One Man's Family is an American radio soap opera, heard for almost
three decades, from 1932 to 1959. Created by Carlton E. Morse, it was
the longest-running uninterrupted dramatic serial in the history of
American radio. Television versions of the series aired in prime time
from 1949 to 1952 and in daytime from 1954 to 1955.One Man's Family
debuted as a radio series on April 29, 1932 in Los Angeles, Seattle
and San Francisco, moving to the full West Coast NBC network the
following month, sponsored by Snowdrift and Wesson Oil. On May 17,
1933, it expanded to the full coast-to-coast NBC network as the first
West Coast show heard regularly on the East Coast. The show was
broadcast as a weekly half-hour series (1933-1950) [sustained by
Standard Brands from 1935 through 1949], then shifted to daily
15-minute installments, initially originating from the studios of San
Francisco radio station KPO, NBC's flagship station for the West
Coast, eventually moving to Los Angeles.The series employed a literary
device with episodes divided into books and chapters. Spanning 27
years, the program presented 136 books with 3,256 chapters. Storylines
were set in the Sea Cliff area of San Francisco, California, an area
familiar to San Franciscan Carlton E. Morse. The radio plotline
centered on stockbroker Henry Barbour, his wife Fanny and their five
children (chronologically: Paul, Hazel, the twins Clifford and
Claudia, and Jack). The dialogue included many specific references to
San Francisco, including the Golden Gate Bridge, which the Barbours
could see from their rear living room window or their garden wall.Over
the entire 27-year run, J. Anthony Smythe starred as Henry Barbour.
The first Fanny was Minetta Ellen (1932â€"55), followed by Mary Adams.
Michael Raffetto had the role of author-aviator Paul, but a voice
problem led to his replacement in 1955 by Russell Thorson. Hazel was
played by Bernice Berwin (1932â€"58). Beginning in 1932, Barton
Yarborough portrayed Clifford, but the character was dropped from the
storyline after Yarborough's death from a heart attack on December 19,
1951. Kathleen Wilson introduced the character of Claudia in 1932,
continuing in the role until Claudia married in August 1943 and was
written out of the story. When Claudia returned (1945â€"59), she was
played by Barbara Fuller. Jack was portrayed by Page Gilman.
three decades, from 1932 to 1959. Created by Carlton E. Morse, it was
the longest-running uninterrupted dramatic serial in the history of
American radio. Television versions of the series aired in prime time
from 1949 to 1952 and in daytime from 1954 to 1955.One Man's Family
debuted as a radio series on April 29, 1932 in Los Angeles, Seattle
and San Francisco, moving to the full West Coast NBC network the
following month, sponsored by Snowdrift and Wesson Oil. On May 17,
1933, it expanded to the full coast-to-coast NBC network as the first
West Coast show heard regularly on the East Coast. The show was
broadcast as a weekly half-hour series (1933-1950) [sustained by
Standard Brands from 1935 through 1949], then shifted to daily
15-minute installments, initially originating from the studios of San
Francisco radio station KPO, NBC's flagship station for the West
Coast, eventually moving to Los Angeles.The series employed a literary
device with episodes divided into books and chapters. Spanning 27
years, the program presented 136 books with 3,256 chapters. Storylines
were set in the Sea Cliff area of San Francisco, California, an area
familiar to San Franciscan Carlton E. Morse. The radio plotline
centered on stockbroker Henry Barbour, his wife Fanny and their five
children (chronologically: Paul, Hazel, the twins Clifford and
Claudia, and Jack). The dialogue included many specific references to
San Francisco, including the Golden Gate Bridge, which the Barbours
could see from their rear living room window or their garden wall.Over
the entire 27-year run, J. Anthony Smythe starred as Henry Barbour.
The first Fanny was Minetta Ellen (1932â€"55), followed by Mary Adams.
Michael Raffetto had the role of author-aviator Paul, but a voice
problem led to his replacement in 1955 by Russell Thorson. Hazel was
played by Bernice Berwin (1932â€"58). Beginning in 1932, Barton
Yarborough portrayed Clifford, but the character was dropped from the
storyline after Yarborough's death from a heart attack on December 19,
1951. Kathleen Wilson introduced the character of Claudia in 1932,
continuing in the role until Claudia married in August 1943 and was
written out of the story. When Claudia returned (1945â€"59), she was
played by Barbara Fuller. Jack was portrayed by Page Gilman.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.