Radio Soap Opera Discussion

[Bill Bauer]

 

 

Thank you, Paul. I love your posts. This one is fascinating and a little strange. First of all, it's strange that they would refer to Ellis as a Christian. He was an atheist. It's also strange that they said Ellis and Rose were married. According to all the reference material I've read, he offered to marry her when she got pregnant by Charles Cunningham but they never married. It says "living as the wife" so perhaps they just said they were married. Although I've never read anything that even hinted at them pretending to be married either. Everything I've read, and the material in my collection, all indicates that he just offered to marry her but she refused. The only thing that seems accurate for sure is that Abe had influenza. He died from it. Then again, as I've pointed out before, I don't know which is the most accurate--these articles printed at the time or the recounting of today's history books. 

[Paul Raven]

Bill, so glad you are enjoying my posts. Seems you are a Guiding Light afficionado but would you be interested in articles about other radio soaps?

[Bill Bauer]

 

The Guiding Light and One Man's Family are my favorite radio shows. Anything about those two shows would be appreciated. Especially, as you've noted, The Guiding Light. Thanks. 

[Paul Raven]

 T HE GUIDING LIGHT" is the light of tolerance. It is the light that guides the life of Dr. John Ruthledge, a minister of the gospel. With the cosmopolitan community of Five Points as its locale, "The Guiding Light" traces through the dramatic and spiritual histories of a group of distinctly varied character-types. Cynics and saints, aggressors and mediators, soul-builders and soul-destroyers— these are only a few of the strange array of human types which are shepherded by Dr.  Rutledge. His profound sympathy,sound philosophy and reassuring voice assert themselves for good in all the conflicts of life in Five Points.

 

Another important character is Ellis Smith ("Mr. Nobody from Nowhere"), a strange mixture of cynic and sentimentalist who, though disillusioned with nearly everything about him, has a deeply generous spirit for those who are penetrating enough to see. "The Guiding Light," with its dramatic spiritual theme, ranks as one of the most popular serials on the air, The writer is the prolific Chicago authoress, Ima Phillips. "The Guiding Light" may be heard Monday through Friday over an NBC net at 3:45 p.m. EST, 2:45 p.m. CST 1:45 p.m. MST, 12:45 p.m. PST.

 

DR.JOHN RUTHLEDGE {played by Arthur Peterson) Is the kind of minIster that people prefer as a leader and an associate. He's a man with a strong and definite philosophy of life, both this life and the next. He's a  believer In justice and a superb example of tolerance. He translates Into human and social action every word of the Spirit In which he believes. Dr. Ruthledge has that rare virtue, even among understanding people, of being able to guide not only the simple in heart but also those who have become bitter through oversophlstication. He's s man among ministers and men

 

 

 THE REVEREND TOM BANNION (played by Frank Behrens) is Dr. Ruthledge's recently appointed assistant in his church in Five Points. At first there were differences of opinion between Dr. Ruthledge and the Rev. Bannnion. However, the latter has come around to Or. Ruthledge's way of thinking on most points, and they are now In complete agreement. A romance is rapldly.growing up between the Rev. Bannlon and Dr. Ruthledge's daughter, Mary. Their relationship, however, cannot seem to reiease itseif from the shadow of the man whom Mary first loved and cannot forget, Ned Holden

 

NED HOLDEN {played by Ed Prentiss) was reared 'from childhood by Dr. Ruthledge when the boy was deserted by his mother. Deeply in iove with Mary Ruthledge, Ned suddenly encountered a spiritual crisis which caused him to break down completely. He left and married Torchy Reynolds, but returning to Five Points he realized that it Is still Mary he really loves.

 

MARY  RUTHLEDGE (played by Sarah Jane Wells) has all the deep humanity and understanding of her father, but there are times when even these traits seem to be of no avail in helping her. Despite her admiration for the Rev. Bannlon, life has somehow narrowed Its scope for her. She cannot seem to forget that she and Ned Hoiden were once In love

 

TORCHY REYNOLDS (played by Gladys Keen ) is slowly coming to the  realization that Ned Rolden did not marry her for iove, even ihough his conscious intentions may have been sincere and honest. She Is beginning to understand that he married her because, on that bitter. wretched night on the San Francisco waterfront when he first ran into her, she gave him the kindness and comfort which those who have been beaten themseives know best how to give. Torchy Is convinced that Ned, however loyal he may be. stifl loves Mary Ruthledge and cannot put her out of his life

 

