The Crisis In War Town Radio Program
|
|
Dee-Scription: |
Home >> D D Too Home >> Radio Logs >> Crisis In War Town |
Up to and after World War II, The Community Chest was America's infrastructure for charitable giving. It was eventually succeeded by The United Way
From the outbreak of World War II, the Community Chest reinvented itself as The War Chest during the remainder of World War II
Madison Wisconsin War Chest Drive card
Crisis In War Town Program No. 10 transcription label
|
From the May 31, 1945 edition of the Galveston News:
War Chest Radio
Series Begins
Here June 6
A new series of radio programs dramatizing the work of community war chest agencies will begin here June 6, Olin LeBaron, community council executive director, announced yesterday.
Entitled "Crisis In War Town" the series will be broadcast over KLUF every Wednesday morning at 9:30 o'clock. Time for the broadcast has been obtained through the Galveston City Council of Parents and Teachers. The series will continue 13 weeks.
First program in the group will stress work of the visiting nurse.
Mrs. E. R. Thompson, president of the local health nursing board, will open the program with a brief comment on work of the visiting nurse here.
Subsequent broadcasts will deal with day nursery care, hospital service, war prisoner aid, United Seamen's Service, USO and other chest affiliated agencies.
The transcribed series will feature such radio, stage and screen stars as Wendie Barrie and Jeanne Cagney.
From the June 6, 1945 edition of the Galveston News:
War Chest Radio
Series Begins
Here Today
Dramatization of the visiting nurse will open a new series of Community War Chest radio programs this morning at 9:30 o'clock, according to Olin LeBaron, Executive director. Mrs. E.R. Thompson, president of the local public health nursing board, will make brief introductory remarks on the work of the visiting nurse.
Entitled "Crisis In War Town"the series will be broadcast over KLUF every Wednesday for 13 weeks. Time for the program has been obtained through the Galveston City Council of Parents and Teachers. Stars of radio, stage and screen including Wendy Barrie and Jeanne Cagney will be featured in the transcribed series. Other broadcasts will deal with day nursery care, hospital service, war prisoner aid, United Seamen's Service, USO, and other chest-affiliated agencies.
From the May 17, 1946 edition of the Galveston Daily News:
A transcribed radio program, "Crisis In War Town," broadcast in Galveston during 1945 by KLUF under the auspices of the Galveston County Community Council, has won for Community Chests and Councils, Inc., New York, national association of chests and councils of social agencies, an "Honorable Mention" award from the City College of New York.
Community Chests and Councils, Inc., were the only organizations--as distinguished from business firms--to be honored by the committee on national radio awards of City College's second annual radio and business conference. Word of the award was received here today by Van D. Mercer, president of the council from New York.
Members of the awards committee were: Dr. John Gray Pealman, associate dean, City College of New York, chairman; William McIntyre, radio editor of "Tide"; Joseph Koehler, director of radio and television, "Billboard"; Lawrence Hughes, New York editor of "Advertising Age"; Eldridge Peterson, managing editor of "Printers' Ink"; Bruce Robertson, New York editor of "Broadcasting"; George Rosen, radio editor of "Variety"; N. H. Shapiro, managing editor of "Radio Daily," and E. W. Davidson, director of customer relations of "Sales Management."
Five plaques and 18 certificates were awarded for public service programs to various sponsors, radio stations, advertising agencies and Community Chests and Councils by the City College committee.
"Crisis In War Town was produced in 1945 as a series of 13 transcribed programs for use of Community Chests and Councils all over this country. The association's radio director, Eloise Walton, wrote most of the scripts and supervised the production of the entire series.
The many local Community Chest programs throughout America, prior to World War II, worked with each other in a united campaign to encourage charitable giving. After the U.S. declared War against the Axis, the entire Community Chest infrastructure mobilized itself throughout the country to become the War Chest for the remainder of World War II. The War Chest differentiated itself from the previous Community Chest activities by extending its reach to agencies such as the United Serviceman's Organization (USO), The United Seaman's Service (USS), war-prisoner aid, nursing and the local visiting nurses associations, hospitals, day care facilities for War workers, and other previously Community Chest-affiliated services.
Crisis In War Town! was apparently first heard over KLUF, Galveston, Texas, shortly after the series was released to Community Chests and Councils, Inc., for transcribed distribution to the nation's various local and regional former Community Chest organizations.
Reportedly scripted by Eloise Walton of The Community Chests and Councils, Inc., each twelve and a half minute program was followed by local messages from the local War Chest affiliated in the towns and cities in which the syndications were broadcast. The productions were the equal of any of the nationally broadcast public service productions of the era, starred actors from Radio, The Stage and Film, and were narrated by Victor Jory, Ralph Bellamy and Dean Jagger. The series was produced and directed by Earle McGill and Robert Lewis Shayon.
