Radio Break

The United States Constitution

2006-07-07T13:04:00.000-04:00

"We Hold These Truths" written by Norman Corwin was aired on December 15, 1941 on all the major networks. It was originally intended to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Bill of Rights. However, only eight days before the scheduled air date, the Japanese attacked the Naval installation at Pearl Harbor; throwing our country into terrible war and giving this special presentation an even deeper meaning to the Americans of 1941.

We Hold These Truths411215

2006-07-07T13:00:00.000-04:00

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
1.
Article. I.
Section. 1.
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section. 2.
The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Section. 3.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
Section. 4.
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
Section. 5.
Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Section. 6.
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
Section. 7.
All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
Section. 8.
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Section. 9.
The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
Section. 10.
No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Article. II.
Section. 1.
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:-- I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Section. 2.
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
Section. 3.
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
Section. 4.
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Article III.
Section. 1.
The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section. 2.
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies between two or more States;-- between a State and Citizens of another State;--between Citizens of different States;--between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Section. 3.
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

Article. IV.
Section. 1.
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section. 2.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.
Section. 3.
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
Section. 4.
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.

Article. V.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

Article. VI.

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Article. VII.

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
The Word, the, being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, the Word Thirty being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words is tried being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word the being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.
Attest William Jackson Secretary
Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,
GE. Washington
Presidt and deputy from Virginia
Delaware
Geo: ReadGunning Bedford jun
John Dickinson
Richard Bassett
Jaco: Broom
Maryland
James McHenry
Dan of St Thos. Jenifer
Danl. Carroll
Virginia
John Blair
James Madison Jr.
North Carolina
Wm. Blount
Richd. Dobbs SpaightHu Williamson
South Carolina
J. Rutledge
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
Charles Pinckney
Pierce Butler
Georgia
William Few
Abr Baldwin
New Hampshire
John Langdon
Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts
Nathaniel Gorham
Rufus King
Connecticut
Wm. Saml. Johnson
Roger Sherman
New York
Alexander Hamilton
New Jersey
Wil: Livingston
David Brearley
Wm. PatersonJona: Dayton
Pennsylvania
B Franklin
Thomas Mifflin
Robt. Morris
Geo. Clymer
Thos. FitzSimons
Jared Ingersoll
James Wilson
Gouv Morris

Bill of Rights

2006-07-07T12:50:00.000-04:00

The Preamble to The Bill of Rights
1. Congress of the United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.
ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution

Amendment I
2. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Purfuit of Happineff

2006-07-01T09:50:00.000-04:00

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refuted his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred. to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
— John Hancock
New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Cavalcade of America 360101

2006-07-01T09:49:00.000-04:00

Campbell Theatre 390526

2006-07-01T09:48:00.000-04:00

Totalitarianism

2006-06-24T20:30:00.000-04:00

Over the next three weeks, we'll be looking at American Freedom and what it means. We're going to begin by looking at what can happen when Liberty is stolen. These two classic cautionary tales are, I think, just as, if not even more relevant today than they were when they were penned over 50 years ago. George Orwell's "1984" looks at a society where the government has made it a crime for independent thought. The citizen lives under constant threat of random electronic surveillance, and people can be taken without cause. Aldous Huxley painted a picture of technology run amok. The world has become depersonalized. People have become self-indulgent sheep. Love and affection are dead.

Although, both of these stories have relevant points for today's listener, I ask you to listen carefully to "1984." I feel we may be edging chillingly close to Orwell's nightmarish vision.

As always, please feel free to leave comments. Over the next two weeks I shall finish this series on Freedom. I would like to hear YOUR thoughts.

1984

2006-06-24T20:09:00.000-04:00

Brave New World pt1

2006-06-24T20:08:00.000-04:00

Brave New World pt2

2006-06-24T20:07:00.000-04:00

The Royal Family

2006-06-18T01:55:00.000-04:00

The three very attractive people pictured above are, of course, the Barrymores; the “Royal Family of Broadway.” Through their mother, Georgy Drew, they were born into a long theatrical tradition in America, and before that, in England. Their Grandmother, Mrs. John Drew, ran the Arch St. Theatre in Philadelphia in the late 19th century. These three children grew up in Philadelphia, the grandchildren and children of famous forbears. The oldest, Ethel, grasped the family tradition and ran. By 1901, she was the toast of Broadway in one of her first shows: “Captain Jinx of the Horse Marines.” Lionel and John both came to the Theatre later. Unlike their older sister, neither of them really wanted to be an actor. John wanted to be an artist. Lionel would have preferred either art or music as a career. But, they both succumbed to the family trade. Lionel first, then the youngest, John. Lionel was the first of all three to go into films however. He was a true pioneer, making his first movies in 1911. Throughout the twenties, both of the boys’ careers flourished in Hollywood. Lionel was terribly prolific as a character actor; and John’s handsome looks ensured him success as a leading man. Ethel continued to focus on the stage for her career. By this time, she was the uncontested Queen of Broadway. She made few appearances in film, and even fewer on radio. The three of them only made one film together: “Rasputin and the Empress.”

John on Rudy Vallee 410501

2006-06-18T01:41:00.000-04:00

Even though he was very successful on both stage and in film, John, unfortunately, had a very severe drinking problem. This of course, affected his ability and reliability as an actor. His hard-drinking, hard-partying, larger than life way of living caught up with him. By the time commercial radio was widespread, his career was seriously on the skids. His film characters had become sad parodies of himself. Rudy Vallee took him on his “Fleischmann Hour” as a second banana. He mainly just parodied himself, but better than anybody else could ever have done Occasionally, as in this episode, you can hear echoes of the great actor coming through. John died in 1942. At the relatively young age of 54, of complications brought on from his drinking.

