Radio Soap Opera Discussion

[jam6242]

From May 1940, the Wisconsin State Journal compiled all the soap operas/serials that were on the radio at that time.  They counted 70 (I didn't verify the number).

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[Paul Raven]

Thanks for that. Yes the list includes the kid oriented serials like L'il Abher and Don Winslow which aired late afternoon. the only soap I hadn't heard of was Elm Creek, which ust have been local.

In fact there were several more soaps running throughout the 40's that were heard on local stations only.

But the majority were traditional soaps and most of the aired from Chicago, so there was alot of work for actors in that city.

Some actors were holding down multiple roles.

In the next few years, the shows moved to New York and I think Ma Perkins was the only holdout.

Actors were forced to relocate to keep working.

Ironically the same thing happened with TV soaps when one by one the NY based soaps were axed and that source of work and income disappeared.

[Paul Raven]

[Paul Raven]

Lora Lawton is pretty much forgotten but it did run for several years, from 1943-1950

Nobody knows the pitfalls of Washington life better than Lora Lawton. Ever since she first came to the nation's capital to act as housekeeper for shipbuilder Peter Carver, the former Middle Western housewife has been caught up in a series of dizzying intrigues. And each one has meant another adventure for Lora. In fact, there are listeners who find the serial heroine's daily life much too breathtaking to bear any resemblance to humdrum reality. Cynical observers have been known to doubt whether conflict and turmoil on the banks of the Potomac-even in wartime-ever reach the lurid dramatic heights so often chronicled in the chapters of -Lora Lawton."

But, be that as it may, fans of the daytime drama have no trouble thinking of arguments to marshal in its defense. Many a .housewife welcomes the refreshing change of spending her mornings in intimate companionship with career diplomats, elegant countesses and business tycoons. They're a lot more interesting than the well-known "average American couple" soap operas revolve. And as for the action - well, kidnappings and murders certainly make for livelier programs than domestic squabbles do. Members of the cast are all in favor of swift action, too, enjoy the stimulation and excitement of meeting newsituations in each day's script. The main characters have all been played by the same actors since the serial first hit the air in May, 1943.

Carrying the title role is grey eyed, blonde Joan Tompkins, who made her first hid for fame on the legitimate stage.Joan has created quite a furor in radio circles by freely admitting to reporters that she's 28 years old-instead of stagnating permanently at 21, as is the fashion. Reason for the lack of accent on youth in this case is simple -for nearly a decade of her career Joan was "typed" as a 17 -year -old ingenue, never had a chance to play an intelligent, mature woman till "Lora Lawton" came along. And the ambitious actress is taking no chances on being pushed back into adolescent roles again.

Male lead in the serial (Peter Carver) is handled by James Meighan, nephew of the late movie star Thomas Meighan. In spite of his film connections, Jim has never been interested in Hollywood, carved out his own theatrical career through stock company and Broadway parts. A visit to a broadcasting studio in 1931 gave rise to radio aspirations and since then the Meighan name has been connected with innumerable network dramatic events. Radio regulars, too, are Charita Bauer (Gail Carver), Ethel Wilson (secretary May Case) and Walter Greaza (villain Russell Gilman). All of them are veterans, bringing years of experience to their present melodramatic roles.

[Paul Raven]

Variety reported that Woman in White, despite healthy ratings went off the air in September 1942.

Reason given was that Art Gladd, who write the show under Irna Phillip's supervision had been called up for Army service and Irna could not find a satisfactory replacement, so would not renew her contract with NBC.

Gladd was also writing Right to Happiness.

Irna had taken over writing Guiding Light as her writer for that show had departed to write his own show.

Her other shows at that point were Road of Life and Lonely Women.

[Joseph]

Sounds interesting are there any surviving pieces? Was so mad when they put the old soaps Channel down 

[allmc2008]

What was the 'old soaps channel'?

[Joseph]

it was an youtube channel with several radio pieces, series, episodes and soaps but it was brought down i usually went there for such things but now

[allmc2008]

https://www.radioechoes.com/?page=genre

 

Here, you can go to 'Soap Opera'. I would also use the search function for specific shows.

[slick jones]

WOMAN OF AMERICA  OUTLINE

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[Paul Raven]

Woman of America was not a ratings success so at some point the story moved to the modern day with the great granddaughter of Prudence Dane as the lead character.

In a 1976 interview Anne Seymour talked about the show and mentioned that Santos Ortega played her husband who was killed off in the first episode.

i think Mona Kent was the writer?

[dc11786]

Regarding “Woman in White,” I believe the main characters ended up on “Road of Life.” This was the one Karen Adams, correct? I don’t know how long they were on the other series, but their story didn’t end immediately. 

[paradisin]

Hello, I know it's been almost two years since you posted this but do you (or anyone else) know where this is from? I have tried image reverse search but cannot find it. It is for science (literally)!

[jam6242]

It’s from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, November 8, 1953, page 12-A.

 

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[Paul Raven]

October 1942

"Woman in White" fans can follow their favorite characters, even though the serial has folded up. The lead part, that of Karen Adams, is moving over to "Road of Life." Karen's a nurse, and "Road of Life" is about a hospital, so the shift is easy. Loretta Hendrick becomes Dr. Brent's ("Road") patient when the script puts Dr. Kirk Harding ('W, in W.") into the Army. She demands Karen's services. and Dr. Kirk may appear in "Road," too, to remarry Karen. All this finagling between shows Is possible because both serials are written by the Irna Phillips office