Mr. President

Mr. President was a dramatic radio series that ran on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) from June 26, 1947 to September 23, 1953. The series presented fictionalized stories about the private lives and little-known events in the lives of the various Presidents of the United States. Each half-hour episode was based on an incident in the life of one of the 32 U.S. Presidents, but the identity of the President was not revealed until the end of the program. This format encouraged the audience to try to guess which President was being portrayed based on the details provided in the story.

The series was created by Robert G. Jennings and written by a team that included Jean Holloway and Ira Marion. A research staff ensured the stories were historically accurate. The show was produced and directed by Dick Woollen.

The role of the President was played each week by veteran actor Edward Arnold, with supporting performances by a cast that included Bea Benaderet, Gil Stratton, Hans Conried, Lurene Tuttle, and Herb Butterfield.

The Stars

Edward Arnold was the main star of Mr. President, portraying a different U.S. President in each episode. Arnold was a highly respected character actor who had appeared in numerous films, including Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, The Devil and Daniel Webster, and The Magnificent Ambersons.

The supporting cast included veteran radio actors such as Bea Benaderet, Gil Stratton, Hans Conried, Lurene Tuttle, and Herb Butterfield, who played a variety of roles in the series.

Key Dates

• Mr. President debuted on June 26, 1947 and ran for over six years.
• The final episode aired on September 23, 1953.
• There were no significant breaks in the series’ run during this period.
• In 1953, Mr. President received the Award of Merit from the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.

Other Information

The series was sponsored by various companies over the years, including Westinghouse Electric Corporation and Philco Corporation.

While Mr. President was not adapted into a television series, the concept of dramatizing the private lives of U.S. Presidents was later explored in other media, such as the 1995 film The American President starring Michael Douglas.

Overall, Mr. President provided a unique and entertaining look at the personal experiences of the nation’s highest elected officials, while also educating listeners about American history and the men who have held the office of the Presidency.