Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

Programs by Documentation New NBC Series Uses Modern Dramatic Techniques to Carry Nation's Problems to Citizens IN carrying out its role as one of the most dependable mediums for informing the public on impor- tant issues, radio has experimented with numerous methods of present- ing this educational information in an effective and painless manner. One way which has produced the desired results, while withstanding the closest scrutiny of critics, is the documentary program, an approach which forms the framework of the new program series, "Living — 1948," produced by the NBC pub- lic Affairs and Education Staff. The purpose of the series is to arouse listeners to intelligent ac- tion on subjects or trends affecting their daily lives and the nation's welfare. Each "Living —1948" drama- document is an amalgam of music, drama, narrative, human interest, attractively proportioned to attract large segments of the listening public. Among the subjects treated are: "Silver Cords and Apron Strings," an examination of the increasing influence of women in American life. "Of Rats and Men," a look at the problem of the nation's 150,000,000 rats that are consuming enough grain to feed half of hungry Europe. "From a Gentleman in Mufti," a dramatization of General Eisen- hower's final report as Army chief of staff. "Broken Homes," a view of one facet of the divorce problem. "They Rolled Away the Stone," a discussion of the relation between folk music and disaster. "The Mental Health of the Na- tion," presented as a psychiatrist's- eye view of the situation. The American Institute of Pub- lic Opinion and its director. Dr. George Gallup, are cooperating with NBC in over-all planning of "Living —1948" and in certain phases of research. Occasionally, Gallup appears on the program to contribute pertinent facts and fig- ures. Critics Approve Documentaries Radio critics generally have ap- proved the new drama-document series. Newspapers and trade jour- nals have greeted it with phrases like "fascinating radio fare," "ex- citing and at times wonderful ra- dio," and "a surprisingly thorough job." Variety not only called the series a "big-time excursion into public service programming," but added that "The network has set itself a lofty and ambitious goal in this series—an over-all documentation of the problems facing Americans as citizens in a democracy. It's a tall order; as tall, in fact, as any- MILTON KATIMS (LEFT) ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR; PROGRAM DIRECTOR JAMES HARVEY AND NARRATOR BEN GRAUER DISCUSS A FORTHCOMING PRODUCTION IN THE SERIES OF "LIVING-1948" DOCUMENTARY BROADCASTS. thing being attempted in contempo- rary radio." The Neiv York World Telegram critic wrote in a full column re- view: "Its ambitious aim is to mir- ror the moment; to hold up for inspection the historical present. The first installment, 'Signs of Our Times,' was in the nature of a pre- lude, and it did a surprisingly thor- ough job of sketching a background —the temper of the times—against which the series will be projected." The New York Daily News calls the series "fascinating radio fare." The Netv York Morning Telegraph said, "This is nothing less, it ap- pears, than an attempt to encom- pass the whole sum and substance of human experience, an effort to find out what way we're heading, to point out the signs of the times, and to post warnings and advices along the way." Ben Grauer, one of NBC's best- known announcers is narrator for the series. Music for "Living—1948" is un- der the direction of Milton Katims, who has won distinction both as conductor and violist. Veteran Staff Handles Series The NBC Public Affairs staff producing the documentary series includes Wade Arnold, supervisor; Jane Tiffany Wagner, technical ad- visor ; James Harvey, director; Lou Hazam, scriptwriter, and Nancyann Woodard, research specialist. Arnold, Omaha-born, is a gradu- ate of Knox College with a wide and varied background in journal- ism and as a scriptwriter, teacher and producer. Mrs. Wagner has been super- visor for many important NBC pro- grams, particularly "Home Is What You Make It." A graduate of McGill University, James Harvey joined NBC in New York in 1945. Since then he has directed many of the network's major programs, including "Your United Nations," and "Home Is What You Make it." The idea for "Living—1948" was conceived by Ken R. Dyke, NBC Administrative Vice President in Charge of Programs. [RADIO AGE 13]