Customer Reviews

Radio Drama: A Comprehensive Chronicle of American Network Programs, 1932-1962 (2 Volume Set)

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A Comprehensive Chronicle of American Network Programs: 1932 to 1962

When the first strains of radio drama hit the airwaves in the early 1930's, America was in the beginning of a depression. Culturally, the newsstands featured pulp magazines focusing on romance, science, adventure, horror, and western adventure. The Shadow, Doc Savage, the Lone Ranger, and other influential characters were born out of either genius, or desperation. Movie serials packed kids and their parents in as the silent cinema gave way to talkies, and the first stars of the genre.

The future was bright for radio. While sponsors were not necessary for success, they helped. The airwaves were filled with every conceivable style of adventure. Some series ran only a few episodes, while others ran over 20 years, and then turned into TV shows as well.

What started out as mere escapism for listeners from all corners of America, turned into a regular ritual at different times. Some waited for Sherlock Holmes, Amos and Andy, My Favorite Husband, X Minus One, The Black Museum, the Shadow, or even Abbott and Costello. With such an emphasis upon entertainment, who would have thought such a degree of scholarship would eventually develop surrounding the medium?

True academic scholarship today has few resources. Some radio logs do exist from the time periods. For instance, the Lone Ranger (WXYZ) sound man kept meticulous records. This is truly a shared passion. Authorities like Terry Salomonson have contributed greatly to the field, and this book by Martin Grams, Jr.

The result is a book that will keep active fans of radio drama entrhalled for hours. Look for your favorite show, research the episodes, look for copies. That's what fans/collectors do. However, as good as this book is in the two volumes and 584 pages, it still lacks something. Look for the Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Abbott and Costello, The Shadow, The Whistler, Captain Midnight, and Straight Arrow. They're not here. However, as the Lone Ranger ran for over 2,000 episodes, and logs of the other series are nearly as long, that can be forgiven. Just make sure we all know how to get Salomonsons' logs. The broadcast dates are a good feature and useful for nit pickers.

I appreciate the short history of the various shows listed in the book, and the image of Orson Welles reading 'War of the Worlds' in 1939. What other image could you use?

This book is only one part of a greater picture that is now a cultural history and appreciation of Radio Drama. The internet has spawned an amazing amount of 'free' material, and books like this will only increase the accuracy of an often incorrect websource.

Tim Lasiuta