Handbook of Old-Time Radio [Hardcover]

Jon D. Swartz (Author), Robert C. Reinehr (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0810825902 | ISBN-13: 978-0810825901 | Publication Date: June 28, 1993 | Edition: First

Intended for both the casual listener and the serious hobbyist or researcher, this one-volume handbook includes a descriptive log of more than 2,000 different programs, with casts, announcers, network, length of program, duration of appearance, availability, and, where appropriate, story lines; categorized logs of more than 4,500 programs, organized by type of program; separate characters covering each type of program, with historical information and guidelines for researching and understanding each category of old-time radio programming; descriptions of the better-known premiums offered during radio's Golden Age; a history of the networks; a chapter on resources available for those interested in acquiring old-time programs, reference material, and/or memorabilia; and indexes of over 8,000 performers and program titles.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In a recent article in Reference Services Review, Eleanor Block, head of Ohio State's Journalism Library, points out that the experts do not agree on dates for the golden age of radio. She adopts as a definition, "from the beginnings of broadcasting through 1960." More importantly, she critiques the three radio reference books (now out of print) that old-time radio (OTR) buffs have found most useful: Buxton and Owen's The Big Broadcast, 1920-1950 (Viking, 1972), Dunning's Tune in Yesterday: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, 1925-1976 (Prentice-Hall, 1976), and Terrace's Radio's Golden Years: The Encyclopedia of Radio Programs 1930-1960 (A. S. Barnes, 1981). Buxton and Owen is particularly useful for its inclusion of information about producers, directors, writers, and music directors and its photographs of performers. Dunning includes only dramatic, comedy, and variety programs and provides extensive critical comments as well as photos of performers. Terrace is useful for its inclusion of sponsor name, announcer's opening lines, and nearly 100 photographs.

The range of material covered by the Handbook of Old-Time Radio--capitalizing on more than 12 years of research, including using the NBC archives at the Library of Congress--means that this volume supplements (but does not supplant) the three titles previously cited. This volume covers from 1926 (when NBC was incorporated) to 1962. It consists of three parts. The first, a brief history of networks and broadcasting, is unique--nothing like it is found in the other three books. Part 2, a unique tabulation, consists of category logs listing more than 4,500 programs organized by program type (e.g., comedy, soap operas, quiz and audience participation, news, sports, religious, and, unique to this volume, armed forces and foreign broadcasting). Each category log is arranged in three columns: program title, network, and number of episodes available. The third part, "Program Descriptive Log," briefly describes more than 2,000 of the better-known programs, providing for each such information as the year of first and last show, performers, length of program, and story line. The handbook concludes with directory information (public collections, OTR fan clubs, dealers); a selected, annotated bibliography; a performer/name index; and a program index.

These four sources differ in the amount and variety of information given and its presentation, as examination of them for their treatment of such favorites as "Fibber McGee and Molly" and "Bell Telephone Hour" will quickly show. Public and academic libraries and old-time radio buffs will enrich their radio-history collections with the comprehensive Handbook of Old-Time Radio.

Review

Information on the production and airing of these shows has previously been widely scattered and often accessible, but the Handbook... brings it all home in one volume... remarkably comprehensive...easy-to-use... (American Libraries )

...an invaluable listing of all the famous old shows, with information on what's available today on tape and how to order... (B'nai B'rith Life )

Public and academic libraries and old-time radio buffs will enrich their radio-history collections with the comprehensive Handbook of Old-Time Radio>>>> (Reference Books Bulletin )

The Handbook stands as the most useful, authoritative general source about old radio programs. (Wilson Library Bulletin )

...an excellent old time radio 'Bible'...a solid piece of scholarship...Serious hobbyists and researchers will find it invaluable....a browser's delight....Anyone with an appreciation for nostalgia will thoroughly enjoy Swartz and Reinehr's book. (The Latest Word )

...very adequately provides the needed information, including number of programs available for each performer, to make delightful browsing for any and all people... (Journal Of American Culture )

Public and academic libraries and old-time radio buffs will enrich their radio-history collections with the comprehensive Handbook of Old-Time Radio (Reference Books Bulletin )

...a carefully indexed guide...Libraries with full collections on broadcasting should consider this volume.... and hard-core collectors should have one on their shelves. This is a classic labor of love and pulls a good deal of information together in one place. (Communication Booknotes )

...the best old-time radio book published since 1976.... this is definitely a book all OTR buffs can use... (The Big Reel )

...impressive reference to the Golden Age of radio...It is intended for both the casual listener to programs from radio's Golden Age as well as the serious hobbyist or researcher....Collectors will find highly useful descriptions...importance of Handbook...cannot be overstated. A tremendous body of research, it belongs in every collector's library. (The Inside Collector )

...the most comprehensive volume currently available on the subject... (Classic Images )

This book intends to provide scholars and hobbyists a comprehensive, one-volume guide to OTR....a worthy addition to any library with an interest in popular culture, popular entertainment, or mass media and broadcasting. (Choice )

It is worth the price because it is so complete....recommend it highly for the serious OTR fan. (Airwaves )

...a handy reference for the OTR fan. (Sperdvac Radiogram )

...a good one-stop source for information about Old-Time Radio....covers so much more information in a single, usable source that public and academic libraries with an interest in Old-Time Radio, broadcasting, popular culture, or history will find this a welcome addition. (Reference Quarterly )

Recommended for interested readers, form the hobbyist to the researcher. (Arba )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 825 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press; First edition (June 28, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810825902
• ISBN-13: 978-0810825901
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,228,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Undiscovered Treasure, October 26, 2008

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This review is from: Handbook of Old-Time Radio (Hardcover)

OTR fans don't skip over this book! While not as detailed in specifics as Dunning's this book covers a wider range of programs including foreign versions of US show & US airings of foreign broadcasts. It also has a long section listing shows by catagory. You will find quite a few shows that aren't listing elsewhere and if details are lacking its generally because they just don't exist. All in all an excellent reference.