A Christmas Carol 391224 -Lionel

2006-06-18T01:34:00.000-04:00

Lionel was a radio tradition and staple. His portrayal of Dickens’ Scrooge on Christmas Eve lasted from 1934 until his last Christmas in1953. He only missed one year, 1936, the year his beloved wife lay dying. That year, John filled in. Lionel also guested on practically every show he could.. Lionel was one of Hollywood’s great character actors. Like his younger brother, he also had a substance abuse problem. Lionel’s substance, however, was cocaine, not alcohol. Unlike John, Lionel never worked under the influence. When Lionel died, he was the Grand Old Man of both Hollywood and MGM..

Suspense 490106 Ethel Barrymore

2006-06-18T01:29:00.000-04:00

Ethel’s film work was rare. Her radio work was even more rare. When most people think of Ethel, I think what comes to mind was a doughty old matron. But in her youth, she was a great beauty. John Singer Sargent sketched her. Winston Churchill proposed to her. She was the toast of two continents. This episode of “Suspense” with Gene Kelly, reflects the popular image of Ethel, an older matron. It was 1949, The end was drawing nigh for that generation of Barrymore’s. We shall not see their like again.

Benny and Company

2006-06-11T17:37:00.000-04:00

Jack Benny's program was undoubtedly one of the most successful programs on radio. One of the main reasons for its' 23 year run, was its' phenomenal supporting cast. This can be most clearly illustrated by the fact that two of Jack's cast were able to spin-off on their own into their own successful series. And other's in Jack's cast also went on to success in other venues. Kenny Baker, Jack's first naive young boy singer, left to go to Fred Allen's show. Don Wilson, while continuing to work for Benny, went on to announce many other shows.

Jack Benny 500528

2006-06-11T17:35:00.000-04:00

The two members of the company who were able to spin-off were, of course, Dennis Day and Phil Harris.

Phil Harris 481024

2006-06-11T17:25:00.000-04:00

Before the Benny program, Phil Harris was a popular band leader. It was on the Benny program, however, that he developed into a top-notch comedian; developing the blustering, party-hard, illiterate funster that he carried over into "The Fitch Bandwagon" which later became "The Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show." During the early years, Phil did both shows. On his own show, he portrayed the band leader on the Benny show. After he left the Benny show, he became an independent band leader married to a movie star, Alice Faye.

Dennis Day 470122

2006-06-11T17:14:00.000-04:00

Dennis Day's show wasn't strictly speaking a spin-off. He played another character with the same name and characteristics and personality, but the Dennis Day of "A Day In the Life of Dennis Day" wasn't the same character. This Dennis said he could sing better!! On this show, Dennis played a soda jerk who lived in a rooming house run by his girlfriends disapproving parents. The last couple of years it became a standard musical/variety show.

Command Performance: Dick Tracy

2006-06-03T17:35:00.000-04:00

“Command Performance” had the biggest stars, the lowest overhead and production costs, was immensely successful, and was heard on network radio only once The reason for this, is that it was produced for American overseas troops during World War II. It was broadcast over short-wave to the overseas soldiers. Because it was for the troops, it was all done on a volunteer basis;production crew, talent, even studio space was

donated. There were no production costs at all The only time the public got to here this wonderful program, was for the Christmas Show in 1942. On this occasion, all four networks did a simultaneous broadcast so that families could, in a small way, share the holiday with their loved ones fighting “over there.”

The show was, for the most part, a request/musical/variety show. The requests came from the overseas troops themselves. The longer the show ran, the more bizarre some of the requests got. They ranged from something as simple as Ginny Sims singing a favorite popular song, to bacon sizzling on a hot griddle while being cooked by Rita Hayworth My favorite, is probably Charles Laughton giving diction lessons to Donald Duck.

This particular episode went slightly off the normal format, and presented an hour-long all-star presentation written especially for “Command Performance.” “Dick Tracy in B Flat.” It featured: Bing Crosby (as Tracy), Dinah Shore (as Tess Trueheart), Bob Hope, Jerry Colonna, Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Jimmy Durante, Frank Sinatra, and Harry Von Zell. It’s a cute little operetta about the wedding of Chester Gould’s square jawed detective and his ever patient girl-friend Tess Trueheart. It’s a lot of fun, and I hope you enjoy it.

Sunset Boulevard

2006-05-19T21:12:00.000-04:00

Next week, there will be no update. I'm going to be out of town at Cinevent in Columbus. In honor of Cinevent, I've posted a Lux Radio Theatre set in Hollywood, and about movies (kinda.) It stars both real life silent queen Gloria Swanson and William Holden reprising their roles from the Billy Wilder film. Unfortunately, Cecil B. DeMille had already disassociated from the show and therefore does not reprise his role. But it is still a wonderful adaptation of this great film.

Mother's Day

2006-05-14T11:31:00.000-04:00

On May 8, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson approved a joint resolution of Congress declaring: "the second Sunday in May shall hereafter be designated and known as Mother's Day." This resolution was introduced into Congress by J. Thomas Heflin of Alabama. And Mother’s Day has been an American Institution ever since. Unofficially, it had been a holiday since before 1890.

Jack Benny -380508-Mother's Day

2006-05-14T11:30:00.000-04:00

Phil Harris 490508 Mother's Day Present.

