Helpmate (radio program)


Helpmate is an American old-time radio soap opera. It was broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1941, until June 30, 1944.

Format

In his book, Frank and Anne Hummert's Radio Factory: The Programs and Personalities of Broadcasting's Most Prolific Producers, radio historian Jim Cox wrote that Helpmate focused on the lives of three couples who were neighbors: Linda and Steve Harper, Grace and Clyde Marshall, and Holly and George Emerson. A Chicago Tribune news item previewing the program described the show as "the story of an unselfish woman who sacrifices much to advance the musical career of the man in whom she believes".

Personnel

Characters in Helpmate and the actors who portrayed them are shown in the table below.
CharacterActor
Linda HarperArlene Francis
Fern Persons
Steve HarperMyron McCormick
John Larkin
Robert Sloan
Grace MarshallJudith Evelyn
Ruth Perrott
Clyde MarshallKarl Weber
Holly EmersonBeryl Vaughn
George EmersonSidney Ellstrom
Irene EmersonJessie Royce Landis
HollyMarilyn Erskine
Ed SomersRichard Widmark

Frank and Anne Hummert were the producers; Margaret Lewerth was the writer.