Radio City Playhouse is a live half-hour anthology series that aired on NBC Radio from July 3, 1948 to January 1, 1950. Directed by Harry W. Junkin, with music by Dr. Roy Shield, and announcers Bob Warren (1948–49) and Fred Collins (1949–50), the series presented original radio dramas regardless of the fame of the author, so long as they were considered 'good'. Many of the broadcasts have survived and can be heard on websites specializing in old-time radio.
Richard McDonagh, who managed the script division of NBC, said that writers were encouraged "to tell a story in their own fashion" in a way suitable to radio. Writers for the series included John Galsworthy, Cornell Woolrich, Ernest Kinoy, and Ray Bradbury.
Actors who appeared on the program included Luis van Rooten, who had a one-man show on the July 11, 1949, episode. He portrayed "a neurotic actor who is confronted by eleven characters he has played in the past". Others were John Larkin, Jan Miner, Claudia Morgan,Trantner, Don (April 11, 1949). "Comment on Radio; Air Bubbles". Buffalo Courier Express. p. 16. Retrieved July 8, 2024. "Radio City Playhouse stars Claudia Morgan in one titled Treasure Trove." Bernard Grant,"Between the Commercials". The Berkeley Gazette. August 31, 1948. p. 13. Retrieved July 8, 2024. "A tender-hearted policeman and tough 'dead-ender' provide the material for tonight's 'Radio City Playhouse.' Bernard Grant and Edwin Bruce play the leads." and at least one hyphenate, Dolores Sutton, who both co-wrote and co-starred in “Sibling”, the episode airing on December 11, 1949."Today on the Air". St, Louis Post-Dispatch. December 11, 1949. p. 6G. Retrieved July 8, 2024. "The bill for 'Radio City Playhouse' will be 'Sibling,' by Paul E. Hadlick and Dolores Hutton.""Today's Radio Best Bets". The Brooklyn Eagle. December 11, 1949. p. 16. Retrieved July 8, 2024. "5:00—Program by the Boys Town Choir Under the Direction of the Rev. Francis P. Schmitt; Talk by the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Nicholas H. Wagner, director of Boys Town, WJZ; Radio City Playhouse, 'Sibling,' With Richard Seff and Dolores Sutton, WNBC."
Richard McDonagh and Richard P. MacDonnell were the producers. Junkin was the narrator. The program was sustaining and was broadcast on Saturdays at 10 p.m. Eastern Time. It debuted as a summer replacement for Kay Kyser's program on Saturdays at 10 p.m. Eastern Time. In 1949 it was broadcast on Mondays at 10:30 p.m. E. T.
Some episodes consisted of two playlets, such as October 16, 1949, with the presentation of "The Lake" and "Collector’s Item".
Critical response A review of the July 3, 1948, episode in the trade publication Variety commended Junkin's directing and star Jan Minor's performance.
References
External links Radio City Playhouse at Zoot Radio Radio City Playhouse at the Internet Archive Radio City Playhouse at OTR Network Library Radio City Playhouse at Audio Classics Archive Radio City Playhouse at Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs