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Cavalcade of America

Musical directorDonald Voorhees (1935–41 and 1949–53)
Genre	Anthology drama
Running time	25 minutes
Country of origin	United States
Language	English
Home station	CBS Radio NBC Red Network NBC Blue network NBC Radio Network
Starring	Numerous Broadway and Hollywood stars
Announcer	Frank Singiser Gabriel Heatter Basil Ruysedael Bud Collyer Gayne Whitman Ted Pearson Bill Hamilton Ross Martin
Created by	Roy S. Durstine
Written by	Arthur Miller Norman Rosten Robert Tallman Peter Lyon Robert Richards Stuart Hawkins Arthur Arent Edith Sommer Halsted Welles Henry Denker Priscilla Kent Virginia Radcliffe Frank Gabrielson Margaret Lewerth Morton Wishengrad George Faulkner Irve Tunick
Directed by	Kenneth Webb Homer Fickett Bill Sweet Homer Fickett Jack Zoller
Produced by	Arthur Pryor, Jr. Louis Mason Larry Harding Homer Fickett Jack Zoller Roger Pryor H.L. Blackburn
Executive producer	Roy S. Durstine
Narrated by	Walter Huston
Original release	October 9, 1935 (1935-10-09) – March 31, 1953 (1953-03-31)
No. of series	18
No. of episodes	781
Audio format	Monaural sound
Opening theme	Glory of America (byAlexander László)
Ending theme	March Theme (by Alexander László)
Sponsored by	DuPont Company

Cavalcade of America is ananthology drama series that was sponsored by theDuPont Company, although it occasionally presentedmusicals, such as an adaptation ofShow Boat,^[1] and condensed biographies of popularcomposers. It was initially broadcast on radio from 1935 to 1953, and on television from 1952 to 1957.^[2] Originally onCBS Radio, the series pioneered the use of anthology drama for companyaudio advertising.^[3][4] The series moved to theNBC Red Network,NBC Blue network, andNBC Radio Network.^[5]

DuPont's motto, "Maker of better things for better living through chemistry," was read at the beginning of each program, and the dramas emphasized humanitarian progress, particularly improvements in the lives of women, often through technological innovation.^[6][7][8]

Cavalcade of America started as part of a successful campaign to reinvigorate DuPont.^[9][10] In the early 1930s, theNye Committee investigations concluded that DuPont had made a fortuneprofiteering inWorld War I.^{[11][12][13][14]} The company stood accused of encouraging anarms race between World War I enemies, after being heavily subsidized by theAllies to increaseblack powder production. The negative effects of the investigation left the company demoralized, directionless and with a tarnished corporate image in the middle of theGreat Depression. DuPont was not the only company being investigated, those wereH Hercules Powder Company,General Motors Corporation,Anaconda Copper Company,United States Steel Corporation, andBethlehem Steel Company.^[15]

DuPont's products were primarily not for public consumption, so there was no purpose in promoting them through advertising. As a solution to DuPont's troubles,Roy S. Durstine, then creative director ofBatten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn, proposed the creation ofCavalcade of America using the company motto. This was to be an important element in the successfulrebranding of DuPont as an American legacy engaged in making products for the well-being of Americans and humanity in general.^{[citation needed]} Durstine hired Arthur Pryor, Jr. in 1927 to head the BBDO radio department. Pryor either directed or oversaw the development ofGeneral MotorsFamily Party andThe Parade of the States,Standard Oil of New York'sSoconyland Sketches, and DuPont'sCavalcade of America.^[16] BBDO presented DuPont with two programs: aChanning Pollockmonologue andCavalcade of America.^[17]Lammot du Pont II and DuPont's executive committee inspected in detail the show untilBruce Barton got involved.^[18] Durstine andColumbia Broadcasting System came to terms withnetwork affiliates and its willingness to broadcast a program from an advertising firm.^[19] Edgar Kobak,vice president ofsales atNBC Radio Network, was not happy that NBC had lost out to CBS.^[20]

