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PUTTING THEIR HEARTS INTO IT (The Goldbergs Radio Show)


PUTTING THEIR HEARTS INTO IT

How realistic performances have won laurels for The Goldbergs

THE GOLDBERGS serial has become an epic of the airwaves, and as such is still enjoying one of the longest and most successful consecutive runs in radio history.

In 1928, Gertrude Berg, a Manhattan housewife, conceived the idea for a radio serial about a Jewish family. Without any previous entertainment experience, she finally succeeded in selling the idea and building a hit program from it.

Mrs. Berg not only continues to write the scripts herself, but she has endeared herself to listeners as Molly, the loving wife and mother of the Goldberg family. She has thought and lived this character for so long that, when she’s before the mike, she can actually sense and experience all the emotions which Molly is supposed to be feeling.

Jake, the irascible but kindly Mr. Goldberg, has been played since the program’s debut by James R. Waters, veteran stage actor. He’s so completely wrapped up in the role that he even finds himself worrying about his radio family as much as he does about his own.

To Roslyn Silber and Everett Sloane, playing the parts of the youthful Rosie and Sammy isn’t work. They both throw themselves into the characterizations with such enthusiasm and intensity that they are actually Rosie and Sammy as they face the mike. The same holds true of Anne Teeman, who plays Joyce, and Helene Dumas, who is Edna.

Despite the artificial studio atmosphere, lack of make-up, costumes and scenery, a witness to the broadcast would soon forget that he was watching actors and actresses, so expressive are their faces, words and gestures. So completely do they “put their hearts” into their work that they are one with the characters they portray.

Aside from the universal human interest and appeal of the story itself and the superlative quality of the script, it is this popularity to The Goldbergs.

<Sammy Goldberg (Everett Sloane) to Joyce (Anne Teeman): We’re not any different that lots of other families, Joyce. Please don’t think we’re just being kind. We really like you.>

<Rosalie Goldberg (Roslyn Silber): Sammy, if you don’t stop picking on me I’m going to tell Poppa—then you’ll get it. Now see if you don’t! Sammy: Yo big baby! Gwan and tell!>

<Joyce (Anne Teeman): I’m so unhappy. My mother hates me—because she knows I know she killed my father. I loved him so! (sobs at intervals).>

<Edna (Helene Dumas): It isn’t hard to understand, Mrs. Goldberg. They’re just two kids that fell in love, that’s all. It’s natural.>

<Edna (Helene Dumas): Jake (James Waters): I Molly (Gertrude Berg): Look, Joyce. Don’t you tell you, Molly, I know think you’d feel better if something is wrong. I can you got it all off your feel it in here. 
Everything chest? Spill it to me, honey, is not as it ought to be.>

<Molly (Gertrude Berg): Oy—I’m so nervous and flusterated—I can’t remember the name she said. Let me think—was it Bradford?>

<Molly (Gertrude Berg): Haha. That’s funny, Jake. Don’t you think so, Samele? Oy, (sigh) it makes me happy to see you happy.>

<Joyce (Anne Teeman): Sammy, you don’t believe me, do you? Nobody trusts me, either. And even you don’t believe or trust me.>

<Joyce (Anne Teeman): They’re chasing me, Sammy. Why don’t they let me be happy? I’m afraid they’ll take me away from you.>

<Rosalie (Roslya Silber): Oh Mama, darling! I’m so glad—I’m so happy. Everything is fine now. Isn’t it wonderful Mama, dear?>

<Joyce (Anne Teeman): Oh, I’d die first before I’d go back there! You won’t let them take me, will you? They aren’t coming, Sammy, are they? Really?>

<Jake (James Waters): Now I want it understood that I’m the head of this house. I will not stand for any more of this shilly-shallying.>

<Molly (Gertrude Berg): Are you looking so happy, Jake, because you’re really happy? Jake: Is it a crime I should feel good, Molly?>

<Jake Goldberg (James Waters): Hallo-hallo-Molly? Yes-yes-this is Jake. Don’t worry, Molly everything is under control.> 

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