The Early 1940s
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Johnny Got his gun
| Program | Obolers plays |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 3.9.1940 |
| Length | 29m |
| Genre | Drama |
| Award | Cronkite, Digital Deli |
| Plot synopsis | Injured WWI vet learns to communicate |
| Emotion | Strong empathy for war injury |
| Intellec | Strong SOS |
| Transcend | Strong Love of peace |
| Writing | Compelling |
| Acting | Cagney outstanding |
| Research | Thorough by author Trumbo |
| Structure | chronological sequence of acts |
| Perspective* | 1st person |
| Adapt/author | Adapted brilliantly from Trumbo |
| Acoustic | Head tap of SOS |
| Music | Dramatic |
| Narration | Protagonist's narration |
| Social Mean | Powerful anti-war |
| Surprise | Overcoming tragic |
| Venue Vivid | Hospital |
| Authentic | Convincing portrayal with detailed description |
| Link | Click |
Death Rides a Highway
| Program | Big Town |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 3.26.1940 |
| Length | 29.13 |
| Genre | Crimetrue |
| Award | Old Time Radio Downloads |
| Plot synopsis | News editor's response to rising death toll on America's highways |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | Strong |
| Transcend | Good |
| Writing | Good |
| Acting | Edward G. Robinson |
| Research | Excellent |
| Structure | Narrative sequence |
| Perspective* | 1st person, after 3rd person opening by narrator |
| Adapt/author | Drawn from newspaper account of true crime |
| Acoustic | Sounds of newsroom and crashes on street |
| Music | Melodramatic music |
| Narration | Editor narrates |
| Social Mean | sexist commercial sponsor message from rinso, dangers of speeding and drunk driving |
| Surprise | |
| Venue Vivid | |
| Authentic | Accurate to American roadways |
| Link | Click |
Lost Horizon
| Program | Lux Radio Theater |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 1.1.1941 |
| Length | 44.59 |
| Genre | Adventure |
| Award | OTRR, 20th Century Radio |
| Plot synopsis | inner peace insight |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | Strong |
| Transcend | Strong |
| Writing | Brilliant, James Hilton |
| Acting | Ronald Colman |
| Research | Excellent |
| Structure | Acts |
| Perspective* | 1st person |
| Adapt/author | Adapted from James Hilton story |
| Acoustic | Lamasery sounds |
| Music | Elegant |
| Narration | Protagonist's narration |
| Social Mean | Seeking inner peace |
| Surprise | Twist, secret of Shangri-La revealed |
| Venue Vivid | Authenitc remote |
| Authentic | Convincing |
| Link | Click |
We Hold These Truths
| Program | Norman Corwin |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 1.1.1941 |
| Length | 59.4 |
| Genre | Public Affairs |
| Award | Cronkite |
| Plot synopsis | Civil Liberties |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | Strong |
| Transcend | Strong |
| Writing | Excellent |
| Acting | Various |
| Research | Good |
| Structure | Narrative sequence |
| Perspective* | 1st person |
| Adapt/author | Original by Corwin |
| Acoustic | Natural |
| Music | Yes |
| Narration | Yes |
| Social Mean | Patriotism |
| Surprise | Powerful |
| Venue Vivid | Across America |
| Authentic | Convincing |
| Link | Click |
Rancho San Jose de Buenos Ayres
| Program | Romance of the Ranchos |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 9.21.1941 |
| Length | 28.27 |
| Genre | History |
| Award | OTRR, November 4, 1941 edition of the Long Beach Independent |
| Plot synopsis | Storied history of Rancho San Jose that grew into Long Beach, CA |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | Strong |
| Transcend | Moderate |
| Writing | Excellent |
| Acting | Good |
| Research | Detailed data based research drawing on centuries of title records in California |
| Structure | Chronological |
| Perspective* | 2nd person |
| Adapt/author | Original designed brilliantly for radio |
| Acoustic | Historical sound effects |
