Radio City Playhouse Explained

Radio City Playhouse is a live half-hour anthology series that aired on NBC Radio from July 3, 1948 to January 1, 1950. Directed by Harry W. Junkin, with music by Dr. Roy Shield, and announcers Bob Warren (1948–49) and Fred Collins (1949–50), the series presented original radio dramas regardless of the fame of the author, so long as they were considered 'good'.^[1] Many of the broadcasts have survived and can be heard on websites specializing in old-time radio.

Richard McDonagh, who managed the script division of NBC, said that writers were encouraged "to tell a story in their own fashion" in a way suitable to radio.^[2] Writers for the series included John Galsworthy, Cornell Woolrich, Ernest Kinoy,^[3] and Ray Bradbury.^[4]

Actors who appeared on the program included Luis van Rooten, who had a one-man show on the July 11, 1949, episode. He portrayed "a neurotic actor who is confronted by eleven characters he has played in the past".^[5] Others were John Larkin, Jan Miner,^[6] Claudia Morgan,^[7] Bernard Grant,^[8] and at least one hyphenate, Dolores Sutton, who both co-wrote and co-starred in Sibling, the episode airing on December 11, 1949.^{[9] [10]}

Richard McDonaghand Richard P. MacDonnell were the producers. Junkin was the narrator.^[11] The program was sustaining and was broadcast on Saturdays at 10 p.m. Eastern Time.^[12] It debuted as a summer replacement for Kay Kyser's program^[13] on Saturdays at 10 p.m. Eastern Time. In 1949 it was broadcast on Mondays at 10:30 p.m. E. T.^[14]

Some episodes consisted of two playlets, such as October 16, 1949, with the presentation of "The Lake" and "Collector’s Item".^[15]

Critical response

A review of the July 3, 1948, episode in the trade publication Variety commended Junkin's directing and star Jan Minor's performance.^[12]

References

• Old Time Radio: Radio City Playhouse http://www.otr.com/logs/radio_city_playhouse.htm

Notes and References

1. Web site: Radio City Playhouse.
2. News: The News of Radio: Series of Half-Hour Plays Slated to Replace Kay Kyser on NBC for the Summer . July 6, 2024 . The New York Times . May 21, 1948 . 44. subscription.
3. News: Campbell . Priscilla . Television Writing: A Former Radio Author Finds Change Easy . July 7, 2024 . The New York Times . August 15, 1954 . X 9. subscription .
4. Book: Eller . Jonathan R. . Becoming Ray Bradbury . August 10, 2011 . University of Illinois Press . 978-0-252-09335-7 . 207 . July 8, 2024 . en.
5. News: Radio and Television: Broadcasting Company Seeks to Buy WLIB for $150,000 from Post Home News . July 8, 2024 . The New York Times . July 5, 1949 . 42. subscription .
6. Book: Dunning . John . On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio . May 7, 1998 . Oxford University Press . 978-0-19-977078-6 . 564 . July 8, 2024 . en.
7. Trantner, Don (April 11, 1949). "Comment on Radio; Air Bubbles". Buffalo Courier Express. p. 16. Retrieved July 8, 2024. "Radio City Playhouse stars Claudia Morgan in one titled Treasure Trove."
8. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette/150975595/ "Between the Commercials"
9. https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/150974046/ "Today on the Air"
10. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle/150973752/ "Today's Radio Best Bets"
11. Book: Terrace . Vincent . Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows . December 7, 2009 . McFarland . 978-0-7864-4513-4 . 279 . July 8, 2024 . en.
12. July 7, 1948 . 23 . Radio City Playhouse . Variety . January 30, 2024 .
13. June 30, 1948 . 23 . Summer Network Premieres . Variety . February 12, 2024 .
14. News: Radio and Television: NBC Will Broadcast Five Sunday Concerts of Berkshire Festival Beginning July 17 . July 6, 2024 . The New York Times . June 30, 1949 . 46. subscription .
15. October 17, 1949 . Radio: Program Preview, Oct. 17, 1949 . Time . July 10, 2024 .