Theater of the Mind
One Man's Family
37 episodes · 1943–1950 · NBC · Soap Operas
Radio Hall of Fame inductee.
Play One Man's Family on Radio Days
Carlton E. Morse's story of the Barbour family of Sea Cliff, San Francisco, ran from April 29, 1932, to 1959: 3,256 episodes, organized like a novel into 136 books and their chapters. Henry Barbour, a stockbroker, and his wife Fanny raised five children: Paul, Hazel, the twins Clifford and Claudia, and Jack. Standard Brands sponsored it from 1935 through 1949.
Sources: One Man's Family, Wikipedia
Episodes
Tap a title to play it on Radio Days.
1943
- Claudia Says Goodbye to Her Family
Book 47, Chapter 8. Claudia says goodbye to her family.
1949
- Pay-off in the Clifford Storypart 1
- San Francisco Answers Back
Book 70, Chapter 14. Joan is moving in with Paul and starting work at the airport. Hank and his father talk about human dignity. Will the Barbours move to Los Angeles? - A Reintroduction to the Barbours
Book 71, Chapter 1. The first Monday broadcast, and the whole family is introduced again, a handy guide to the Barbour family tree. - Two Lost Barbours Begin to Find Happiness
Book 71, Chapter 2. Clifford stands up to Skippy and his noisy scooter, and Joan has a date with Ken, who works at the airport. - Roberta Evans Begins to Sense a Rival
Book 71, Chapter 3. Father Barbour has doubts about Joan's 'grease monkey,' and Skippy fears his father will marry Roberta. - Definite Progress in Family Relations
Book 71, Chapter 4. A scooter ride ends in a small accident for Father Barbour. The show closes with a listener's letter urging a sponsor to pick it up. - Father Barbour's Aching Bones
Book 71, Chapter 5. Mail call at the Sky Ranch, a letter from Pinky at the lumber camp, and a visit to the doctor. - Father Barbour Predicts the Worst
Book 71, Chapter 6. Father Barbour doubts Joan's story, and when she stays out all night he says 'I told you so.' - The Return of Joan Roberts Lacey
Book 71, Chapter 7. Joan and her date are missing, their car and clothes found near the beach, until Joan turns up safe. - A Very, Very Tough Stepfather, Indeed
Book 71, Chapter 8. Father Barbour is still sure Joan did something wrong and should come back to the Sky Ranch. - Father Barbour's Rampage and What Came of It
Book 71, Chapter 9. Hazel has it out with Father Barbour, and he apologizes to the family. Almost. - Father Barbour and the Eavesdropping Episode
Book 71, Chapter 10. Joan asks to have Kenny visit the ranch, and Father Barbour suddenly changes his tune. What did he overhear? - A Homemade Bread and Applesauce Peace Offering
Book 71, Chapter 11. Paul gives Cliff good advice, and Father Barbour is heartbroken over something Margaret said. The family gets ready for Ken's visit. - The Return of the Second Assistant Cook
Book 71, Chapter 12. Father Barbour reads a letter from Pinky, and then Pinky arrives in a taxi. - End of a Summer Saga
Book 71, Chapter 13. Summer at the ranch is over, and Father Barbour can't find his hammock. Joan learns what a mother is for. - Father Barbour and His Three Sons
Book 72, Chapter 1. Joan makes breakfast for her mother and stepfather, and Pinky has a debating tryout and a new girlfriend. - Clifford Delves into His Past
Book 72, Chapter 2. Old children's books bring back Clifford's memory of a carnival near the Sky Ranch. Paul reassures Joan. - Father Barbour Gets Left Behind
Book 72, Chapter 3. A quiet night at home ends in a midnight raid on the icebox. - A New Twist to an Old Story
Book 72, Chapter 4. Lunch is held up when Father Barbour runs into Rex Frome, the man Claudia once loved. - Rex Frome Invades the Barbours
Book 72, Chapter 6. Rex Frome draws closer to the family, to Father Barbour's displeasure, and has a talk with Paul. - Paul Meets the Lady in the Case
Book 72, Chapter 7. Jack wants to join a bowling league, and Paul meets Frome's sister, a widow. - The Dinner That Was Interrupted
Book 72, Chapter 8. Margaret is missing, Father Barbour blames the Fromes, and Paul's friendship with Frome's sister grows. - Dr. Thompson Opens Paul's Eyes
Book 72, Chapter 9. Mother Barbour is sick in bed, and Dr. Thompson thinks Paul's romance is the cause. - The Family Must Make Its Decision
Book 72, Chapter 10. Father Barbour can't let go of Paul's romance with Christine, and Paul is tired of hearing about it. - Clifford Defies the Lightning
Book 72, Chapter 11. Clifford stands up to Father Barbour for Paul and Christine. - A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Book 72, Chapter 12. The Barbours get into the Christmas spirit. - Christmas Morning at the Barbours'
Book 72, Chapter 13. Father Barbour resolves to be easier to live with in 1950, and the family waits for a long-distance call from Nicky in London.
1950
- What Does the Future Hold?
Book 73, Chapter 1. New Year's Day: Hank turns out to have forgotten to mail his grandfather's letter for seven months, and Mother Barbour reads the cards. - The Sinister Shadow of Rexford Frome
Book 73, Chapter 4. Claudia hasn't heard from Nicky in a week, Frome makes Christine promise not to marry Paul for six months, and Father Barbour makes peace with Paul. - So Near and Yet So Far
Book 73, Chapter 5. Sharon Ann and Jack both have chicken pox, and Father Barbour announces that letters from listeners have brought the show a sponsor. - Events Leading Up to Celebration
Book 73, Chapter 6. Pinky goes to a fraternity rush party, and the show announces its new sponsor, Miles Laboratories. - A Day of Jubilation
Book 73, Chapter 7. Father Barbour's 75th birthday, and at last a letter and a call from Nicky. - Joan Makes a Confession
Book 74, Chapter 1. Joan turns eighteen and comes into her inheritance; Pinky tries to sell her a British sports car. - Father Barbour Has a Caller
Book 74, Chapter 2. Joan takes a dislike to an artist, and Father Barbour is sued by Rexford Frome. - Henry Barbour, Defendant
Book 74, Chapter 3. Frome sues Father Barbour for trespassing, though all he did was clean up Frome's land. - Christmas at the Barbours
Book 81, Chapter 21. Christmas Day with the Barbours.