| Music | Lovely organ |
| Narration | Host |
| Social Mean | Cultural, economic and political forces that shape US |
| Surprise | |
| Venue Vivid | Colorful accurate descriptions of old California |
| Authentic | Accurate depictions |
| Link | Click |
Native Land pt.1, 2
| Program | The Cavalcade of America |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 9.22.1941 |
| Length | 59.09 |
| Genre | Historical Dramatization |
| Award | Cronkite |
| Plot synopsis | Chronicles America through life of Carl Sandberg and ordinary people |
| Emotion | Moderate |
| Intellec | Strong |
| Transcend | Strength of America through ordinary people |
| Writing | Excellent |
| Acting | Judith Anderson, Burgess Meredith |
| Research | Extensive |
| Structure | Acts informal, biographical |
| Perspective* | 1st person |
| Adapt/author | Original |
| Acoustic | Acoustical environment |
| Music | |
| Narration | Narrated by Carl Sandberg |
| Social Mean | |
| Surprise | America's story through common man and woman |
| Venue Vivid | From prarie to big city |
| Authentic | Accurate |
| Link - Part 1 | Click |
| Link - Part 2 | Click |
Why The Sea is Salt
| Program | Let's Pretend |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 1.1.1942 |
| Length | 29.06 |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Award | OTRR/Peabody |
| Plot synopsis | Children's fable about why the sea is salty |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | Strong |
| Transcend | Strong |
| Writing | Good |
| Acting | Child actors |
| Research | Moderate |
| Structure | Narrative Sequence |
| Perspective* | 1st peson |
| Adapt/author | Created and directed by Nila Mack |
| Acoustic | highly Effective, extensive, more than two dozen varied sounds |
| Music | Delightful |
| Narration | Host, narrator |
| Social Mean | Risks of seeking fortune greedily |
| Surprise | Twist |
| Venue Vivid | Imagined ship, sea |
| Authentic | Convincing |
| Link | Click |
William Mulholland and the Southland Water System
| Program | Romance of the Ranchos |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 3.22.1942 |
| Length | 28.45 |
| Genre | Historical Dramatization |
| Award | OTRR |
| Plot synopsis | Storied history of Ranchos that predated Los Angeles |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | Strong |
| Transcend | Moderate |
| Writing | Excellent |
| Acting | Good |
| Research | Detailed data based research drawing on centuries of title records in California |
| Structure | Chronological |
| Perspective* | 2nd person, 3rd person |
| Adapt/author | Original, inspired by book |
| Acoustic | Historical sound effects |
| Music | Lovely organ music and strings |
| Narration | Host |
| Social Mean | socio-political-economic forces shaping modern society |
| Surprise | |
| Venue Vivid | Colorful accurate descriptions of old California |
| Authentic | |
| Link | Click |
Death Has A Thirst
| Program | The Whistler |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 8.22.1942 |
| Length | 28.5 |
| Genre | Mystery |
| Award | OTRR |
| Plot synopsis | Alcoholic’s troubles lead to shipwreck and murder on a desert isle |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | low |
| Transcend | low |
| Writing | Good |
| Acting | Good |
| Research | Little |
| Structure | Acts |
| Perspective* | 1st person |
| Adapt/author | Original story |
| Acoustic | Environmental acoustics |
| Music | Suspenseful |
| Narration | Host |
| Social Mean | Greed |
| Surprise | Twist |
| Venue Vivid | ordinary |
| Authentic | basic |
| Link | Click |
The Hitchhiker
| Program | Suspense |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 9.2.1942 |
| Length | 29.17 |
| Genre | Suspense |
| Award | Escape and Suspense |
| Plot synopsis | Man drives cross-country and meets same stranger time and again along the road |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | Strong |
| Transcend | Strong |
| Writing | Excellent Fletcher |
