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Destination Freedom





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Destination Freedom was a series of weekly radio programs which was produced by WMAQ in Chicago. The first set ran from 1948 to 1950 and it presented the biographical histories of prominent African-Americans such as George Washington Carver, Satchel Paige, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Lena Horne.[3][4] The scripts for those shows were written by Richard Durham.[4] Studs Terkel voiced some of the radio characters.[5] Hugh Downs also served as an announcer in both the initial and 1950 series.[6]

Destination Freedom
GenreDramatic anthology
Running time30 minutes
Sunday mornings
Home stationWMAQ
StarringOscar Brown Jr., Vernon Jarrett, Janice Kingslow, Fred Pinkard, Studs Terkel, Wezlyn Tilden; also, Maurice Copeland, Tony Parrish, Jack Gibson, Harris Gaines, Louise Pruitt, Arthur Peterson, Norma Ransom, Forrest Lewis, Hope Summers, Boris Apion, Jess Pugh, Ted Liss, Don Gallagher, Harry Elders, Everett Clarke, Jack Lester, Art Hern, Les Spears, Dean Olmquist, Russ Reed
AnnouncerHugh Downs
Created byRichard Durham
Written byRichard Durham, Ray Derby, William Hodapp, Bob Ecklund, Madeline Peters, Billie McKee, Bob McKee, Christine Squires, Martin Maloney, Charles Flynn
Directed byHomer Heck, Dick Loughran, Norman Felton, Bob Wambold, John Cowan, Larry Auerbach
Produced byHomer Heck[1] Donnie L Betts[2]
Executive producer(s)Judith Waller
Recording studioChicago
Original releaseJune 27, 1948 (1948-06-27) –
November 19, 1951 (1951-11-19)
Opening theme"Oh, Freedom"
Sponsored byThe Chicago Defender, Chicago Urban League (1950), United Negro College Fund

The second series of shows ran from 1950 to 1951, and it was produced without Durham. This second series featured patriotic themed dramas which were largely based on Americanism and anti-Communism.

The show was the brainchild of African-American journalist and author Richard Durham.[7][8] In cooperation with The Chicago Defender, he began this series over NBC Chicago outlet WMAQ in June 1948, with scripts emphasizing the progress of African-Americans from the days of slavery to the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Airing in Sunday-morning public-service time, the series built a steady audience in the Midwest with inspirational stories of social progress, earning strong support from Civil Rights organizations, and offering employment to a wide range of African-American performers. Episodes began with a stanza from the spiritual "Oh, Freedom".[9]

Destination Freedom premiered on June 27, 1948, on Chicago radio WMAQ. Durham's vision was to reeducate the masses on the image of African American society, since he believed that it was tainted with inaccurate and derogatory stereotypes. Week after week, Durham would generate all-out attacks on these stereotypes by illustrating the lives of prominent African-Americans. For two years, Durham wrote script after script for Destination Freedom, receiving no financial compensation for his effort. In 1950, Durham's financial needs forced him to accept an offer by Don Ameche to write material for him. It is also said that Durham's relationship with NBC and WMAQ was not entirely harmonious. Continuing without Durham, the final year of the program turned to general themes of "American freedom," without the sharp focus on the African-American experience. This, WMAQ hoped, would create a show to rival Paul Revere Speaks, which was a popular show at the time. For about 50 years, the show was long forgotten until some transcripts were found, and the characters voiced by Fred Pinkard,[10][11] Oscar Brown Jr.,[12] Wezlyn Tilden,[13] and Janice Kingslow,[14][15] were heard once more.

