On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio / Edition 2

by John Dunning

Overview

Now long out of print, John Dunning's Tune in Yesterday was the definitive one-volume reference on old-time radio broadcasting. Now, in On the Air, Dunning has completely rethought this classic work, reorganizing the material and doubling its coverage, to provide a richer and more informative account of radio's golden age.
Here are some 1,500 radio shows presented in alphabetical order. The great programs of the '30s, '40s, and '50s are all here—Amos 'n' Andy, Fibber McGee and Molly, The Lone Ranger, Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour, and The March of Time, to name only a few. For each, Dunning provides a complete broadcast history, with the timeslot, the network, and the name of the show's advertisers. He also lists major cast members, announcers, producers, directors, writers, and sound effects people—even the show's theme song. There are also umbrella entries, such as "News Broadcasts," which features an engaging essay on radio news, with capsule biographies of major broadcasters, such as Lowell Thomas and Edward R. Murrow. Equally important, Dunning provides a fascinating account of each program, taking us behind the scenes to capture the feel of the performance, such as the ghastly sounds of Lights Out (a horror drama where heads rolled and bones crunched), and providing engrossing biographies of the main people involved in the show.
A wonderful read for everyone who loves old-time radio, On the Air is a must purchase for all radio hobbyists and anyone interested in 20th-century American history. It is an essential reference work for libraries and radio stations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195076783
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/07/1998
Pages:	840
Sales rank:	640,830
Product dimensions:	10.46(w) x 7.02(h) x 2.51(d)
Lexile:	1000L (what's this?)

About the Author

John Dunning is a popular mystery novelist, author of The Bookman's Wake and Booked to Die. He lives in Aurora, Colorado.

Editorial Reviews

Mystery novelist, antiquarian, and radio-show host John Dunning interviewed 125 radio stars, writers, newscasters, and sound-effects people in researching On The Air. On The Air traces the history of hundreds of radio shows and personalities from the medium's golden age. For each show, Dunnings provides a complete broadcasting history, with information about the show's dates and times slots, its creator, sponsors, announcers, sound people, and even its theme song. From Amos 'n' Andy to The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air, they're all here.

bn.com

Mystery writer and radio talk show host Dunning has expertly compiled and organized a massive amount of research data on hundreds of radio shows aired from the 1920s through the 1960s. The entries, listed alphabetically by show title, each contain a treasure trove of information--broadcast dates, casts and personnel, anecdotes, special analyses, and a detailed overview of each show's background, format, and content. Entries range from popular series such as Amos 'n' Andy and The Green Hornet to the Metropolitan Opera Auditions and the NBC University Theatre--everything from soaps, Westerns, and comedy to sports, drama, and documentaries. An extensive bibliography and index enhance the book's appeal. For those who once gathered around the console, the more than 700 pages of entries should provide a wonderful stroll down memory lane. Historians and researchers will also find this a valuable reference tool, offering new discoveries and insights. For reference libraries with large media collections.--Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, NJ

Library Journal