ROSE KRANSKY (played by Ruth Bailey) is the prototype of the career girl of the twentieth century, who is so Intent on being a complete Individual dependent upon no one that she falls Into trouble through her own deficiency. She doesn't understand people because she prefers to stand alone, and that lack of understanding brings about her downfall. She was tricked into an affair by the book-publisher, Cunningham. Now. bearing Ellis Smith's name but calling herseif Miss Smith, she has put her baby Into a nursery as if freeing herself of a fetter to Strike out again—alone as before

 

MRS - KRANSKY (played by Mlgnon Schrelber ) lost her husband through death. Another shock is the spiritual waywardness of her daughter. Rose, whose headstrong Independence has led her astray. Mrs. Kransky Is, however, one of those rare persons of the old school whose strong faith keeps alive in her the feeling that "someday Rose will find herself." She lives In that hope

 

FREDRIKA LANG (played by Margaret Fuller) is the mystery woman who came to Five Points unknown to anyone except Dr. Ruthledge. When It was discovered that she was the mother who had deserted Ned Holden years ago because her husband was a convict and she did not want the boy disgraced, Ned was so upset he left town. When he returned, he was still bitter.

 

FORT PEARSON, announcer for "The Guiding Light," came Into radio as a singing announcer. He was born In Chattanooga, Tenn.. and when only two yeors old moved with his parents stlli further south to Mississippi. He held singingand-announclng jobs at various point In the South, then came to N8C In 1935. He is married: his favorite hobbles are yachting and fishing

[vetsoapfan]

 

I daresay that EVERYONE who reads and posts in this thread would be thrilled to see anything you wish to share.

Please register in order to view this content

[Bill Bauer]

 

Thanks, Paul. So great! Still ambiguity on whether Rose and Ellis were really married. LOL. Yes, as vetsoapfan mentioned above, we would all be grateful for anything you're willing to share! 

[Paul Raven]

TGL again but now the story has moved on to 1942

ROSE KRANSKY is the daughter of a humble Jewish family -but years ago she shook off the restraining ties of her original environment and set out to build a new life for herself. We first knew Rose when she was a restless, vivid girl of Five Points. Against her father's advice, she found work as the stenographer of Charles Cunningham, a wealthy business man. In her inexperience she soon fell wildly in love with Cunningham, and his subsequent betrayal of her completely changed her outlook on life. Ellis Smith, "Mr. Nobody from Nowhere," befriended her and gave her his name when her child was born. Later the child was killed by an automobile. Rose started life anew and is now a governess to the two Greenman children. Against her will, she has fallen in love with her employer, Mr. Greenman. (Played by Charlotte Manson)

 

EDWARD GREENMAN is wealthy, respected and a bit conventional. He first met Rose Kransky when she was his wife's social secretary. Until then he had not been completely happy in his marriage, but he was content to let it continue, interesting himself in his business. But Rose has shown him what a normal home life could be. He has watched her with his two children and seen the love which sprang up between them. His character will not let him admit, even to himself, that he is in love with Rose, nor will he take lightly a love which is outside the bounds of convention. At the same time, he is too just to give in to his wife's demands that he send Rose away. (Played by Ken Griffin)

 

NORMA GREENMAN is Edward Greenman's jealous, possessive wife. Her love for her husband has been demanding and fierce. When Rose came to her home, Norma was immediately aware of the respectful friendship that existed between the girl and her husband. Her tortured mind magnified this friendship, innocent in itself, into the beginnings of a love affair, and the violent scenes she made only made the situation worse by forcing Edward to turn to Rose for sympathy. Recently, it has been learned that Norma is actually mentally ill due to a physical defect. An operation, while it might restore her to normalcy, might also mean her death. Thus, while Norma has been sent to a sanitarium, it will be necessary for Edward to make this difficult decision. (Played by Eloise Kummer)

 

DR. JOHN RUTHLEDGE is pastor of the church at Five Points, the crowded slum section of the city. In him are embodied all the finest qualities of mankind. He is kind, understanding, self -sacrificing, tolerant; and has won for himself the affectionate nickname of "The Good Samaritan." He himself has known suffering. His love for his daughter Mary's dead mother is buried deep in his heart. Many years ago he befriended Ned Holden, who is now married to Mary, and brought him up as his own son. When Ned was hurt and bewildered because of the mystery surrounding his parentage, Dr. Ruthledge's affection was one of the few things the boy knew he could count on. The pastor is not an orthodox clergyman. Creeds mean nothing to him. Of late his sermons have become beautiful expressions of hope in the midst of war, and their influence has extended far beyond the rather narrow confines of Five Points. (Played by Arthur Peterson)

