From Radio to the Big Screen

There was a time when “American popular entertainment” referred only to radio and motion pictures. With the coming of talking pictures, Hollywood cashed in on the success of big-time network radio by bringing several of the public’s favorite broadcast personalities and programs to the screen. The results, though occasionally successful, often proved conclusively that some things are better heard than seen. Concentrating primarily on radio’s Golden Age (1926–1962), this lively history discusses the cinematic efforts of airwave stars Rudy Vallee, Amos ’n’ Andy, Fred Allen, Joe Penner, Fibber McGee & Molly, Edgar Bergen, Lum & Abner, and many more. Also analyzed are the movie versions of such radio series as The Shadow, Dr. Christian and The Life of Riley. In addition, two recent films starring contemporary radio headliners Howard Stern and Garrison Keillor are given their due.

Hal Erickson is the author of numerous media-related books and was for many years a primary editor of the All-Movie Guide website. He lives and works in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Hal Erickson
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 316
Bibliographic Info: 53 photos, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2014
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7757-9
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1558-5
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents


Acknowledgments   ix

Introduction   1

The Personalities, the Programs, the Pictures   9

Bibliography   285

Index   289

Best Film Book—Huffington Post
“A best book of the year. Erickson is one of those select few writers who can always be counted on to produce a quality book. His writing is informative, breezy, and most entertaining. I never have to worry about the information contained in one of his books; in fact, I learn a great deal from his impeccable research…he also sprinkles his text with interesting tidbits. Erickson is one of our best and most knowledgeable authors, seemingly able to write about anything entertainment related. This new book is no exception…. Erickson has given us a substantial history of these films and series…a pleasure to read and I recommend you get this excellent book.”—Classic Images; “Erickson achieves an awesome stance in this ware: not only is it a respectful, comprehensive gathering of precise facts, he urges readers to explore beyond mere sampling…results in something for a casual reader to devour”—Sperdvac Radiogram.