Historical dictionary of American radio soap operas

About this book

"The radio soap opera was a particularly American form of art, and although it only existed and thrived from 1925 to 1960, it has never been forgotten by its tens of millions of faithful listeners. In addition to being an integral part of popular culture, the soap opera had important commercial aspects that were related not only to their production, but also to the desperate need to sell products or perish. Both sides of this story are examined in Historical Dictionary of American Radio Soap Operas." "The dictionary section, comprised of more than 500 entries, provides vignettes of the more popular and also less well-known "soaps," including Back Stage Wife, Our Gal Sunday, Pepper Young's Family, and The Guiding Light. Other entries explore the actors and actresses, announcers, scriptwriters, networks, and even the sponsors who brought these programs to life. Basic themes, stock characters, and gimmicks are also detailed. The introduction defines 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 form a comprehensive reference work that researchers and radio lovers will find invaluable."--Jacket.