On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time RadioNow long out of print, John Dunning's Tune in Yesterday was the definitive one-volume reference on old-time radio broadcasting. Now, in On the Air, Dunning has completely rethought this classic work, reorganizing the material and doubling its coverage, to provide a richer and more informative account of radio's golden age. Here are some 1,500 radio shows presented in alphabetical order. The great programs of the '30s, '40s, and '50s are all here--Amos 'n' Andy, Fibber McGee and Molly, The Lone Ranger, Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour, and The March of Time, to name only a few. For each, Dunning provides a complete broadcast history, with the timeslot, the network, and the name of the show's advertisers. He also lists major cast members, announcers, producers, directors, writers, and sound effects people--even the show's theme song. There are also umbrella entries, such as "News Broadcasts," which features an engaging essay on radio news, with capsule biographies of major broadcasters, such as Lowell Thomas and Edward R. Murrow. Equally important, Dunning provides a fascinating account of each program, taking us behind the scenes to capture the feel of the performance, such as the ghastly sounds of Lights Out (a horror drama where heads rolled and bones crunched), and providing engrossing biographies of the main people involved in the show. A wonderful read for everyone who loves old-time radio, On the Air is a must purchase for all radio hobbyists and anyone interested in 20th-century American history. It is an essential reference work for libraries and radio stations. |
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On the air: the encyclopedia of old-time radio
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictMystery writer and radio talk show host Dunning has expertly compiled and organized a massive amount of research data on hundreds of radio shows aired from the 1920s through the 1960s. The entries ... Read full review
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Succinctly, the "best" compendium of the "Golden Age of Radio." Each show methodically chronicled. In its totality, a holistic summarization of daily entertainment for the Joe Average; and as such, an essential work of chronicling the first half of the 20th Century. Makes one wish that the paltry radio of today was full of the thought provoking dramas of a not too distant past. Americana lost...
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Common terms and phrases
actors adventure Allen Amos n Anne Hummert ANNOUNCER April audience band became Betty Bill Blue Network Bob Hope BROADCAST HISTORY Cantor career CAST character Charles Chicago comedy comic Crosby Dick DIRECTOR drama early Eddie Eddie Cantor Elliott Lewis filled film final find first five Frank Fred Fred Allen Fridays Gale Gordon George guests Harry heard Helen Hollywood host Hour Hummert Jack Benny Jimmy John July June later Lewis listeners Lone Ranger Mary Mondays Mutual night NOUNCER numbers Oboler office ORCHESTRA Paul played PRODUCER quiz radio show retumed Robert role Rudy Vallee Saturdays script Sept serial show’s singer singing situation comedy soap opera song SOUND EFFECTS sponsor stars stories studio Sundays Theater theme three a week Thursdays timeslots Tuesdays tumed vaudeville VOCALISTS voice Walter Wednesdays weekdays William WRITERS wrote York young
Bibliographic information
| Title | On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio |
| Author | John Dunning |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press, 1998 |
| ISBN | 0199840458, 9780199840458 |
| Length | 840 pages |
| Subjects | › › Performing Arts / Radio / General Performing Arts / Radio / Reference Reference / Encyclopedias |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |