Joyce Jordan, M.D.

Radio Varieties magazine reported in its September 1940 issue that the concept of the Joyce Jordan storyline originated during a ride on a bus in New York City. Producer Himan Brown and author Julian Funt sat behind a young couple "who were arguing the age-old theory that marriage and a career do not mix." As the two men who developed radio programs overheard the conversation, the storyline of Joyce Jordan emerged in their minds. ==Plot==

The program's national network debut was May 30, 1938, on CBS as Joyce Jordan, Girl Interne. The name changed to Joyce Jordan, M.D. in 1942 after the title character passed her medical exams and became employed at a "large city hospital." Radio historian John Dunning wrote in his book On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, that despite some changes in plot, "the theme of a woman's difficulty in a man's world remained." Later, she had to deal with her husband's "bitter and neurotic sister." ==Schedule==

The program's broadcast schedule is shown in the table below. Source: John Dunning: On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio Dr. Jordan lived near the Dennis family's hometown of Three Rivers, and listeners of the Jordan program became acquainted with the Dennises in 1948. Cox wrote, "By the time Dr. Jordan said 'good-by' on her final broadcast on Friday, October 8, 1948, the fans were already acquainted with the family that would replace her. The following Monday listeners could easily connect with the new series growing out of the show they had been hearing for so long." Joyce Jordan, M.D. returned for several months in 1951–52 on ABC, and was then revived for another six months in 1955 on NBC. The cancellation on NBC in 1955 was reported to be part of a reshaping of the network's daytime programming, as executives "hoped to stave off TV awhile longer" by replacing its soap operas with "an innovative multihour magazine called Weekday" that was similar in format to its weekend Monitor program. ==Cast==

Seven actresses — Helen Claire, Rita Johnson, Ann Shepherd, Betty Winkler, Elspeth Eric, Gertrude Warner and Fran Carlon — • Hope Allison • Bud Collyer as Dr. Henry Powell • Bill Johnstone as Dr. Hunt • George Coulouris as Neil Reynolds • Stefan Schnabel as Herbert Yost Source: Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows, except as noted. Others who often appeared on the program were Mary Jane Higby, Michael Fitzmaurice, Rex Ingram, Agnes Moorehead and Theodore Newton. Announcers included Ron Rawson, Ken Roberts and Len Sterling. Himan Brown was the producer, and Julian Funt was the writer. == References ==