Available now: Radio Drama and Comedy Writers, 1928-1962 by Ryan Ellett.
More than 700 scriptwriters who created the memorable characters and thrilling stories of radio's Golden Age receive our recognition in this reference work.
For some, radio was a stepping stone on the way to greater achievements in film or television, on the stage or in literature. For others, it was the culmination of a life spent writing newspaper copy. Established authors dabbled in radio as a new medium, while working writers saw it as another opportunity to earn a paycheck. When these men and women came to broadcasting, they crafted a body of work still appreciated by modern listeners.
Radio Drama and Comedy Writers, 1928-1962 is currently available for purchase here by McFarland Press, both in softcover and electronic editions.
Thanks to these eagle-eyed readers who have pointed out corrections:
- Stewart W. notes that author Robert Ryf used a pseudonym not mentioned in the book, Robert Stanley.
- Dan R. provided more detailed information about Gordon St. Clair: "Gordon Saint Clair first wrote for the Princess Pat Players (sometimes referred to as Princess Pat Pageant) which aired from 1932 to 1936 first on CBS and mostly on NBC Blue. The Princess Pat Players was a weekly theatrical drama. Gordon Saint Clair wrote many of the 30 minutes plays but definitely not all. Your second source from the Pittsburg Press (1934) was for his play "Just Another Hero" as written for the Princess Pat Players and not A Tale of Today.
A Tale of Today (1936 to 1939) was a serial drama that replaced the Princess Pat Players. It was also mostly written by Gordon Saint Clair, working for the sponsor, Princess Pat cosmetics. Your first source, the Radio Mirror article identifies him as the writer but your dates for A Tale of Today are incorrect.
- Ian D. points out that the entry for Denis Green suggests that he wrote with Bruce Taylor and Leslie Charteris. He did, but Taylor was a pen name used by Charteris, a fact not clearly stated in the text.
Thanks, all!
More than 700 scriptwriters who created the memorable characters and thrilling stories of radio's Golden Age receive our recognition in this reference work.
For some, radio was a stepping stone on the way to greater achievements in film or television, on the stage or in literature. For others, it was the culmination of a life spent writing newspaper copy. Established authors dabbled in radio as a new medium, while working writers saw it as another opportunity to earn a paycheck. When these men and women came to broadcasting, they crafted a body of work still appreciated by modern listeners.
Radio Drama and Comedy Writers, 1928-1962 is currently available for purchase here by McFarland Press, both in softcover and electronic editions.
Thanks to these eagle-eyed readers who have pointed out corrections:
- Stewart W. notes that author Robert Ryf used a pseudonym not mentioned in the book, Robert Stanley.
- Dan R. provided more detailed information about Gordon St. Clair: "Gordon Saint Clair first wrote for the Princess Pat Players (sometimes referred to as Princess Pat Pageant) which aired from 1932 to 1936 first on CBS and mostly on NBC Blue. The Princess Pat Players was a weekly theatrical drama. Gordon Saint Clair wrote many of the 30 minutes plays but definitely not all. Your second source from the Pittsburg Press (1934) was for his play "Just Another Hero" as written for the Princess Pat Players and not A Tale of Today.
A Tale of Today (1936 to 1939) was a serial drama that replaced the Princess Pat Players. It was also mostly written by Gordon Saint Clair, working for the sponsor, Princess Pat cosmetics. Your first source, the Radio Mirror article identifies him as the writer but your dates for A Tale of Today are incorrect.
- Ian D. points out that the entry for Denis Green suggests that he wrote with Bruce Taylor and Leslie Charteris. He did, but Taylor was a pen name used by Charteris, a fact not clearly stated in the text.
Thanks, all!
Visit Ryan Ellett's blog, Wistful Vistas. You'll find information and photographs related to Ellett's work that, for different reasons, isn't included in his books and articles.
