The A to Z of American Radio Soap OperasThe period from 1925 to 1960 was the heyday of the American Radio Soap Opera. In addition to being part of popular culture, the soap opera had important commercial aspects as well that were not only related to their production, but also to the desperate need to sell products or perish. Both sides of this story are traced in this comprehensive compendium. The dictionary section, made up of more than 500 cross-referenced entries, provides brief vignettes of the more popular and also less well-known 'soaps,' among them Back Stage Wife, Our Gal Sunday, Pepper Young's Family and The Guiding Light. Other entries evoke those who brought these programs to life: the actors, announcers, scriptwriters, networks, and even the sponsors. Nor are the basic themes, the stock characters and the gimmick, forgotten. The book's introduction defines the soap opera, examines the span of the radio serial, reviews its origins and its demise, and focuses on the character types that made up its denizens. The chronology outlines the period and the bibliography offers further reading. Together, these elements make a comprehensive reference work that researchers will find invaluable long into the future. |
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actors actress Air Features American Anne Hummert appeared April arrived on NBC audience Backstage Wife Betty Big Sister broadcast characters Chicago couple daytime dramas daytime serials debuted December detergent drainboard drama Ethel Ethel and Albert Frank and Anne Gal Sunday Girl Marries Guiding Light Helen Trent heroine Irene Rich Irna Phillips Jane January Joan John Joyce Jordan July June left the air listeners Lora Lawton Lost Persons Ma Perkins Man’s Family March Mary matinee McFarland narrative NBC Blue October penned Pepper Young’s Family Perkins persisted Plain Bill Portia Faces portrayed Procter & Gamble produced quarter-hour radio drama radio serial radio soap opera Right to Happiness role Romance of Helen scripts September soap opera sponsor spouse star Stella Dallas story storyline Sunday tale television Theater Today’s Children underwrote washboard weepers weekday weekly woman yarn York Young Doctor Malone Young Widder Brown