American Adventure

There were three series created, but only one was broadcast outside of the University of North Carolina's student radio station, between 1955 and 1956, where the entire production had been performed.

The first show of the series was introduced with the following opening:-

"This is American Adventure. The first in a series of special programs presented by the National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with the University of North Carolina. American Adventure deals with the soul of America as a living organism. Here then, each week, we dramatize man's greatest adventure on American Adventure.

The best understanding of America begins, or so it seems to us, with the realization that this nation is young yet, that she is still new and unfinished, that even now, America is man's greatest adventure in time and space.

The University of North Carolina, through a gratis aid from the National Association of Educational Broadcasters, made possible by the fund for adult education and independent agency established by the port foundation, presents American Adventure, a study of man in the new world."

Carl Kasell and Charles Kuralt were both involved in the production, with Carl serving as the announcer, and Charles serving as a cast member in several of the series' performances - both of who went on to have highly successful radio / journalist careers.

At the time of its launch on NBC, American Adventure was well received, and became a highly regarded radio series. This was likely due to the producers and directors of the shows doing such an excellent job of making sure the tales were accurate depictions of important moments in America's past.

The stories range from tales of the Tennessee Valley dams, African American soldiers during WWI, two 'Hooverville' brothers building a house on the river in 1930's great depression, civil war stories, a slave ship heading to New Orleans, and even a story about the man who came up with the bright idea to lay the first Atlantic cable.

There are twenty five episodes of American Adventure extant, of which Joy and I have twenty three. All of these will be available on RUSC over the next few weeks. I hope that you'll enjoy listening to them as much as we did. They really are as compelling and thought-provoking today, as they were when they first aired sixty years ago.

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