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The Romance of Helen Trent

Fans followed The Romance of Helen Trent faithfully for nearly 27 years of the good and bad, joy and calamity.

Romance of Helen Trent

13 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 2 hours, 44 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
3 Audio CDs


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"Walks Into A Trip"



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Soap Opera (1933 - 1960)

Romance of Helen TrentThe Romance of Helen Trent was one of the most beloved of all the old time radio shows, and its loyal fans faithfully followed, year after year, the unending triumphs and heartbreaks of their glamorous star-crossed friend, Hollywood dress designer Helen Trent. Like a good friend, Helen was there for them, sharing her innermost secrets in heartbreaking fifteen-minute slices, for nearly three decades. The grand romance finally ended after over 7, 200 episodes in 1960. In fact, Helen outlived most of network radio!

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Virginia Clark and David Gothard both starred on Romance of Helen Trent
Virginia Clark ('Helen'-center),
and David Gothard (left), from the
The Romance of Helen Trent
.
The man on the right was unidentified.
Produced by the classic radio production team of Frank and Anne Hummert, They did other classic soaps, such as Ma Perkins and Just Plain Bill, as well as detective dramas like Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons. In the mid-1930s, the Hummerts had prolific writer Bob Andrews crafting Helen Trent, Just Plain Bill, Skippy and Judy and Jane and more each week - more than 35 installments!

The Romance of Helen Trent was a bastion of soap opera formula. First and foremost was the obvious theme of god and bad, joy and calamity, conscience and impulse. Melodrama is what the critics call it. Fans call it real life, if perhaps a little dramatic. But so listenable! Virginia Clark and then Julie Stevens played Helen for many years each. An honor role of radio actors played villains and friends alike, though sometimes it seemed they were both at the same time! Helen was schemed after by Hollywood moguls, directors, attorneys, oilmen, millionaire ranchers, world travelers, even a mad hypnotist!

Romance of Helent Trent advertisementBut Gil Whitney was her abiding love for over 18 episodic years. Gil Whitney, a "brilliant and prominent attorney," became at one point a secret government agent. Then he was paralyzed in a train wreck. Finally, he married not Helen but her nemesis, Cynthia Swanson. Over the years, three actors including Marvin Miller played Gil.

Of course, the plots never let an uncertain emotion go unnoticed. Even death was a part of the show. In fact, the show ended with Helen waiting for the momentary return of her beloved on a balcony that suddenly collapses with a sickening crash! Silence. Then we hear Gil's plaintive voice, calling "Helen, it's Gil Helen!"

For more soap opera and human drama, see One Man's Family, Family Doctor, Doctor Christian, The Doctors' Wife, and Green Valley Line. Of course, there are many, many family radio comedy shows, such as The Life of Riley, Father Knows Best, My Favorite Husband, Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Great Gildersleeve, The Goldbergs, and Life with Luigi.

This collection is in the extensive Hummert Radio Factory Collection. Called the parents of soap opera, Anne and Frank Hummert also created Betty and Bob, Front Page Farrell, Mr. Keen Tracer of Lost Persons, Ma Perkins, Just Plain Bill, Mary Noble Backstage Wife, Young Widder Brown, Mr. Chameleon, Stella Dallas, Manhattan Merry Go Round, Lora Lawton, The American Melody Hour, Hearthstone of the Death Squad, Lorenzo Jones, Nona From Nowhere, Our Gal Sunday, Inspector Thorne, Romance of Helen Trent, and more.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

  • Show Rating

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    COMMENTS

    Re: advertisement "Can love come to a woman after 35?" The real question: why would she want to? *over 35* Falls over laughing

    Alex Verified Purchase

    Great to hear them again. And when I was a little boy, one did not speak in Grandmother's house when "The Romance of Helen Trent" was on. Greatly appreciate the notes about each program. Thanks for that, too!

    Kevin Verified Purchase

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    13 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 2 hours, 44 min
    13 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 2 hours, 44 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 13 shows - total playtime 2 hours 44 minutes
    2. Helen Trent 1939 Episode.mp3
    3. Helen Trent 1950s Episode.mp3
    4. Helen Trent 1st Program.mp3
    5. Helen Trent 390000 Michael Is Back With Julie.mp3
    6. Helen Trent Betsy and Lawrence.mp3
    7. Helen Trent Bret Blackmails Helen.mp3
    8. Helen Trent Helen Accused.mp3
    9. Helen Trent Helen in Silver City.mp3
    10. Helen Trent Helen To Lose Gil.mp3
    11. Helen Trent Helen Walks Into ATrap.mp3
    12. Helen Trent The Faye Granville Story [1].mp3
    13. Helen Trent The Faye Granville Story [2].mp3
    14. Helen Trent The Faye Granville Story [3].mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    13 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 2 hours, 44 min
    13 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    total playtime 2 hours, 44 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 13 shows - total playtime 2 hours 44 minutes
    2. Helen Trent 1939 Episode.mp3
    3. Helen Trent 1950s Episode.mp3
    4. Helen Trent 1st Program.mp3
    5. Helen Trent 390000 Michael Is Back With Julie.mp3
    6. Helen Trent Betsy and Lawrence.mp3
    7. Helen Trent Bret Blackmails Helen.mp3
    8. Helen Trent Helen Accused.mp3
    9. Helen Trent Helen in Silver City.mp3
    10. Helen Trent Helen To Lose Gil.mp3
    11. Helen Trent Helen Walks Into ATrap.mp3
    12. Helen Trent The Faye Granville Story [1].mp3
    13. Helen Trent The Faye Granville Story [2].mp3
    14. Helen Trent The Faye Granville Story [3].mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    13 recordings on 3 Audio CDs. Total playtime 2 hours, 44 min
    13 recordings on 3 Audio CDs
    total playtime 2 hours, 44 min

    Romance of Helen Trent Disc A001

    1. Helen Trent 1939 Episode
    2. Helen Trent 1950s Episode
    3. Helen Trent 1st Program
    4. Helen Trent Betsy and Lawrence
    5. Helen Trent Bret Blackmails Helen

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Romance of Helen Trent Disc A002

    1. Helen Trent Helen Accused
    2. Helen Trent Helen in Silver City
    3. Helen Trent Helen To Lose Gil
    4. Helen Trent Helen Walks Into ATrap
    5. Helen Trent The Faye Granville Story [1]

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Romance of Helen Trent Disc A003

    1. Helen Trent The Faye Granville Story [2]
    2. Helen Trent The Faye Granville Story [3]
    3. Helen Trent 390000 Michael Is Back With Julie

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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