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Family Doctor

1932 · 39 episodes · 43 listens

The Family Doctor was an early American radio drama series that aired in the 1930s. The show followed the adventures of Dr. Grant Adams, the longtime physician of the small town of Cedarton. As the town’s family doctor, Dr. Adams spent as much time dealing with the personal lives and moral dilemmas of his patients as he did treating their physical ailments.

The Stars

The show featured a regular cast of characters that brought the town of Cedarton to life. At the center was Dr. Grant Adams, a kind-hearted and wise country doctor who served as the moral compass for the community.

Other notable characters included Pete, the local druggist who often had to drive Dr. Adams on house calls, the workaholic boat rental owner Griff, and a pair of teenage girls who competed for the affection of the clerks at the drugstore.

Key Dates

  • The Family Doctor debuted in 1932 and ran for a total of 39 episodes, each approximately 15 minutes in length.
  • The series was produced by the Transco Syndication company and was syndicated to various radio stations across the country.
  • The show concluded with a three-part storyline in which Dr. Adams had to make a difficult decision about his future and that of the town of Cedarton.

Other Information

The Family Doctor was an early precursor to the medical drama genre that would later become popular on television. Unlike many radio programs of the era, the show featured recurring characters and ongoing storylines, giving it a more serialized feel.

The program’s focus on the personal lives and moral dilemmas of its characters, as well as its small-town setting, gave it a unique charm and appeal that set it apart from other medical-themed radio dramas of the time.

Despite its relative obscurity today, The Family Doctor remains a beloved example of the golden age of American radio.

Its enduring popularity is a testament to the show’s well-written scripts, engaging characters, and the timeless appeal of a kindly country doctor who cared as much about the wellbeing of his patients’ souls as he did their physical health.

If you like this series you will also like DR. Christian.

We have all 39 episodes available on RUSC.

Ratings & reviews

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Episodes

14:25
Judge Samuel Windsor, an aspiring Thespian, has called in to see Dr Grant Adams. He's very much looking forward to…
14:26
Faith Windsor has been stepping out with Chick Harper, and Ella-Mary is heartbroken. Ella-Mary just can't figure out a…
14:17
Doc Adams and Pete are talking about the upcoming festival and pageant. Doc's encouraging Pete to audition for a part…
14:18
Dr Grant Adams has decided to call for some shopping on his way home from work today, so he's called up his wife, Lou,…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:30
Maddie Clark is a godly well meaning woman but a busy body gossip all the same. But this time her tale telling has gone…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:21
Doctor Adams knows that there’s nothing the matter with the younger generation. Pete thinks that there is a lot more…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:22
Griff Miller from the boathouse came to see Dr Adams as for about a week now he had been having dizzy spells and seeing…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:17
Dr Adams discusses with his wife how people have different levels of what they consider enjoyment.
Jan 1, 1932 · 15:00
Jess goes to see Doc Adams and confides in him that he used to be a crook, a bad egg who got in with a rotten crowd and…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:10
Dr. Grant Adams is home very early today and Mrs Webb is here. Her son Duncan Webb is home from the reform center and…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:19
Grant Adams is very complimentary towards his wife so she knows that he is after something. Dr Adams wants his wife Lou…
Jan 1, 1932 · 13:57
Johnny is leaving Cedartown and going back home to Denver. Both Ella Mary Bliss and Faith Windsor appear upset by the…
Jan 1, 1932 · 15:00
This delightful series is set in the charming world of small-town America. When the local doctor pays a visit to the…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:23
The least little thing makes Ella Mary get upset but when she fluffs up the lines of a poem at a gathering Doctor Adams…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:06
Ella Mary Bliss is feeling upset because Johnny Kemp’s up to the Windsor’s and she thinks Faith Windsor will get her…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:08
The chief of police is chatting with Doc Adams when he notices the same stranger walking the streets that he has seen…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:15
Doctor Grant Adams and his wife Lou rush to the scene of a fire when they hear sirens. The Doctor risks his life when…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:22
Dr Adams treats Chief Benson for a cold and tells him the only thing to do is let nature take it’s course. While he is…
Jan 1, 1932 · 15:00
When the town's aspiring actors try out for the community play, hilarity ensues as inexperienced performers stumble…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:17
Joe Stanley and his wife are new in town and building a new home. When Doc Adams meets the kindly Mr Stanley, Mr…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:17
Bison Pete’s Revenge is a tent show, which has come to Cedartown starring old Hollywood actor Francois Malay. Malay has…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:19
Dr Grant Adams is drinking his coffee at home, but Lou is trying to clean up all around him, so he decides to get out…
Jan 1, 1932 · 15:00
Dr Adams is invited by Mr Hayes to see the job he is contracted to do building a new bridge over the river. While he is…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:00
The two young boys, Jimmy and Billy Maynard, twin brothers set off on a hike and have been warned by their parents to…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:21
Miss Malloy is a theatrical teacher and has written a wonderful piece called Tolerance. However when she is reunited…
Jan 1, 1932 · 15:00
After listening to the horse racing on the radio Doc Adams is concerned that Chick Harper has been led astray betting…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:21
Dr Grant Adams is in a mighty big hurry today. He's come home and rushed straight up the stairs. Lou is downstairs…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:15
Miss Adams has called for the doctor, but he's not at May's Drug Store right now. He's had to walk all the way from…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:27
A gentleman named Marvin Forest has entered the drugstore, and has asked for a credit account. He's a little on the…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:21
Mrs Adams is getting ready to do her twice a year big house clean and she comments to Dr Adams how many copies of the…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:24
Doc Adams is treating his old friend Gryff, who has dislocated a vertebrae in his back. He's been working for himself…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:31
Chick Harper is working at the store, when his friend Marvin Forrest enters the store. Marvin has come for his usual…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:16
Rib has entered the Doc's surgery to let Doc Adams know that he is going to be running for mayor. He's going to be…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:31
As Doc Adams is preparing to leave Cedarton and take his new position in New York, the show begins with the Doc showing…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:31
Dr Grant Adams is struggling with his conscience. He has decided to visit to Glen Mayner, the small town of Cedarton's…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:23
Chick Harper runs the local drug store, and he's expecting Mrs Windsor's daughter, Faith, to pop into the store this…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:16
Amos, the editor of the local newspaper, the Post Bugle is a little upset this morning, and Frank Adams, the doctor,…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:48
Lou has cooked a fine lunch of mushroom soup for Grant, with lemon meringue pie for dessert, and it's put him in a…
Jan 1, 1932 · 14:32
Dr Grant Adams is having a little rest, catching up on the town's gossip by reading the Post Bugle. It seems one…
Ned, your old-time-radio guide
Ned · your guide to the archive

If Family Doctor was your cup of tea, pull up a chair — here's where I'd point you next.

Dr Christian
Both center on a dedicated, compassionate doctor serving his community, exploring the human stories behind medical practice.
Ma Perkins
Both are set in small American communities and explore the ongoing lives and relationships of their residents.
Just Plain Bill
Both follow a respected community figure in a small town, weaving together community and family storylines.