Barbara Weeks (radio actress)

Barbara Weeks (October 27, 1906 - July 4, 1954) was an American actress and voice talent in the Golden Age of Radio. She was best known for her work in soap operas.[1]

Not to be confused with Barbara Weeks (film actress).
Barbara Weeks
As Ann Malone (1946)
BornOctober 27, 1906
Binghamton, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 4, 1954(1954-07-04) (aged 47)
New York City, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActress
Known forRadio and stage actress
SpouseCarl Douglas Frank (1938-1954)
Children1

Early years

Weeks was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin R. Weeks of Binghamton, New York.[2] Her parents were singers before her father started a music store.[3] "One of her ancestors, Mrs. Robert R. Jillson," was also an actress.[4] Weeks attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.[5]

Radio

A caption in a 1937 newspaper reported that Weeks' "radio career started in Mickey at the Circus and Roadways to Romance."[6] However, another source reported, "She made her radio debut as a vocalist on a Portland, Maine, station."[7] In June 1938, she had the lead role in an NBC broadcast of Anna Christie.[8]

Her only lead role in a continuing radio program occurred when she played the title character in Her Honor, Nancy James, which began on CBS October 3, 1938,[9] and continued through July 28, 1939.[10]

Weeks' roles as a regular cast member in radio programs included those listed in the table below.

ProgramRole
As the Twig Is Bent
(We Love and Learn)[10]		Madame Sophie
Her Honor, Nancy JamesNancy James
Howie WingDonna Cavendish[11]
Linda's First LoveNA[12]
Meet the DixonsJoan Dixon
Now and Forever -- A Love StoryEllen Harris[13]
The Open DoorLiza Arnold[14]
We Love and LearnSophie De Bellay[15]
Young Doctor MaloneAnn Malone

Source: Radio Programs, 1924-1984,[16] except as noted.

Weeks also appeared in episodes of other programs, including Alias Jimmy Valentine,[5] Philip Morris Playhouse,[14] Mr. District Attorney, Theatre Guild of the Air, Mr. and Mrs. North,[3] The Good Will Hour,[17] Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories,[18] and Colgate Theatre of Romance.[19]

Stage

Before venturing into radio, Weeks "was winning praise with stock companies."[6] After attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she "put in several years of stage trouping."[5] She appeared in at least five Broadway productions between 1927 and 1936,[20] including a revival of Lombardi Limited.[7]

Name confusion

Weeks was often confused for fellow actress Barbara Weeks, who mainly worked in film. At one time, both lived in New York, which meant that "Barbara-in-radio frequently gets mail and telephone calls intended for Barbara-in-the-movies."[21] The confusion even extended to some of the movie actress's relatives attending a performance of a touring stock company in which the radio actress appeared, expecting to see their cousin perform.[21]

Personal life

On November 26, 1938, Weeks married actor Carl Frank,[22] who played her husband in Young Doctor Malone.[23] They also played husband and wife roles in Now and Forever -- A Love Story.[13] They had a daughter, Roberta, born September 24, 1940.[24]

References
  1. Sies, Luther F. (2014). Encyclopedia of American Radio, 1920-1960, 2nd Edition, Volume 2. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-5149-4. P. 743.
  2. "Barbara Weeks in Radio Play". New York, Dunkirk. Dunkirk Evening Observer. August 17, 1938. p. 8. Retrieved December 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  3. "Romance Is Where You Find It" (PDF). Radio-TV Mirror. 37 (4): 50–51, 79–80. March 1952. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  4. "Monday's Highlights" (PDF). Radio and Television Mirror. 13 (2): 45. January 1939. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  5. Ranson, Jo (October 1, 1938). "Radio Dial Log". New York, Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 18. Retrieved December 17, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  6. "Air Actress". Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. Harrisburg Telegraph. June 18, 1937. p. 18. Retrieved December 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  7. "What Do You Want to Know?" (PDF). Radio and Television Mirror. 13 (1): 59. November 1939. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  8. Archer, Thomas (June 9, 1938). "Radio Reception". The Montreal Gazette. p. 2. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  9. "Networks Continue Procession Of New Fall Program Premieres; Number Of "Revivals" Increases". Nebraska, Lincoln. The Lincoln Star. October 2, 1938. p. 40. Retrieved December 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  10. Dunning, John. (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Pp. 317-318.
  11. Lewis, Martin (February 11, 1937). "Airialto Lowdown" (PDF). Radio Guide. p. 10. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  12. "Actors Feted" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 27, 1947. p. 92. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  13. Banks, Dale (January 1944). "What's New from Coast to Coast" (PDF). 21 (3): 4. Retrieved 14 December 2015. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. Buxton, Frank and Owen, Bill (1972). The Big Broadcast: 1920-1950. The Viking Press. SBN 670-16240-x. Pp. 180, 187.
  15. "'We Love and Learn' Debuts Tomorrow". The Times. Louisiana, Shreveport. June 27, 1948. p. 41. Retrieved January 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4. Pp. 29, 149, 224, 361.
  17. Brown, Wilson (September 21, 1940). "Along the Airialtos: New York" (PDF). Radio Guide. p. 38. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  18. "Personal Glimpses ..." Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. Harrisburg Telegraph. April 21, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved December 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  19. "Barbara Weeks to Star In "There's Always Juliet" Over WHP". Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. Harrisburg Telegraph. August 19, 1944. p. 13. Retrieved December 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  20. Barbara Weeks at the Internet Broadway Database
  21. "What's New (continued)" (PDF). Radio Mirror. 12 (2): 6. June 1939. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  22. "(untitled brief)" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 1, 1938. p. 44. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  23. "Life on a Chain". Pennsylvania, Danville. The Morning News. May 28, 1945. p. 7. Retrieved December 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  24. "(untitled brief)" (PDF). 21 (4). February 1944: 13. Retrieved 14 December 2015. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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