Destination Freedom
Season 10, Episode 02
February 21, 2022
Tribute to Black American culture, art, and history
Re-Imagined Radio pays tribute to Black History Month and Destination Freedom, a radio series offering thematic episodes about Black American music, art, science, medicine, history, and more. We sample from "The Father of the Blues" to highlight W. C. Handy, and "The Trumpet Talks" to highlight Louis Armstrong.
Access the episode script
Background
About the Series
This episode pays tribute to Black History Month and the ground breaking and lasting legacy of Destination Freedom (1948-1950), a radio series dramatizing the democratic traditions and cultural contributions of Black Americans.
Richard Durham
The series was written by Richard Durham (1917-1984) (See also), editor of The Chicago Defender newspaper, and a dramatist with the Writers Project, part of the Works Progress Administration started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Durham wrote original dramatizations, each supported by historical research, each seeking to tell the little known stories behind Black Americans and their accomplishments. Working against discriminatory traditions, pervasive distortions, and stereotypes of Blacks in the arts, history, and culture of the United States, Durham sought to include as much history and candor about the achievements of prominent Black Americans as possible in each Sunday morning half-hour episode of Destination Freedom. Walking a daring line between reform and revolution, Durham strove to re-educate people about Black American society. His message was empowering, and with his efforts Durham established the footholds for the later civil and human rights movements. Destination Freedom was twice awarded the Scribes in Excellence Award by the Colorado Association of Black Journalists, and, in 1949, the South Central Association of Chicago recognized Destination Freedom for its contribution to democracy.
Series History
The series, written by Durham and produced by Homer Keck continued for 103 episodes until 13 August 1950. The program focus was changed to Cold War ideas (known as the "Patriotic Format") and the first episode in this new format was broadcast 15 October 1950 and continued until 19 November 1951. Durham wrote none of these episodes and Black American characters were seldom featured. Today, Durham's Destination Freedom is an important radio series for its portrayal of strong and independent Black Americans and for portraying black history in the radio medium. Episodes of Destination Freedom offer compelling narratives, powerful dramatizations, dynamic characters, engaging musical arrangements, all based on historical research and first-rate writing.
Continuing A Legacy
Destination Freedom followed two earlier radio series, both also focused on issues relevant to Black Americans, New World A'Coming and Freedom's People.
New World A'Coming
New World A'Coming (1944-1957), broadcast on New York radio station WMCA. Based on the work
of nationally-known black journalist Roi Ottley, New World A'Coming focused on political
and racial issues faced by Black Americans in the U.S. military and at home. After two seasons, this
focus was expanded to include other minority groups. Theme song by Duke Ellington. Frequently hosted by
Canada Lee.
Freedom's People
Freedom's People (1941-1942) was an eight-episode documentary series produced by the
Federal Radio Education Committee in the U.S. Department of Education. Broadcast on National
Broadcasting Company (NBC). Only two episodes are thought to survive from the original eight-part
series.
The series was created by Dr. Ambrose Caliver, a specialist in Black American education within the United States Department of Education. Dr. Caliver enlisted a wide variety of Black American intellectuals, musicians, and actors, including E. Franklin Frazier, Sterling A. Brown, Joe Louis, A. Philip Randolph, Fats Waller, Jesse Owens, Cab Calloway, Josh White, and Paul Robeson. Freedom's People is significant as the first major radio series to focus on Black American life, culture, and history.
Resources
Storytellers
of Color: donnie l. betts on Reaching Destination Freedom by Radio. KGNU News, 15 Feb. 2022.
Power, Politics,
&: Durham's Destination Freedom at WTTW television website
Destination
Freedom episodes at Old Time Radio Researchers Group Library website
Destination Freedom radio logs at Jerry Haendiges
Vintage Radio Logs website
Destination
Freedom at American Radio Works website
New World
A'Coming episodes at Old Time Radio Researchers Group Library website
New World
A'Coming at American Radio Works website
Freedom's People
episodes at Old Time Radio Researchers Group Library website
Production
Contents
We sample from the episodes "The Father of the Blues" and "The Trumpet Talks."
The Father of the Blues
Episode 12, 12 September 1948
Dramatizes the life of W.C. Handy and his efforts to share the blues as a unique but universal music
genre originating from Black Americans but of interest to all the world. About the blues, Blues Lemon, a
character in the radio drama, says, "blues is your heart . . . a train callin' ya . . . it's talk turned
into music . . . it's music that gets down to the rocky bottom. Sometimes it's a sad song . . . you
ain't got the blues, the blues got you. To sing the blues you gotta live the blues. You won't get it
from no teacher. You get it from people, any people. Turn their talking into music."
Cast
Fred Pinkard as W.C. Handy
Other voices included Louise Pruitt, Gladis Williams, Oscar Brown, Jr., George Cugey, Kurt Kliper,
Charles Madsen, William Nix, Cliff Norton, Tony Parish, Arthur Peterson, and Les Spears.
Greg Pascal as the singer
Music by Amos Otison, played by Elwin Owen, Bobby Christian, and Claude Shiner
The Trumpet Talks
Episode 55, 31 July 1949
Dramatizes the early life of Louis Armstrong and his unique contributions to the Basin Street style of
New Orleans jazz.
Cast
Oscar Brown, Jr. as Louis Armstrong
Tony Parish as the narrator
Other voices included Janice Kingslow, Fred Pinkard, Dean Almquist, and Sid McCoy
Credits
Produced, and Hosted by John F. Barber
Sound Design and Post Production by Marc Rose
Social Media by Regina Carol Social Media Management
Promotional Graphics by Holly Slocum Design
Significance
Destination Freedom dramatized the democratic traditions and cultural contributions of Black Americans, and, in the process, provided footholds for the later civil and human rights movements.
Promotion
Episode Trailer
The Destination Freedom trailer by Holly Slocum, Marc Rose, and John F. Barber.
Press
Read
the press release→
The
Fourth Chime→. National Broadcasting Company, 1944.
Spykerman, Monika. Try This: "Invisible Warriors"; "Exit Laughing"; "Destination Freedom": Five Things To Do This Week→. The Columbian, 17 Feb. 2022.