DuPont's image problems led the company to promote somepacifist andsocialist ideals. DuPont stipulated several topics would be taboo on the show, such as gunfire of any kind, which attracted writers such asNorman Rosten andArthur Miller, who had signed theOxford Pledge while atUniversity of Michigan. For scripts, the program was also able to attract such prominent writers asMaxwell Anderson,Stephen Vincent Benét,Carl Sandburg andRobert Sherwood. AlthoughYale University historian Frank Monaghan signed on as an advisor to ensure historically accuracy of the scripts,^[21] listeners were quick to point outanachronisms; trains did not use air brakes in 1860 instead usedbrakemen,^[22] and Washington's troops could not have sungO Tannenbaum while crossing the Delaware since it was written forty-eight years after that event^[23] making the program not have continuity.^[5]

Cavalcade of America offered something different than theescapist entertainment, the sensationalized cries ofsoap operas, or the hard-boiled dialogue ofcrime thrillers. It offered a look back atAmerican History.^[10] Producers made careful decisions on scripts deliberately trying to avoid offending the affluent audience and not includingpeople of color.^[5] The show gained a wider audience giving producers confidence to do different story material. This produced stories fromHollywoodscreenwriters,film adaptions, and original works.SingerWoody Guthrie performed on an episode titledWild Bill Hickok: The Last Of Two Gun Justice in 1940.^[24] In June 1944, producers thought about changing the program to a folksy serial and sought out stars and stories for its upcoming season.^[25][26]

The premiere episode ofCavalcade of America titledNo Turning Back starredWalter Hampden asEdward Winslow in part one and a farmer, a descendent of Winslow, inSouth Dakota in part two on October 9, 1935.^[28]

In the summer of 1936Cavalcade of America deviated from its normal storytelling to air music starting withThe Development Of Band Music In America, Part 1: The Small Bands: Sousa, Gilmore And Pryor and ending withMusic Of The Movies.^[7] The September 1, 1936, episode opened withGypsy Love Song fromVictor Herbert'sThe Fortune Teller and featured from theBroadway playsOn Your Toes andFlorodora.^[29]

The May 20, 1937, episode, the life ofThomas Edison, "Wizard of Menlo Park" aired. TheDon Voorhees orchestra played.^[30]

The January 2, 1940, episode starredBurgess Meredith in the title role based on the life ofItalian explorer, navigator and popular authorAmerigo Vespucci withMarquis James,Carl Carmer, andFrank Monaghan. Don Voorhees directed.^[31] The February 13, episode featuredRaymond Massey starring in whichRobert E. Sherwood wrote an adaptation (radio transcript) ofCarl Sandburg'sAbraham Lincoln: The War Years, part of the six volume set of Lincoln'sbiography.^[32] The April 30, episode titledThomas Paine starredFrank Readick.^[33]

The January 22, 1941, episode titledLife Of Emily Dickinson was broadcast on radio featuringAnne Sterrett.^[34] The March 31, episode has actorPaul Muni in the title role of the life ofEdwin Booth.^[35] The April 7, episodeMaxwell Anderson'sOde To A Nightingale was played.^[36] The August 4, episode that was broadcast on radio wasDr. Sara Josephine Baker.^[37] The October 13, episode titledWaters Of The Wilderness, starredKay Francis which was based onShirley Seifert'snovel of the same name.^[38][39] The October 27, 1941, episode featuredClaude Rains as Captain Paul fromEdward Ellsberg's bookCaptain Paul.^[40][41] In November 1941,Drums Along The Mohawk was presented featuringHenry Fonda andThey Died With Their Boots On featuringErrol Flynn.^[42] A week following thebombing of Pearl Harbor,The Great Man Vote featuringOrson Welles premiered.^[42] The December 22, episode was a repeat of its annualChristmas version ofMarc Connelly'sThe Green Pastures featuring theHall Johnson Choir andJuano Hernandez.^[43][44]

The February 2, 1942, episode titledCaptains Of The Clouds debuted featuringJames Cagney before thefilm was released on February 12, 1942.^[42][45]

The February 7, 1944, episodePrologue to Glory aired in honor ofPresidentAbraham Lincoln.^[46] Massey starred where it emanated at theRadio City Music Hall inNew York City. Massey once again starred inAbraham Lincoln: The War Years andAbraham Lincoln.^[46][47] The March 2, episode titledThe First Commando starredAlfred Drake andEverett Sloane.^[48] The March 13, episode hadopera singerPatrice Munsel.^[49] The September 4, episodeWhat Makes A Hero, was the story ofcorporalJim Slaton.^[50] The November 6, episode titledJane Adams Of Hull House^[a] was preempted forPresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt's speech.^[27][51]

