Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Big Town (Starring Edward G. Robinson) - "Pittsburgh Lil" (10-19-37)

Pittsburgh Lil (Aired October 19, 1937)

Hard-nosed editor, Wilson, as played by Robinson would get the story no matter what it takes. Though sometimes over the top, Robinson was excellent in his role. The stories were well written and directed by William N. Robson as well as McGill. The skill of this group shows in making the series very good radio. The show was a big promoter of the free press and the first amendment with its opening sequence: "Freedom of the press is a flaming sword! Use it justly...hold it high...guard it well!" The second series began immediately in the 1943 season when the production moved from Hollywood to New York. Robinson left (Trevor left two years earlier as her career starting taking off) and McGill reorganized the series placing Edward Pawley in the role of Wilson opposite Fran Carlon as Lorelei. Pawley's Wilson was more mellifluous compared to the rather nasty Robinson.


 

THIS EPISODE:


 
October 19, 1937. CBS network. Sponsored by: Rinso. The first show of the series. Steve Wilson is portrayed as a throughly unpleasant scandal-monger who decides to reveal that Mrs. Radsmith, a noted socialite in Big Town, is really "Pittsburgh Lil" from Alaska. Edward G. Robinson, Claire Trevor, Hanley Stafford, Paula Winslowe, Bill Wright, Carlton KaDell (announcer). 28:31. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

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