One Man's Family was a 30-minute family drama radio series sponsored by Snowdrift and Wesson Oil. Created by Carlton E. Morse, the thing about this radio show was that it is divided into books and chapters like those of literary works. The story was about the daily life and struggles of a family living in a Sea Cliff in San Francisco, California.
The family is headed by Henry Barbour, a stockbroker, together with his wife Fanny. The couple have five children namely Paul, Hazel, Clifford and Claudia, and Jack. Throughout the story, each of them would refer to some places in San Francisco especially the Golden Gate Bridge, which can be seen from their living room. The role of Henry Barbour was given to J. Anthony Smythe, while Minetta Ellen took the role of Fanny for the show’s first thirteen years, after which Mary Adams took over until the end. Other stars included Michael Raffeto (who was replaced by Russell Thorson later on) as Paul, Bernice Berwin as Hazel, Barton Yarborough as Clifford, and Kathleen Wilson as Claudia. The show lasted for 27 years, with its pilot episode on April 29, 1932 and its last on April 24, 1959. Given that, it’s no wonder that One Man's Family is dubbed as radio's most popular and longest-running national serial ever made. The show was able to produce a total of 36 books with 3,256 chapters.
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Please enjoy these 370 old time radio episodes:
| Air Date | Title | Synopsis | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07.04.1949 | a reintroduction to the barbours |
+The first broadcast after the program moved from Sunday to Monday. The characters on the program ar... | |
| 07.11.1949 | two lost barbours begin to find happiness |
+Clifford has to assert himself with Skippy and his noisey scooter. Count the number of times Father... | |
| 07.18.1949 | roberta evans begins to sense a rival |
+ Father Barbour has his doubts about Ken, a "grease monkey" at the airport, that Joan has gone out ... | |
| 07.25.1949 | definite progress in family relations |
+ Suggestions in the ether, a scooter ride for Father Barbour leads to a slight accident. The progra... | |
| 08.01.1949 | father barbours aching bones |
+Book 71, Chapter 5. Mail call at the Sky Ranch. Roberta Evans has made an excuse to not return to t... | |
| 08.08.1949 | father barbour predicts the worst |
+ Book 71, Chapter 6. The story title is apparently given by the announcer in error, see the progam... | |
| 08.15.1949 | the return of joan roberts lacey |
+Book 71, Chapter 7. Joan and her date are still missing. Their car and clothes are found by the bea... | |
| 08.22.1949 | a very very tough stepfather indeed |
+Book 71, Chapter 8. The announcer says, "Chapter 6," but the story line follows chapter 7. Father B... | |
| 08.29.1949 | father barbours rampage and what came of it |
+Book 71, Chapter 9. Hazel confronts Father Barbour after the comb and brush incident. Father Barbou... | |
| 09.05.1949 | father barbour and the eavesdropping episode |
+Book 71, Chapter 10. Joan tries to get permission to have Kenny Arthur visit her at the Sky Ranch. ... | |
| 09.12.1949 | a homemade bread and applesauce peace offering |
+Book 71. Chapter 11. Paul gives Cliff some good advice. A new viewpoint. Father Barbour has overhea... | |
| 09.19.1949 | the return of the second assistant cook |
+Book 71, Chapter 12. A letter from Pinky is read aloud by Father Barbour to the family. Pinky arriv... | |
| 09.26.1949 | end of a summer saga |
+Book 71, Chapter 13. The Barbour summer holiday has ended, now where is Father Barbour's hammock? J... | |
| 10.02.1949 | father barbour and his 3 sons |
+ Book 72, Chapter 1. Joan makes breakfast for her mother and stepfather. Pinky is going to try out ... | |
| 10.09.1949 | clifford delves into his past |
+Book 72, Chapter 2. Children's books from the closet. Clifford remembers an incident from the past.... | |
| 10.16.1949 | father barbour gets left behind |
+ Book 72, Chapter 3. A quiet night at home with the family? Not this family! A nighttime ice box ra... | |
| 10.23.1949 | new twist to old story |
+Chapter 4. A family luncheon is delayed by Father Barbour, who had a run-in with Rex Frome, "Claudi... | |
| 10.30.1949 | one man's family b072c05 family reaction to rexford frome |
+Book 72, Chapter 5. Mr. Frome has introduced himself to Joan...and given her a wristwatch with diam... | |
| 11.06.1949 | rex frome invades the barbours |
+ Book 72, Chapter 6. Mr. Frome seems to be more involved with the Barbour family, much to the displ... | |
| 11.13.1949 | paul meets the lady in the case |
+Book 72, Chapter 7. Jack wants to join a Wednesday night bowling league. Meanwhile, Betty has six l... | |
| 11.16.1949 | one man's family bk 72 chap 06 rex frome invades the barbours (lost 2 min.) | ||
| 11.20.1949 | the dinner that was interrupted |
+ Book 72, Chapter 8. Margaret is missing, Father Barbour thinks the worst of the Fromes. The friend... | |
| 11.27.1949 | dr thompson opens pauls eyes |
+Book 72, Chapter 9. Mother Barbour is sick in bed. Dr. Thompson thinks her problem is Paul's relati... | |
| 12.04.1949 | the family must make its decision |
+Book 72, Chapter 10. Father Barbour has only one thing on his mind: his disapproval of Paul's roman... | |
| 12.11.1949 | clifford defies the lightning |
+Book 72, Chapter 11. Clifford confronts Father Barbour on behalf of Paul and Christine. The system ... |
Frank
Keely
ONE MAN'S FAMILY
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