Whole series or individual episodes of old time radio programs often fell into the newspaper and magazine habit of exploring familiar themes or “news hooks,” such as exploring particular categories of journalism careers, issues, or sections of the newspaper. Pages beneath the “themes” heading on the main menu above include overviews of several categories of stories, which helps make the main menu more skimmable on both large and small screens. Other themes will appear on this page until they grow large enough to get their own “front page” treatment, starting with Holiday stories.
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Holiday Hooks
Putting this “Themes” heading here was inspired by a more specific inquiry from the Old Time Radio Researchers group newsletter editor about holiday-themed programs… which sent me browsing back through 10 years of posts to find a few favorites… from a Christmas message Superman delivered at the end of World War II to the unusual development of one of radios star newspaper reporters getting the holiday off, and a couple of classic Christmas movies redone for radio. Unfortunately newspaper reporters didn’t play a big part in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I would have been great to have an interview with Clarence the angel.
https://jheroes.com/2015/12/22/merry-christmas-from-superman/
https://jheroes.com/2013/12/18/a-christmas-story-superman-versus-the-nielsen-racket/
https://jheroes.com/2012/11/22/crime-photographer-thanksgivings/
https://jheroes.com/2011/12/24/america-has-room-at-the-inn-in-big-town/
https://jheroes.com/2020/03/03/newspapers-charity-and-a-nose-for-news/
https://jheroes.com/2011/12/21/radio-christmas-in-connecticut/
https://jheroes.com/2020/12/22/liz-lane-not-lois/
https://jheroes.com/2011/12/16/stop-the-presses-reporter-gets-christmas-off/
https://jheroes.com/2011/12/25/seasons-greetings-from-casey-christmas-photographer/
https://jheroes.com/2013/11/29/a-dark-christmas-holiday-on-radio/
Newspaper Heroes on the Air 