The Guiding Light
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:21 pm
On the Air: Regretfully, dates haven't been preserved by radio historians for some of this series' life. Rather than presume without fact, this material is offered with gaps. Debuting on Jan. 25, 1937 at 4:15 p.m. ET on NBC, the serial soon shifted to 3:45 p.m. Although sources don't agree, evidence suggests that the program was off the air briefly during its second year. But by the 1939-40 season it had resurfaced on NBC at 11:45 a.m. The following year it moved to 10:45 a.m. When P&G canceled on Dec. 26, 1941 the drama left the air, netting 75,000 protest letters from fans. The serial resumed 11 weeks later, on March 16, 1942 on NBC at 3:30 p.m., moving in 1942-43 to 2:30 p.m. and in 1943 to 2 p.m. When General Mills canceled on Nov. 29, 1946 the series again left the air. It returned 26 weeks later, on June 2, 1947, on CBS at 1:45 p.m. The radio version was withdrawn on June 29, 1956.
Dr. John Ruthledge: Arthur Peterson ... Mary Ruthledge: Mercedes McCambridge, Sarajane Wells ... Rose Kransky: Ruth Bailey, Charlotte Manson ... Ned Holden: John Hodiak, Ed Prentiss ... Papa Bauer: Theodore Goetz ... Bertha Bauer: Charita Bauer ... Bill Bauer: Lyle Sudrow ... Meta Bauer: Jone Allison ... Trudy Bauer: Laurette Fillbrandt ... Ted White: Arnold Moss
Announcers: Herb Allen, Clayton (Bud) Collyer, Chet Kingsbury, Fort Pearson
Theme Song: "Aphrodite" (Goetzl)
Premise: The most durable drama in the history of broadcasting (including both radio and television) was launched with a minister as its central figure. Dr. John Ruthledge, the kindly cleric of rural Five Points, pastored an interdenominational flock. His inspirational qualities were infectious, for the soap opera that swirled about him has survived for more than six decades. Drama-mama Irna Phillips, working through a succession of ministerial appointments to Five Points, expanded this tale into one of character development (a Phillips hallmark), eventually centering on the Bauer family. Papa, Meta, Trudy, Bill, Bertha and others became the focus for three decades. By the early 1950s, as the serial entered television with an enlarged cast, it had long since turned from its humble origins. Yet many of the sustaining quzalities that Phillips imbued in it continue to influence The Guiding Light and other serials in the modern era. Early on, the program had a penchant for attracting and retaining audiences with contests loaded with substantial prizes. Each competition required proof that entrants had purchased the sponsor's product. Product sales soared and the number of listeners multiplied. Some of those respondents would become lifelong fans, passing their deep devotion to this show from generation to generation.
Now it's your turn to reminisce...
Dr. John Ruthledge: Arthur Peterson ... Mary Ruthledge: Mercedes McCambridge, Sarajane Wells ... Rose Kransky: Ruth Bailey, Charlotte Manson ... Ned Holden: John Hodiak, Ed Prentiss ... Papa Bauer: Theodore Goetz ... Bertha Bauer: Charita Bauer ... Bill Bauer: Lyle Sudrow ... Meta Bauer: Jone Allison ... Trudy Bauer: Laurette Fillbrandt ... Ted White: Arnold Moss
Announcers: Herb Allen, Clayton (Bud) Collyer, Chet Kingsbury, Fort Pearson
Theme Song: "Aphrodite" (Goetzl)
Premise: The most durable drama in the history of broadcasting (including both radio and television) was launched with a minister as its central figure. Dr. John Ruthledge, the kindly cleric of rural Five Points, pastored an interdenominational flock. His inspirational qualities were infectious, for the soap opera that swirled about him has survived for more than six decades. Drama-mama Irna Phillips, working through a succession of ministerial appointments to Five Points, expanded this tale into one of character development (a Phillips hallmark), eventually centering on the Bauer family. Papa, Meta, Trudy, Bill, Bertha and others became the focus for three decades. By the early 1950s, as the serial entered television with an enlarged cast, it had long since turned from its humble origins. Yet many of the sustaining quzalities that Phillips imbued in it continue to influence The Guiding Light and other serials in the modern era. Early on, the program had a penchant for attracting and retaining audiences with contests loaded with substantial prizes. Each competition required proof that entrants had purchased the sponsor's product. Product sales soared and the number of listeners multiplied. Some of those respondents would become lifelong fans, passing their deep devotion to this show from generation to generation.
Now it's your turn to reminisce...