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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

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]

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

[edit]
Links for each episode subject are provided
Episodes are listed in order of 1st broadcast [3]: ix–xxi 

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

[edit]
Episodes after the October 1950 relaunch, ending July 1951
Dates may vary depending upon the sources used
  • Patriotic Format – opening show for 1950, a discussion of freedom amongst historic figures – October 15, 1950[107][108][1]
  • United Nations – promoting the establishment of the organization – December 17, 1950[109][110]
  • Magic Words – a recap of the basic rights of freedom – November 5, 1951[citation needed]
  • The Golden Circle – beginnings of the Knights of the Golden Circle – November 12, 1950[111]
  • Breakdown – an arrest (of Michael Shiftkoff) by the secret police in Communist Bulgaria – November 18, 1950[1]
  • The Price (Mackton and Winston of Company 'D') – a retelling of an American infantry unit's deployment to the Korean War – November 26, 1950[1]
  • Matthew Lyon – criticism of the Alien and Sedition Acts – December 10, 1950[1]
  • Weapons for Peace (United Nations) – illustrates the danger of world-wide nuclear war – December 17, 1950[1]
  • Peace on Earth (Frank Johnson Story) – a veteran's perspective on the end of a war – December 24, 1950[1]
  • John, Alma, Johnny and Myra – drama about the Occupation of the Baltic states – December 31, 1950[112]
  • The Capture – retells the story of Nathan Hale – January 7, 1951[113]
  • Dwight David Eisenhower – retells the story of his life up to his presidential election – January 14, 1951[1]
  • Freedom of Assembly (Jeff Maxwell Story) – review of the right – February 4, 1951[1]
  • Forced Confession – promotes Due Process of Law – February 18, 1951[114]
  • Anna Zenger – the first woman to publish a newspaper in America – February 25, 1951[1]
  • Benjamin Drake Story – drama about local people opposing unruly, oppressive people – March 4, 1951[115][116]
  • The Dick Draper Story – drama about employment rights in the United States – March 11, 1951[117][118]
  • Thomas Wright, American Citizen – About private efforts, including coercion, to thwart housing segregation in the United States – March 18, 1951[119]
  • Citizen Whitney – a dramatic criticism of Marxism and religion – March 25, 1951[120]
  • The Jones Family – a dramatization about eminent domain – April 8, 1951[121][122]
  • Fred Custer Story – a dramatization about attending college and medical school – April 15, 1951[123][124]
  • Reverend Browns Half Acre – concerns property ownership – April 22, 1951[125][126]
  • Korean Frontline – Stories about the Korean War and communism in China – April 29, 1951[1]
  • Harper College Story (The Test) – Discusses education – May 6, 1951[1]
  • Open for Business – the difficulties and rewards of owning a small retail business – May 13, 1951[1]
  • Judge Farwell's Story – reflections of a US Federal Judge – May 19, 1951[1]
  • Anna's Story – an immigrant from Sweden – January 21, 1951[127][128]
  • Russell Thomas Story: Coal Miner to Pharmacist – Illustrates the opportunity for advancement available in America – June 2, 1951[129]
  • Crisis in Avondale (The Avondale Story) – a drama about how free speech can be irresponsibly misused – June 9, 1951[1]
  • Mike Yankovich, Minnesota Miner (Decision) – a drama about the costs and benefits of unionization in mining – June 16, 1951[1]
  • Wanted, a Witness – a drama about the civic responsibility to assist in solving crimes – June 23, 1951[1]

