Confession (radio program)

Confession is an American old-time radio crime drama anthology series. It was broadcast on NBC from July 5, 1953, to September 13, 1953, as a summer replacement for Dragnet.[1]

Confession
GenreCrime drama anthology
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
SyndicatesNBC
StarringPaul Frees
AnnouncerJohn Wald
Written byLou Rusoff
Don Brinkley
Directed byHomer Canfield
Produced byHomer Canfield
Warren Lewis
Original releaseJuly 5, 1953 (1953-07-05) – September 13, 1953 (1953-09-13)

Format

Confession dramatized material from files of corrections departments from across the United States.[2] Radio historian John Dunning compared Confession to Dragnet, writing, "Confession had a texture and sound not unlike Dragnet; indeed, the Dragnet influence was evident throughout."[3] Although both programs featured crimes taken from real life, he added, "Dragnet began with the crime while Confession unfolded in reverse order."[3]

Each episode of the program began with the following dialog:

Criminal: I make this confession of my own free will because it is true. There wasn't any force or violence used upon my person to induce me to make these statements. Without promise of immunity or gratuity, I confess.

Announcer: You understand, of course, your statements will be made public to the radio program Confession?

Criminal: I do.

Announcer: You are listening to Confession. This confession is a matter of documented record. You will hear the story of this crime experience in the person's own words. This is Confession.[1]

Personnel

The only regular character on Confession was Richard A. McGee, director of the California State Department of Corrections. He was portrayed by Paul Frees.[2] Other actors heard frequently in supporting roles were Parley Baer, Herb Butterfield, Don Diamond, Sam Edwards, Virginia Christine, Virginia Gregg, Stacy Harris, Jonathan Hole, Peter Leeds, Joyce McCluskey, Marvin Miller, Jack Moyles, and Barney Phillips. The real Richard McGee appeared midway through each program to remind listeners, "Crime does not pay."[1]

John Wald was the announcer. Homer Canfield and Warren Lewis were producers, and Canfield was the director. Music was by J. Frederick Albech.[1] Writers were Lou Rusoff and Don Brinkley, and Warren Lewis was the script supervisor.[4]

References
  1. Cox, Jim (2002). Radio Crime Fighters: Over 300 Programs from the Golden Age. McFarland. pp. 81–82. ISBN 978-0-7864-4324-6.
  2. Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 81–82. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4.
  3. Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 180. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
  4. "Confession". The Digital Deli Too. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.

Logs

Streaming
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