Mayor of the Town (radio program)

Lionel Barrymore starred as the unnamed mayor of a community typical of those in other radio programs of the era, such as Summerfield in The Great Gildersleeve and River's End in Dr. Christian. Stories dealt with typical small-town situations that involved the mayor. The mayor's housekeeper, Marilly (Agnes Moorehead), and his ward, Butch (Conrad Binyon) usually played key roles in episodes.[1] One old-time radio reference noted the similarity of Mayor of the Town's plots to those of The Great Gildersleeve, citing "the grumbling but kindly mayor interacting with a number of interesting town characters."[2]

A review of the program in the trade publication Billboard had little positive to say. The writer opined that except for selling the sponsor's product, Mayor of the Town "is otherwise devoid of merit."[3] By way of explanation, he added, "From its very inception, almost every phase of 'Mayor of the Town' is the most palpable of contrivance; stock characters, stock plot and the lowest grade of corn."[3]

In contrast, radio historian John Dunning commented that Mayor of the Town "gave a realistic portrait of rural living."[4] "Often the stories were coming-of-age pieces," he wrote, "focusing on the mayor's special relationship with Butch."[1]

In addition to Barrymore, Moorehead and Binyon, actors on Mayor of the Town included Gloria McMillan (Sharlee Bronson, Butch's girlfriend), Priscilla Lyon (Holly-Ann, the mayor's granddaughter)[1] and Bill Wright (the sheriff).[5] Dunning noted that Barrymore's involvement went beyond his acting. "He insisted on meticulous attention to detail, even though others were in charge of production. Barrymore had a way of knowing what lines were wrong and why."[4]

The announcer was Frank Martin.[6] Wilbur Hatch led the orchestra.[7] Music directors were Gordon Jenkins [8] and Bernard Katz.[9] Con Maffie played organ for the show.[10]

The director was Jack Van Nostrand.[11] Writers were Howard Blake,[12] Leonard St. Clair,[11] Howard Breslin, Charles Tazwell,[13] Jean Holloway[14] and Erna Lazarus.[1]

In 1954, a syndicated television version of Mayor of the Town aired in the United States. It starred Thomas Mitchell as Mayor Thomas Russell, Kathleen Freeman as Marilly, and David Saber as Butch.