"Claudia" told the tale of Claudia and David Naughton, newlyweds, just beginning their married life. Young, enthusiastic, and very much in love, they weren't suffering from any medical problems, suspicions, or ungrateful children. Instead, they were simply facing the many challenges of any new marriage in the years following World War II - finding an apartment, getting used to each other's quirks, and learning to live together as husband and wife.
Lacking many of the characteristics of a traditional soap opera, "Claudia" didn't offer the anguish and heartbreak that typified such long-running soaps as "Valiant Lady," "Backstage Wife," and "Ma Perkins" - and, being sponsored by Coca-Cola, it even lacked the traditional sponsorship of a soap company.
The very elements that made Claudia different from other soap operas quickly became its strengths. There were very few "tune in tomorrow" hooks that most soaps used to lure listeners back. People came back to "Claudia" for the interesting, fully developed characters, the lighthearted banter, and the familiarity of their day-to-day situations. Given this, most modern listeners view "Claudia" as a continuing daytime situation comedy, rather than as a soap opera -- and enjoy it immensely.
Based on the literary works of Rose Franken, "Claudia" began as short stories. Immensely popular, those grew into a series of best selling novels and then in 1941, were adapted into a Broadway play, with a young actress named Dorothy McGuire in the title role. Claudia was a breakout role for McGuire; one that brought her to Hollywood to reprise the role in the 20th Century Fox film version, released in 1943 and co-starring Robert Young as David. Based on that film's success, 1946 found them together again in "Claudia and David," a sequel to the earlier film. Due in large part to the success of the two "Claudia" movies, in 1947, the D'Arcy advertising agency decided to bring the characters to radio in a five-a-week quarter-hour serial on behalf of its client, Coca-Cola. This was the third attempt to bring the story of Claudia to radio and would be followed by a try as a TV series as well.
The title character and her husband are the best part of the show. Claudia, a bit younger than her years, is often impulsive, sometimes irresponsible, usually perky, and just a bit flighty. Her father had died when she was still a young girl and, as an only child, had been raised by her widowed mother. As she matures, she becomes a unique mixture of enthusiasm, incompetence and over-confidence -- deeply in love with her somewhat older husband David, but frequently naive and too likely to trust in her insecurities rather than her instincts.
Claudia's loving and patient husband David came from a substantial family and he had trained to be an architect until World War II interrupted his plans. Like many a returning veteran, he's working to get ahead in his field, but he sometimes questions whether he's chosen the right career path - particularly when considering the success of his older brother Hartley, an influential banker.
Due to the diligent work of Radio Archives, all 390 episodes of the series, which had an eighteen-month run, have been located and preserved to the highest standard. This sixth volume of 24 episodes continues on where the others left off, marching through Spring and toward the start of Summer 1948.
Heard today, "Claudia" remains wonderful entertainment, notable for both its lighthearted tone and the believable interplay between its characters and will make a fine addition to any Old Time Radio Fan's collection!
#170 Hors D'oeuvres Under the Apple Tree
Friday, May 21, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#171 A Letter at Breakfast
Monday, May 24, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#172 A Mysterious Trip
Tuesday, May 25, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#173 Late for the Train
Wednesday, May 26, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#174 Mr. Reynolds
Thursday, May 27, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#175 Surprise Visitors
Friday, May 28, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#176 Lunch with Victoria Manners
Monday, May 31, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#177 To Tell or Not to Tell
Tuesday, June 1, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#178 Peace and Quiet
Wednesday, June 2, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#179 Dinner in the Kitchen
Thursday, June 3, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#180 A Fishing We Will Go
Friday, June 4, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#181 Jeffrey Killian
Monday, June 7, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#182 Pancakes for Breakfast
Tuesday, June 8, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#183 Fishing and Fairness
Wednesday, June 9, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#184 Jeffrey's Mother
Thursday, June 10, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#185 The Big Plot
Friday, June 11, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#186 Little Miss Fix-It
Monday, June 14, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#187 Mama Remembers
Tuesday, June 15, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#188 Meeting the Boat
Wednesday, June 16, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#189 An Evening Alone
Thursday, June 17, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#190 The Crossroads of the World
Friday, June 18, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#191 A Flower Garden
Monday, June 21, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#192 Meeting Dr. Taft
Tuesday, June 22, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
#193 A Lucky Dime
Wednesday, June 23, 1948 - 15:00 - Syndicated, sponsored by Coca Cola
