Just Plain Bill
Encyclopedia
Just Plain Bill was a long run 15-minute daytime radio drama program heard on CBS and NBC. The series was sponsored by Anacin for 18 of the program's 23-year run. Other sponsors over the years were Kolynos toothpaste, Clapp’s baby food and BiSoDol. It was “the real-life story of people just like people we all know.” Originally called Bill the Barber, the program began on CBS September 19, 1932. It told the story of Bill Davidson (Arthur Hughes
), a barber in the town of Hartville, and his daughter Nancy (Ruth Russell). Bill often became involved in helping his friends and neighbors when he wasn't cutting hair. Also in the cast: Dick Janaver (1911-1999).
The show was created by Frank and Anne Hummert
, who produced many radio daytime drama series, including Amanda of Honeymoon Hill
, Backstage Wife
, Front Page Farrell, John’s Other Wife, Little Orphan Annie
, Ma Perkins
, Mr. Chameleon, Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons
, Our Gal Sunday
and Young Widder Brown
.
Music was by Hal Brown (1865–1942), who played harmonica and whistled the Just Plain Bill opening theme, "Darling Nellie Gray". The closing theme was "Polly Wolly Doodle
." Don Pardo
was the program's announcer. The series came to an end in 1955.
's character is known as "Just Plain Bill".
Arthur Hughes (actor)
Arthur Hughes was an American actor on the stage, radio and films. On Broadway, he performed in two dozen plays between 1923 and 1968, including Mourning Becomes Electra and Elizabeth the Queen...
), a barber in the town of Hartville, and his daughter Nancy (Ruth Russell). Bill often became involved in helping his friends and neighbors when he wasn't cutting hair. Also in the cast: Dick Janaver (1911-1999).
The show was created by Frank and Anne Hummert
Anne Hummert
Anne Hummert was the leading creator of daytime radio serials during the 1930s and 1940s, responsible for more than three dozen drama series....
, who produced many radio daytime drama series, including Amanda of Honeymoon Hill
Amanda of Honeymoon Hill
Amanda of Honeymoon Hill was a 15-minute daily radio soap opera produced by Frank and Anne Hummert. Broadway actress Joy Hathaway had the title role, sometimes described as "the beauty of flaming red hair." The series was broadcast from February 5, 1940 until April 26, 1946, initially on the Blue...
, Backstage Wife
Backstage Wife
Backstage Wife is an American soap opera radio program that details the travails of Mary Noble, a girl from a small town in Iowa who came to New York seeking her future....
, Front Page Farrell, John’s Other Wife, Little Orphan Annie
Little Orphan Annie
Little Orphan Annie was a daily American comic strip created by Harold Gray and syndicated by Tribune Media Services. The strip took its name from the 1885 poem "Little Orphant Annie" by James Whitcomb Riley, and made its debut on August 5, 1924 in the New York Daily News...
, Ma Perkins
Ma Perkins
Ma Perkins is an American radio soap opera which was heard on NBC from 1933 to 1949 and on CBS from 1942 to 1960. Between 1942 and 1949, the show was heard simultaneously on both networks...
, Mr. Chameleon, Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons
Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons
Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons was one of radio's longest running shows, airing , continuing well into the television era. It was produced by Frank and Anne Hummert...
, Our Gal Sunday
Our Gal Sunday
Our Gal Sunday was an American soap opera produced by Frank and Anne Hummert and heard on CBS from 1937 to 1959.The origin of this radio series was a 1904 Broadway production, Sunday, which starred Ethel Barrymore...
and Young Widder Brown
Young Widder Brown
Young Widder Brown was a daytime radio drama series broadcast on NBC from 1938 to 1956. Sponsored by Sterling Drugs and Bayer Aspirin, it daily examined the life of "attractive Ellen Brown, with two fatherless children to support."...
.
Music was by Hal Brown (1865–1942), who played harmonica and whistled the Just Plain Bill opening theme, "Darling Nellie Gray". The closing theme was "Polly Wolly Doodle
Polly Wolly Doodle
"Polly Wolly Doodle" is a song first published in a Harvard student songbook in 1880."Polly Wolly Doodle" appears in the existing manuscript for Laura Ingalls Wilder's These Happy Golden Years exactly as it is used in the published version. It was not mentioned in any of the Pioneer Girl...
." Don Pardo
Don Pardo
Dominick George "Don" Pardo is an American radio and television announcer. He is best known as the voice of the long-running late night sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live....
was the program's announcer. The series came to an end in 1955.
Cultural references
In The Three Stooges short Goofs and Saddles Larry FineLarry Fine
Louis Feinberg , known professionally as Larry Fine, was an American comedian and actor, who is best known as a member of the comedy act The Three Stooges.-Early life:...
's character is known as "Just Plain Bill".