All Topics  
Backstage Wife

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Backstage Wife
 
 
  Topics Backstage Wife Topic Home

Backstage Wife is an American soap opera
Soap opera

A soap opera is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in Serial format on television or radio. Programs described as soap operas have existed as an entertainment long enough for audiences to recognize them simply by the term soap....
 radio program that details the travails of Mary Noble, a girl from a small town in Iowa who came to New York seeking her future.

Vivian Fridell had the title role from 1935 until the early 1940s. It was then taken over by Claire Niesen, who continued as Mary Noble until the end of the series. Mary's husband, Larry Noble, was portrayed by Ken Griffin, then James Meighan and finally, Guy Sorel.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Backstage Wife'
Start a new discussion about 'Backstage Wife'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Backstage Wife is an American soap opera
Soap opera

A soap opera is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in Serial format on television or radio. Programs described as soap operas have existed as an entertainment long enough for audiences to recognize them simply by the term soap....
 radio program that details the travails of Mary Noble, a girl from a small town in Iowa who came to New York seeking her future.

Vivian Fridell had the title role from 1935 until the early 1940s. It was then taken over by Claire Niesen, who continued as Mary Noble until the end of the series. Mary's husband, Larry Noble, was portrayed by Ken Griffin, then James Meighan and finally, Guy Sorel. The music was supplied by organist Chet Kingsbury.

Each episode opened with the announcer (Pierre Andre, Roger Krupp, others) explaining:
Now, we present once again, Backstage Wife, the story of Mary Noble, a little Iowa girl who married one of America's most handsome actors, Larry Noble, matinée idol of a million other women — the story of what it means to be the wife of a famous star.


Production

The show was created by Frank and Anne Hummert
Anne Hummert

Anne Hummert was the leading creator of daytime radio serials during the 1930s and 1940s, responsible for more than three dozen drama series....
, who produced many radio daytime drama series, including Amanda of Honeymoon Hill
Amanda of Honeymoon Hill

Amanda of Honeymoon Hill was a 15-minute daily radio soap opera produced by Frank and Anne Hummert. Broadway actress Joy Hathaway had the title role, sometime described as "the beauty of flaming red hair."...
, Front Page Farrell, John’s Other Wife, Little Orphan Annie
Little Orphan Annie

Little Orphan Annie is a daily United States comic strip, created by Harold Gray , that first appeared on August 5, 1924. The title, suggested by an editor at the Chicago Tribune Syndicate, was inspired by James Whitcomb Riley's popular 1885 poem "Little Orphant Annie" which begins:Comic strips...
, Ma Perkins
Ma Perkins

Ma Perkins was a radio soap opera which was heard on NBC from 1933 to 1949 and on CBS from 1942 to 1960. Between 1942 and 1949, the show was heard simultaneously on both networks....
, Mr. Chameleon, Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons
Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons

Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons was one of radio's longest running shows, airing , continuing well into the television era. It was produced by Frank and Anne Hummert....
 and Our Gal Sunday.

Backstage Wife debuted August 5, 1935 on the Mutual Broadcasting System
Mutual Broadcasting System

The Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. Of the four national networks of American radio's classic era, Mutual had for decades the largest number of affiliates but the least certain financial position....
, continued on NBC and concluded January 2, 1959 on CBS
CBS

CBS Broadcasting Inc. is an American radio network and television network. The name is derived from the initials of Columbia Broadcasting System, its former legal name....
. The sponsors included Dr. Lyons Tooth Powder and Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble Co. is a Fortune 500, United States multinational corporation headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, that manufactures a wide range of Fast moving consumer goods....
.

Broadcast history

  • August 5, 1935–March 27, 1936, MBS, 9:45 a.m. ET
  • March 30–June 26, 1936, NBC Blue, 4:15 p.m.
  • 1936–1938, NBC Blue, 11:15 a.m.
  • 1938–July 1, 1955, NBC, 4 p.m.
  • July 4, 1955–January 2, 1959, CBS, 12:15 p.m.


In popular culture

The program was parodied by Bob and Ray
Bob and Ray

Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding were an United States of America double act whose career spanned five decades. Their format was typically to satirize the medium in which they were performing, such as conducting radio or television interviews, with off-the-wall dialogue presented in a generally deadpan style as though it were a serious...
 as their continuing satirical soap opera, Mary Backstayge, Noble Wife, serialized for such a long period of time that it became better known to many listeners than the show it lampooned.

See also

  • List of radio soaps
    List of radio soaps

    Daytime drama on the radio existed for women at home, children and men. The series often lasted for decades, and some moved to television for more decades....


Listen to



External links