 

TORCHY REYNOLDS was once the wife of Ned Holden. They met in San Francisco, where Ned had fled in an effort to hide from the knowledge that his father had been a thief and his mother a murderess. He was on the verge of a complete moral breakdown when he chanced upon Torchy, who was a singer in a cheap waterfront dive. Torchy's love for him brought about his rehabilitation. In gratitude, Ned married her and brought her with him to Five Points. She saw that Ned really loved Mary, and finally, heartbroken, she left Ned. A year later she returned to Five Points, full of a new self -assurance. She and Ned were divorced and he married Mary. Torchy was badly scarred by acid thrown by a jealous nightclub dancer, and now has an ugly scar on her face which she does her best to hide. (Played by Gladys Heen)

 

MRS. KRANSKY Rose's mother, has never learned all the modern, brisk ways of this America to which she came as a young bride, but that does not lessen her devotion to her adopted land. She gladly gave her son, Jacob, to the Army. If, when she is wrapping a box of cookies to send him, she cries a little -well, that is no more than thousands of other mothers are doing. Mrs. Kransky has lived entirely for her family. In earlier years she was always the loving buffer between the children's desire for independence and Mr. Kransky's stern insistence upon tradition. Although there is a deep bond of affection between her and Rose, circumstances have made it impossible for them to live together, and since her husband's death she's been lonely. Her simple philosophy has done much to help her over these difficult times. (Played by Mignon Schreiber)

 

ELLIS SMITH has always been a man of mystery to the people of Five Points. They called him "Mr. Nobody from Nowhere ", because of the secrecy with which he shrouded his past. Dr. Ruthledge is almost the only person who knows that Ellis is really Gordon Ellis, son of the city's wealthiest family, who had broken with his father over his ambition to be a painter. Some time ago there was a disastrous fire in Five Points, and in it Ellis received injuries that blinded him, until an operation restored his sight. But the injuries were so severe that he is now going blind again. Still he continues his painting, peering at his canvases under bright lights. (Played by Marvin Mueller)

 

NANCY STEWART is, although she doesn't know it, the daughter of Ellis Smith -the result of an unhappy marriage years ago. From him she inherited the flair for painting which has led her to become an art student. When Nancy came to the city she met Dr. Ruthledge, and became a friend of Mary Holden. Mary and her father are now Nancy's only link with Ellis, whom she thoroughly dislikes because of his arrogant, cynical attitude. But inwardly she feels a kind of affection for him, which, of course, is instinctive. Ellis does not wish to reveal his identity to Nancy until she has learned to look upon him as her friend. Torchy Reynolds, who knows of Ellis' approaching blindness, is trying to bring about a deeper friendship between him and his unacknowledged daughter. (Played by Laurette Fillbrandt)

[Bill Bauer]

Very cool. Thanks again, Paul. That's the first time I've ever seen a mention of the storyline of Torchy having acid thrown in her face. I was unaware of the storyline until I received an episode where it is featured because it's not mentioned in any of the history books. I finally see it mentioned! The farther you go back into the story, the more things get omitted or distorted. 

[Paul Raven]

THE OPINION HANDED down by the Illinois Appellate Court in the case of Emmons Carlson, appellant, vs. Irna Phillips, appellee, surpasses for sheer drama and entertainment anything to appear in The Guiding Light, the radio show which has involved the two Chicago radio personalities in litigation since August 1941. In the 24 -page opinion reversing the state district court's decision favoring Miss Phillips, Chief Justice Niemeyer not only displayed the legal knowledge which his position on the bench requires, but a flair for writing of which any radio scripter could well be proud.

 

Briefly, this is the background of the argument as to just who owns, and in what amount, one of radio's most successful programs. It all began in December 1936 when Guiding Light, originally titled The Good Samaritan, first went on the air over NBC with Procter & Gamble as sponsor and Blackman Advertising Inc., New York, as the agency. Earlier, in September, Mr. Carlson contends, he discussed collaborating with Miss Phillips -he to do the writing, and she to supervise the story outlines and final  revised scripts, with an alleged oral agreement on an equal division of the profits. It is at this point that Miss Phillips vehemently disagrees.

