When a Girl Marries was a daytime radio drama which was broadcast on three major radio networks from 1939 to 1957. Created by Elaine Sterne Carrington

Elaine Sterne Carrington

Elaine Sterne Carrington was an American screenwriter, playwright, novelist and short story author who found her greatest success writing for radio. The woman who originated radio soap opera in 1932, Carrington wrote more than 12,000 daily dramas during her long career...

 (who also was responsible for Pepper Young's Family

Pepper Young's Family

Pepper Young's Family was one of radio's more popular daytime drama series, with various format and title changes during its long run from 1932 to 1959...

and Rosemary

Rosemary (radio)

Rosemary is an American radio soap opera broadcast on NBC Radio from October 2, 1944 to March 23, 1945, and on CBS Radio from March 26, 1945 to July 1, 1955. Starring Betty Winkler as Rosemary Dawson Roberts, the program's only sponsor was Procter & Gamble, primarily for Ivory Snow dishwashing...

), it was the highest rated soap opera during the mid-1940s.

The series premiered May 29, 1939 on CBS, moving to NBC on September 29, 1941 and then to ABC on July 2, 1951.

Promoted as "the tender, human story of young married life, dedicated to everyone who has ever been in love," the convoluted plot threads followed a married couple, Harry Davis (John Raby, Robert Haag) and Joan Field Davis (Noel Mills, Mary Jane Higby), as they confronted endless problems in the small town of Stanwood. Carrington created numerous conflicts by contrasting Harry's impoverished background with Joan's high society family.

Others in the cast included Michael Fitzmaurice

Michael Fitzmaurice

Michael Fitzmaurice was a radio actor, best known for his portrayal of Superman.Born in Chicago, the baritone-voiced Fitzmaurice was heard often on radio dramas during the 1940s as both announcer and actor. From 1944 to 1947, he was the host of Mutual's Quiz of Two Cities...

, Marion Barney, Ellen Fenwick and Staats Cotsworth. Announcers included Frank Gallop

Frank Gallop

Frank Gallop was an American radio and television personality.-Radio:Frank Gallop went into broadcasting by chance...

, Bill Mazer

Bill Mazer

Bill Mazer is an Jewish American television and radio personality.Winning numerous awards and citations, including three Sportscaster of the Year awards for New York from 1964–66....

 and George Ansbro

George Ansbro

George Ansbro was a radio announcer for NBC and ABC for six decades, working with soap operas, big bands, quiz shows and other programs....

. Music was by organist Rosa Rio

Rosa Rio

Rosa Rio , born Elizabeth Raub, was an American organist who began her career as a silent film accompanist. She became a leading organist on network radio and continued to perform until age 107...

and others.