2006-05-14T11:29:00.000-04:00

All The News that's Fit To Hear

2006-05-06T11:10:00.000-04:00

"Oh The Humanity"

2006-05-06T10:58:00.000-04:00

Lakehurst, New Jersey. May 6, 1937. After some light rain, the weather began to clear, and the colossus of the air lanes, the Hindenburg, approached the mooring mast for its' delayed landing. As the silver leviathan dropped her mooring cables and jettisoned ballast, there was a sudden flash in the aft section of the airship. And Herb Morrison of WLS, Chicago, was there to tell us about it. And modern broadcast journalism was accidentally born.

Morrison wasn't there by accident. It was supposed to be a transcribed recording of the landing, which marked the first anniversary of the Hindenburg's transatlantic service. But Morrison's reporting of the disaster as it happened, transformed the way we receive the news. It was inevitable that disaster reporting would begin sooner or later. This happened to be the first. From here on in, "as it happens" coverage would bring major events into peoples living rooms.

"This is London"

2006-05-06T10:47:00.000-04:00

In 1939 Germany invaded Poland and World War II officially began. CBS had been beefing up its' London Bureau since 1937, as it was becoming obvious that England would be sucked into the maelstrom. Edward R. Murrow and his "boys"(who included William Schirer and Eric Severaid), set a high standard for war coverage that placed CBS at the top of the journalistic mountain. A place it enjoyed for decades thereafter.

London was just the first of many jewels in the journalistic crown that Murrow wore. A crown which also included: "See It Now"("Hear It Now" on radio), "This I Believe"(recently revived on NPR), "Person To Person", and head of the United States Information Agency (by appointment from President Kennedy). He also took on Senator Joseph McCarthey, and helped to bring an end to the red witch hunts of the late '40's and early '50's (see "Good Night, and Good Luck").

"A Date Which Will Live in Infamy"

2006-05-06T10:39:00.000-04:00

In December 1941, when the United States joined the fray, radio was there for Roosevelt's "Date which will live in infamy" address to Congress on December 8. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the first President to effectively use radio as a tool. He used his "Fireside Chats" to sell his New Deal programs which helped pull the Nation out of The Great Depression.

The Crooners!

2006-04-29T18:29:00.000-04:00

Vallee

2006-04-29T18:27:00.000-04:00

Music, of course, has always had a place on radio. Once upon a time, the most popular singers were given their own musical variety programs. During the Jazz Age of the 1920's, a new style of singing developed, crooning. This was a direct result of the development of electronic microphones. A singer could sing softer and control intonation by controlling distance from the mic. One of the first of these crooners was Rudy Vallee. Rudy was most closely associated with “The Fleischman Hour” on radio. He also had a successful recording and film career.

Jolie

2006-04-29T18:26:00.000-04:00

At the same time that Rudy Vallee’s popularity was ascending, another dynamic vaudeville performer was moving up to Broadway. And then from Broadway, he was able to move into films, where he made one of the most important developments in film history. Of course, I’m referring to “The World’s Greatest Entertainer”, Al Jolson. He spoke the first words in a major motion picture when he ad-libbed some lines to the character of his mother in Warner Brothers’ semi-silent “The Jazz Singer”. Though not a crooner, he was most definitely a belter, he’s included here because of his immense popularity and influence on popular culture and performance.

Bing

2006-04-29T18:22:00.000-04:00

After these two, the next major crooning star to come along was young Harry Crosby from Spokane Washington. Better known as Bing, he began with Paul Whiteman’s Orchestra as one of the Rhythm Boys. He quickly struck out on his own and became one of the biggest stars of all time; with success in radio, television, and film (winning two Oscars). Bing’s career lasted almost 50 years. After World War II , Bing’s show was the first to use magnetic tape; a technology developed by the Germans.

Sinatra

2006-04-29T18:18:00.000-04:00

From Hoboken, came a skinny boy with a big bow tie. Frank Sinatra first came to national prominence with the Tommy Dorsey Band in the late 1930's. He quickly became a national sensation. When he performed, swooning was the norm. He was as big as, maybe even bigger, than Elvis and the Beatles. He was definitely the first superstar in that league. His style and musicianship influenced generations to come. And his career was long and successful (his last album was as recent as the mid-90's ) The Chairman of the Board was amazingly successful in both radio and films. On radio, he had his own action/adventure series (Rocky Fortune), and a successful musical/variety program for Lucky Strike. In film, he won an Oscar for “From Here to Eternity”. And he was the basis for Johnny Fontaine in “The Godfather”.

Shakespeare on the Radio

2006-04-22T15:14:00.001-04:00

William Shakespeare of Stratford-Upon-Avon was born a few days before April 23, 1564. We don’t know the exact date. We do know that he was baptized on the 23rd. This son of a glover, of course, grew up to be THE giant of English literature. Modern English was still in it’s infancy; and many of the expressions and idioms that we now take for granted, were, in fact, coined by Shakespeare. The Elizabethan London theatre began to really develop in 1576, when Burbage built The Theatre in the Shoreditch area of London. When it’s lease ran out many years later, Burbage, and his business associates, including one William Shakespeare, actually stole the building off the grounds and transported it timber by timber over the iced over Thames River, to the Bankside area just outside of London. There it was rebuilt as The Globe. By this time Shakespeare was already a successful actor/playwright, and was a full partner of the new Globe.

