Grand Central Station (radio series)

Grand Central Station was an American anthology radio series which had a long run on the major networks from 1937 to 1954. Produced by Himan Brown, Martin Horrell and others, the story content ranged from romantic comedies to lightweight dramas.[1]

Each program opened with an announcer intoning that Grand Central was "the crossroads of a million private lives, a gigantic stage on which are played a thousand dramas daily."[2]

Actors included Jim Ameche and Hume Cronyn. The announcers were George Baxter, Ken Roberts and Tom Shirley. The programs were narrated by Jack Arthur, Stuart Metz and Alexander Scourby.[1]

One sound effect frequently used in the program was a chugging steam train engine. Some listeners noted that steam engines no longer frequented the terminal, prompting Himan Brown to respond "You have your own Grand Central Station."[2]

In 1952 a half-hour television pilot was unsuccessful in bringing Grand Central Station to the small screen. The pilot episode starred Mercedes McCambridge, with supporting roles by Kirby Grant and Parley Baer. It was produced by Don W. Sharpe who copyrighted the film. It began with a fascinating montage of trains chugging into Midtown Manhattan and the same exciting words that opened the radio program for so many years.

The show's title was factually erroneous; Grand Central was (and is) actually a "Terminal," not a "Station". Producer Himan Brown said the New York Central Railroad would not allow him to use the actual name.