BW - EP143—009: September 1957—CBS Still Doing Sunday Radio Drama

Breaking Walls: The Podcast on the History of American Network Radio Broadcasting

The man you’re listening to is William Froug. He was instrumental in bringing the CBS Radio Workshop back to the air. CBS was still airing dramatic programming on Sunday afternoons. In 1957 Froug became the VP of Programming. He took the position against his will. The CBS Radio Workshop, a reimagining of the old Columbia Workshop had debuted with the critically acclaimed two-part adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World on January 27th, 1956. It was in its second season in 1957 and unfortunately on the chopping block. Froug stayed with The CBS Radio Workshop until 1957. Afterwards Antony Ellis took over Hollywood’s production. Paul Roberts was the New York counterpart. On Sunday September 22nd, 1957, with no national sponsorship forthcoming, The CBS Radio Workshop went off the air with an adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’ “Young Man Axelrod.” After the workshop signed off for the final time, Suspense signed on, directed by William N. Robson and guest-starring Jackie Kelk and Jeanette Nolan. At 5:05PM Indictment signed on starring Nat Polen and Jack Arthur. Indictment debuted on January 29th, 1956. It told stories from the files of former ADA Eleazar Lipsky. Episodes presented the step-by-step details that went into gathering evidence which led to an indictment. That was the voice of director and writer Jack Johnstone. In September of 1957 he was in his third year directing Bob Bailey in Yours Truly Johnny Dollar. This is Bob Bailey’s daughter Roberta Bailey-Goodwin. Parley Baer was featured in this cast. After The FBI in Peace and War went on at 6:05PM, Gunsmoke signed on. Baer had been part of the cast since its first broadcast in 1952. By 1957 Gunsmoke was, quite simply, one of the most influential western in history. Norman MacDonnell was its director. Sez Who! Debuted alongside The Stan Freberg Show on Sunday, July 14th, 1957 as part of a week in which CBS Radio added $765,000 in new billings. Sez Who! Would be sponsored every other week by Look Magazine.