References

[edit]
  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".
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.)
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Studs Terkel Biography" (audio). Old Time Radio Researchers – via YouTube.
  6. ^ "Hugh Downs Biography" (audio). Old Time Radio Researchers – via YouTube.
  7. ^ "Richard Durham (1917–1984)". March 28, 2014.
  8. ^ "Richard Durham Biography" (audio). Old Time Radio Researchers – via YouTube.
  9. ^ Ashleigh Lawrence-Sanders, March 16, 2018, History, Memory, and the Power of Black Radio AAIHS.org
  10. ^ "Fred Pinkard, 84; Actor's Career Spanned Radio, TV, Film, Theater". Los Angeles Times. August 11, 2004.
  11. ^ "Fred Pinkard Biography" (audio). Old Time Radio Researchers – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "Oscar Brown Jr. Biography" (audio). Old Time Radio Researchers – via YouTube.
  13. ^ "Wezlyn Tilden on Apple Music". Apple Music.
  14. ^ "Janice Kingslow Biography" (audio). Old Time Radio Researchers – via YouTube.
  15. ^ "Janice Kingslow on Apple Music". Apple Music.
  16. ^ Ellett, Ryan. "Destination Freedom, 'A Garage in Gainesville' and 'Execution Awaited' (September 25; October 2, 1949)" (PDF). Library of Congress.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ Recording OCLC 45756791
  19. ^ 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
  20. ^ Recording OCLC 1323031217, 44432639, 13552192
  21. ^ Recording OCLC 1323199177, 13571262
  22. ^ Recording OCLC 1323032225, 44430954, 13571262
  23. ^ Recording OCLC 65428451, 13571331, 144689200; ISBN 978-1931180290
  24. ^ Recording OCLC 65428606, 80786482; ISBN 978-1931180283
  25. ^ Recording OCLC 1323109441, 44432615, 13539710
  26. ^ Recording OCLC 1323168754, 83590829, 13539710; ISBN 978-1931180085
  27. ^ Recording OCLC 1323122806, 13539680
  28. ^ Recording OCLC 1323028547, 44432611, 13539680
  29. ^ Recording OCLC 1323213199, 13552117
  30. ^ Recording OCLC 1323080874, 13571298, 83590842
  31. ^ Recording OCLC 1323012887
  32. ^ Recording OCLC 1323009233, 13571468, 226381133; ISBN 978-1931180177
  33. ^ Recording OCLC 1323070842, 26452895; ISBN 978-1931180092
  34. ^ Recording OCLC 1323014705
  35. ^ Recording OCLC 1323214717
  36. ^ Recording OCLC 1323011392, 44424423
  37. ^ Recording OCLC 1323185888, 191954582; ISBN 978-1931180115
  38. ^ Recording OCLC 1323185888, 1323214222, 44430951
  39. ^ Recording OCLC 1323172321, 13571231
  40. ^ Recording OCLC 1323028679, 13571231; The episode includes the poem "Negro Hero", by Gwendolyn Brooks
  41. ^ Recording OCLC 1323131729, 13552063
  42. ^ Recording OCLC 1323037869, 13571298
  43. ^ Recording OCLC 1323113745
  44. ^ Recording OCLC 1323162018, 13552167
  45. ^ Recording OCLC 1323062084, 13552167
  46. ^ Recording OCLC 1323159810
  47. ^ Recording OCLC 1323099681, 44432611
  48. ^ Recording OCLC 1323101120, 1323026386
  49. ^ Recording OCLC 1323099681
  50. ^ Recording OCLC 1323112298, 13571462
  51. ^ Recording OCLC 1323156434, 13552079
  52. ^ Recording OCLC 1323056044, 26452916
  53. ^ Recording OCLC 1323024451, 26452929
  54. ^ Recording OCLC 1323169789, 13571462
  55. ^ Recording OCLC 1323169789, 44432615
  56. ^ Recording OCLC 1323103638
  57. ^ Recording OCLC 1323030252
  58. ^ Recording OCLC 1323062084, 45756791
  59. ^ Recording OCLC 26452908
  60. ^ Recording OCLC 1323006041
  61. ^ Recording OCLC 1323050232, 26452926, 430047751; ISBN 978-1931180122
  62. ^ Recording OCLC 1323116238
  63. ^ Recording OCLC 1323205525, 26452932
  64. ^ "Norfolk Miracle : the Story of Dorothy Maynor" OCLC 21243158, 61323184241, 26452923; ISBN 978-1931180221
  65. ^ Audiotape – The legend of Stackalee – OCLC 1323028307, 44432637
  66. ^ Recording OCLC 1323193577, 13552079
  67. ^ Recording OCLC 1323055804, 13571274, 26452918
  68. ^ Recording OCLC 1323144868, 13571274
  69. ^ Recording OCLC 1323132659
  70. ^ Recording OCLC 1323030135, 226381132; ISBN 978-1931180306, 978-1931180177
