The Unsung Heroes of Radio

When we think of radio stars we usually have the people in front of the microphone in mind, or maybe the producer or director.

But, there are other people without whom these wonderful old radio shows would not be the same. 

I gave you a clue in last week's editorial...

Yes you guessed it, those unsung heroes of old time radio are the ones in charge of the sound effects!

In the early days of radio, there were very few sound effects heard - and the ones used were very amateur. 

However, when drama shows began to hit the airwaves, better sound effects were needed, and so the sound effects role was created. 

The majority of these pioneers of radio had absolutely no experience at all, and were just the junior man on the radio staff - but so long as they could supply a makeshift sound effect, they were fine!

By the 1930s, Good sound men were trusted by the directors to create the proper sound or background noise to help move the story along, or set the mood. A wonderful example of this would be the Gunsmoke series. 

Try listening to one of these shows whilst wearing headphones on. The attention to detail is absolutely terrific! 

Some of the undisputed stars of sound effects were Ray Kemper, Bill James and Tom Hanley (Gunsmoke), Al Schaffer (The Shadow), Ed Ludes and Virgil Rhymer (Fibber McGee), and Cliff Thorsness (Escape) who won an award for the famous 1950 episode, Three Skeleton Key, where millions of rats attack a lighthouse!

You can listen to all of these talented fellows in action here on RUSC -  just put on any episode and the chances are you'll be listening to sounds conjured up by them.

Happy listening my friends,