Her Honor, Nancy James

Her Honor, Nancy James is an American radio soap opera.[1] It was broadcast Mondays to Fridays[2] on CBS from October 3, 1938 to July 28, 1939.[3]

Her Honor, Nancy James
GenreSoap opera
Running time15 minutes
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
SyndicatesCBS
StarringBarbara Weeks
AnnouncerFrank Gallop
Written byDave Victor
Herbert Little, Jr.
Directed byBasil Loughrane
Narrated byMel Allen
Original releaseOctober 3, 1938 –
July 28, 1939
Sponsored byKleenex

Format

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Her Honor, Nancy James related "the dramatic events in the restoration of a big city which has been overrun by corrupt politicians who have intimidated law-abiding citizens and undermined legitimate business with their rackets."[4] The program featured "dramatic incidents in the life of Nancy James, a judge in the Court of Common Relations in Metropolis City."[5] It was described as being one of "two sympathetic portrayals of judges" during the golden age of radio[6] and as an example of how "The popular culture at the time ... glamorized single working women and affirmed their active role in public life."[7]

After having been a social worker, the title character was appointed to be the judge of a "special Court of Common Problems."[8]

Personnel

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The title role was played by Barbara Weeks. Others in the cast and their roles are shown in the table below.

Character Actor or actress
Mayor Richard Wharton Joseph Curtin
Evelyn Wharton Kay Strozzi
Anthony Hale Ned Wever
Carrie Dean Alice Reinheart
Madge Keller Janice Gilbert
Stan Adamic Chester Stratton
Ellen Clark Joan Banks
George Novack Maurice Franklin
Laura Claire Niesen[9]
Dr. Baxter Michael Fitzmaurice[9]
Bob Doering Carl Frank[10]
Closing voice Basil Loughrane[9]

Source: On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio,[3] except as indicated.

Mel Allen was the program's narrator;[11] Frank Gallop was the announcer. Basil Loughrane was the director.[3] The program's writers were Dave Victor and Herbert Little, Jr.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Sies, Luther F. (2014). Encyclopedia of American Radio, 1920-1960, 2nd Edition, Volume 1. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-5149-4. P. 04.
  2. ^ "Networks Continue Procession Of New Fall Program Premieres; Number Of "Revivals" Increases". Nebraska, Lincoln. The Nebraska State Journal. October 2, 1938. p. 40. Retrieved December 17, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ a b c Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. pp. 317–318. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved 2019-09-05.
  4. ^ "The Radio Playbill: This Week--"Her Honor, Nancy James"" (PDF). Radio Guide. December 3, 1938. pp. 6–7. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  5. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4. P. 149.
  6. ^ Erickson, Hal (2009). Encyclopedia of Television Law Shows: Factual and Fictional Series About Judges, Lawyers and the Courtroom, 1948-2008. McFarland & Company, Incorporated. p. 7. ISBN 9780786438280.
  7. ^ Cott, Nancy F. (2004). No Small Courage: A History of Women in the United States. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 475. ISBN 9780195173239. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  8. ^ Ranson, Jo (October 1, 1938). "Radio Dial Log". New York, Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 18. Retrieved December 17, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  9. ^ a b c Buxton, Frank and Owen, Bill (1972). The Big Broadcast: 1920-1950. The Viking Press. SBN 670-16240-x. P. 110.
  10. ^ Lamade, Paul (March 16, 1939). "Radio Around the Dial". Pennsylvania, Altoona. Altoona Tribune. p. 10. Retrieved December 18, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  11. ^ Borelli, Stephen (2005). How About That!: The Life of Mel Allen. Sports Publishing LLC. p. 47. ISBN 9781582617336. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  12. ^ Lewis, Martin (October 29, 1938). "Airialto Lowdown" (PDF). Radio Guide. p. 10. Retrieved 19 December 2015.