| Acting | Orson Welles |
| Research | Moderate |
| Structure | Acts |
| Perspective* | 1st person |
| Adapt/author | Written for Suspense by Louise Fletcher |
| Acoustic | Environmental acoustic, auto. On the road |
| Music | Suspenseful |
| Narration | Protagonist's narration |
| Social Mean | Fear of death |
| Surprise | Major twist at end |
| Venue Vivid | Along route 66 |
| Authentic | Authentic |
| Link | Click |
Lord of the Witch Doctors
| Program | Suspense |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 10.27.1942 |
| Length | 29.03 |
| Genre | Adventure |
| Award | OTRR |
| Plot synopsis | English diplomats outwit Germans in WWII setting |
| Emotion | Moerate |
| Intellec | Strong |
| Transcend | low |
| Writing | Good John Dickson Carr |
| Acting | |
| Research | Moderate |
| Structure | Narrative sequence |
| Perspective* | 2nd person |
| Adapt/author | Original script but poorly designed for radio |
| Acoustic | Lion's roar, distant drums |
| Music | |
| Narration | Host, man in black |
| Social Mean | Murder and politics |
| Surprise | Unexpected magic metaphor |
| Venue Vivid | 19th century Zanzibar |
| Authentic | Authentic |
| Link | Click |
Avarice
| Program | Whistler |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 11.29.1942 |
| Length | 28.36 |
| Genre | Mystery |
| Award | Old Time Radio Downloads |
| Plot synopsis | |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | moderate |
| Transcend | Good |
| Writing | Good |
| Acting | Good |
| Research | Little |
| Structure | Acts |
| Perspective* | 3rd person opening narration, then 1st person |
| Adapt/author | Original |
| Acoustic | Acoustic sounds |
| Music | Suspenseful |
| Narration | Man in black |
| Social Mean | Greed |
| Surprise | Twist |
| Venue Vivid | Ordinary |
| Authentic | Realism |
| Link | Click |
The Pit and the Pendulum
| Program | Suspense |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 1.12.1943 |
| Length | 28.46 |
| Genre | Terror |
| Award | Escape-Suspense accolades 2008 |
| Plot synopsis | Spanish Inquisition torture |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | Moderate |
| Transcend | Religious and political tolerance |
| Writing | Excellent |
| Acting | Excellent |
| Research | Excellent |
| Structure | Acts |
| Perspective* | 2nd person |
| Adapt/author | Adapted from EAP classic tale |
| Acoustic | Sounds in the pit |
| Music | Suspenseful |
| Narration | Host |
| Social Mean | Religious and political terror |
| Surprise | |
| Venue Vivid | Trapped in a pit of torture |
| Authentic | Accurate depiction |
| Link | Click |
Princess Moonbeam
| Program | Let's Pretend |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 3.20.1943 |
| Length | 29.18 |
| Genre | Fantasty |
| Award | OTRR/PEABODY |
| Plot synopsis | Family blessed by Lady of the Moon with child |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | Strong |
| Transcend | High |
| Writing | Good |
| Acting | Child actors |
| Research | Excellent |
| Structure | Narrative sequence |
| Perspective* | 1st person |
| Adapt/author | Original |
| Acoustic | Effective |
| Music | Delightful |
| Narration | Host, narrator |
| Social Mean | Fantasy and love of children, fairness |
| Surprise | Twist |
| Venue Vivid | Ancient Japan |
| Authentic | Authentic |
| Link | Click |
Sorry, wrong number
| Program | Suspense, Lux, many times |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 5.25.1943 |
| Length | 29.56 |
| Genre | Mystery |
| Award | Cronikite |
| Plot synopsis | Woman terrorized |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | Good |
| Transcend | Fear of being alone, guilt? |
| Writing | Fear of being alone, guilt |
| Acting | Agnes Moorehead |
| Research | Good |
| Structure | Acts |
| Perspective* | 1st person |
| Adapt/author | Original play by Lucille Fletcher |
| Acoustic | Environmental acoustics |
| Music | Bell plays suspenseful music |
| Narration | |
