My True Story (radio and TV series)

My True Story is an American radio dramatic anthology series that ran from February 15, 1943, until February 1, 1962,[1] and was adapted into an American television series that ran from May 5, 1950, until September 22, 1950.[2] Material for episodes of both programs was taken from articles in True Story magazine.[1][2] Margaret Sangster wrote the scripts for both series.[3]

Radio[edit]

The radio version of My True Story was "a confession magazine of the air, with stories of people driven by 'strange, selfish desire'".[1] It ran on the Blue Network and its successor, ABC,[1] until July 1957, when it moved to NBC as ABC ended its live morning dramatic shows.[4] Its final season (1961-1962) was on Mutual.[1]

Initially, Sangster faced "quite a bit of consternation" about the concept of My True Story.[5] She was warned, "It can't possibly succeed in the face of daytime serial competition," with its unusual status of having a complete story each day—no day-to-day cliffhangers and no "overwhelming weekend suspense to interest the audience in a follow-through."[5]

Ted Lloyd was the producer,[1] Martin Andrews and Charles Warburton were the directors,[6] Glenn Riggs was the announcer in the 1940s, and Rosa Rio provided organ music.[1] It was sponsored by Libby, McNeill & Libby[7] and Sterling Drug.[8]

Recognition[edit]

My True Story won the Radio Television Mirror Award for favorite radio daytime program (non-serial) for 1950.[9] In 1958, the American Cancer Society honored the program for educating the public about cancer.[10]

Television[edit]

My True Story
Written byMargaret Sangster
Directed byCharles Powers
Presented byHerbert Duncan
Production
ProducerCharles Powers
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseMay 5, 1950 (1950-05-05) –
September 22, 1959 (1959-09-22)

Charles Powers produced and directed the TV version of My True Story.[2] Herbert Duncan was the announcer.[11] The series was broadcast on ABC on Fridays, initially from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time; in June 1950 it was moved to 8 to 8:30 p.m. E. T.[12] The sustaining series originated from WJZ-TV.[13]

Critical response[edit]

A review in the trade publication Variety described the premiere episode as "a carefully planned, well-rehearsed half hour" but found fault with the script, saying that the story and characters seemed artificial from the beginning.[14] The review complimented the "better-than-usual visual effect" achieved via camera movement and described the production as "smoothly polished".[14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Dunning, John (May 7, 1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 474. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 582. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
  3. ^ "Radio and Television: Negro College Choirs to Be Heard in Series of Programs on A.B.C. Starting April 23". The New York Times. April 14, 1950. p. 46. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  4. ^ "A.B.C. Radio Drops 3 Daytime Shows: Network Will Put on a Live Program With Music at l0 — Four Bid for Mutual". The New York Times. July 15, 1957. p. 41. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Sangster, Margaret (April 1950). "The Story of My True Story". Radio TV Mirror. pp. 28–29, 103. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  6. ^ Sangster, Margaret (February 1952). "A Weeding Ring for Mary". Radio-TV Mirror. pp. 32, 98–99. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "Mag-Radio Tie-Ups". Billboard. May 17, 1947. p. 18. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  8. ^ "ABC 'Mr. 4x5' Sales Pitch". Billboard. February 4, 1950. p. 10. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "Awards Winners for 1950". Radio Television Mirror. May 1951. p. 70. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  10. ^ "NBC Radio's "My True Story" honored by American Cancer Society". NBC Trade News. May 7, 1958. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  11. ^ Terrace, Vincent (January 10, 2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 736. ISBN 978-0-7864-8641-0. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  12. ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (7th ed.). New York: The Ballentine Publishing Group. p. 705. ISBN 0-345-42923-0.
  13. ^ "Dramatic Shows". Ross Reports. June 18, 1950. p. 6. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "My True Story". Variety. May 10, 1950. p. 27. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
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