Cavalcade of America radio scripts, 1941-1948.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Arranged alphabetically by title.

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

Housed in Small Collections Box 9.

Photocopies.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: Three radio scripts about Andrew Jackson's life for the program, "Cavalcade of America," sponsored by the DuPont Manufacturing Company. The scripts also include ads for DuPont and its products.

"The Gorgeous Hussy," starring Paulette Goddard and based upon a book of the same name by Samuel Hopkins Adams, tells about the so-called "Eaton Affair" (or "Petticoat Affair"). When recently widowed Peggy Timberlake married Jackson's Secretary of War, John Eaton in 1829, it provoked gossip and scandal. Jackson believed her to be innocent of the charges of promiscuity and adultery, and defended her honor. He and his own wife, Rachel, who died in 1828, had faced similar trials when they were married. The Eaton Affair had wide repercussions on Jackson's administration, eventually resulting in the resignation of all but one of his Cabinet members. Originally broadcast on Dec. 29, 1941. Episode #259.

"The Hickory Tree," written by Henry Walsh, stars Agnes Moorehead as Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson, mother of the president. During the Revolutionary War, she goes to a nearby hospital to nurse soldiers. In her absence, Andrew and his brother, who are teenagers, take up arms against the British and are taken prisoner. Originally broadcast on Oct. 14, 1946. Episode #493.

"Home to the Hermitage," based upon a book of the same name by Nashville, Tenn. author Alfred Leland Crabb, and adapted by Peter Ruric and Virginia Radcliffe, stars Walter Pidgeon and Fay Bainter. This program tells about the lives of Andrew and Rachel Jackson at their home, "The Hermitage," near Nashville, Tenn. This script also makes special mention of a new DuPont nylon plant near Chattanooga, Tenn. Originally broadcast on Oct. 11, 1948 from Chattanooga, Tenn. Episode #581.

Cite as: Cavalcade of America Radio Scripts, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

This material is protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code).

Source of acquisition unknown;,Acc. RT-100.

The Cavalcade of America radio program began broadcasting in 1935, focusing on events and people in American history. The thirty-minute radio show was the brainchild of Roy Durstine, of the Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn advertising agency. The program was sponsored by DuPont Manufacturing Company, as a means to enhance their image and promote their products. Programs were broadcast on CBS from 1935 until 1939. On June 29, 1938, the program concluded, but was resurrected on Dec. 5, 1938, only to go off the air again in May 1939. The program then moved to NBC where it hit the airwaves again in Jan. 1940, running until March 31, 1953 when the radio program ended. With the advent of television, the series moved to that medium, and premiered in Oct. 1952 on NBC. In Sept. 1953, the television show moved to ABC, changing names in 1955 to DuPont Cavalcade Theater, then becoming simply DuPont Theater during its last year. The television program ended in June 1957.

The program was enthusiastically received, and built a reputation for historical accuracy by having historians review all scripts. Its portrayal of history was considered so reliable, it was frequently used to educate children in schools. The program was originally written to highlight different aspects of the American character, such as "perserverance," for example, through historical drama. In 1940, a new emphasis was placed on dramatic biographies, and the radio program was reinvigorated when Hollywood and Broadway stars began performing roles.

In English.

Unknown provenance. Stamp on front indicates possession at one time by Cavert Junior High School, Nashville, Tenn.

Process;,2009;,Linda Barnickel;,removed from Biography Ephemera Subject Files.

No further accruals are expected.