 

At no time, she argues, did she ever agree, orally or in writing, to an equal partnership in The Guiding Light. She does admit that when the program first went on she paid Carlson $100 a week for 20 weeks. She maintains, however, that he actually wrote only five scripts which were aired. The Court opinion points out that Miss Phillips entered into a contract with P &G representing herself as sole owner of Guiding Light. The Court also notes that before the sale of Guiding Light in 1936, the only show Miss Phillips had sold to a sponsor was Today's Children, which became the leading daytime serial on the air and for which NBC paid Miss Phillips $1350 a week as a package. The Court adds that Today's Children was "substantially the same serial or drama" as Painted Dreams which Miss Phillips attempted un-successfully to claim as her own in a suit against WGN in 1939.

 

In summing up the evidence submitted during nearly four years of litigation, Judge Niemeyer had this to say: "The credibility of the defendant (Miss Phillips) is impeached. That portion of her sworn answer that the presentation and audition script upon which the sale of the show was made 'were so inartificially prepared that it was necessary ... to make so many revisions as to amount to a totally new and different presentation ..: is shown to be . .. false. "Her persistence in testifying she knew nothing of the plaintiff's claim to a half interest in the show until someone told her of the present suit is indefensible in the face of her admission of having read and received the plaintiff's letter dated June 22, 1937 (claiming such an interest) and undisputed proof of her receipt of plaintiff's letter dated December 7. 1938," the court adds.

 

The Court reprimanded Miss Phillips' attorneys for their manner of interrogation, during which, the Court said, they attempted to compel Mr. Carlson to give his conversations with Miss Phillips in reverse order -that is, to give the last statement of the conversation first and so on. It also pointed out that at the time Guiding Light first went on the air, Miss Phillips was not a successful script writer, with only Today's Children to her credit. Her attempts, the court found, with Ma Brown's Patchwork Quilt, Masquerade, Dear Diary and Black Earth had not been highly successful. The latter two had not been on the air at all, the court noted. The defense's argument that any partnership between the two parties was terminable at the will of either party, Judge Niemeyer found. ignores the show, Guiding Light as a literary property. Such dissolution, he declared, is not its termination. It continues, he adds, "until the winding up of partnership affairs is completed. In a court of equity a partner who after dissolution of a partnership carries on the business with partnership property is liable ... to account for the profits thereof."

 

The defense also contended that the plaintiff could not recover because he did not come into equity "with clean hands," because the alleged partnership was a "violation of his obligations to NBC" and an attempt to "palm his novice writings off on the sponsors as those of 'the leading daytime serial writer' would have been a fraud and against public policy." The Court summed up this argument with "If the evidence supported this claim, defendant is in no position to take advantage of it." The State appellate court's decision, which attorneys for -Miss Phillips have declared they will appeal to the State Supreme Court, may prove an invaluable reference in future litigations by ambitious writers unaware of their property interests. Whatever the outcome, the case of Carlson vs. Phillips is for high stakes, with both parties equally confident of victory.`

 

 

GUIDING LIGHT' SUIT NEARS FINAL STAGE

ONE. OF THE MOST bitterly contested suits in radio history neared its final stage last week. Illinois Appellate Court reversed, Oct. 15, an Illinois Circuit Court decision in favor of Irna Phillips, Chicago scriptwriter, who was sued in 1942 by Emmons C. Carlson, promotion and advertising manager of NBC Central Division, for an equal division of profits for Guiding Light. Mr. Carlson brought suit against Miss Phillips in. August 1941, claiming that Guiding Light was his own creation and that he collaborated with her under its original title, The Good Samaritan. He claimed she agreed to divide the profits 50 -50 but refused to continue payments after giving him $2,000 for first 20 scripts. Counsel for Miss Phillips denied the charges.

Edited September 12, 2020 by Paul Raven

[jam6242]

Thanks for the articles Paul.  That real life court case sounds interesting.  I would love to see a series based on Irna's life.  She seems fascinating to me.  Wonder who could play her, lol? 

[Paul Raven]

THE WOMAN IN WHITE" has been on the air since January 3, 1938. Karen Adams, graduate nurse, is the central figure of the story. A modern-day Florence Nightingale, Karen has devoted her life to the service of others. Although faced with a problem of her own, her love for a man who has contracted an incurable disease, she nevertheless carries on unselfishly her ideals and philosophy. Another problem in Karen's life concerns her young sister, Betty, infatuated with a wealthy young man -about -town, Bob Banning. Betty's association with Banning has brought unhappiness into the lives of Aunt Helen and Uncle Bill Spalding, with whom Karen and her brother, John, make their home. Written by Irna Phillips, top-ranking radio author, "The Woman In White" is aired over NBC, Mondays through Fridays, 10:45 a.m. EDT.