The various casts included noted actors Irene Hubbard, Wendy Barrie, Arlene Francis, Katherine Raht, Richard Basehart, Elspeth Eric, Walter Kinsella, Francis de Sales, Jeanne Cagney, Lon Clark, Celeste Holm, Berry Kroeger, Peggy Conklin, and Richard Widmark, among many others. Jon Gart provided the inspirational scoring for all thirteen productions.
Each installment of the series focused on a specific segment of War Chest activities, such as the work of the local visiting nurse associations throughout the country. Other installments focused on the work of the U.S.O, the United Seaman's Service, prisoner aid and relief work, and local fund drives, among others.
The local War Chest chapters throughout America continued to be of immeasurable assistance to the U.S. Government throughout the War years, filling gaps in charitable support that could only be addressed through local community organizations.
In May 1946, Crisis in War Town! was awarded an Honorable Mention from the jury of the Second Annual City College of New York's Committee on National Radio Awards.
|
|
|
Series Derivatives:
|
None |
|
Genre: |
Anthology of Golden Age Radio Patriotic Documentaries |
|
Network(s): |
KLUF |
|
Audition Date(s) and Title(s): |
Unknown |
|
Premiere Date(s) and Title(s): |
45-06-06 01 Johnny Jerry |
|
Run Dates(s)/ Time(s): |
45-06-06 to 45-08-29; KLUF; Thirteen, 12.5-minute programs; Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. |
|
Syndication: |
Community Chests syndication under the auspices of The Galveston County Community Council |
|
Sponsors: |
The Galveston County Community Council |
|
Director(s): |
Robert Lewis Shayon, Earle McGill [Producers]
|
|
Principal Actors: |
Ben Cooper, Irene Hubbard, Mary Patton, Michael Artist, Rod Hendrickson, Wendy Barrie, Arlene Francis, Dorothy Sands, Gladys Thornton, Patsy O'Shea, Betty Caulfield, Joe Latham, Katherine Raht, Rosemary Rice, Susan Thorne, Taylor Holmes, Bill Colman, Charles Webster, Joseph Boland, Lyle Sudrow, Richard Basehart, Robert Readick, Al Ward, Alastair Kyle, Charme Allen, Helen Claire, Jack McBridge, Jack Taylor, Tom Hoyer, Joan Tetzel, Madeleine Pearce, Richard Widmark, Nora Marlowe, Walter Kinsella, Jeanne Cagney, Lorna Lynn, Mary Ellen Glass, Maxine Flood, Owen Alden, Vicki Vola, Don MacLsughlin, Elspeth Eric, Marjorie Quayle, Allen Wood, Francis De Sales, Guy Repp, John Lund, William Malten, Alastair Kyle, Berry Kroeger, Helen Coulet, Lily Valenti, Lon Clark, Celeste Holm Jack Tyler, Jim Backus, Leon Janney, Michael Fitzmaurice, Ted Jewett, Will Hare, Helen Claire, Neal O'Malley, Peggy Conklin, Woody Parker |
|
Recurring Character(s): |
None |
|
Protagonist(s): |
None |
|
Author(s): |
None |
|
Writer(s) |
Eloise Walton, Max Erlich, Irve Tunick, Martin Siefer
|
|
Music Direction: |
Jon Gart |
|
Musical Theme(s): |
Unknown |
|
Announcer(s): |
Barry Hopkins
Victor Jory, Ralph Bellamy, Dean Jagger [Narrators]
|
|
Estimated Scripts or
Broadcasts: |
13 |
|
Episodes in Circulation: |
13 |
|
Total Episodes in Collection: |
2 |
|
Provenances: |
|
|
RadioGOLDINdex, Hickerson Guide, Martin Grams' Radio Drama.
Notes on Provenances:
The most helpful provenances were the log of the radioGOLDINdex and newspaper listings.
You're welcome to compare our fully provenanced research with the Crisis In War Town log. We've provided a screen shot of their current log for comparison, HERE to protect our own further due diligence.
OTRisms:
The OTRR cites 1949 dates for Crisis In War Town. Consider that anomaly for a moment. "Crisis in War Town": a series about the effort back home during World War II--a war that ended three years prior to the OTRR-cited 1949. But of course, the OTRR is not alone in that ignorance of American History: Martin Grams cites the same dating in his Radio Drama book ($90). Shouldn't one be able to expect a teensy bit more historical acumen from a $90 radio drama reference book?
What you see here, is what you get. Complete transparency. Here's how we did it--for better or worse. Here's how you can build on it yourselves--hopefully for the better. Here's the breadcrumbs--just follow the trail a bit further if you wish. No hobbled downloads. No misdirection. No strings attached. We point you in the right direction and you're free to expand on it, extend it, use it however it best advances your efforts.
