It's Superman's Fault

I just had to add my enthusiastic vote for your idea to develop radio drama.

The first half of the Twentieth Century provided many radio dramas that elicited and stimulated listeners’ thinking and imagination. Mysteries, dramas, comedies, adventures and many other styles from literary and theatrical resources offered delightful entertainment throughout the era.

Sadly, this art form became a casualty of the emergence of Television.

Public Radio is the natural source of radio drama’s re-emergence. This would make a significant contribution to the overall quality of the American Mediascape.

Marshall McLuhan’s important book “Understanding Media” proposed (among a great many other things) that radio demanded more intellectual effort of the listener than did television. Television reveals everything in precise detail, demanding little or nothing from the viewer’s thought and imagination.

“Theater of the Mind”, an earlier comment on this audio clip, suggested to me the phrase “Theater of the Blind”, where radio drama would not only provide content in a more mentally engaging manner, but would do so for the blind and sight-impaired unable to experience this material at all if Television were its only presentation.

Though I have acted in Civic Theater, I have no notion of such an effort’s cost. Perhaps initial productions could economize by utilizing deep local resources from Community, University and other “small” Theaters as well as independent production efforts and musical groups. Sets, costumes and makeup are not a problem on radio. And things like airplanes, automobiles, horses, streetcars, wild animals and the like can be covered by a good sound-effects person.

Did I forget to say that I think you have an excellent idea?

You're right... this is something we could use. Good luck!

Anytime someone mentions the audio theatre - (I'm a little biased here) I gotta send kudos!

So, all the best to you and your entry!

-Rich

Watch More Radio
Have a listen to: The Radio Bug (my entry)
http://www.texasradiotheatre.com
http://www.myspace.com/texasradiotheatre

Very entertaining Steven!

I love listening to old radio shows. They rebroadcast them on satellite radio and on some am stations as well. I really get into them. And I think Garrison Keeler and Prairie Home Companion does a good job of bringing that flavor and style into modern radio.
I like the idea very much.

Vern

and it's an idea i have never heard of! good luck.

I loved this entry. When I was a kid, I remember curling up next to my mother's radio and listening to Douglas Adams' 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' as it first ran. Nothing could ever replace it, not even his amazing novels. The images that are formed in one's own mind are so much stronger and more authentic when they are shaped only by the outlines of sound, leaving the imagination not to wander but be gently shepherded and stimulated. Thank you for this.

Your voice invited me into the warmth of the radio theater experience. Now I would like to hear those Superman stories the way you did. :)