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Tuned In: Radio programs engaged our imaginations in a now bygone era.
Photograph courtesy of Cookie Curci-Wright
Remember When
Don't touch that dial!
Before television, radio showed us new worlds that we haven't seen since
By Cookie Curci-Wright
In the 1940s, radio was all my family needed for an exciting evening's entertainment at home.
Next to the music of the big-band era, radio programming from the days before television can rekindle nostalgic memories of the first postwar generation. During the 1930s, '40s and '50s, children's serials filled the radio airwaves each late afternoon.
I can't recall many of them now. But I can still recite the preamble to my favorite show, The Adventures of Superman, word for word: "Superman, strange visitor from another planet who came to earth with abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands. ..."
When commercial radio stations began regular broadcasting in the early 1920s, radio was still a luxury that was only enjoyed by the affluent.
Within a few years, however, radio sets became cheaper and less complicated to assemble. Before long, radio stations appeared across the country and middle-class families were tuning in regularly to hear their favorite programs.
In the '30s and '40s, radio's golden era, shows achieved nationwide popularity among housewives who tuned in to their daily half-hour soap operas (named for their sponsors, which were usually soap manufacturers).
Blondie (1939 to 1950) was my household's most-loved situation comedy. Sponsored by Camel and Super Suds, this hilarious comedy was based on Chic Young's comic strip character and featured the irrepressible Arthur Lake and Penny Singleton, who also starred in the Blondie film series.
Blondie was a Monday night ritual in our home. Her funny antics, along with hubby Dagwood Bumstead, kept us in stitches.
Huddled around our tall, wood-framed Philco each week, family members settled into a comfortable listening spot. Dad, reclining in his cozy easy chair, resting his stocking feet on the soft, cushioned ottoman . Mom, taking her place on the sofa, near the small table lamp, so she could finish her mending. My brother and I, to be sure we wouldn't miss a word of the show's dialogue, crowded up to the radio speakers.
At the beginning of every episode, the announcer would say, "Ah, Ah, Ah--don't touch that dial. It's time to listen to...". And just then Dagwood would yell out, "Blonnnn-deeeee".
I'd sit there wide-eyed and wonder if somehow that voice inside the radio could actually see if I touched that dial or not.
Radio gave its listening audience the opportunity to conjure up their own individual and personalized images: Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1931 to 1945) on CBS, and Captain Midnight (1940 to 1949) on NBC had us visualizing space ships and celestial worlds.
Li'l Orphan Annie (1931 to 1943) on NBC was sponsored by Ovaltine and had us following the little moppet on her weekly adventures and sending in for decoder rings.
Quaker Oats brought us the excitement of Sergeant Preston of the Yukon (1947 to 1950) on CBS. In our mind's eye, we could imagine the spectacle and wonder of the snow-covered Yukon as we joined the sergeant on each new adventure.
Arthur Godfrey's dulcet-toned voice could be heard on the popular CBS show Arthur Godfrey Time (1945 to 1972), which was sponsored by Chesterfield and at least 60 other sponsors. The show included regulars Julius LaRosa, Tony Marvin and LuAnn Simms. Godfrey also hosted the Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts (1946 to 1953), which was sponsored by Lipton Tea and featured a weekly lineup of undiscovered talent.
Like its predecessor, Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour (1943), Godfrey's popular show discovered many new stars, such as Julius LaRosa, Rose Marie and Carmel Quinn.
For the mystery lover, radio gave us The Witches Tale (1931), The Whistler (1942 to 1955), The Shadow (1930 to 1932) and the ever-scary Lights Out (1934). For sports enthusiasts, the announcers that hosted Gillette's Friday Night Fights, used such colorful ringside descriptions that we felt every punch.
Ethnic comedy was also common back then, with shows like, Amos 'n' Andy (1929 to 1948) on NBC, The Goldbergs (1929 to 1934 on NBC and 1937 to 1945 on CBS) and Life with Luigi (1948 to 1953) on CBS.
The sound of Clayton Moore's resonant voice as the Lone Ranger and his weekly refrain, "Hi-yo, Silver--away!" thrilled our household every Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
That mighty call set our hearts thumping with excitement as the masked man and his faithful companion, Tonto (played by Jay Silverheels), rode across the airwaves.
Our eyes were so transfixed on the radio dial that we could easily visualize the wild west in all its dusty, arid glory.
Radio soap operas were as popular then as daytime dramas on TV today. We tuned in faithfully to these daily sagas.
Even during school days, I'd come home for lunch to savor a bowl of Mom's homemade soup and catch the latest installment of Ma Perkins (1933 to 1966) on CBS. While Mom's hearty soup satisfied my hunger for food, Ma Perkins and the Baxters fed my appetite for drama. Actress Virginia Payne played the incomparable Ma Perkins for the show's 27-year run.
As I get older, I find it's getting more difficult to explain to younger generations, especially to the kids who grew up in the computer age, just what was so great about those golden years of radio.
Treating our imaginations to some much-needed exercise was only a part of radio's charm. When our beloved radio went dead, we didn't throw it away and buy another one. We simply pulled out the offending tube and drove down to use the tube tester at the five-and-dime.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
