1 of 13

Write now Article Tools

For people who couldn't ever be seen, boy was their presence strong.

Their voices took care of it all.

During the "Golden Age" of radio (principally from the 1920s to the 1950s), many a riveted household member set the radio console to that favorite serial, comedy, drama, or adventure, to keep apace of the latest in that story and the circumstances surrounding its characters. Even though the technology, as we know it, was far from advanced, fans seemed largely unfazed and, actually, happy to have these programs to listen to and see what was new. The essential key here was one's imagination: It painted the scenic picture, so to speak, upon hearing the dialogue and putting the words to images.

Just as in the other, vital forms of show business entertainment, the personnel who composed the radio field were very much alive and integral to the healthy beat of productions. They were to prove quite appreciative of their public and, as I have discovered, welcoming of fan letters and willing to correspond.

Here, it is with much pleasure that I share some core examples of radio's prized figures (show creators and actors and actresses alike), who represented some of the lifeblood of the medium.

(One Note: The following account is absolutely a sampling. It captures a cross-section of my personal correspondence with the celebrities, and, while most of these people enjoyed busy careers elsewhere in entertainment - stage, movies, television - rather than attempt to list all their credits, I focus primarily on the subject at hand, their radio work.)

Mercedes McCambridge (1916-2004), who was a multifaceted actress in show business, counted films, television, and theater projects in her travels. For radio, she certainly made a name for herself, too, such as with "Abie's Irish Rose," first heard on NBC in 1942; Serial Drama "Betty and Bob," with its first appearance on the NBC Blue Network in 1932; Serial Drama "Big Sister," debuting over CBS in 1936; Adventure Serial "Dick Tracy," first heard over the Mutual Network in 1935; Serial Drama "The Guiding Light," with its start over NBC in 1938; Mystery-Adventure "I Love a Mystery," beginning over the NBC Red Network in 1939; Serial Drama "Midstream," beginning on NBC in 1939; Serial Drama "A Tale of Today," a weekly presentation on NBC; and Serial Drama "This Is Nora Drake," which debuted over NBC in 1947. She complied with my researched letter of seven pages by sending an 8-by-10 autographed picture.

Seasoned composer; singer; and vaudeville,

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Voices on the radio?
We want to hear your view. Write now!