Title: Famous Jury Trials

Type: Dramatic anthology

Length: 45 minutes (1936-1937); 30 minutes (1938-1949)

Broadcast history:

Jan. 5, 1936 - Dec. 20, 1937 Mutual. Sundays at first, then Mondays, both 10 PM. Sponsored by Mennen.

Nov. 2, 1938 - Mar. 8, 1939 Mutual. Wednesdays at 10 PM. Sponsored by Goodrich.

Nov. 11, 1940 - June 25, 1949 Blue Network/Blue. Many timeslots:

     1941 - 1944 Tuesdays at 9 PM; Sponsored by Oh Henry candy bars.

     1944 - 1946 Fridays at 8:30 or 9 PM; Sponsored by Oh Henry

     1946 - 1949 Saturdays at 8:30 PM; Sponsored by Oh Henry (1946), General Mills (1947-48)

Cast:

Maurice Franklin as The judge

Roger DeKoven as reporter/narrator

DeWitt McBride as reporter/narrator

Raymond Edward Johnson

Frank Readick

Mandel Kramer

This was a drama anthology based on actual case histories of real trials. The stories were delivered without music and with a hollow tone to suggest a large old-fashioned courtroom. The shows were

fictionalized, but not heavily. An early technique, not used before, was to "transport" a radio announcer back in time to report on a trial as it allegedly happened. Later shows relied heavily on dialogue and the reporters role was reduced to side narrative. Actual testimony was limited to the most explosive parts of a trial with the reporter bridging the gaps. The verdict given at the end of the show often surprised the radio audience.

Source:

On the Air - John Dunning