| Genre | Anthology |
|---|---|
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| Syndicates | CBS |
| Starring | Numerous Hollywood stars |
| Announcer | Jim Bannon Frank Goss Art Gilmore Marvin Miller Scott Douglas |
| Directed by | Paul Pierce Les Mitchel Don Clark |
| Produced by | Paul Pierce Les Mitchel Don Clark |
| Original release | May 31, 1941 – September 25, 1954 |
| Opening theme | Chopin Etude No. 3[1] |
| Sponsored by | Dari-Rich Armour and Co. |
Stars over Hollywood is aradioanthology in theUnited States. It was broadcast onCBS from May 31, 1941, to September 25, 1954, sponsored first by Dari-Rich, Carnation Milk and later byArmour and Company.[2] (Note: This program should not be confused withStars over Hollywood, a 15-minutedramaticserial, produced viaelectrical transcription by C. P. MacGregor Electrical Transcriptions.)[3]
Comedies and lightromances were typical episodes forStars over Hollywood. The presentations were "casual and relaxed ... but the performances were very professional."[4] Each of the program's scripts was original.[5]
The show's success surprised many doubters, who thought that audiences would not listen to this type of broadcast on Saturday mornings, a time that has been described as "the ghetto of the schedule."[6] The program lasted 13 years at the same time (12:30 pm, Eastern Time).[2] Following the lead ofStars over Hollywood, other dramas, such asArmstrong Theater of Today andGrand Central Station, found success on Saturdays.[6]
As the title implies, the program featured "major Hollywood stars."[4] As an anthology,Stars over Hollywood had no recurring cast. A 1943 newspaper ad promised, "Each week you'll find a Hollywood star in the leading role of a new story."[7]
Actors and actresses who appeared in leading roles during the program's run includedAlan Ladd,Anita Louise,Mary Astor,Phil Harris,Merle Oberon, andBasil Rathbone. Supporting actors, most of whom were regulars on radio, includedLurene Tuttle,Janet Waldo, andEve McVeagh.[2] A 1953 newspaper article commented: "The phenomenal success of the program is due largely to the stars themselves, who like the show's family appeal. More than 50 top name personalities have come back for a second and sometimes third performance."[5]
The program's host was Knox Manning.[8] Announcers were Jim Bannon,[2]Art Gilmore,[9] Frank Goss,Marvin Miller, Art Ballinger,[10] and Scott Douglas.[11] Producer-directors wereLes Mitchel, Paul Pierce,[2] and Don Clark.[12] Music directors wereDel Castillo,[9] Rex Koury,[13] and Ivan Ditmars.[2]
DuringStars over Hollywood's time on the air, Radio Mirror magazine published a number of stories based on episodes from the program. The following are links to a few of those stories.