| Social Mean | Guilt and fear? |
| Surprise | Terror in ordinary |
| Venue Vivid | NYC Apartment |
| Authentic | Accurate |
| Link | Click |
Bathysphere
| Program | Lights Out Everybody |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 6.29.1943 |
| Length | 29.24 |
| Genre | Science Fiction, horror |
| Award | OTRR |
| Plot synopsis | Diving bell imagined before WWII |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | Good |
| Transcend | Moderatse |
| Writing | Compelling |
| Acting | Good |
| Research | Good |
| Structure | Acts |
| Perspective* | 1st person |
| Adapt/author | Original story |
| Acoustic | Enviornmental acousits on ship at sea |
| Music | |
| Narration | |
| Social Mean | Imagining a dramatic end of a facist, asks what truly could have prevented the rise of fascism |
| Surprise | Fighting evil |
| Venue Vivid | Deep sea |
| Authentic | Believable |
| Link | Click |
Last Letter of Dr. Bronson
| Program | Suspense |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 7.27.1943 |
| Length | 29.45 |
| Genre | Suspense |
| Award | OTR |
| Plot synopsis | Dr. tests theory of 5 checks against committing murder |
| Emotion | Moderate |
| Intellec | High |
| Transcend | Preventing murder |
| Writing | Good |
| Acting | Good |
| Research | Excellent |
| Structure | Narrative sequence |
| Perspective* | 1st person, after 3rd person introduction |
| Adapt/author | Adapted by Richard Kreyke from story by Leonard St. Clair |
| Acoustic | Effective |
| Music | Suspenseful |
| Narration | Host, the man in black |
| Social Mean | Social-psych theory about what keeps us civilized |
| Surprise | Does theory work? |
| Venue Vivid | Laboratory |
| Authentic | Basic |
| Link | Click |
The 415 Express
| Program | The Weird Circle |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 1.17.1944 |
| Length | 24.01 |
| Genre | Horror |
| Award | OTRR |
| Plot synopsis | Haunted train |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | moderate |
| Transcend | Mystery |
| Writing | Compelling |
| Acting | Good |
| Research | Little |
| Structure | Informal Acts |
| Perspective* | 1st person |
| Adapt/author | Original |
| Acoustic | Environmental acoustics, train whistle sets stage |
| Music | Suspenseful |
| Narration | Host |
| Social Mean | Mystery in supernatural |
| Surprise | Twist |
| Venue Vivid | Train |
| Authentic | Accurate |
| Link | Click |
The Marvelous Barastro
| Program | Escape |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 4.13.1944 |
| Length | 31.49 |
| Genre | Mystery |
| Award | OTRR, Best of Suspense Pg. 7 |
| Plot synopsis | Magician Barastro's tale |
| Emotion | Strong |
| Intellec | Strong |
| Transcend | Strong |
| Writing | Brilliant |
| Acting | Orson Welles |
| Research | Good |
| Structure | Acts |
| Perspective* | 1st person |
| Adapt/author | Original story by Hecht adapted to radio |
| Acoustic | Environmental acoustics |
| Music | Original orchestration |
| Narration | Magic vs. evil |
| Social Mean | Good v Evil |
| Surprise | Twist |
| Venue Vivid | From Russia to Mexico, magician's stage |
| Authentic | Accurate, authentic |
| Link | Click |
Last of the Devereaux
| Program | Whistler |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 7.23.1944 |
| Length | 28.49 |
| Genre | Mystery |
| Award | OTRR |
| Plot synopsis | Unscrupulous trader employs fraud to obtain Louisiana cane estate, apparent supernatural effects haunt him |
| Emotion | Good |
| Intellec | low |
| Transcend | moderate |
| Writing | Good, original by Robert Sloan |
| Acting | Good |
| Research | Moderate |
| Structure | Acts |
| Perspective* | 1st person |
| Adapt/author | Original script |
| Acoustic | Environmental acoustics including sounds inside mansion and in swamp |
| Music | |
| Narration | |
| Social Mean | Conflct between family values and greed |
| Surprise | Twist at end delivers justic |
| Venue Vivid | Louisiana plantation and bayou |
| Authentic | |
| Link | Click |