Doctor Christian

Premier Air Date: November 7, 1937

Finale Air Date: January 6, 1954

Total Episodes:

Station: CBS

Cast: Jean Hersholt and Rosemary DeCamp

Sponsors: Vaseline

Director: Dorothy McCann

Radio / Drama / Family

The story lines of Doctor Christian were meant to be representative of small town life in America when it lived a simpler, perhaps more honest life.  The small-town physician's good humor, innate common sense and scientific training helped drive off a series of villainous types who tried to interfere with the peaceful lifestyle of River's End, as well as dealing with personal problems among his many patients and the majority of those who lived in town.

The program was also unique in that, beginning in 1942, listeners contributed the majority of the scripts.  An annual script-writing competition was the highlight of every season with a top prize of $2,000 and the "Dr. Christian Award" being given to the best submission.  Among the later winners were Rod Serling and Earl Hamner, Jr.

Several movies about Dr. Christian also evolved fro this radio show.