''Scattergood Baines'' is an American serial radio program that was broadcast in two versions, one on

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS (an abbreviation of its original name, Columbia Broadcasting System), is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainme ...

from 1937 until 1942 and the other on Mutual in 1949. Both versions were based on stories written by

Clarence Budington Kelland Clarence Budington "Bud" Kelland (July 11, 1881 – February 18, 1964) was an American writer. Prolific and versatile, he was a prominent literary figure in his heyday, and he described himself as "the best second-rate writer in America". Kelland ...

and published in magazines.

Characters

The title character operated a hardware store in Cold River, a small town, and used persuasion to encourage people to do what was in their best interests. Mirandy Baines was his wife. Hippocrates Brown, his helper in the store, did as little work as possible. Pliny Pickett was a railroad conductor. Ed Potts was a mechanic who was active in town affairs, and Clara Potts was his nagging, but beautiful, wife. Jimmy Baines was the son whom Scattergood adopted as an infant, and Dodie Black was Jimmy's birth mother. Harvey Fox at one point schemed with Black to help her try to gain custody of her son. J. Wellington Keats managed the hotel, and Ernie Baker was the barber.

CBS version

''Scattergood Baines'' debuted on CBS West Coast stations on February 11, 1937. It originated in Hollywood until October 2, 1938, when it moved to Chicago and distribution expanded to the nationwide CBS network. It ended on June 12, 1942. The 15-minute program was sponsored by Wrigley's gum. Walter Preston was the producer and director. Finding the right actor for the title role proved difficult for the CBS Artists Bureau because of the "peculiar character necessary to lead player's voice". Actors and the characters they played are shown in the table below. Roger Krupp and George Walsh were the announcers. The program was replaced by a musical program featuring

Ben Bernie Benjamin Anzelevitz, known professionally as Ben Bernie (May 30, 1891 – October 20, 1943),DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). ''Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960''. McFarland & Company, Inc. . P ...

Mutual version

Mutual debuted a 30-minute version of ''Scattergood Baines'' on February 10, 1949, and it ran until October 26, 1949. It was first broadcast on Thursdays, then moved to Saturdays in July, and finally was heard on Wednesdays. Ben Ludlow directed the orchestra. Herbert Rice was the producer, and Gerald Holland was the writer. Jerry Layton and Wilbur Stark were producers and directors. Bob Emerick was the announcer.

Television pilot

Will Rogers Jr. starred in a pilot of a ''Scattergood Baines'' TV series. Made by John W. Loveton Productions, the pilot was completed in September 1954. Others in the cast were

Griff Barnett Griff Barnett (born Manley Griffith, November 12, 1884 – January 12, 1958) was an American actor.(17 January 1958) ''The New York Times'' Barnett was born in Blue Ridge, Texas in 1884. In the early 20th century, Barnett was a member of the M ...

, Jeanette Dolan,

William Fawcett William or Bill Fawcett or ''variation'', may refer to: People * William Fawcett (actor) (1894–1974), American actor who was awarded the ''Légion d'honneur'' * William Fawcett (author) (1902–1941), English journalist and writer on horses, hun ...

, and Margaret Field.

Lew Landers Lew Landers (born Louis Friedlander, January 2, 1901 – December 16, 1962) was an American independent film and television director. Biography Born as Louis Friedlander in New York City, Lew Landers began his movie career as an actor. In 1914, ...

was the director.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sortkey 1930s American radio programs 1940s American radio programs 1937 radio programme debuts 1949 radio programme endings CBS Radio programs Mutual Broadcasting System programs