On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio [Hardcover]

 

 

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This review is going to be formatted differently than usual. Right off, I'm just going to start by saying that every old-time radio fan reading this needs to just stop reading right now and buy a copy of On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. John Dunning definitive encyclopedia of the golden age (and then some) of radio needs to be on the shelf of anyone who dares to call himself a fan.

Building from his earlier work, Tune in Yesterday, John Dunning (a long-time fan of radio himself) has written the encyclopedia of radio. I didn't have my copy for a long time and had no idea what I was missing. You'll not only be graced with full schedules and showtimes, but also the history of each show, sometimes with memorable quotes from favorite episodes.

The index alone is worth the price of the book, with actors cross-referenced to shows you didn't even know they appeared in. The bold page numbers steer the reader to the featured articles, but reading all the related articles is fun, too. Heck, even just browsing can while away hours of your time, as each show entry will remind you of another that you just have to look up. While looking up one show, the eye crosses the title of another on the page heading and, bang, you're away and have forgotten what you took the book down off the shelf for to begin with. In this way, you'll learn the names of favorite character actors whose voices you recognize from different shows, but whose name escape your memory (Frank Lovejoy and Elliott Lewis leap to my mind). Then, you can look them up in the index and discover more of their work for you to seek out.

Of course, even with a book this size, not all of the shows are going to have exhaustive articles, but Dunning has done as much as one man possibly can. He has compiled obscurities lovingly, interviewed living cast and crew members for memories, sought out archival copies of long-thought-lost shows, and researched like a madman to bring us On the Air. There is not likely to be another encyclopedia of radio that is so much fun to read. In this way, it equates the Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll for sheer browsability.

I've read the Lackwanna book (The Encyclopedia of American Radio), and it's okay if you're on a budget or are interested in modern radio (which I'm not), but On the Air is the one that really gives you your money's worth, even though it costs considerably more. You'll be better off saving your money and buying this solid work than wasting less of it on an error-ridden lesser one. Also pick up Dunning's radio novel, Two O'Clock, Eastern Wartime, for a terrific read that is also a behind-the-scenes look at World War II-era radio.

John Dunning's book is NOT for the casual fan or a college student who might want to know a thing or two about a legendary comedian or actor. i wouldn't want a person who really didn't like OTR to buy this book because you'll find a TON of information in here that'll blow you mind. however, for OTR fans, there is nothing that comes close to this. To the general public, OTR might be a series of letters. It means Old Time Radio, for those in the know. What i find great is the in-depth nature of the "classics" of OTR: Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Burns and Allen, The Great Gildersleeve, "Fibber McGee and Molly" with Jim and Marian Jordan, Red Skelton, Amos 'n' Andy, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Eddie Cantor, and several dramatic programs like "Gunsmoke", "Suspense", "Dragnet", and "The Shadow", among many many others. This book is the radio equivalent to the Alex McNeil book "Total Television". Both books offer information on just about everything the mediums have to offer. Dunning also does a break down on the major news organizations and highlights many famed and not so famous news reporters. This section on the news is a sad glimpse into a by-gone era where journalism was a profession and NOT simply a means to harrass and embarrass political or entertainment figures which is so common now. the way Dunning describes it, there was a certain bit of good taste that followed the news reporters and they weren't motivated by tabloid and sleaze. MY HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED!! Dunning also provides a wealth of information on sports broadcasters of the era, highlighted by the quips and opinions from Red Barber, a legendary sportscaster who had respected opinions of his peers and his profession. Dunning is a bit harsh on the soap opera genre, which is stereotypically synonymous with ANY mention of old-time radio. Well, i should say Dunning doesn't come across as kind and gentle on some soap operas...primarily the LONG-RUNNING soaps from Frank and Anne Hummert. To me, those are the soap operas that define the genre despite others that were on the air {such as "Guiding Light", which hit in 1937 and is STILL airing some 67 years later by way of TV}. Despite Dunning's contemporary approach to the now hilariously campy Hummert soap operas, the look backs are STILL informative even behind his critques of the Hummert's writing style, a mark of professionalism. In one section, Dunning's review of why George Jessel and Milton Berle NEVER had such success on radio is accurate. Jessel's thick accent and style were suited for "live" programs that required little rehearsal and mostly ad-libs. Jessel is much more funny as a guest on other people's shows...Berle, of course, was a visual comedian and he too found radio as a limited format. All in all, the book is fabulous. With regards to "Amos 'n' Andy" and being a fan of old-time radio like i am, i find nothing wrong with this show. i've heard it countless times and i can't think of anything racial about it....UNLESS a person is hung-up on the fact that two white guys played the roles...but even then, a normal student of OTR will shrug that off as simply "that's the way it was" and move on. They won't crucify and protest the show, which, honestly had no intentional malice to begin with. The show was a victim of it's times in television and those same thin-skinnned pious protesters who practice reverse racism destroyed the show for the TV generation. For that, those responsible that couldn't laugh along with stereotypical humor should be ashamed. However, get this book...it'll teach everyone how to look at OTR even in these ridiculously politically-correct times.

defineitely for those that want to collect old time radio programs that are readily available on cassette and cd ,cd/mp3.

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5.0 out of 5 stars An essential old time radio book
If you only want to purchase a single book on the subject of old time radio then this has to be it. The alternative is probably Swartz & Reinehr's Handbook of Old-Time Radio. Read more

Published on Sep 4 2002 by paul202020

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Compilation
Nothing less than excellent and thorough is this re-write of "Tune In Yesterday", Dunning's 1976 edition. Read more

Published on July 30 2001 by JOHN D DICKEY

3.0 out of 5 stars Sadly lacking in vital area
Yes, this is the most comprehensive book on old-time radio, a subject which deserves much more exploration.
Unfortunately, the index is lacking a list of characters. Read more

Published on April 29 2001 by jmpehoski

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best!
Amazing! Not only a great research tool but fun to read! I have used the many references to shows' best known (or the author's favorite) episodes to sample many of the programs... Read more

Published on Mar 17 2001 by Robert Jordan

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Christmas gift
If you want a book that covers more radio shows in the most detailed way under one cover, this is the one. Read more

Published on Oct 12 2000 by Steve Oxford

5.0 out of 5 stars A well written, detailed book about Radio's Golden Age
As an author of several radio-related books myself, I fully appreciate the effort and time that went into John's beautifully written, detailed book. Read more

Published on Jan 13 2000 by Ronald W. Lackmann

5.0 out of 5 stars Most useful as an educational tool too
The great value of this book as a "good read" or as an aid to sorting one's collection of old time radio recordings is covered very well by other reviewers on this site... Read more

Published on Aug 27 1999 by F. Behrens

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for the old-time radio fan.
From the A&P Gypsies to the Ziegfield Follies of the Air, the entire spectrum of radio in its heyday (1930's 40's, 50's) is all here, with as fabulous a cast of characters... Read more

Published on Sep 29 1998 by WD Grissom

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Book on Old-Time Radio
John's 1976 "Tune In Yesterday" is a classic. "On The Air" is more than just a revision of his earlier book. Read more

Published on Sep 25 1998

4.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding resource guide! I just wish it had pictures.
On The Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio is a must-have for any Old-Time Radio buff. The book has already helped me arrange my collection of shows. Read more

Published on Aug 12 1998

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