Frank Hummert | |
|---|---|
| Born | Edward Frank Hummert, Jr. June 2, 1884 |
| Died | March 12, 1966 (aged 81) Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Other names | E. Frank Hummert |
| Alma mater | Stonyhurst College Saint Louis University |
| Occupation(s) | Advertising agent, producer |
| Years active | 1904-1960 |
| Known for | Creator/producer of Just Plain Bill The Romance of Helen Trent Ma Perkins Backstage Wife |
| Spouses | |
| Children | John Ashenhurst, Jr. (stepson) |
Edward Frank Hummert, Jr. (June 2, 1884[1] – March 12, 1966), professionally known as Frank Hummert and sometimes credited as E. Frank Hummert, was an American advertising agent originally but was best known for producing episodes of nearly 100 daytime/primetime radio dramas, soap opera serials, and music programs between the 1930s and the 1950s.
Hummert, along with his wife Anne Hummert, became the monarchs of daytime radio with dramas such as Just Plain Bill (1932–55), The Romance of Helen Trent (1933–60), Ma Perkins (1933–60), and Backstage Wife (1935–59).[2] After the success of these dramas, the Hummerts formed Hummert Radio Productions. Under Hummert Productions, creating the basic plots and assigning an assembly line of writers to complete the scripts, they produced more than 40 radio shows, including the soap operas Stella Dallas (1938–55) and Young Widder Brown (1938–56); the mystery shows Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons (1937–54), and Mr. Chameleon (1948–51); and musical programs including The American Album of Familiar Music (1931–51) and Manhattan Merry-Go-Round (1933–49).[3] In all, the Hummerts are credited with the creation/production of 61 radio soap operas.[4]
By 1937, with his success on radio and potential advertisers lining up to become clients, Hummert had become advertising's highest paid executive.[5]