From Radio to the Big Screen: Hollywood Films Featuring Broadcast Personalities and Programs

There was a time when American popular entertainment referred only to radio and motion pictures. With the coming of talking pictures, Hollywood cashed in on the success of big-time network radio by bringing several of the public’s favourite broadcast personalities and programmes to screen. The results, though occasionally successful, often proved conclusively that some things are better heard than seen. Concentrating primarily on radio’s Golden Age (1926-1962), this lively history discusses the cinematic efforts of airwave stars Rudy Vallee, Amos ‘n’ Andy, Fred Allen, Joe Penner, Fibber McGee & Molly, Edgar Bergen, Lum & Abner, and many more. Also analysed are the movie versions of such radio series as The Shadow, Dr. Christian and The Life of Riley. In addition, two recent films starring contemporary radio headliners Howard Stern and Garrison Keillor are given their due.