We ask one thing and one thing only--if you employ what we publish, attribute it, before we cite you on it.
We continue to provide honest research into these wonderful Golden Age Radio programs simply because we love to do it. If you feel that we've provided you with useful information or saved you some valuable time regarding this log--and you'd like to help us even further--you can help us keep going. Please consider a small donation here:
We don't pronounce our Golden Age Radio research as 'certified' anything. By the very definition, research is imperfect. We simply tell the truth. As is our continuing practice, we provide our fully provenanced research results--to the extent possible--right here on the page, for any of our peers to review--or refute--as the case may be. If you take issue with any of our findings, you're welcome to cite any better verifiable source(s) and we'll immediately review them and update our findings accordingly. As more verifiable provenances surface, we'll continue to update the following series log, as appropriate.
All rights reserved by their respective sources. Article and log copyright 2009 The Digital Deli Online--all rights reserved. Any failure to attribute the results of this copywritten work will be rigorously pursued.
|
|
|
The Crisis In War Town Radio Program Biographies
|
|
|
|
|
Victor Edwin Jory
(Narrator)
Stage, Screen, Radio and Television Actor; Writer; Director
(1902-1982)
Birthplace: Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada
Radiography:
1942 Dangerously Yours
1942 Matinee Theater [Audition]
1944 Green Valley U.S.A.
1944 Matinee Theater
1944 American Pilgrimage
1944 Theatre Of Romance
1945 War Town
1945 The Adventures Of Ellery Queen
1948 Family Theatre
1948 The Hunters [Audition]
1949 Crisis In War Town
1950 Hallmark Playhouse
1952 Best Plays
1957 Suspense
1957 CBS Radio Workshop
1975 CBS Radio Mystery Theatre
The Diary |
Victor Jory circa 1954
Victor Jory as Captain Palfi in The King Steps Out (1935)
Canadians Victor Jory and Middleweight champ Frankie Battaglia spar circa 1935
Makeup still of Victor Jory as Jonas Wilkerson the brutal overseer in Gone With the Wind (1939)
Victor Jory as The Shadow (1940)
Victor Jory as Tall Tree in Cheyenne Autumn (1964)
Victor Jory as the aboriginal chief in Papillion (1973)
|
Born a Canadian, Victor Edwin Jory was born in Dawson City, in the Yukon Territory of Canada in 1902. By the 1920s, his family had emigrated to Pasadena, California. Jory was reportedly raised in Pasadena and Canada through his High School years, but his boxing experience had been while he was still living in or visiting Canada. He'd reportedly compiled four professional fights there before ending his boxing career.
From the July 26 1944 edition of The Elyria, Ohio Chronicle-Telegram:
Today's Sports Parade
By JACK CUDDY
United Press Staff Correspondent
NEW YORK--(UP)--Victor Jory, one of the busiest character actors in the entertainment world, said "I would pay $50,000 for a top-flight fighter, if I wasn't sure that said fighter would worry me to an early grave."
Jory of the villainous countenance is perhaps America's most rabid fight fan. He is a former pug; also a former manager. He engulfs and enmeshes current boxing writers with his flood of up-to-the-minute fight statistics. Jory, who must be in his 40's, is lean and athletic-looking; although he says he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown years ago when managing a certain young welterweight while he was playing with a stock company at Minneapolis. No--it wasn't King Tut nor Frankie Battaglia, in whom villainous Vic had financial interests.
JORY owned this particular welterweight outright, and he tried to be manager and trainer. "I would put this kid to bed every night," he said last night, "and then I would spend a couple hours running back and forth between the fire escape at the rear of the hotel and the front entrance and every night that kid would break and I'd pick him up later--full of gin--at a certain night spot. He almost killed me. I was ready for a straight jacket when I gave him up."
Jory shrugged off inquiries about his success in the current radio hit "Dangerously Yours in which he is a swash-buckling hero every Sunday afternoon. He clammed up to questions about the new Broadway play, "The Perfect Marriage," which goes into rehearsal soon. He wanted to enjoy himself. He wanted to talk boxing.
The guy who had starred in such pictures as "Gone With the Wind," "Mid-Summer Night's Dream," "Dodge City" and 107 other films, continued, "That kid in Minneapolis made me so disgusted with boxing--for awhile--that I turned to race horses. I had a small string for several years . . . They almost ruined me financially, probably because I made the mistake of betting on my own horses. I'm convinced that the biggest sucker in the world is the guy who bets on his own nags. Those horses take a fiendish delight in double-crossing you."
VICTOR Edwin Jory, although reared in Pasadena, Calif., as a schoolmate of the late Charley Paddock, "the world's fastest human," began boxing at Vancouver, B. C., where he had four professional fights in the old Horseshoe Arena. He also fought twice at Nanimo B.C., a coal camp; once in Delingham, Wash.; and once in Everett, Wash.
