Radio's Captain Midnight

Radio's Captain Midnight

Author: Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2004-10-05

Total Pages: 276

ISBN-13: 9780786421763

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During the horror and conflict of World War II, a fictional radio character named Captain Midnight stormed his way into the consciousness of American radio listeners. Captain Midnight (a.k.a. Charles J. Albright) was a vigorous, mature figure whom listeners could easily perceive defending their United States. The scripts, well written and expertly plotted, had a wide appeal--from excited children and their Secret Squadron Code-O-Graphs to U.S. Army Air Corps flight crews. But to fans (then and now) of the original 15-minute serial adventures, the "real" Captain Midnight retired when the show went to 30 minutes, replaced actor Ed Prentiss, and simplified the writing and plotting. Using facts, details and events from those original early radio scripts of Captain Midnight, the author has constructed a "biography" of the great wartime aviation hero, covering his origins and adventures. Concluding the work are thorough appendices that discuss Secret Squadron equipment, aircraft and rocketry; cryptology and code-cracking in the series; and Captain Midnight's portrayal in various media (books, radio, television, serials, comics and newspaper strips).


From Radio to Television

From Radio to Television

Author: Vincent Terrace

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2022-10-14

Total Pages: 255

ISBN-13: 1476688362

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The early years of television relied in part on successful narratives of another medium, as studios adapted radio programs like Boston Blackie and Defense Attorney to the small screen. Many shows were adapted more than once, like the radio program Blondie, which inspired six television adaptations and 28 theatrical films. These are but a few of the 1,164 programs covered in this volume. Each program entry contains a detailed story line, years of broadcast, performer and character casts and principal production credits where possible. Two appendices ("Almost a Transition" and "Television to Radio") and a performer's index conclude the book. This first-of-its-kind encyclopedia covers many little-known programs that have rarely been discussed in print (e.g., Real George, based on Me and Janie; Volume One, based on Quiet, Please; and Galaxy, based on X Minus One). Covered programs include The Great Gildersleeve, Howdy Doody, My Friend Irma, My Little Margie, Space Patrol and Vic and Sade.


Radio Mystery and Adventure and Its Appearances in Film, Television and Other Media

Radio Mystery and Adventure and Its Appearances in Film, Television and Other Media

Author: Jim Harmon

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2011-01-14

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 9780786485086

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From the 1920s to the 1950s, radio was the entertainment source for millions. Two of the primary themes of radio serials were mysteries and adventure. This is a detailed analysis of the important programs in these genres--Jack Armstrong, The Green Hornet, Sergeant Preston, Tom Mix, and more. Each entry includes type of series, broadcast days, air dates, sponsors, network, cast and production credits, and a comprehensive essay. When, as often happened, the series landed in other media, that is examined as well.


Summer of the Secret Squadron

Summer of the Secret Squadron

Author: Michael Pledger Ball

Publisher:

Published: 2005-05

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 0976575000

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A piece of the past is revived when three friends discover a series of encrypted messages along with a decoder badge from the 1940's radio show, Captain Midnight and the Secret Squadron. But after deciphering the codes, the boys realize the mystery is just beginning. Their discovery will lead them on a treasure hunt throughout the historic town of Batesville, and to investigate who might have left these prized possessions for three boys to find sixty years later.


Radio Crime Fighters

Radio Crime Fighters

Author: Jim Cox

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2015-06-14

Total Pages: 344

ISBN-13: 1476612277

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In the early days of radio, producers, directors and scriptwriters were well aware of the listening public's fascination with subject matter tinged with wrongdoing. Stories of right and wrong, crime and punishment, and law and order kept audiences of every age hooked for more than thirty years. This work covers 300+ syndicated radio mystery and adventure serials that aired in the early or middle twentieth century. To be included, a series must have had one or more regularly appearing characters who fought against espionage, theft, murder and other crimes. Each entry includes series name, air dates, sponsor, extant episodes, cast information and synopsis.


From Radio to the Big Screen

From Radio to the Big Screen

Author: Hal Erickson

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2014-06-11

Total Pages: 317

ISBN-13: 0786477571

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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 favorite broadcast personalities and programs to the 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 analyzed 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.


The Concise Encyclopedia of American Radio

The Concise Encyclopedia of American Radio

Author: Christopher H. Sterling

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2010-04-12

Total Pages: 965

ISBN-13: 1135176841

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The Concise Encyclopedia of American Radio is an essential single-volume reference guide to this vital and evolving medium. Comprised of more than 300 entries spanning the invention of radio to the Internet, this refernce work addresses personalities, music genres, regulations, technology, programming and stations, the "golden age" of radio and other topics relating to radio broadcasting throughout its history. The entries are updated throughout and the volume includes nine new entries on topics ranging from podcasting to the decline of radio.


The Great Radio Heroes, rev. ed.

The Great Radio Heroes, rev. ed.

Author: Jim Harmon

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2015-11-13

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 0786483652

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In 1967, Jim Harmon published the first edition of The Great Radio Heroes to great acclaim. Thirty-three years later comes an illustrated, corrected, revised and greatly expanded new edition... Once there was a time--and it was not so long ago--when radio listening, especially to the dramas, was one of the most important events in many a young person's life. People developed a love affair with the radio, and though the old times are now gone forever, the love affair continues. The heroes and settings of radio drama spurred the imagination to supply its own and much better images than visual media provided. There were no padded shoulders on the Lone Ranger, Superman flew with no jiggly trick photography, and the Martians whom Orson Welles helped attack the Earth were more convincing than anything the movies can provide. For those who have been under the thrall of radio's alluring call, your new host Jim Harmon provides reminiscences of the heyday of radio programming, with insights on such radio dramas as I Love a Mystery, Gangbusters, The Shadow, Inner Sanctum, Batman and Robin, Superman, Tom Mix, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, Adventures by Morse and a couple of dozen more. Photographs, a bibliography, and an index are included to enhance the reader's journey into a past time when radio was the favorite pastime.


Radio Programs, 1924-1984

Radio Programs, 1924-1984

Author: Vincent Terrace

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2015-09-02

Total Pages: 406

ISBN-13: 1476605289

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This is an encyclopedic reference work to 1,802 radio programs broadcast from the years 1924 through 1984. Entries include casts, character relationships, plots and storylines, announcers, musicians, producers, hosts, starting and ending dates of the programs, networks, running times, production information and, when appropriate, information on the radio show's adaptation to television. Many hundreds of program openings and closings are included.


Radio Program Openings and Closings, 1931-1972

Radio Program Openings and Closings, 1931-1972

Author: Vincent Terrace

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2015-06-08

Total Pages: 285

ISBN-13: 1476612234

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The openings and closings to radio programs of all types, from comedies (Blondie, The Jack Benny Program, Lum and Abner) to mysteries (Inner Sanctum Mysteries, The Black Chapel) to game shows (Can You Top This?, Truth or Consequences) to serials (Second Husband, Bachelor's Children) to crime dramas (The Falcon, Eno Crime Clues, The Green Hornet, Mr. and Mrs. North) to westerns (Gunsmoke, Wild Bill Hickok, Hawk Larabee) that were aired between 1931 and 1972, are included in this work. Each entry has a brief introductory paragraph that provides information about the storyline, principal cast, sponsors and air dates. Commercials have been included if the programs were under regular sponsorship. Includes three appendices (sponsors; slogans and jingles; and World War II announcements) and an index.