 Drawing of Ruth Russell by actor-singer Norman Sweetser (1894-1980) | |
| Other names | Bill the Barber |
|---|---|
| Genre | Daytime dramatic serial |
| Running time | 15 minutes |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| Syndicates | CBS, Blue, NBC Red |
| Starring | Arthur Hughes, Ruth Russell |
| Announcer | Don Pardo |
| Created by | Frank and Anne Hummert |
| Written by | Robert Hardy Andrews David Davidson |
| Directed by | Martha Atwell |
| Original release | September 19, 1932 – September 30, 1955 |
| Opening theme | "Darling Nellie Gray" |
| Ending theme | "Polly Wolly Doodle" |
| Sponsored by | Kolyonos Toothpaste Anacin |
Just Plain Bill was a 1932-1955 15-minute American radio drama program heard on CBS Radio and NBC Radio.[1] It was "a story of people just like people we all know."[1]
The program began on CBS on September 19, 1932. It was originally broadcast at night, but on October 16, 1933, CBS added a daytime version. Night broadcasts ended in 1935, leaving only the daytime program thereafter until the show ended on September 30, 1955.[2]
It told the story of Bill Davidson (Arthur Hughes), a barber[3] in the town of Hartville, and his daughter Nancy (Ruth Russell). Bill often became involved in helping his friends and neighbors when he wasn't cutting hair. Davidson was seldom directly affected by the problems in which he became involved, but he wanted to help people — especially Nancy — when they faced difficulties.[4]
The show was created by Frank and Anne Hummert, who produced many radio daytime drama series, including Amanda of Honeymoon Hill, Backstage Wife, Front Page Farrell, John's Other Wife, Little Orphan Annie, Ma Perkins, Mr. Chameleon, Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons, Our Gal Sunday and Young Widder Brown.
Music was by Hal Brown (1865–1942), who played harmonica and whistled the Just Plain Bill opening theme, "Darling Nellie Gray". The closing theme was "Polly Wolly Doodle." Don Pardo was the program's announcer towards the end of the series, which came to an end on September 30, 1955.
- ^ a b Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. pp. 378–379. ISBN 0-19-507678-8. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ^ Cox, Jim (2015). Radio Crime Fighters: More Than 300 Programs from the Golden Age. McFarland. p. 150. ISBN 978-1-4766-1227-0. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Commercial premiers" (PDF). Billboard. September 30, 1933. p. 16. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ Edmondson, Madeleine; Rounds, David (1976). From Mary Noble to Mary Hartman : the complete soap opera book. Bratcliff Manor, New York: Stein and Day. p. 56. ISBN 0812820940.