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My True Story (radio and TV series)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

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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

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My True Story won the Radio and 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

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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

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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

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  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 10 — 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 and Television Mirror. pp. 28–29, 103. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  6. ^ Sangster, Margaret (February 1952). "A Weeding Ring for Mary". Radio and Television 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 and 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". The 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.