The February 5, 1945, episode starredBing Crosby in a musical revue supported by theUSO.^[52]

The September 29, 1947, episodeBig Boy starredBrian Donlevy aboutBabe Ruth.^[53]

The October 4, 1948, episodeAction At Santiag, starringJohn Dall andRobert Trout.^[54]

The February 28, 1950, episodeYoung Man In A Hurry told the story ofHeinz Joseph Gerber's immigration to the United States, his determination to go to high school and graduate, go to college, and inventing therubber ruler.^[55][56] The April 15 episode titledThe Firefly Lamp starredWilliam Holden and howNorfolk and Western Railway was built.^[57] The December 17, episode titledSpindletop with starsRobert Cummings andTeresa Wright.^[58]

This is the cast listing according toThe Concise Encyclopedia of American Radio.^[59] Actor, announcer, andGame show host Bud Collyer remembered his time on the show.^[60] Other announcers were on the show.^[61] Hans Conried was in eight radio performances.^[62]

• Walter Huston

• Bud Collyer
• Bill Hamilton
• Gabriel Heatter
• Ross Martin
• Ted Pearson
• Basil Ruysedael
• Frank Singiser
• Gayne Whitman

• Walter Brennan
• Ray Collins
• Hans Conried
• Ted de Corsia
• Kenny Delmar
• Ross Elliott
• Cary Grant
• Gary Gray
• Ted Jewett
• Raymond Edward Johnson
• Bill Johnstone
• John McIntire
• Agnes Moorehead
• Dennis Morgan
• Jeanette Nolan
• Tyrone Power
• Frank Readick
• Ronald Reagan
• Stafford Repp
• Mickey Rooney
• Luis van Rooten
• Everett Sloane
• Jack Smart
• Paul Stewart
• Karl Swenson
• Orson Welles

DuPont, a chemical corporation that did not sell public goods, sponsoredCavalcade of America and integrated their company slogan and agenda into the inspirational and pro-American achievement themes of each episode.^[63]

A world-classPR firm helped DuPont shake the “merchant of death” label, and it remained a sponsor for a top radio program.^[64]

Cavalcade of America was an early exercise in corporate image-building. DuPont promoted itself as a hero for America. This type ofpropaganda was shrewd but effective; it put a corporate image behind the real-life heroes that lived a century before. One way DuPont was able to emphasize its own products in episodes ofCavalcade of America was by having health-related episodes that promoted the use of chemical-compound products manufactured by DuPont. This was not necessarily advertising, since individuals could not go to the store and purchase these chemical items.^[63]

According to DuPont public relations executives, the goal was not to directly sell their products, but rather to explain the company's goals and foster the confidence, respect and goodwill of the public. By recreating little-known events in the lives of historically respected Americans through dramatizations,Cavalcade of America caused listeners toassociate DuPont's products withpatriotism and self-reliance. The series also gave history and chemistry more prestige than it would have otherwise had. By making the show thrilling, but not over-sensationalized, DuPont was able to better its own branding and get away from being perceived as a military-only company.^[65]

At theWorld's Fair inNew York City in 1939, DuPont introducednylon women'shosiery.^[66] On May 15, 1940, DuPont made nylon women's hosiery available to the public and began an advertising blitz. The day was designated "N-day" by DuPont's marketers, and an entire episode ofCavalcade of America was markedly different: DuPont selected a "typical" housewife to interview G.P. Hoff, Director of Research of DuPont's Nylon Division. In the rigged interview, Hoff expounded at length on the virtues of nylon. Eager to purchase nylon hose, thousands of women waited in lines for department stores to open the following morning. 750,000 nylons had been manufactured for N-Day, but all were sold on the first day they went on sale.^[67][68]

In August 1952,Cavalcade of America was nominated for theAmerican Legion Auxiliary award for the third consecutive year.^[69] In February 1954, DuPont won theFreedoms Foundation award with theFirestone Tire & Rubber Company.^[70]

