Against the Storm: The Peabody-Winning Soap Opera That Defied Convention
In 1942, a remarkable radio drama earned the prestigious Peabody Award by daring to treat its audience with intelligence. Created by writer Sandra Michael, Against the Storm was born from a rare moment of creative freedom—given the green light by Procter & Gamble's William Ramsey on the very day Great Britain declared war on Germany. Deeply moved as a pacifist and staunch anti-Nazi, Michael infused the series with a moral complexity uncommon to daytime serials. Her goal was simple: to write "as if housewives were intelligent," breaking away from the formulaic melodramas that dominated the airwaves. This collection presents 18 rare original episodes from the acclaimed 1940-41 run, totaling over four hours of vintage broadcasting.
Collection Highlights
- Award-Winning Originality: This collection preserves the first iteration of Against the Storm, the groundbreaking serial that earned radio's highest honor—the Peabody Award—for its sophisticated storytelling and refusal to talk down to its listeners.
- A Distinctive Ensemble Cast: The story revolves around Professor Jason McKinley Allen, portrayed by Roger DeKoven, alongside his wife, daughters, and friends. Unlike typical soap operas, the plots weave loosely around these characters, offering a more naturalistic and literary approach to daily drama.
- Rare Surviving Episodes: These recordings capture intimate character moments and moral dilemmas from 1940 and 1941, including episodes like "Supper In Park," "Reed Learns Of Manuels Death," and "Memorial Day Memories." Please note that as rare archival recordings, some may exhibit inferior sound quality.
- A Voice of Conscience: Written by Sandra Michael, who also created Monticello Party Line, this series reflects the anxieties and hopes of a world at war. Despite critical success, the show was canceled when Michael sought to expand it to 30 minutes, making these original episodes all the more precious to collectors.
Track Listing
Show all 36 tracks (4 hours, 20 min)
- Against Storm 400513 Supper In Park
- Against Storm 400515 Reed Wilson Vs Matrimony
- Against Storm 400516 Reed And Kathy At Train Station
- Against Storm 400524 Peter Alden And Fullerton Talk
- Against Storm 400603 Pascal Tyler Rescues Lucretia
- Against Storm 400610 Reed Cathy Discuss His Kindnesses
- Against Storm 400617 Mark Makes Summer Farewell Speech
- Against Storm 400620 Phillip Cameron Wont Buy Chrchtn House
- Against Storm 400702 Kathy Unable To Sleep
- Against Storm 400712 Reed Learns Of Manuels Death
- Against Storm 400717 Peter Leaves For Seashore
- Against Storm 400718 Phillip Tries To Call Mrs. Cameron
- Against Storm 400821 Miss Hale Has Decided To Marry Phillip
- Against Storm 400912 Reed Withlds Bad News Abt Miguel
- Against Storm 410529 Prof Allen Talks To His Daughter
- Against Storm 410530 Memorial Day Memories
- Against Storm 410602 Phil And Christy Are About To Break Up
- Against Storm Jason Remembers His Childhood
- Against Storm 400513 Supper In Park
- Against Storm 400515 Reed Wilson Vs Matrimony
- Against Storm 400516 Reed And Kathy At Train Station
- Against Storm 400524 Peter Alden And Fullerton Talk
- Against Storm 400603 Pascal Tyler Rescues Lucretia
- Against Storm 400610 Reed Cathy Discuss His Kindnesses
- Against Storm 400617 Mark Makes Summer Farewell Speech
- Against Storm 400620 Phillip Cameron Wont Buy Chrchtn House
- Against Storm 400702 Kathy Unable To Sleep
- Against Storm 400712 Reed Learns Of Manuels Death
- Against Storm 400717 Peter Leaves For Seashore
- Against Storm 400718 Phillip Tries To Call Mrs. Cameron
- Against Storm 400821 Miss Hale Has Decided To Marry Phillip
- Against Storm 400912 Reed Withlds Bad News Abt Miguel
- Against Storm 410529 Prof Allen Talks To His Daughter
- Against Storm 410530 Memorial Day Memories
- Against Storm 410602 Phil And Christy Are About To Break Up
- Against Storm Jason Remembers His Childhood
