When we were young and traveling somewhere in the car with my parents, especially at night, I remember those old radio shows that kept us children quiet as mice. How about the The Shadow "with Lamont Cranston for one!!
The dark of the night....wow, our imaginations went into overdrive.
Think back...your Mom is in the kitchen. You are perhaps coloring at the kitchen table, you know; the one with silver strapping around the edges. Your Mom is listening to a romantic soap opera: The Romance of Helen Trent. Helen Trent, the orphan. Why does that stick in my mind as if it were yesterday? If you listen to this - even for a bit....wow! I had forgotten the theme music...
The era of commercial radio began in 1920, becoming more popular in the late 20's. In an interview I read of my Grandmother Isobel in 1927 she spoke of it as a "talking box." The radio was of vital importance during WWII with FDR's famous fireside chats which helped
to calm a worried country at war.
The demise of radio popularity apparently ended on Sept. 30, 1962
with the final episode of Suspense.
Here is a list which your ears will recall: mine did.
The Jack Benny Program---- 1932- 1955
Lights Out ........................... 1934-1947
Our Miss Brooks.................. 1949-1957
Red Ryder............................. 1941-1949
The Romance of Helen Trent- 1933-1960
Stella Dallas............................ 1937-1955
Amos and Andy...................... 1926-1960 longest running
The Shadow............................ 1932-1955
Suspense.................................. 1942-1962
Aldrich Family......................... 1939-1953
Buck Rogers............................ 1932-1947
Burns and Allen....................... 1932-1950
Edgar Bergan and
Charlie McCarthy.................. 1937-1956
Fibber McGee and Molly......... 1935-1956
Who can forget the radio programs commercials like: I'm Buster Brown, I live in a shoe. That's
my dog Tide, look for him in there too." Also, taking directions for getting your secret decoder ring; when it came it said....drink OVALTINE ! A kids first experience at getting ripped off!
...or the Salty Brine no-school announcements: for years I thought that Foster-Glocester
was one word, one place! As in There's no school today in Fosterglocester...
I felt as if I had lost an old friend when, after a long radio career, Salty passed away.
I have discovered a radio station on my computer with storytellers. I like to listen to it while I am doing my stationary bike exercises. It is wonderful to get lost in listening.....like I did as a child,
like we all did.
