Words at War - Single Episodes


(5 stars; 1 review)

Words at War was a 30-minute dramatic anthology series that presented stories condensed from books about World War II. The series debuted during a crucial time for the Allies, enhancing its significance. Supported by Johnson's Wax, it filled the Fibber McGee and Molly time slot while Jim and Marian Jordan were on vacation. The music was composed by NBC's Frank Black, known for his orchestration, and the shows were often directed by Anton M. Leder, famous for his work on Suspense.

This docu-drama style series, with Black's music providing a stark and sobering backdrop, brought to life stories penned by various authors. While not every episode is a standout, many are exceptional and evoke powerful emotions, particularly when addressing difficult subjects like the loss of innocent civilian lives. As Billboard Magazine noted in 1943, the series effectively dispelled romanticized notions of war.

With a mix of strengths and weaknesses inherent in anthologies, each story offers a quality that makes this radio series noteworthy.


This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.

Chapters

Words at War Intro 1:59
Combined Operations - The Official Story of the British Commandos 29:42
They Call It Pacific 29:19
The Last Days of Sevastopol 29:35
The Ship 29:35
From The Land Of Silent People 29:41
Prisoner of the Japs 29:16
Love at First Flight 29:41
Last Days of Sevastopol 30:12
Malta Spitfire 29:38
Dynamite Cargo 27:26
Since You Went Away 29:52
They Shall Not Have Me 28:22
Battle Hymn of China 29:28
Eighty-Three Days - The Survival of Seaman Izzi 28:55
Paris -- Underground 28:39
Shortcut to Tokyo 28:53
Who Dare to Live 29:25
Here Is Your War 29:28
To All Hands 30:02
Escape from the Balkans 29:59
Ave Duce - Sawdust Caesar - Balcony Empire 29:26
A Book of War Letters 29:28
Mother America 29:26
Log Book - British Merchant Marine 29:28
Ninth Commandment - Invasion of Holland 29:58
They Shall Inherit the Earth 29:28
Eighty-Three Days - The Survival of Seaman Izzi 29:25
War Tide 29:59
Condition Red 29:27
The White Brigade 29:28
George Washington Carver 29:57
The New Sun 29:56
Assignment USA 29:57
The Weeping Wood 29:56
Science at War 28:12
Der Fuehrer 29:58
A Bell for Adano 29:56
Wild River 29:58
The Silence of the Sea 29:56
The Curtain Rises 29:28
Gunners Get Glory 29:27
Lifeline 29:58
Lend Lease - Weapon for Victory 29:56
The Navy Hunts the CGR 3070 29:49
War Bond Special 12:12
Fair Stood the Wind for France 27:07
War Criminals and Punishment 30:36
Captain Retread 29:21
War Below Zero 29:29
Lost Island 29:26
Headquarters Budapest 30:39
Nazis Go Underground 27:46
Heaven Below - China Looks Forward 15:27
Simone 29:46
The Veteran Comes Back 29:53
One Man Air Force 29:40
The Time for Decision - U.S. War Aims 30:26
Journey Through Chaos 29:56
Pacific Victory 29:51
The Veteran Comes Back 29:13
Still Time to Die 29:00
One Damn Thing After Another 28:23
Barriers Down 29:32
Camp Follower 28:58
The Guys on the Ground 28:56
Your School, Your Children 28:36
The Cross and the Arrow 29:50
Scapegoats in History - History of Bigotry in the United States 29:24
It's Always Tomorrow 28:48
Borrowed Night 28:16
Verdict on India 29:05
Story of a Secret State 28:51
Ten Escape from Tojo 15:18
What to Do with Germany 29:22
Battle Report - Pearl Harbor to the Coral Sea 29:14
Faith of Our Fighters - The Bid was Four Hearts 28:28
The Rainbow 28:12
Can Do 28:52
Tomorrow Will Sing 29:13
Banshee Harvest 26:36
Full Employment in a Free Society 26:59
Apartment in Athens 27:34
They Left the Back Door Open 28:32
Brave Men 28:10
The Hide Out 28:33
The Road to Serfdom 29:52
Wartime Racketeers 29:29
Soldier to Civilian 28:55
My Country - A Poem of America 29:21