Cavalcade of America
Francis L. Sullivan andRichard Avonde in "Margin for Victory", 1954
Genre	Anthology drama
Based on	Cavalcade of America byRoy S. Durstine's radio series
Directed by	Robert Stevenson László Benedek Peter Godfrey John Brahm William A. Seiter Harry Horner
Starring	Numerous Broadway and Hollywood stars
Theme music composer	Josef Zimanich
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	5
No. of episodes	131
Production
Executive producers	Don Sharpe Jacques Braunstein
Producers	Warren Lewis Jack Chertok Jack Denove Gilbert Ralston Arthur Ripley
Running time	25 minutes
Production companies	Leonard Freeman Productions CBS Productions
Original release
Network	NBC
Release	October 1, 1952 (1952-10-01) – June 24, 1953 (1953-06-24)
Network	ABC
Release	September 29, 1953 (1953-09-29) – March 30, 1957 (1957-03-30)

In the 1950s, DuPont switched its advertising strategy from radio to television, andCavalcade of America became a television series mainly produced byJack Chertok. One hundred and thirty-one episodes were aired over five seasons between 1952 and 1957. During a six-month period, the television and radio series overlapped. The show was telecast on both NBC (1952–53) and ABC (1953–57). It was renamedDuPont Cavalcade Theater in August 1955, and it was known asDuPont Theater during its last year. In the 1957 fall season, it was replaced byDuPont Show of the Month, a 90-minute live dramatization of popular novels and short stories or abridged versions of films and plays. That series ran until 1961.^[71]

Manykinescopes ofCavalcade of America survive at theUCLA Film and Television Archive.^{[citation needed]}

The first episode ofCavalcade of America wasPoor Richard which debuted on October 1, 1952.^[72] In season 3, episode 23Sunrise On A Dirty Face theAmerican juvenile justice system was established in 1899 inCook County, Illinois.^[73] In Season 3, episode 25,The Palmetto Conspiracy,DetectiveAllan Pinkerton allegedly sets out to stop anassiassination attempt onPresident-electAbraham Lincoln.^[74][75][76] Season 4,episode 25,The Major of St. Lo deals with the events of theBattle of Saint-Lô where MajorThomas D. Howie lost his life.^[77][78]

During the late 1930s, Dixon Ryan Fox, Arthur Meier Schlesinger, and William Sanderson edited a series of books based on the series published byMilton Bradley Company.^[79] In 1956, the series was adapted into a book,Cavalcade of America: The Deeds and Achievements of the Men and Women Who Made Our Country Great. Chapters covered such historical figures as Abraham Lincoln, telegraph organizer Hiram Sibley, engineer James Eads, John Quincy Adams fighting the gag rule and Clara Barton's career that led her to head the American Red Cross.^[80]Martin Grams, Jr.'sThe History of the Cavalcade of America features episode guides for both the radio and TV series.^[81]

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• Horten, Gerd (2003).Radio Goes to War: The Cultural Politics of Propaganda During World War II(eBook) (1st ed.).Berkeley, California:University of California Press.ISBN 978-0520240612.
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• Hatch, James Vernon; Hamalian, Leo (1996).Lost Plays of the Harlem Renaissance, 1920–1940.Detroit:Wayne State University Press. pp. 227–229.ISBN 978-0814325803. Archived fromthe original on March 23, 2014.Francis Hall Johnson
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• Cavalcade of America – Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs
• Cavalcade of America at CVTA
• Cavalcade of America clips at theHagley Library
• Cavalcade of America atIMDb
• Cavalcade of America atepguides.com
• Cavalcade of AmericaArchived 2010-12-04 at theWayback Machine atMuseum of Broadcast Communications
• Company Voice AdvertisingArchived 2010-12-04 at theWayback Machine atMuseum of Broadcast Communications
• Cavalcade of America inAmerican Studies at theUniversity of Virginia
• Cavalcade of America scripts Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library

• Cavalcade of America in theInternet Archive'sOld-Time Radio Collection
• Cavalcade of America at OTR.Network Library

• Public domain TV episodeA Chain of Hearts on Internet Archive, with original commercials

• 1952 American television series debuts
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• CBS Radio programs
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• Peabody Award–winning radio programs
• NBC radio programs
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