The A to Z of American Radio Soap Operas (The A to Z Guide Series): 50 - Softcover

Cox, Jim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0810868334 ISBN 13: 9780810868335

Publisher: Scarecrow Press, 2009

Synopsis

The period from 1925 to 1960 was the heyday of the American Radio Soap Opera. In addition to being part of popular culture, the soap opera had important commercial aspects as well that were not only related to their production, but also to the desperate need to sell products or perish. Both sides of this story are traced in this comprehensive compendium.

The dictionary section, made up of more than 500 cross-referenced entries, provides brief vignettes of the more popular and also less well-known "soaps," among them Back Stage Wife, Our Gal Sunday, Pepper Young's Family and The Guiding Light. Other entries evoke those who brought these programs to life: the actors, announcers, scriptwriters, networks, and even the sponsors. Nor are the basic themes, the stock characters and the gimmick, forgotten. The book's introduction defines the soap opera, examines the span of the radio serial, reviews its origins and its demise, and focuses on the character types that made up its denizens. The chronology outlines the period and the bibliography offers further reading. Together, these elements make a comprehensive reference work that researchers will find invaluable long into the future.

About this title

About the Author

Jim Cox is one of the best-known writers on American radio, having published no less than seven books on the subject, and he received an outstanding writing award from the largest OTR convention in 2002. He is a member of eight vintage radio clubs and regularly attends annual old time radio conventions.

Edition details

• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0810868334
• ISBN 13: 9780810868335
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 322