Julius Caesar

2006-04-22T15:14:00.000-04:00

One of the first shows at the Globe was “Julius Caesar” in 1599. This presentation by Orson Welles’ Mercury Theatre is interesting because of the juxtaposition of Shakespeare’s dialogue with excerpts from Plutarch providing narrative exposition. This recording is of a rehearsal (the actual broadcast is, alas, lost). But, it is interesting in that we get to hear Welles the director as well as Welles the actor.

Othello Part 1

2006-04-22T15:13:00.000-04:00

Othello Part 2

2006-04-22T15:12:00.000-04:00

This 1953 broadcast of “Suspense” was presented during Elliot Lewis’ tenure as director of the series. He cast himself as the jealous moor that Shakespeare created in 1604.

Greatest Story Ever Told-- The Crucifixion

2006-04-15T12:29:00.000-04:00

This isn't the best program ever; but, it somehow seems appropriate this weekend.

Humphrey Bogart

2006-04-08T17:15:00.000-04:00

Hollywood's relationship with radio was very different from its' relationship with television. Most big stars often did radio. Some stars were quite uncomfortable with a live , national performance. But, then again. some thoroughly enjoyed it. Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and Humphrey Bogart all enjoyed working on radio.

Humphrey Bogart appeared in adaptations of many of his classic film roles, guest starred on comedy/variety shows, and even starred in his own syndicated series with his wife: Lauren Bacall.

Bergen and McCarthy

2006-04-08T17:13:00.000-04:00

This episode let's Bogie have a little fun with his tough guy image. He and Charley discuss opening a private prison.

Academy Award Theatre--The Maltese Falcon

2006-04-08T17:06:00.000-04:00

Both Academy Award Theatre and Lux Radio Theatre did adaptations of John Huston's film "The Maltese Falcon". The Lux version is superior in the respect that it is an hour long, and therefore a more complete adaptation. The Academy Award version, however, is superior in that it has Bogart, Sydney Greenstreet, and Mary Astor all reprising their roles. Because it is only a half-an-hour adaptation, it does move very fast.

Lux Radio Theatre- To Have and to Have Not

2006-04-08T16:58:00.000-04:00

This is an excellent adaptation of a good film of a great novel. Bogie and Bacall's Steve and Slim come to life and make this adventure tale work. It makes you just want to whistle.

Bold Venture --Cooking for Tommy Reed

2006-04-08T16:46:00.000-04:00

In the early '50's, as transcription became more common, Bogart was persuaded to do a syndicated action/adventure series of his own co-starring Lauren Bacall. This show was "Bold Venture". Even though it wasn't, it almost seemed to be a continuation of "To Have and to Have Not." Steve and Slim became Slate Shannon and Sailor Duval. A charter boat and hotel owner in Havana and his sexy "ward". With musical accompaniment provided by Jester Hairston as King Moses. the listener was transported to high adventure on the Caribbean.

The Perfect Fool-- Ed Wynn

2006-04-01T16:38:00.000-05:00

Ed Wynn was never really meant to be a radio star. His vaudeville success led to Broadway success, and after Ed and the Shubert's parted over the actor's strike of 1919 (Ed siding with the actor's), he started producing his own musicals; including "The Perfect Fool" which became his nick name forevermore. He came to radio by accident. Legend has it that an adman asked him how much it would take to bring him to radio. Not being interested, Ed threw out the ridiculous figure of $5,000 a week. He was immediately signed. In 1922 "The Perfect Fool" became the first Broadway show to be broadcast in its' entirety at WJZ, Newark. The show was two-and-a-half hours long. When the jokes started to fall flat in the empty studio, an audience of stage-hands, idle engineers, and anybody else they could find was quickly assembled to form the first studio audience of a radio broadcast.

Ed's persona on radio was very different from his stage persona. On stage, he was a clown rather than a comedian. The difference being that a clown could make you cry. On "The Fire Chief" he became a standard vaudeville comedian, exchanging rapid fire gags with co-star Graham McNamee. This enforced change of style, and severe mike fright made Ed very unhappy. According to his son, actor Keenan Wynn, "Suddenly he was locked in to coming up with 55 jokes every week. Basically he was very visual, a very gentle man who was put under great stress by everyone. He did the best he could. He was a very sad man." In 1935, "The Fire Chief" went off the air. There were a few more programs for Ed, but none as successful. On television, in the '50's, he was given a dramatic role in "Requiem For a Heavyweight". This led to other dramatic roles; and in 1959, Ed was nominated for an Oscar for "The Diary of Ann Frank".

Ed Wynn 450205

2006-04-01T16:36:00.000-05:00

Ed Wynn 321113

2006-04-01T16:29:00.000-05:00

This second show above is a particular favorite of mine because it was recorded at the Hanna Theatre in Cleveland. This wonderful theatre still stands, and I worked there for several months back in the '80's. I didn't know much about Ed Wynn or radio in those days. But the theatre is an old friend.

2006-03-27T10:20:00.000-05:00

"Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!' may be the most famous opening of any radio show ever! For 16 years, these words transported people to the sides of Lamont Cranston and the lovely Margot Lane as they fearlessly fought crime.

"The Shadow" actually had much more mundane origins however. The character was created for 1930's "Detective Hour" as a host to introduce the weekly mystery show adapted from Detective Story Magazine. On these first shows, John La Cuarta played the mysterious announcer. After a few weeks, La Cuarta left to work on Broadway, and he was replaced by Frank Readick. Even though the program was an anthology by nature and changed names many times over the next few years, the public wanted to know more about the mysterious Shadow. The first story to actually feature the Shadow and give Lamont Cranston (The Shadow's alter-ego[or day job, if you will])voice aired in 1935 and featured Carl Kroenke.