Two early recordings, "A Garage in Gainesville" and "Execution Awaited", are listed in National Recording Registry.[16] In 1949 it received a first-place commendation from the Ohio State University Institute for Education by Radio.[17]

Richard Durham episodes

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Post-Durham episodes – Paul Revere "Patriotic Freedom" format

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Haendiges, Jerry. "Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs".
  • ^ Longo-Better, Rossana (February 15, 2022). "Storytellers of Color: donnie l. betts on Reaching Destination Freedom by Radio". Boulder, CO: KGNU Radio. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  • ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q MacDonald, J. Fred, ed. (1989). Richard Durham's Destination Freedom. New York: Praeger. ISBN 978-0275931384. ISSN 0890-7161. LCCN 88-35686. OCLC 18986323.: 2–10  (Also see MacDonald, J. Fred (Spring 1978). "Radio's Black Heritage. Destination Freedom, 1948–1950". Phylon. 39 (66): 66–73. doi:10.2307/274433. JSTOR 274433. OCLC 425277414.)
  • ^ a b Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 196–198. ISBN 978-0195076783. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  • ^ "Studs Terkel Biography" (audio). Old Time Radio Researchers – via YouTube.
  • ^ "Hugh Downs Biography" (audio). Old Time Radio Researchers – via YouTube.
  • ^ "Richard Durham (1917–1984)". March 28, 2014.
  • ^ "Richard Durham Biography" (audio). Old Time Radio Researchers – via YouTube.
  • ^ Ashleigh Lawrence-Sanders, March 16, 2018, History, Memory, and the Power of Black Radio AAIHS.org
  • ^ "Fred Pinkard, 84; Actor's Career Spanned Radio, TV, Film, Theater". Los Angeles Times. August 11, 2004.
  • ^ "Fred Pinkard Biography" (audio). Old Time Radio Researchers – via YouTube.
  • ^ "Oscar Brown Jr. Biography" (audio). Old Time Radio Researchers – via YouTube.
  • ^ "Wezlyn Tilden on Apple Music". Apple Music.
  • ^ "Janice Kingslow Biography" (audio). Old Time Radio Researchers – via YouTube.
  • ^ "Janice Kingslow on Apple Music". Apple Music.
  • ^ Ellett, Ryan. "Destination Freedom, 'A Garage in Gainesville' and 'Execution Awaited' (September 25; October 2, 1949)" (PDF). Library of Congress.
  • ^ Olson, O. Joe, ed. (1949). Education on the Air. Nineteenth Yearbook of the Institution for Education by Radio. Columbus: Ohio State University Press. p. 412. OCLC 499232940.
  • ^ Recording OCLC 45756791
  • ^ Ellett, Ryan (2 August 2017). "Destination: Freedom Review". wordpress.com. Retrieved 18 November 2023. Includes a June 30, 1948 review of 'The Knock-Kneed Man' episode
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323031217, 44432639, 13552192
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323199177, 13571262
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323032225, 44430954, 13571262
  • ^ Recording OCLC 65428451, 13571331, 144689200; ISBN 978-1931180290
  • ^ Recording OCLC 65428606, 80786482; ISBN 978-1931180283
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323109441, 44432615, 13539710
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323168754, 83590829, 13539710; ISBN 978-1931180085
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323122806, 13539680
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323028547, 44432611, 13539680
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323213199, 13552117
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323080874, 13571298, 83590842
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323012887
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323009233, 13571468, 226381133; ISBN 978-1931180177
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323070842, 26452895; ISBN 978-1931180092
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323014705
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323214717
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323011392, 44424423
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323185888, 191954582; ISBN 978-1931180115
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323185888, 1323214222, 44430951
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323172321, 13571231
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323028679, 13571231; The episode includes the poem "Negro Hero", by Gwendolyn Brooks
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323131729, 13552063
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323037869, 13571298
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323113745
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323162018, 13552167
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323062084, 13552167
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323159810
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323099681, 44432611
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323101120, 1323026386
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323099681
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323112298, 13571462
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323156434, 13552079
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323056044, 26452916
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323024451, 26452929
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323169789, 13571462
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323169789, 44432615
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323103638
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323030252
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323062084, 45756791
  • ^ Recording OCLC 26452908
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323006041
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323050232, 26452926, 430047751; ISBN 978-1931180122
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323116238
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323205525, 26452932
