Radio (1942–43) Orson Welles

welles returned united states august 22, 1942, after more 6 months in south america. week after return produced , emceed first 2 hours of seven-hour coast-to-coast war bond drive broadcast titled pledge america. airing august 29, 1942, on blue network, program presented in cooperation united states department of treasury, western union (which wired bond subscriptions free of charge) , american women s voluntary services. featuring 21 dance bands , score of stage , screen , radio stars, broadcast raised more $10 million—more $146 million today—for war effort.

on october 12, 1942, cavalcade of america presented welles s radio play, admiral of ocean sea, entertaining , factual @ legend of christopher columbus.

belongs period when hemispheric unity crucial matter , many programs being devoted common heritage of americas, wrote broadcasting historian erik barnouw. many such programs being translated spanish , portuguese , broadcast latin america, counteract many years of successful axis propaganda area. axis, trying stir latin america against anglo-america, had emphasized differences between two. became job of american radio emphasize common experience , essential unity.

admiral of ocean sea, known columbus day, begins words, hello americans —the title welles choose own series 5 weeks later.

hello americans, cbs radio series broadcast november 15, 1942 – january 31, 1943, produced, directed , hosted welles under auspices of office of coordinator inter-american affairs. 30-minute weekly program promoted inter-american understanding , friendship, drawing upon research amassed ill-fated film, s true. series produced concurrently welles s other cbs series, ceiling unlimited (november 9, 1942 – february 1, 1943), sponsored lockheed-vega corporation. program conceived glorify aviation industry , dramatize role in world war ii. welles s shows regarded significant contributions war effort.

throughout war welles worked on patriotic radio programs including command performance, g.i. journal, mail call, nazi eyes on canada, stage door canteen , treasury star parade.