  71. ^ Segregation in Washington a report. National Committee on Segregation in the Nation's Capital. November 1948. LCCN 49002184. OCLC 735403.
  72. ^ Episode: "Segregation Incorporated"
  73. ^ Recording OCLC 1323103372
  74. ^ Recording OCLC 1323189154
  75. ^ Recording OCLC 1323184049, 180701832, 13571468; ISBN 978-1931180146
  76. ^ Recording OCLC 1323141961, 13571361
  77. ^ Destination Freedom – Execution Awaited (Part II in a series on prejudice), via YouTube
  78. ^ Recording OCLC 1323134434
  79. ^ Recording – includes an interview with Adam Clayton Powell III OCLC 176310275; ISBN 978-1931180283
  80. ^ Recording OCLC 102332027; ISBN 978-1931180276
  81. ^ Recording OCLC 223443338, 1323199701; ISBN 978-1931180207
  82. ^ Recording OCLC 1323024018
  83. ^ Recording OCLC 1323123490, 13571361
  84. ^ Recording OCLC 1323057778, 13552045
  85. ^ Recording OCLC 13552045
  86. ^ 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
  87. ^ Recording OCLC 1323068494, 13552192, 26452903
  88. ^ Recording OCLC 1323061080
  89. ^ Recording OCLC 1323183278, 26452905, 99995878; ISBN 978-1931180313
  90. ^ Recording OCLC 1323101003
  91. ^ Recording OCLC 1323048118
  92. ^ Recording OCLC 1323188137
  93. ^ 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
  94. ^ Episode: "The Fifth District Crime Fighter"
  95. ^ Recording OCLC 1323188137, 13528620
  96. ^ Recording OCLC 1323032495, 13528620, 83590829; ISBN 978-1931180085
  97. ^ Recording OCLC 1323009843
  98. ^ Recording OCLC 1323211758
  99. ^ Broemmel, Mike. "A Look at Richard Durham: The Man Who Created Destination Freedom". Mike Broemmel.
  100. ^ Recording OCLC 1323018591
  101. ^ Recording OCLC 1323187866, 102326573; ISBN 978-1931180214
  102. ^ Westbrooks was also a founder of the Cook County Bar Association: See WorldCat cassette data – OCLC 1323063546
  103. ^ Recording OCLC 1323074703
  104. ^ Recording OCLC 1323026912, 430047751; ISBN 978-1931180122
  105. ^ Recording OCLC 1323095433
  106. ^ 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
  107. ^ Episode: Patriotic Format"
  108. ^ Bill Hodak (July 4, 2011). "Patriotic Format". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?.
  109. ^ "United Nations". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. November 5, 2018.
  110. ^ Episode: "United Nations"
  111. ^ "Golden Circle, The". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. September 17, 2018.
  112. ^ "John, Alma, Johnny and Myra". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. December 31, 2018.
  113. ^ "Nathan Hale Story". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. November 12, 2018.
  114. ^ "Forced Confession". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. August 27, 2018.
  115. ^ "Benjamin Drake Story". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. October 19, 2014.
  116. ^ Episode: "Benjamin Drake Story"
  117. ^ "Dick Draper Story". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. September 3, 2018.
  118. ^ Episode: "Dick Draper Story"
  119. ^ "Thomas Wright, American Citizen". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. October 15, 2018.
  120. ^ "Citizen Whitney". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. October 29, 2018.
  121. ^ "Jones Family, The". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. December 17, 2018.
  122. ^ Episode: "The Jones Family"
  123. ^ "Fred Custer Story The". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. November 19, 2018.
  124. ^ Episode: "Fred Custer Story"
  125. ^ "Reverend Brown's Half Acre". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. October 1, 2018.
  126. ^ Episode: "Reverend Browns Half Acre"
  127. ^ "Anna's Story". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. November 14, 2015.
  128. ^ Episode: "Anna's Story"
  129. ^ "Russell Thomas Story". RUSC – R U Sitting Comfortably?. June 4, 2018.

Further reading

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