In 1937, the move was made to the big time. "The Shadow" first aired on Mutual and starred the already legendary Broadway producer/director/actor Orson Welles (who was still only 22!). Welles, who was already famous in New York theatre circles; but relatively unknown on radio, was hired for $185 a week. He also was not required to attend rehearsals (his busy theatre schedule would not permit it), and only saw the script for the first time for performance! When The Shadow got in trouble, even Welles didn't know how he got out until the audience did. Welles brought both Agnes Morehead and Ray Collins from his Mercury Theatre company*. As talented as Welles was, he couldn't master The Shadow's laugh for the opening; so, an old recording of Frank Readick's voice was inserted!

After Welles left in 1938, he was succeeded by Bill Johnstone, Brett Morrison, John Archer, and Steve Courtleigh. Morrison played The Shadow more than any other, logging over 400 broadcasts. The Last episode of "The Shadow" was broadcast in late 1954. But the legend still lives on, I think.

"The weeds of crime bear bitter fruit. Crime does not pay...The Shadow knows!"

*Before coming to the radio, Mercury was the name of Orson Welles' and John Houseman's theatrical production company that produced Welles revolutionary productions: "Macbeth", "The Cradle Will Fall", and others.

Orson Welles 380116

2006-03-25T22:37:00.000-05:00

Bill Johnstone 381002

2006-03-25T22:35:00.000-05:00

Brett Morrison 470105

2006-03-25T22:31:00.000-05:00

Fibber McGee and Molly 390523

2006-03-18T11:59:00.000-05:00

In 1935 some new people moved into the house at 79 Wistful Vista: Fibber McGee and his wife Molly. In real life known as Jim and Marian Jordan. This radio classic was the brainchild of Don Quinn. It was Quinn, as much as Jim Jordan, who shaped "Fibber McGee and Molly". His brilliant writing complemented the Jordan's characterizations brilliantly. Quinn and the Jordans' first teamed up on "Farmer Rusk Hour" in 1929. "Farmer Rusk" eventually led to "Smackout"; which led to "Fibber McGee and Molly".

On "Smackout" Jim Jordan ran a store that was always Smackout of everything, and he would always have a tall tale to tell. Marion played the little girl across the street(both also played many other characters as well). These characters were the seeds of the later characters of Teeny and Fibber on "FM&M". The success of "FM&M" was as much Quinn's writing as well as Jim's characterization of a teller of tall tales and Marian's portrayal of ever patient wife, Molly. And a successful show it was. It ran until 1959 in one form or another. Mostly, it was a standard 30 minute sitcom. Much later it shifted to a five day a week 15 minute comedy-serial. It finally closed its' run as a series of short skits on "Monitor" in 1959. Also in 1959, the show tried television, but without the Jordan's. It wasn't a success.

Another element of the shows overall success was it's parade of comic characters: Gildersleeve, Latrivia, Oldtimer, Boomer, Beulah, Lina, and many others. It was these peripheral characters that led to the invention of the spin-off series.

The Great Gildersleeve 430131

2006-03-18T11:39:00.000-05:00

The very first spin-off ever, was "The Great Gildersleeve" in 1941. The character of Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve was slowly developed by Hal Peary on "Fibber McGee and Molly" throughout the late '30's. He began as a series of minor roles all named Gildersleeve (Doctor, Salesman, etc.) Eventually, he became McGee's next door neighbor. Gildy and McGee always bickered, quite often ending with Gildersleeve exclaiming "You're a haaaaard man McGee!!" By the time he left Wistful Vista, he had stabilized as the owner of the Gildersleeve Girdle Company. In 1941, Gildy went to Summerfield to oversee the affairs of his orphaned niece Marjorie and nephew Leroy(Lureene Tuttle[originally]and Walter Tetley). And, to get his own show. Through the years "The Great Gildersleeve" acquired en ensemble to equal any other sitcom cast on radio. If Fibber McGee was all bluff, then Gildersleeve was all bluster. A plump, jovial, windbag with a hair trigger temper; his courtships and misadventures kept America amused through 1957. In 1950, Hal Peary left the show. He was replaced by Willard Waterman. Waterman and Peary, in Chicago days, often competed for the same roles. And when you listen to the shows, it's difficult to tell one Gildy from the other.

Beulah 1957

2006-03-18T09:36:00.000-05:00

During WWII, in 1944, the McGee's got a maid. And her name was...Beulah. Beulah was portrayed with much energy by Marlin Hirt, a white man. His response of "Somebody bawl for Beulah!" when called, and "Love's dat man!" after one of Fibber's bad jokes, became national catch phrases. The popularity of Beulah earned her a spin-off series of her own in 1945. The show was a hit. But, tragically, the star, Marlin Hirt, had a fatal heart attack near the end of the first season. The show went off the air for a short time, and was later revived. First with another white man, Bob Corley. Then, Oscar winner Hattie McDaniel took the role for four seasons. And then, the Randolph sisters: first Lillian (who was also Birdie on "The Great Gildersleeves" then Amanda. Beulah finally wrapped up in 1954.

