I am fascinated by radio’s golden age in the 1930s and ‘40s, the glittering historic era of this nostalgic medium that sadly seems in danger of fading away altogether. To help combat this, I offer sessions on a variety of radio subjects for both people familiar with this era and newcomers to the genre:
Chicago’s Golden Age of Radio
In the 1930s and 1940s, Chicago stood at the geographical and creative center of the new medium of radio. We’ll examine the city’s preeminence in the radio revolution, including such signature Chicago-based programs as Fibber McGee & Molly, Vic and Sade, and Lights Out, and discuss how radio helped bring the country together during the Depression and World War II, and how it eventually lost its dominance to television.
Radio’s Classic Comedies
If you know why (or would like to know why) “I’m thinking it over” is the funniest thing Jack Benny ever said, this class is for you. Join us as we travel through the hilarious shows from the golden age of radio: Charlie McCarthy to Jack Benny, A Date with Judy to The Great Gildersleeve. See why the humor has never been equaled in these sidesplitting chapters from a bygone era.
Radio Mysteries and Detective Stories
Take a trip back to radio’s golden age and crack cases with Nero Wolfe, Richard Diamond, Sam Spade, Johnny Dollar, and other beloved sleuths from this classic era. From Inner Sanctum to War of the Worlds, we’ll take a close look at the mysterious side of the radio medium.
The Radio Genius of Jack Benny
Jack Benny created the situation comedy and put radio on the map, creating a legacy of timeless humor that still delights audiences today. We take a closer look at Benny’s special brand of radio comedy and how he was able to sustain this excellence for decades.
(All radio presentations are available in one- to two-hour formats)