author who must love the OTR hobby. Sadly, the only thing going against it is the expensive price (obviously from McFarland who doesn't sell books at low prices for fans, only to University and College Libraries). This book, unlike many McFarland has put out, offers a neat photographic cover. One great thing I can say about this book (and you have to read it to understand what I'm saying), it was such an enjoyable read that I won't part with mine. You'll have to buy one of yoru own.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for those who were there and those who weren't!, February 11, 2000

By 

John Leasure (Portsmouth, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Great Radio Soap Operas (Hardcover)

This book is invaluable to the student of media as well as those who have memories of these wonderful programs. I have used the information in this book in teaching media classes to generate a better understanding of how entertainment forms came into being. This is also a great read in and of itself and a book to revisit often.