Product ID: BTDR
Control Number: 7873798
Big Town 43 Episodes
Big Town was one of the most popular, hard hitting newspaper dramas in the history of the Golden Age of Radio. The series took listeners into the bustling, high-pressure newsroom of the Illustrated Press, the most influential daily newspaper in the fictional metropolis of Big Town. Moving away from standard police procedurals, the show focused on the power of the crusading press to expose civic corruption, battle organized crime syndicates, and advocate for social justice. Every broadcast was a fast moving crusade that proved the typewriter and the printing press could be just as effective against the underworld as a police detective's revolver.
Dynamic, socially conscious, and full of urban grit, Big Town was celebrated for its high-energy pacing, memorable characters, and its enduring portrayal of the classic, noble era of investigative journalism.
The Stars
The series originally owed much of its massive success to the Hollywood star power of Edward G. Robinson, who played the crusading, hardboiled editor in chief Steve Wilson. Robinson brought his signature tough talking, street-smart intensity to the role, redefining the character from an initial cynical scandalmonger into a fierce defender of the public good. In 1943, the veteran actor Edward Pawley took over the mantle of Steve Wilson, delivering a powerful and deeply commanding performance that carried the show through its peak years.
Standing matching step for step with Wilson was his brilliant, independent ace reporter, Lorelei Kilbourne. Portrayed originally by screen star Claire Trevor and later defined by the exceptional Fran Carlon, Lorelei was a trailblazing female lead in radio consistently diving into danger, uncovering key clues, and acting as the sharp intellectual anchor of the paper.
Key Dates
The series made its historic network premiere on October 19, 1937, on the CBS Radio Network, quickly climbing the ratings to become a Top 50 fixture of the Depression era airwaves.
Operating as a highly resilient pillar of network radio, the program enjoyed an incredibly long, continuous primary run across multiple networks, keeping listeners captivated until its final broadcast in 1951.
Episodes were produced in a premium, action-packed 30minute format, allowing the perfect amount of time to introduce a complex criminal racket, follow the Illustrated Press investigative trail, and break the final scoop on the front page.
Other Information
A hallmark of the show was its uncompromising reflection of real world headlines. The scripts routinely took inspiration from actual contemporary events tackling localized rackets like crooked slot machines, hit-and-run insurance scams, factory fire negligence, and wartime black-market profiteering. The show was highly praised by civic organizations and journalism boards for its positive depiction of the press as a necessary watchdog for democracy.
The production was famously recognized for its dynamic sonic signature and sponsorship. For a significant portion of its run, the show was sponsored by Rinso soap, and the lively, memorable commercial breaks became a familiar staple for millions of American families. The audio design relied heavily on the frantic, overlapping sounds of a major metropolitan news room including clacking typewriters, shouting copy boys, and the thunderous roar of rolling printing presses. Today, Big Town is revered by OTR collectors as the definitive radio newspaper drama, offering a thrilling, timeless celebration of the brave journalists who risked it all to get the truth into print.
This collection comes preloaded on a USB stick, allowing you to easily transfer all episodes to the device of your choice. Enjoy seamless playback a perfect blend of vintage charm and modern convenience.
Suggested Retail Price: $14.99
Mice Price: $11.59
Weight: 0.0500 pounds
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