Originally posted by texasmom
I actually did put a message in the original message, and edited it out once I saw I put it in the wrong forum.
The original message was about those old radio mystery stories that used to play on the AM channels late at night ~ murder mysteries & the like.
Pse do not worry TXMom, as our dear Skuzzinator would have "moved" it to the correct forum anyway. (BTW, Skuzzy, did Dale give you the raise I suggested 2 months ago?)
Mom...the last bastion or radio drama was aired on the CBS radio networks in the 1970's and phased out in the early 1980's. "CBS Mystery Theatre" usually aired at 10:00 Central/11:00 PM Eastern, and was carried on many of CBS's 50,000 watt outlets across the country.
The writing was impecable, and featured many radio stars from the 1940's as well as CBS's stable of then current soap opera actors & actresses yearning for more airtime.
In college studying radio/tv/film, I turned out many one hour scripts that did end up getting aired, but the era by then was almost over.
TV drama/mystery had stolen the audience, and the "theatre of the mind" era was ending.
In the 1930's and 40's...there was no TV, and radio was the king of entertainment in America. You can still buy those shows on CD...check the internet. My favorite was Jack Benny (of course I grew up in Jack Benny's home town and went to Jack Benny Jr. High School), The Battling Bickersons, and The Shadow.
Back then, the sound effects crew were almost as importaint as the actual stars. They HAD NO pre-recorded sound effects back then, and effects and most music was preformed LIVE.....(shudders at the pressure there).
MOST shows were LIVE...a few were preproduced and "burned" to RECORDS..but not always.
My mom remembers my grandfather bringing the tractor battery in the house back in Northeast Mississippi so the family could listen to the radio in the evenings. She says the creeking door from The Shadow Show still brings a spine tingle to this day.
The vaudeville stars of the 20's & 30's who migrated to radio provided some GREAT entertainment.
Turns out my career in radio was 50 years late.
68ROX
