The Romance of Helen Trent

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Lou
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The Romance of Helen Trent

Postby Lou » Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:22 pm

On the Air: Oct. 30, 1933-May 10, 1935, CBS, 2:15 p.m. ET; 1935-1936, CBS, 11:15 a.m.; 1936-June 24, 1960, CBS, 12:30 p.m.

Helen Trent: Virginia Clark (1933-43), Betty Ruth Smith (1943-44), Julie Stevens (1944-60) ... Gil Whitney: Marvin Miller, William Green, David Gothard (1936-37, 1944-60) ... Jeff Brady: Ken Daigneau ... Cynthia Carter Swanson Whitney: Mary Jane Higby

Announcers: Pierre Andre, Don Hancock, Fielden Farrington (1944-60)

Theme Song: "Juanita" (hummed and strummed on ukulele)

Epigraph: "And now The Romance of Helen Trent, the real-life drama of Helen Trent who, when life mocks her, breaks her hopes, dashes her against the rocks of despair, fights back bravely, successfully, to prove what so many women long to prove in their own lives: That because a woman is 35, or more, romance in life need not be over; that the romance of youth can extend into middle life, and even beyond."

Premise: She may have been the most guarded, most virtuous heroine of all the serials, this long-standing temptress among legions of weak males. Helen Trent was a tease who could wait forever if need be for true love to prove itself beyond her slightest anxiety. Better, it seemed, to be utterly certain about a man's devotion than learn decades later that he hadn't quite meant "till death do us part." So, though middle-aged, and beyond, poor Helen rebuffed suitor after suitor on her way toward a hoped-for commitment that would transcend time. As it turned out, the noblest swain of all, Gil Whitney, stood by, awaiting confirmation for over two decades while Helen dillydallied without making a decision. Meanwhile, some of the most repulsive sweet-talkers in radio theatrics attempted to lure her into their lairs. It was all in a day's work for the unblemished Helen, who never had a decadent thought -- and who never lived in a real world. Listeners loved her anyway, keeping her at the top of the weekday ratings (even beating "Arthur Godfrey Time" for first place) much of the time. Her struggles lasted 27 years, more episodes than any other soap opera. When it ended, the ageless beauty was still unwed, still dutifully searching for the man who could turn her dreams into reality. The problem was that by then, she would have been well past three-score in years. If she didn't quit dreaming and start doing, all she would have left to fantasize about was what she had missed.

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Postby Jeeper One Radio » Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:40 pm

Hi everyone:

On June 6th, 1944 though, this show is believed to have been on at 12:30 PM ET. Not sure if this was because of news coverage of D-Day or what.

Source: An MP3 I have with the name CBS Broadcast 440607 1230p Romance of Helen Trent. I swear I didn't give it that name.

JFYI. :D

Cheers :D


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