  • ^ "Norfolk Miracle : the Story of Dorothy Maynor" OCLC 21243158, 61323184241, 26452923; ISBN 978-1931180221
  • ^ Audiotape – The legend of Stackalee – OCLC 1323028307, 44432637
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323193577, 13552079
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323055804, 13571274, 26452918
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323144868, 13571274
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323132659
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323030135, 226381132; ISBN 978-1931180306, 978-1931180177
  • ^ Segregation in Washington a report. National Committee on Segregation in the Nation's Capital. November 1948. LCCN 49002184. OCLC 735403.
  • ^ Episode: "Segregation Incorporated"
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323103372
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323189154
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323184049, 180701832, 13571468; ISBN 978-1931180146
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323141961, 13571361
  • ^ Destination Freedom – Execution Awaited (Part II in a series on prejudice), via YouTube
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323134434
  • ^ Recording – includes an interview with Adam Clayton Powell III OCLC 176310275; ISBN 978-1931180283
  • ^ Recording OCLC 102332027; ISBN 978-1931180276
  • ^ Recording OCLC 223443338, 1323199701; ISBN 978-1931180207
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323024018
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323123490, 13571361
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323057778, 13552045
  • ^ Recording OCLC 13552045
  • ^ Recording OCLC 176313684; ISBN 978-1931180320; rebroadcast in March 2003 by KGNU; cast included Donnie L. Betts as Bill Robinson; with Jeff Campbell, Laurence Curry, Matthew Dente, Jacob Mora, Ruthay, Kurt Soderstrom, and John Williams; theme singer, Claire Frances Peterson
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323068494, 13552192, 26452903
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323061080
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323183278, 26452905, 99995878; ISBN 978-1931180313
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323101003
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323048118
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323188137
  • ^ Jones, Reinettn F. (April 22, 2021). "Chicago Police Officers from Kentucky, 1900–1930s". NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database. University of Kentucky. Retrieved December 19, 2022. Kinzie Blueitt, 1900–1971
  • ^ Episode: "The Fifth District Crime Fighter"
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323188137, 13528620
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323032495, 13528620, 83590829; ISBN 978-1931180085
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323009843
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323211758
  • ^ Broemmel, Mike. "A Look at Richard Durham: The Man Who Created Destination Freedom". Mike Broemmel.
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323018591
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323187866, 102326573; ISBN 978-1931180214
  • ^ Westbrooks was also a founder of the Cook County Bar Association: See WorldCat cassette data – OCLC 1323063546
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323074703
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323026912, 430047751; ISBN 978-1931180122
  • ^ Recording OCLC 1323095433
  • ^ Authors include Donnie L. Betts, T. J. Betts, Matthew Dente, Daniel Jensen, Ruthay, Julie Swartout, Arthur C. Jones, Spirituals Project Choir (Denver). Recording OCLC 262779717; ISBN 978-1931180269
  • ^ Episode: Patriotic Format"
  • ^ Bill Hodak (July 4, 2011). "Patriotic Format". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?.
  • ^ "United Nations". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. November 5, 2018.
  • ^ Episode: "United Nations"
  • ^ "Golden Circle, The". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. September 17, 2018.
  • ^ "John, Alma, Johnny and Myra". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. December 31, 2018.
  • ^ "Nathan Hale Story". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. November 12, 2018.
  • ^ "Forced Confession". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. August 27, 2018.
  • ^ "Benjamin Drake Story". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. October 19, 2014.
  • ^ Episode: "Benjamin Drake Story"
  • ^ "Dick Draper Story". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. September 3, 2018.
  • ^ Episode: "Dick Draper Story"
  • ^ "Thomas Wright, American Citizen". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. October 15, 2018.
  • ^ "Citizen Whitney". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. October 29, 2018.
  • ^ "Jones Family, The". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. December 17, 2018.
  • ^ Episode: "The Jones Family"
  • ^ "Fred Custer Story The". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. November 19, 2018.
  • ^ Episode: "Fred Custer Story"
  • ^ "Reverend Brown's Half Acre". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. October 1, 2018.
  • ^ Episode: "Reverend Browns Half Acre"
  • ^ "Anna's Story". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. November 14, 2015.
  • ^ Episode: "Anna's Story"
  • ^ "Russell Thomas Story". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. June 4, 2018.
  • Further reading

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  •   Chicago
  •   History
  •   Modern history
  •   Radio
  •   United States

  • Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Destination_Freedom&oldid=1215900270"
     



    Last edited on 27 March 2024, at 20:33  





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