The Second World War has been referred to as "a radio war," simply because radio was such an integral part of relaying information to the public about bond drives, rationing, the latest news, and other aspects of living on the home front, but radio was probably the most special for Americans on the frontlines. Imagine … Continue reading During World War Two: On the Air
During World War II: There’s A War On, You Know
And we must wipe out completely for the duration of the war the idea of business as usual. --Elliot Fulton, played by Edward Arnold, The War Against Mrs. Hadley (MGM,1942) This one sentence sums up the mission of the Office of War Information, or OWI, which was established on June 13, 1942. It's putting it mildly that … Continue reading During World War II: There’s A War On, You Know
Directed By Arch Oboler
I'm a big Arch Oboler fan. If you've been hanging around my blog for any length of time, you probably know this pretty well. Besides his prolific radio career, Oboler occasionally dipped his assertive big toe into screenwriting and directing, such as in the 1945 thriller, Bewitched. Put it this way: You know how we've all been … Continue reading Directed By Arch Oboler
Norma’s Almost-Swan Song
Way up north... Quebecois Norma Shearer was an unlikely film star, at least in the sense that she didn't fit the mold of the perfect movie goddess. She had short legs, one of her eyes had a slight cast, and the critics regularly poked fun at her delivery. On the other hand, in regards to … Continue reading Norma’s Almost-Swan Song
Rockets, Auks, and Arch Oboler
If you've been hanging around my blog for any length of time, you know I'm a big fan of radio playwright Arch Oboler. Best-known for his work on Lights Out and his own series, Arch Oboler's Plays, Oboler could take the most mundane ideas and make them fresh and compelling. He had a busy mind, and like many writers, … Continue reading Rockets, Auks, and Arch Oboler
The Infamous Mr. Oboler
Radio shows are kind of enigmatic to my generation. My parents and grandparents listened to them, but all I knew about that sort of thing were the Christian audio dramas I heard on Family Radio sometimes. Yes, they do exist. No offense to anyone who likes them, but the ones I heard in the eighties … Continue reading The Infamous Mr. Oboler
Taking Up Room 