From Radio to the Big Screen: Hollywood Films Featuring Broadcast Personalities and Programs

Synopsis

Erickson Is One Of Those Select Few Writers Who Can Always Be Counted On To Produce A Quality Book. His Writing Is Informative, Breezy, And Most Entertaining. I Never Have To Worry About The Information Contained In One Of His Books; In Fact, I Learn A Great Deal From His Impeccable Research…he Also Sprinkles His Text With Interesting Tidbits. This New Book Is No Exception…. Erickson Has Given Us A Substantial History Of These Films And Series…a Pleasure To Read And I Recommend You Get This Excellent Book.--classic Images There Was A Time When American Popular Entertainment Referred Only To Radio And Motion Pictures. With The Coming Of Talking Pictures, Hollywood Cashed In On The Success Of Big-time Network Radio By Bringing Several Of The Public's Favorite Broadcast Personalities And Programs To The Screen. The Results, Though Occasionally Successful, Often Proved Conclusively That Some Things Are Better Heard Than Seen. Concentrating Primarily On Radio's Golden Age (1926-1962), This Lively History Discusses The Cinematic Efforts Of Airwave Stars Rudy Vallee, Amos 'n' Andy, Fred Allen, Joe Penner, Fibber Mcgee & Molly, Edgar Bergen, Lum & Abner, And Many More. Also Analyzed Are The Movie Versions Of Such Radio Series As The Shadow, Dr. Christian And The Life Of Riley. In Addition, Two Recent Films Starring Contemporary Radio Headliners Howard Stern And Garrison Keillor Are Given Their Due.