The Very Irish...Dennis Day

2006-03-11T11:30:00.000-05:00

"I have two shows Bub!" was Owen Patrick McNulty's oft said phrase to his boss, Jack Benny. McNulty was, of course, better known as Dennis Day. And two shows he did indeed have. In 1939, he joined the Benny program, replacing Kenny Baker. Dennis' character was very similar to Baker's: a young, naive, somewhat goofy, yet very talented tenor (in Dennis' case, an Irish Tenor.) Over the years, Dennis was able to ratchet up the goofiness, and in 1946 was able to branch out into his own show. He never left Benny though; and it became a running gag that he had two shows, compared to Benny's measly one. In addition to a nice singing voice, he was a natural mimic (his Ronald Colman was dead on,) and a great comic. "A Day in the Life of Dennis Day" wasn't a spin-off exactly. Even though the character shared the same name, and the same traits as the character he played on Benny, he frequently made a point of saying he was not the same person. The character on "Day in the Life..." could sing better! "Day in the Life..." was a sitcom with Dennis working as a soda jerk, and dealing with his girl friend's disapproving mother, from whom he rented a room. In later years (ca. 1950,) the show took on a musical/variety format, with Dennis still maintaining the same character.

Jack Benny-460317 Dennis retuns from Navy

2006-03-11T11:25:00.000-05:00

Dennis Day- 470319

2006-03-11T11:22:00.000-05:00

The Oscars

2006-03-04T20:11:00.000-05:00

In 1927 the first Academy Awards were held. The Best picture was "Wings" with Clara Bow, Buddy Rogers, and Gary Cooper. There is no recording to mark this event, which is appropriate, because film was still silent. The end of that great age of film was just beginning. Radio didn't bring us the Oscars until 1930. Then they were small, comparatively low-key affairs covered only by local radio. In 1942 they went national when they were picked up by the CBS network. In 1944's show was hosted by Jack Benny and was the first to go world-wide via a short-wave hook-up so our over-seas military personnel could listen. The show lasted a whopping 30 minutes, with "Casablanca" winning Best Picture. Bob Hope, who became closely associated with the awards, first hosted in 1945 (the ceremony here for download) on the NBC Blue network. This year, the show ballooned to 70 minutes. By 1947, it was running at a more familiar (to modern viewers) three hours. In 1952 they made the inevitable jump to television. The last radio broadcast of the Oscars was in 1968.

Academy Award Theatre 460504 Stagecoach

2006-03-04T20:00:00.000-05:00

The Academy Award Theatre wasn't a success. And it's a shame. In format, it was very much like the Lux Radio Theatre; big stars reprising their roles in radio adaptations of their screen successes. The hook was that every play was based on an Academy Award winning film, or at least a nominee. It only ran for 39 weeks, from March through December of 1946. It had a high budget, which was reflected in not only its' star power, but also its' attention to detail. It's re-creation of John Fords' Stagecoach" employed four soundmen to achieve the proper effect of a stage speeding westward. Eventually, and unfortunately sooner, rather than later, the high production cost took its' toll. And this show went off the air in December.

Amos'n'Andy

2006-02-25T13:02:00.000-05:00

One of the longest running and most successful shows in radio was "Amos'n'Andy." Not only was it one of the longest running, it may also be (though unintentionally) one of the most controversial.

The show really began in 1926 at the radio studios of the Chicago Tribune at WGN. The original intent was to create a "radio strip" very much like a comic strip; short and five times a week. Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll were assigned to develop this strip as as an on air version of the Tribune's popular comic strip: "The Gumps". Gosden and Correl, who had been performing together on the air in a musical act, thought they could do better by creating a strip based on the hardships encountered by the thousands of African-Americans who migrated to Chicago since the end of the Civil War. They came up with the characters of Sam Smith and Henry Johnson, Sam'n'Henry, in a week. Sam'n'Henry, which was the first regular show with scripted characters was about two young men who came to Chicago from Birmingham, Alabama, and the hardships they endured. It wasn't an immediate success, but it built a large loyal audience very quickly. The success even surprised Gosden and Correll. Being creative,ambitious, and industrious, they had a revolutionary idea. In order to reach an audience outside of Chicago, why not record the programs on disc, and sell them to other radio stations? They had invented syndication. The Tribune, however, didn't share their vision, and wouldn't allow them to follow that track.

Sam'n'Henry260420

2006-02-25T12:38:00.000-05:00

When their contracts were up at WGN, in December 1927, Gosden and Corell went to WMAQ, with a large pay raise. The Tribune, however, maintained ownership of the characters of Sam'n'Henry. Gosden and Corell made a few changes: the characters now came from Atlanta, Georgia instead of Birmingham, and most importantly: the names were changed to Amos Jones and Andrew Hogg Brown...Amos'n'Andy. Amos'n'Andy premiered on WMAQ in March 1928. It continued it's format as a 15 minute, five day a week serial. And was syndicated across the country.

In these early programs, Gosden and Corell did everything themselves: wrote, directed,and acted ALL the roles. The female characters, though developed, were never heard. They would be talked about, or on the off-mic end of a telephone conversation. There was no studio audience. In fact, Gosden and Correll allowed no one in the studio with them at all in order to minimize distractions.

These syndicated programs grew in popularity. And, eventually, the major network (NBC) took notice, and bought the show outright. The first network broadcast of Amos'n'Andy was in August of 1929. And the shows' popularity continued to grow. It's estimated that in 1931, at the height of the shows popularity, it had as many as 40 million listeners. At the time, that was ONE THIRD of the U.S. population. It's legend how stores would pipe it through so that their patrons wouldn't miss a minute of the ongoing saga of Amos'n'Andy and the Fresh Air Taxi Company. It's been said that on a summer's day, you could walk down the street and not miss a second of the program due to the sound spill from the houses. It's success was completely unprecedented.

