Hello Americans

Hello Americans was a CBS Radio series produced, directed, and hosted by the legendary Orson Welles. Created to promote inter-American understanding and friendship during World War II, the series aired Sundays at 8 p.m. ET, beginning on November 15, 1942. The last broadcast was on January 31, 1943. Sponsored by the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, the drama series featured many of the actors from Welles’s Mercury Theatre repertory ensemble.

The series was part of Welles’s significant contribution to the war effort, produced concurrently with his other CBS series, Ceiling Unlimited, a salute to the aviation industry. Hello Americans was an entertaining and educational look at the cultures, histories, and peoples of the Americas, with Welles bringing his signature dramatic flair to the proceedings.

The Stars

Orson Welles was the driving force behind Hello Americans, serving as the producer, director, and host of the series. Welles also appeared in many of the episodes, showcasing his remarkable talent for vocal characterizations and bringing historical figures to life. The series featured a core ensemble of actors from Welles’s Mercury Theatre, including Ray Collins, Agnes Moorehead, and Elliott Reid, who brought their considerable skills to the various dramatizations.

Key Dates

• Hello Americans debuted on November 15, 1942.
• It ran for a single season, with the final episode airing on January 31, 1943.
• The series was originally intended to run for a longer period, but the sponsor, the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, concluded that the program had failed to attract a sufficient audience, leading to its cancellation after just 12 episodes.

Other Information

Hello Americans was part of a broader effort by the U.S. government during World War II to promote cultural exchange and understanding between the nations of the Americas. The series was one of many programs translated into Spanish and Portuguese and broadcast to Latin America, with the goal of counteracting Axis propaganda and emphasizing the common experiences and essential unity of the Western Hemisphere.

Welles’s work on Hello Americans and Ceiling Unlimited was widely praised as a significant contribution to the war effort, showcasing his versatility and commitment to using his talents for the greater good. The series also demonstrated Welles’s deep fascination with the history and culture of the Caribbean and Latin America, which he would continue to explore in his later work.

Despite its relatively short run, Hello Americans remains an important and influential example of Welles’s radio work, highlighting his ability to blend education, entertainment, and social commentary in a compelling and engaging manner.