"I was a fair light heavyweight." he explains, "but just a preliminary fighter. They wouldn't pay me as much money for fighting as I could earn as a ham actor in stock companies. So I turned more and more to the stage. Later I turned simon pure as a member of the National Guard in California and won the Western States light heavy-weight championship at the Presidio in San Francisco--just for fun. But by that time I was an actor, and I have been ever since. But I've still lived in the ring--vicariously--and wish I had a fighter today--if I wouldn't have to live for both of us."
By way of further explanantion, Victor Jory had been the boxing and wrestling champion of the Coast Guard during his military hitch.
He'd toured extensively with theater troupes--and had even appeared on Broadway--before making his Hollywood debut in 1930. Initially cast in romantic leads, his forte was portraying villains. He made over 200 films and 50+ Television episodes. He also wrote at least two plays.
Jory is most remembered for his roles as Jonas Wilkerson, the brutal and opportunistic overseer, in Gone with the Wind , as Lamont Cranston, The Shadow in the 1942 serial film The Shadow, as Oberon in Max Reinhardt's film A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935), and as the aboriginal chieftain in Papillion (1973).
Jory's Television career found him making numerous guest appearances--often in recurring roles--such as that of Mannix's father, Stefan Mannix in Mannix (1969-1971) and an aging FBI agent in The Rockford Files (1974).
|
|
|
|
|
Ralph Rexford Bellamy
(Narrator)
Radio, Television, Film and Stage Actor
(1904-1999)
Birthplace: Chicago, IL
Radiography:
1937
The Baker's Broadcast
1938
Chase and Sanborn Hour
1938
National Mobilization For Human Needs
1939
Lux Radio Theatre
1940
Gulf Screen Guild Theatre
1943
Cavalcade Of America
1944
Lady Esther Screen Guild Theatre
1945
War Town
1945
Theatre Of Romance
1945
Harold Lloyd Comedy Theatre
1945
Sing For The Seventh
1945
We The People
1946
Radio Reader's Digest
1947
Lest We Forget
1947
Our Town
1947
The Tenth Man
1947
Studio One
1948
Marine Story
1949
Turning Points
1952
Chamber Music Society Of Lower Basin Street
1955
Biography In Sound
1957
It Can Happen To You
|
Ralph Bellamy c. 1942
Bellamy entering The Philharmonic Auditorium, c. 1932
|
One of the great supporting actors of all time, Ralph Bellamy lends an authoritative, sympathetic, and commanding narration to this important, public service series. As can be seen in his radiography at the left, Ralph Bellamy's radio work comprised predominately social or patriotic themed, public service radio programs. This is a direct reflection of Bellamy's long history of championing worthy social causes.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Bellamy embarked on an acting career right out of high school, joining a traveling Shakespeare company of actors and, over the next five years appearing with stock and repertory companies affiliated with the Chautauqua Road Company, bringing classic stage plays and dramas thoughout the Wheat Belt of America. By 1927 he'd formed his own small repertory troupe.
In 1929 he made his first Broadway appearance in 'Town Boy' and by 1931 he'd made his first film appearance in 'The Secret Six', as the bootlegging gangster, Johnny Franks. This was the first of over 100 films he'd undertake during his highly successful career as a solid, versatile, A-List supporting actor. His wide range of characterizations became widely respected throughout the industry.
Golden Age film buffs will remember him for Best Supporting Actor nomination for 1937's 'The Awful Truth' and his four 'Ellery Queen' movies in 1940 and 1941. His brilliant characterization of F.D.R. in Dore Schary's play 'Sunrise at Campobello' brought him a Tony award in 1958 for Best Dramatic Actor, and he later reprised that role in the 1960 movie of the same name.
An early champion of actor's rights, he was one of the founding members of The Screen Actors' Guild, and served four terms as the President of Actor's Equity between 1949 and 1954 . Indeed, Bellamy's courage in positioning Actors' Equity well to the left of Hollywood by resisting blacklisting, ensured that many of those blacklisted in Hollywood found work in The Theater. Under Bellamy, Actors Equity developed standards to protect members against charges of Communist Party membership or showing left-wing sympathies.
Ralph Bellamy's television career spanned the entire era of the Golden Age of Television, beginning with his starring role in the long running 'Man Against Crime' series from 1949-1954. This was one of the better early crime series of the era, with Bellamy as Mike Barnett, a gritty, clever New York Detective. Bellamy appeared in well over 200 more television episodes throughout the second half of his acting career. |
|
|
|
|
|
Home >> D D Too Home >> Radio Logs >> Crisis In War Town |
|
|
|
![Click here to learn about our approach to Golden Age Radio Preservation [Under Development]](Images/images/preservation_base.png "Click here to learn about our approach to Golden Age Radio Preservation [Under Development]")
