Mayor Of The Town

Mayor of the Town was a popular radio comedy-drama that aired in the United States from September 6, 1942, to July 3, 1949. The show was broadcast at various times on ABC, CBS, Mutual, and NBC networks during its 7-year run.

The series centered around the unnamed mayor of the fictional town of Springdale, a community typical of small-town America during that era.

The Stars

Lionel Barrymore starred as the gruff but kindhearted mayor, who often found himself dealing with the everyday problems and quirky characters of his town.

The mayor’s housekeeper, Marilly  was played by Agnes Moorehead.

His young ward, Butch  played by Conrad Binyon, usually played key roles in the episodes, which often focused on coming-of-age stories and the mayor’s special relationship with Butch.

In addition to the lead performances the show featured a talented supporting cast that included Gloria McMillan as Sharlee Bronson, Butch’s girlfriend, Priscilla Lyon as the mayor’s granddaughter Holly-Ann, and Bill Wright as the town sheriff.

Barrymore was known for his meticulous attention to detail, even though he was not directly involved in the production. He had a keen eye for spotting lines or performances that were not up to par, and he would work closely with the writers and directors to ensure the show maintained a high level of quality.

Key Dates

• Mayor of the Town debuted on September 6, 1942, and ran for 7 seasons.
• The final episode aired on July 3, 1949.
• In January 1949, the show moved from its previous network homes on ABC, CBS, and NBC to the Mutual Broadcasting System, where it aired on Sundays at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Other Information

The show’s sponsors over the years included Rinso, Noxzema, and the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company.

While some critics dismissed Mayor of the Town as formulaic and overly sentimental, radio historian John Dunning praised the show for its “realistic portrait of rural living” and its focus on “coming-of-age pieces” centered around the mayor’s relationship with young Butch.

In 1954, a syndicated television version of Mayor of the Town aired in the United States, starring Thomas Mitchell as Mayor Thomas Russell, Kathleen Freeman as Marilly, and David Saber as Butch.

Overall, Mayor of the Town was a long-running and popular old-time radio series that offered a warm, heartfelt look at small-town life and the relationships that defined it.