Aired: 1943 - 1945
An anthology of war stories, "told by the men and women who have seen them happen."
Produced in cooperation with the Council on Books in Wartime, Words at War promised "stories of the battlefronts, of behind-the-scenes diplomacy, of underground warfare, of the home front, of action on the seas." Each show was to be "a living record of this war and the things for which we fight."
Words at War was a 30 minute dramatic anthology series dealing with stories condensed from books written about World War II. The series started in the middle of the war and at the most crucial time of the war for the allies, somewhat heightening it's debut. Not only that, it was supported by Johnson's Wax in the Fibber McGee and Molly time slot as Jim and Marian Jordan went on vacation. And if that wasn't enough, the music for the series was done by NBC's own Frank Black, a master at orchestration and the shows were often directed by Anton M. Leder of Suspense fame. Adding to all of that is the fact that most all - if not all - of the series is available today for our listening pleasure and the sound is above average.
Done in a docu-drama style with Black's music as the background gave often stark, sobering realism to these stories penned by different authors. While not all of the shows are winners, many are far above average and many remind me of the writing of Arch Oboloer. Not that these plays are anti-war (just the opposite) but most of these stories pack a powerful, though-provoking wallop, especially when dealing with subjects that are hard to comprehend, like the taking of innocent civilian lives. As Billboard Magazine wrote in 1943, "Muddled, cloying ideas of war romantics were washed away in a clean sweep." No truer words can be spoken about some of these dramas.
With anthologies you often have some good and some bad because each author has his own strengths and weaknesses. However, all seem to have a quality worthy of this fine radio series. Click here to read more about Words At War
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Please enjoy these 87 old time radio episodes:
| Air Date | Title | Synopsis | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06.05.1945 | words at war (98) my country |
+ "My Country". The entire program is performed in verse. A moving, patriotic work...a sound portra... | |
| 05.29.1945 | words at war (97) soldier to civilian |
+ "Soldier To Civilian". A drama about the re-adjustments a soldier must face after life in the ser... | |
| 05.22.1945 | words at war (96) wartime racketeers |
+ "Wartime Racketeers". A portrait of black marketeers and other crooks and frauds on the home fron... | |
| 05.15.1945 | words at war (95) the road to serfdom |
+ "The Road To Serfdom". Should there be government planning after the war? An excellent docu-drama... | |
| 05.01.1945 | words at war (94) the hide out |
+ "The Hide-Out". A psychological study about a man who tried to run away from himself. A Czech in... | |
| 04.24.1945 | words at war (93) brave men |
+ Program #43. , AFRS rebroadcast. "Brave Men". A program originally broadcast shortly after the de... | |
| 04.17.1945 | words at war (92) they left the back door open |
+ "They Left The Back Door Open". The story of Bill Donaldson a hero who deserted from the British... | |
| 04.10.1945 | words at war (91) apartment in athens |
+ "Apartment In Athens". A Greek businessman decides to invite a Nazi officer to live in his apartm... | |
| 04.03.1945 | words at war (90) full employment in a free society |
+ "Full Employment In A Free Society". The announcer says that this series is, "One of the most sig... | |
| 03.27.1945 | words at war (89) banshee harvest |
+ "Banshee Harvest". A story of rural Ireland during the war, still fighting the battles of long ag... | |
| 03.20.1945 | words at war (88) tomorrow we'll see |
+ Program #37. "Tomorrow We'll Sing". An Italian-American soldier stationed in the re-conquered pa... | |
| 03.13.1945 | words at war (87) can do |
+ "Can Do". The story of the Seabees (Navy Construction Battalions). | |
| 03.06.1945 | words at war (86) rainbow |
+ "The Rainbow". The graphic story of the Nazi occupation of a small village in the Ukraine. Strong... | |
| 02.27.1945 | words at war (85) faith of our fathers |
+ "The Bid Was Four Hearts". The story is based on the book "The Four Fathers." The story of the f... | |
| 02.20.1945 | words at war (84) battle report pearl harbor to the coral sea |
+ "Battle Report". The story of a sub-tender, the U. S. S. Canopus, which was deliberately sunk by... | |
| 02.13.1945 | words at war (83) what to do with germany |
+1945. Program #36. "What To Do With Germany". A program set in the future (1985) that was broadca... | |
| 02.06.1945 | words at war (82) ten escape from tojo | ||
| 01.23.1945 | words at war (81) the story of a secret state |
+ "Story Of A Secret State". An eyewitness account of the activities of the Polish underground. We... | |
| 01.16.1945 | words at war (80) verdict on india |
+ "Verdict On India". A well-written condemnation of the British rule in India. | |
| 01.09.1945 | words at war (79) borrowed nights |
+ "Borrowed Night". A well-done story about the methods the Nazis use to discover malingerers. | |
| 01.02.1945 | words at war (78) it's always bright tomorrow |
+ "It's Always Tomorrow". "A hard-hitting book about the men and women of bomb-battered England." A... | |
| 12.26.1944 | words at war (77) scape goats in history history of bigotry in the united states |
+ "Scapegoats In History: History Of Bigotry In The United States". A Christmas story about bigotry... | |
| 12.19.1944 | words at war (76) the cross and the arrow |
+ "The Cross and The Arrow". The story behind a small fire made from hay. Was it Nazi sabotage or ... | |
| 12.12.1944 | words at war (75) your school, your children |
+ "Your Schools...Your Children". A portrait of the sad state of race relations and intolerance am... | |
| 12.05.1944 | words at war (74) the guys on the ground |
+ "The Guys On The Ground". The story of the "Coughin' Coffin," a de-jinxed B-26. How ground crew ... |
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WORDS AT WAR
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