Amos'n'Andy390404

2006-02-25T11:54:00.000-05:00

Over time, the character of Amos gradually receded, and another prominent character developed. That of George "Kingfish" Stevens. The leader of "The Mystic Knights of the Sea" lodge. And, as the depression, and then the war drew on, ratings began to slip. By 1943, the show was in trouble. A new format was needed, and in October 1943, Amos'n'Andy became a half-hour sitcom. The themes of the show changed radically. Instead of the hardships of poor African-Americans, it changed to how many ways can Kingfish swindle and use Andy. Amos, of course, still remained; but his prominence in the stories lessened. Instead of a plot driver, he now became the paragon of common sense, and the wise voice of reason, always warning Andy to watch the Kingfish. In 1948, when William Paley raided NBC's talent pool, Amos'n'Andy went to CBS for Two million dollars. Where it ran as a sitcom until 1955. The characters continued on however, as hosts of a music program entitled: "Amos'n'Andy's Music Hall", until 1960.

Amos'nAndy441201

2006-02-25T11:15:00.000-05:00

Today, Amos'n'Andy is often regarded as "politically incorrect." The major sticking point is that two white actors were portraying black stereotypes. Perhaps. But I think it's best to put these shows in proper historical perspective. In 1926 "black face" acts were still quite common in entertainment (Jolson's "Jazz Singer" was 1927.) Jim Crow was still in effect in the south. It was a much less enlightened time. Remember, the Civil War was only 60 years past. As recent as World War II is to us today. Gosden and Corell weren't necessarily racist; they were men of their time. It's easy to vilify social wrongs in a past time, and very unfair. In 1926, it wasn't viewed as wrong. And as the show grew, as Andy and Kingfish grew more ridiculous, Amos grew in wisdom and intelligence. It's often forgotten or overlooked that Amos personified the American Dream: hard work and conscientiousness lead to success and happiness.

2006-02-18T11:37:00.000-05:00

Mr. President-- Washington

2006-02-18T11:35:00.000-05:00

Mr. President-- Jefferson

2006-02-18T11:33:00.000-05:00

2006-02-18T11:20:00.000-05:00

This week’s choice was obvious: “Mr. President.” This show ran on fledgling ABC from 1947-53, and starred Edward Arnold as a different President of the United States every week. The gimmick, was that you would have to guess which one; the answer, not being revealed until the end. The stories were more anecdotal than any point of great historical significance, so it wasn’t always easy to guess (the names being changed [to protect the innocent]). To portray The Presidents, all of them, the producers looked for someone with “the aggressiveness of Teddy Roosevelt, the warmth and humility of Abe Lincoln, and the tenacity of Andrew Jackson.” And the result, Edward Arnold, played them all the same. He purposely did not try to play each one. But, rather created a generic “Mr. President.” The success of this show garnered Arnold several invitations to the real White House from the real Mr President, Harry Truman; who called Edward Arnold.... Mr. President!

The Two Jacks

2006-02-11T10:32:00.001-05:00

Valentine’s Day is not one of my favorite holidays. So, only one of this weeks offerings is a Valentine program. But, it has a twist. Fortunately, February 14th also provides us with the birthdays of two of my favorite stars: The Two Jacks; Benny and Barrymore.

Jack Benny 410216

2006-02-11T10:26:00.000-05:00

February 14, 2006 marks Jack Benny’s 39th birthday for the 73rd time. Born Benjamin Kubelsky in Waukegan, Illinois, he began his show in 1932 for Canada Dry. This show bears little resemblance to the more familiar programs of the late ‘30's-mid 50's. But it gradually evolved. His perfect ensemble cast being added one by one. Mary first, then Don, then Phil, then Rochester, and finally Dennis. By 1937, the ensemble was in place. And, Jack’s character was imbedded in the American consciousness. Jack’s career began in vaudeville, where he worked under various names and different acts. As we all know his career flourished and moved from vaudeville to radio to film to television. Today, most people think of Jack’s television performances first; and they were really just a continuation of his radio program. But, I think radio was really his strong suit. In radio he was able to apply a type of surrealism that couldn’t be applied on TV. The vault just didn’t work as well; Carmichael was an impossibility; just to give a couple of examples. Perhaps in today’s CGI world these things could be possible; but then, no.
If you were to meet someone like the character “Jack” that Jack portrayed, you probably wouldn’t like him. He was vain, egotistical, argumentative, and incredibly tight-fisted. Not every comedian could have made this character lovable. But audiences responded. I think this is because Jack’s true nature still shone through. By all accounts, he was one of the kindest, most generous stars in Hollywood. Which also accounts for why his ensemble was able to flourish so wonderfully, and create these radio classics.

