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Barbara Weeks (radio actress)

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Not to be confused with Barbara Weeks (film actress).
Barbara Weeks
As Ann Malone (1946)
BornOctober 27, 1906
Binghamton, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 4, 1954(1954-07-04) (aged 47)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationActress
Known forRadio and stage actress
SpouseCarl Douglas Frank (1938-1954)
Children1

Barbara Weeks (October 27, 1906 - July 4, 1954) was an American actress and voice talent in the Golden Age of Radio. She was best known for her work in soap operas.[1]

Early years

[edit]

Weeks was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin R. Weeks of Binghamton, New York.[2] Her parents were singers before her father started a music store.[3] "One of her ancestors, Mrs. Robert R. Jillson," was also an actress.[4] Weeks attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.[5]

Radio

[edit]

A caption in a 1937 newspaper reported that Weeks' "radio career started in Mickey at the Circus and Roadways to Romance."[6] However, another source reported, "She made her radio debut as a vocalist on a Portland, Maine, station."[7] In June 1938, she had the lead role in an NBC broadcast of Anna Christie.[8]

Her only lead role in a continuing radio program occurred when she played the title character in Her Honor, Nancy James, which began on CBS October 3, 1938,[9] and continued through July 28, 1939.[10]

Weeks' roles as a regular cast member in radio programs included those listed in the table below.

Program Role
As the Twig Is Bent
(We Love and Learn)[10]		 Madame Sophie
Her Honor, Nancy James Nancy James
Howie Wing Donna Cavendish[11]
Linda's First Love NA[12]
Meet the Dixons Joan Dixon
Now and Forever -- A Love Story Ellen Harris[13]
The Open Door Liza Arnold[14]
We Love and Learn Sophie De Bellay[15]
Young Doctor Malone Ann Malone

Source: Radio Programs, 1924-1984,[16] except as noted.

Weeks also appeared in episodes of other programs, including Alias Jimmy Valentine,[5] Philip Morris Playhouse,[14] Mr. District Attorney, Theatre Guild of the Air, Mr. and Mrs. North,[3] The Good Will Hour,[17] Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories,[18] and Colgate Theatre of Romance.[19]

Stage

[edit]

Before venturing into radio, Weeks "was winning praise with stock companies."[6] After attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she "put in several years of stage trouping."[5] She appeared in at least five Broadway productions between 1927 and 1936,[20] including a revival of Lombardi Limited.[7]

Name confusion

[edit]

Weeks was often confused for fellow actress Barbara Weeks, who mainly worked in film. At one time, both lived in New York, which meant that "Barbara-in-radio frequently gets mail and telephone calls intended for Barbara-in-the-movies."[21] The confusion even extended to some of the movie actress's relatives attending a performance of a touring stock company in which the radio actress appeared, expecting to see their cousin perform.[21]

Personal life

[edit]

On November 26, 1938, Weeks married actor Carl Frank,[22] who played her husband in Young Doctor Malone.[23] They also played husband and wife roles in Now and Forever -- A Love Story.[13] They had a daughter, Roberta, born September 24, 1940.[24]

References

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  1. ^ Sies, Luther F. (2014). Encyclopedia of American Radio, 1920-1960, 2nd Edition, Volume 2. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-5149-4. P. 743.
  2. ^ "Barbara Weeks in Radio Play". New York, Dunkirk. Dunkirk Evening Observer. August 17, 1938. p. 8. Retrieved December 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ a b "Romance Is Where You Find It" (PDF). Radio-TV Mirror. 37 (4): 50–51, 79–80. March 1952. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  4. ^ "Monday's Highlights" (PDF). Radio and Television Mirror. 13 (2): 45. January 1939. Retrieved 12 December 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ a b c Ranson, Jo (October 1, 1938). "Radio Dial Log". New York, Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 18. Retrieved December 17, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ a b "Air Actress". Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. Harrisburg Telegraph. June 18, 1937. p. 18. Retrieved December 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ^ a b "What Do You Want to Know?" (PDF). Radio and Television Mirror. 13 (1): 59. November 1939. Retrieved 14 December 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ Archer, Thomas (June 9, 1938). "Radio Reception". The Montreal Gazette. p. 2. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  9. ^ "Networks Continue Procession Of New Fall Program Premieres; Number Of "Revivals" Increases". Nebraska, Lincoln. The Lincoln Star. October 2, 1938. p. 40. Retrieved December 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  10. ^ a b Dunning, John. (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Pp. 317-318.
  11. ^ Lewis, Martin (February 11, 1937). "Airialto Lowdown" (PDF). Radio Guide. p. 10. Retrieved 12 December 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  12. ^ "Actors Feted" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 27, 1947. p. 92. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  13. ^ a b Banks, Dale (January 1944). "What's New from Coast to Coast" (PDF). 21 (3): 4. Retrieved 14 December 2015. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)[permanent dead link‍]
  14. ^ a b Buxton, Frank and Owen, Bill (1972). The Big Broadcast: 1920-1950. The Viking Press. SBN 670-16240-x. Pp. 180, 187.
  15. ^ "'We Love and Learn' Debuts Tomorrow". The Times. Louisiana, Shreveport. June 27, 1948. p. 41. Retrieved January 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4. Pp. 29, 149, 224, 361.
  17. ^ Brown, Wilson (September 21, 1940). "Along the Airialtos: New York" (PDF). Radio Guide. p. 38. Retrieved 12 December 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  18. ^ "Personal Glimpses ..." Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. Harrisburg Telegraph. April 21, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved December 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  19. ^ "Barbara Weeks to Star In "There's Always Juliet" Over WHP". Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. Harrisburg Telegraph. August 19, 1944. p. 13. Retrieved December 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  20. ^ Barbara Weeks at the Internet Broadway Database
  21. ^ a b "What's New (continued)" (PDF). Radio Mirror. 12 (2): 6. June 1939. Retrieved 12 December 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  22. ^ "(untitled brief)" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 1, 1938. p. 44. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  23. ^ "Life on a Chain". Pennsylvania, Danville. The Morning News. May 28, 1945. p. 7. Retrieved December 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  24. ^ "(untitled brief)" (PDF). 21 (4). February 1944: 13. Retrieved 14 December 2015. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)[permanent dead link‍]
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