 

KAREN ADAMS, played by Luise Barclay, is about 30 years old, understanding and sympathetic. yet. despite her long experience with people, she has a tendency to take herself and life itself too seriously. This attitude, unusual though it is in so young a woman, is understandable, because since the death of her parents many years ago Karen has more or less assumed the responsibility of bringing up her sister, Betty. and her brother, John. Her motto is: "I expect to pass through this life but once. If, therefore, there is any kindness I can show, or any good I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now-for I shall not pass this way again." To a nurse, whose daily life is a constant round of ministration to the sick and unfortunate, such a philosophy is a fortress of strength; but to Karen it is more than merely an aid in her daily toil; it is a way of life; everything else in secondary

 

BETTY ADAMS is Karen's younger sister. She is 20. bright, cheerful, and affectionate. However. as is so often the case with young people, she is impatient of restraint, sure that she knows enough about life to manage her own affairs. Toni Gilman plays the role

 

JOHN ADAMS. played by Willard Farnum, is a gifted violinist. He is several years older than Karen. He has one ambition in life -to carve out a great musical career for himself. Despite frequent differences of opinion, he and Karen share a deep, undying love

 

ALICE DAY has been Karen's roommate and her closest friend during the years of training they both underwent in order to become nurses. She lives with Karen, at the Spaldings'. Her carefree attitude toward life is a factor in Karen's life. Ruth Bailey's role

 

ROY PALMER, a young Englishman who has worked with Bryant Chandler in India, plays an important role in "The Woman in White." To him, Bryant has confided that he will not marry Karen so long as he faces the prospect of a life of invalidism. Frank Behrens plays Palmer.

 

Meanwhile, in India, SYBELLA MANSFIELD, a half-caste, attractive and intelligent, a friend of both Palmer and Chandler, waits for Bryant's return. She is in love with Bryant, but she knows of his love for Karen. Lois Marley plays Sybilla.

 

BOB BANNING, played by C. Henry Nathan is  wealthy young man -about -town who is currently paying much attention to Betty Adams.

 

ROSEMARY HEMINGWAY, Betty's close friend, warns her against him. Genelle Gibbs plays Rosemary.

 

THOMAS HAWKINS, wealthy and elderly eccentric, is characterized by Phil Lord.

 

AUNT HELEN SPALDING is played by Henrietta Tedro. Since the death of their own child, Aunt Helen and Uncle Bill Spalding have taken care of the orphaned Adams children. They consider the children as their very own.

 

BRYANT CHANDLER, played by Dave Gothard, is deeply in love wiith Karen Adams. But for three and a half years he was in India, there he contracted incurable blackwater fever. Now in America, he wants to return to India

 

DR. LEE MARKHAM is an old friend of the Spalding family. He met Karen when she was in training loves her, has great influence over her. Macdonald Carey plays the role.

 

 

Edited September 17, 2020 by Paul Raven

[Paul Raven]

Irna wasn't afraid to head to court November 1940

 

Irna Phillips Loses Suit on Strip Show

CHICAGO, Irna Phillips. writer of soap operas, lost her appeal of a Superior Court ruling In her suit against WGN. Inc.. and The Tribune over property rights in the strip show Painted Dreams. The Appellate Court upheld the decision of the lower tribunal that the show belonged to WGN. Miss Phillips claimed that she was the creator and Independent owner of the drama and owned It by copyright She had, however written the script in September. 1930 while employed by WGN, following a general outline supplied by the station. The court brought out that, after a sponsor was found, she Copyrighted the first 10 scripts without advisng her employer. Justice John N. O'Connor stated: -She did the work, was paid for It. and In such situation under the law the ownership In the result of what was done belongs to the defendants.

[allmc2008]

Jesus, in my almost 15 years of studying this genre I never heard the term "Strip Show" to describe radio serials. It makes sense (shortened from comic strip, I assume). This is fun.

[Paul Raven]

Daytime Ratings reported Jan 1944 

1. When A Girl Marries 9.0

2. Portia Faces Life 8.7

3. Backstage Wife 8.6

4. Right to Happiness 8.4

5. Big Sister 8.4

6. Young Widder Brown 8.2

7. Stella Dallas 8.0

8. Pepper Young's Family 7.9

9. Lorenzo Jones 7.6

10.Kate Smith Speaks 7.6

Edited September 21, 2020 by Paul Raven

[jam6242]

Ads from the 1940s.

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Edited September 21, 2020 by jam6242