John Barrymore--Rudy Vallee410501

2006-02-11T10:19:00.000-05:00

John Sidney Blythe Barrymore was born on February 14, 1882 in Philadelphia. He was the youngest of the three children of actors Maurice Barrymore (1847-1905) and Georgiana Drew (1855-1893). John was born into one of the most illustrious theatre families in America; but it wasn’t the Barrymore name that carried history, it was the Drew’s. Maurice “borrowed” the Barrymore name from a theatrical poster in England. His real name was Blythe.
John didn’t really want to be an actor, and came to it quite reluctantly. He would have preferred to be an artist. And he did work as an illustrator for a time. But the “family curse” as he called it, called him. It may have been frustration from this, or the pains of having two famous, yet absent parents (the children were raised more by their Grandmother Louisa Drew), sibling rivalry with two very successful actors or any number of other things that contributed to his destructive alcoholism.
Though John was the youngest, he probably left the greatest impact on Theatre. His “Hamlet”(1922) broke Edwin Booth’s record as the longest running Hamlet on Broadway and influenced future Hamlets, including Gielgud and Olivier who in turn influenced other Hamlet’s.
By the late ‘30's, The Great Profile was a burned out has-been who couldn’t stay sober enough to even remember his lines. He joined “The Fleishmann Hour with Rudy Vallee” as a second banana and parody of himself. Yet, sometimes you could still hear whispers of the great actor. Such as in this episode in which John is able to do scenes from “Richard III” with his older brother Lionel. Two Barrymores doing Shakespeare. It doesn’t get much better than that

Quiet Please--Valentine

2006-02-11T10:16:00.000-05:00

I don’t really (as I said earlier) like Valentine’s Day. But this show is different. It’s not gushy. It’s more of a sentimental ghost story. There is a twist though, and you should be able to figure it out before the end. All the clues are there. I felt pretty silly when I didn’t. It’s really very obvious

Elliot Lewis

2006-02-04T23:35:00.000-05:00

One of the most multi-talented people in radio was undoubtedly Elliot Lewis. He was a great comedian, as demonstrated on "The Phil Harris/Alice Faye Show"; he could do action/adventure, such as on "Voyage of the Scarlet Queen"; write and direct, as demonstrated on many other shows, most notably on "Suspense", with which he was director for three years.

Phil Harris/Alice Faye 531127-Traffic Problems in LA

2006-02-04T23:16:00.000-05:00

The "Phil Harris/Alice Faye Show" featured Lewis as Frankie Remley; Phil's second banana, and the instigator of the plot driving schemes which usually got Phil in trouble with Alice. The real Frankie Remley (and yes, there was one!) was the guitarist in Phil's orchestra on "The Jack Benny Program". On the Benny show, he was often joked about (his carousing and shady exploits), but was never heard. And over time, a fully developed off-stage character actually developed, although he never spoke a word. When Phil began his own spin-off show in 1946, the character of Remley went with him. And, on the new show, he was finally given a voice by Elliot Lewis. After a couple of years, the real Remley began to protest the use of his name. So, the character's name was changed to...Elliot Lewis. The Harris show ran until 1954.

Voyage of the Scarlet Queen 470703-Shanghai Secret

2006-02-04T23:04:00.000-05:00

On "Voyage of the Scarlet Queen", Elliot Lewis portrayed: Phil Carney, Master of the ketch "Scarlet Queen". I can't prove it, but I really got a hunch that Gene Roddenberry was familiar with this show. To me, it seems a lot like "Star Trek" on a sailing vessel.
The ship, which is every bit as much a character as the actors, is on a set mission with a charismatic Captain (Lewis) and a loyal first mate. And to top it off, every episode begins with the Captain reading a log entry!
Even though the show had a short life (1947-48), the "Scarlet Queen" completed her voyage, and the show wound up with no loose ends.

Suspense 540503 Giant of Thermopolye

2006-02-04T22:47:00.000-05:00

"Suspense" was a long-running (1942-62), successful thriller series. Over its' 20 year run, it changed style and format several times. For most of its' run, it was a half-hour program. Though, for a short time, it was expanded to an hour. It was often a star vehicle, featuring such actors as: Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Orson Welles, Peter Lorre or many other Hollywood stars. Elliot Lewis directed the show from 1951-54. During his tenure, he not only directed, but wrote/adapted, and starred in several episodes (including an adaptation of Shakespeare's "Othello"). During those three years, Lewis also brought comedy stars on to appear in atypical roles. Jack Benny, Phil Harris, and Jim and Marian Jordan (Fibber and Molly) were some of the comedians who were able to stretch themselves in dramatic roles on this classic program

Anton Karas "Theme from The Third Man"

2006-01-29T20:46:00.000-05:00

HarryLime520718BlueCaribou

2006-01-29T20:28:00.000-05:00

"The Many Lives of Harry Lime" was based on the 1949 film of Grahame Greene's "The Third Man". The film starred Joseph Cotton, with Orson Welles in a small but crucial supporting role as Harry Lime. Orson stole the show from his very first entrance; which is arguably, one of the most memorable entrances in any film.

The theme song by zither player Anton Karas was an international hit.

The radio shows were prequels, and portrayed Harry in a much more sympathetic light than the film did. In this episode, "The Blue Caribou", a fortune teller tells Harry that he will meet a beautiful woman with a blue caribou on Tuesday. Only it's already Wednesday....

Jack Benny 431128 Dennis Wants a Raise

2006-01-28T22:03:00.000-05:00

"Hello, this is Jack Benny talking. There will now be a slight pause so you can ask yourself: 'Who cares?'" And thus, on the Ed Sullivan program began one of the most successful radio careers. In a very short time after that, Jack premiered his own radio program which ran with different sponsers and different networks for 22 years!!(1932-54)
I think the main ingredient of Jack's success was assembling topnotch ensemble players like Don Wilson, Phil Harris, Dennis Day, Kenny Baker, Mary Livingstone, and Eddie Anderson. Then getting terriffic secondary players like Frank Nelson, Mel Blanc, Sheldon Leonard, and many others. And then letting these great comedians do what they did best; be funny.