Just Plain Bill

Just Plain Bill was a 1932-1955 15-minute American radio drama program heard on CBS Radio and NBC Radio. It was "a story of people just like people we all know."

Just Plain Bill
Drawing of Ruth Russell by actor-singer Norman Sweetser (1894-1980)
Other namesBill the Barber
GenreDaytime dramatic serial
Running time15 minutes
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
SyndicatesCBS,
Blue,
NBC Red
StarringArthur Hughes,
Ruth Russell
AnnouncerDon Pardo
Created byFrank and Anne Hummert
Written byRobert Hardy Andrews
David Davidson
Directed byMartha Atwell
Original releaseSeptember 19, 1932 
September 30, 1955
Opening theme"Darling Nellie Gray"
Ending theme"Polly Wolly Doodle"
Sponsored byKolyonos Toothpaste
Anacin

The program began on CBS on September 19, 1932. It was originally broadcast at night, but on October 16, 1933, CBS added a daytime version. Night broadcasts ended in 1935, leaving only the daytime program thereafter until the show ended on September 30, 1955.

It told the story of Bill Davidson (Arthur Hughes), a barber in the town of Hartville, and his daughter Nancy (Ruth Russell). Bill often became involved in helping his friends and neighbors when he wasn't cutting hair. Davidson was seldom directly affected by the problems in which he became involved, but he wanted to help people — especially Nancy — when they faced difficulties.

The show was created by Frank and Anne Hummert, who produced many radio daytime drama series, including Amanda of Honeymoon Hill, Backstage Wife, Front Page Farrell, John's Other Wife, Little Orphan Annie, Ma Perkins, Mr. Chameleon, Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons, Our Gal Sunday and Young Widder Brown.

Music was by Hal Brown (1865–1942), who played harmonica and whistled the Just Plain Bill opening theme, "Darling Nellie Gray". The closing theme was "Polly Wolly Doodle." Don Pardo was the program's announcer towards the end of the series, which came to an end on September 30, 1955.

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