The Great Radio Sitcoms($39.95Value)

Description

On January 12, 1926, radio audiences heard the first exchanges of wit and wisdom between "Sam 'n' Henry"--the verbal jousters who would evolve into Amos 'n' Andy and whose broadcasts launched the radio sitcom. Here is a detailed look at 20 of the most popular such sitcoms that aired between the mid-1920s and early 1950s, the three-decade heyday of radio. Each series is discussed from an artistic and historical standpoint, with attention to the program's character development and style of comedy as well as its influence on other shows. The work provides complete biographical profiles of each sitcom's stars as well as several actors whose careers consisted primarily of supporting roles in these popular broadcasts. Appendices include an abbreviated summary of thirteen sitcoms beyond those discussed in the main body of the book, and a comprehensive list of 170 radio sitcoms. Listeners during the golden age of radio (from about the mid-1920s to the early 1950s) enjoyed sitcoms as much as television viewers today enjoy their video counterparts. Cox, author of a number of books on radio, including The Great Radio Soap Operas (McFarland, 1999) and The Great Radio Audience Participation Shows (McFarland, 2001), examines 20 classic radio programs in detailed chapters that include broadcast histories, ratings, plots, theme songs, performer biographies, locations of archival material, and, occasionally, studio photographs. Several of these radio programs would also become popular television programs, such as The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Father Knows Best, and Our Miss Brooks. Cox writes in a friendly, conversational style and provides a wealth of information about each program. In addition to the 20 full chapters, the volume has several other useful features. One appendix, “A Directory of Network Radio Sitcoms,” is a concise list of 170 programs noting the years and the networks on which the programs were heard as well as the actors who played leading roles. Another appendix lists 13 more programs in slightly less detail than those discussed in the main part of the volume. There are also extensive chapter notes, a bibliography, and a detailed index. This very specialized work will find its best reception in popular-culture and performing-arts collections. --Carolyn Mulac Jim Cox was the recipient of the 2002 Ray Stanich Award, given to one individual annually for prolific research and writing in old time radio, at the Friends of Old Time Radio Convention, vintage radio's largest annual event. In 2007, Jim Cox received the Stone-Waterman Award presented by the Cincinnati Old Time Radio and Nostalgia Convention for outstanding contributions to the preservation of old time radio history. He is also the author of Radio Speakers (2007), The Daytime Serials of Television, 1946-1960 (2006), Music Radio (2005), Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons (2004), Frank and Anne Hummert's Radio Factory (2003), Radio Crime Fighters (2002), Say Goodnight, Gracie (2002), The Great Radio Audience Participation Shows (2001) and The Great Radio Soap Operas (1999). He is a retired college professor living in Louisville, Kentucky.