Bride and Groom (radio program)

Bride and Groom is an old-time radio human-interest program in the United States. It was broadcast on ABC November 26, 1945 – September 15, 1950.[1] Each episode featured an engaged couple who would be married during the broadcast, then showered with gifts.

Bride and Groom
A newlywed couple on the radio program Bride and Groom receives wedding gifts from the program's host, John Nelson (right).
GenreHuman-interest
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
SyndicatesABC
TV adaptationsBride and Groom (TV series)
StarringJohn Nelson
AnnouncerJack McElroy
Written byJohn Reddy
Directed byEdward Feldman
John Masterson
Original releaseNovember 26, 1945 – September 15, 1950
Sponsored bySterling Drug

In 1951, it was adapted as a television show of the same name.

Format

Each episode centred on a couple engaged to be married. An episode would begin with host John Nelson interviewing the couple, with questions about how the two met and their courtship.[2] Announcer Jack McElroy would sing a song for the couple, who would then exit to an adjacent chapel to be married by one of around 30 clergymen retained by the show. During the wedding ceremony, which was not recorded, Nelson would chat with members of the audience. He would usually speak with married couples who were celebrating significant anniversary milestones, who would be given gifts such as matching wristwatches.[3] After the ceremony, the newlyweds returned to the studio where they received wedding gifts provided by sponsors, such as refrigerators, stoves, silverware and jewelry, as a reward for participating in the program.[4]

The 30-minute program was sponsored by Sterling Drug until January 2, 1950.[5]

Casting

Radio historian John Dunning wrote, "During its five-year run, Bride and Groom told the stories of almost 1,000 new couples."[1] Couples who were ready to marry provided information about themselves to the show's staff. Applications were reviewed by director John Reddy or a panel of judges.

As a matter of policy, the show excluded divorcees from consideration. Roman Catholic couples were also not cast because their faith would have required them to be married in a Catholic church. Couples married on the show ranged in age from teenagers to octogenarians. On occasion, the show featured celebrity couples, such as radio personality Bud Collyer and actress Marian Shockley in 1948.[3]

Personnel

John Nelson was the program's host, while Jack McElroy was the announcer.[2] Music was by Gaylord Carter.[6] Edward Feldman[7] and John Masterson were the directors,[8]:823 and John Reddy was the writer.[8]

See also

References
  1. Dunning, John (1998). "Bride and Groom". On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. p. 119. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved 7 July 2017. Bride and Groom, interviews with couples at the marriage altar.
  2. Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4. P. 52.
  3. Cox, Jim (2001). The great radio audience participation shows: seventeen programs from the 1940s and 1950s. McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 63–66. ISBN 0-7864-1071-X.
  4. "Kissing the Bride". LIFE. December 2, 1940. p. 136. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  5. "Postum, Jello Hunt Radio Shows Via Y&R". Billboard. November 12, 1949. p. 8. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  6. Alicoate, Jack, Ed. (1949). The 1949 Radio Annual (PDF). New York City, N. Y.: Radio Daily. p. 897. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  7. Alicoate, Jack, Ed. (1948). The 1948 Radio Annual (PDF). New York City, N. Y.: Radio Daily. p. 950. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  8. Alicoate, Jack, Ed. (1946). The 1946 Radio Annual (PDF). New York City, N. Y.: Radio Daily. p. 820. Retrieved 5 January 2017.


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