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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