"Housewives' Protective League" Collection
Abstract
The "Housewives' Protective League," which aired from 1948 to 1962, was a daily CBS radio feature--produced by such esteemed broadcasters as Allen Gray--which during its run explored a variety of issues from childrearing and health to more irreverent topics. "Housewives" was also the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" of the airwaves, regularly pre-testing all its sponsor's products. The majority of the collection are scripts for daily broadcasts of the radio show "The Housewives' Protective League" and its predecessor "Coffee Break."
Important Information for Users of the Collection
This collection is open for research use.
"Housewives' Protective League" Collection, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials page for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
"The Housewives' Protective League" was a long-lasting daily radio feature which ran over the CBS radio network from 1948 to 1962. American broadcaster Allen Gray (1920- ) was one of the program's regional directors; he was affiliated with the show from 1950 until its demise.
Gray (nee Ernest Bundgaard, a.k.a. Ernie Allen) was born in 1921 in Iowa and, after graduating from Council Bluffs High School, attended the University of Iowa where he majored in speech and radio broadcasting and worked for WSUI, the University's radio station.
Mr. Gray's first professional radio jobs were at KMA in Shenandoah, Iowa and with KORN in Fremont, Nebraska. Mr. Gray enlisted into the service in 1943. He rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant before being honorably discharged in 1946.
Out of the army, Mr. Gray and his family moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was employed as DJ, newscaster, announcer and assistant program director for the radio station KFAB. In 1950, Mr. Gray joined CBS radio in New York City.
In 1951, Mr. Gray was "farmed out" to CBS affiliate WCCO in Minneapolis/St. Paul to assume the role of director and lead talent for that region's "Housewives' Protective League" series.
The "Housewives' Protective League" began in California, the creation of Fletcher Wiley, a one-time food broker turned radio broadcaster. Originally just a local program, the "HPL" concept and series soon caught on and satellite programs--around 12 total--featuring different hosts were soon being broadcast out of Chicago, St. Louis, New York and San Francisco, among other cities. In 1947, Wiley sold his idea and interest in the show to CBS Radio. "HPL" was radio's answer to the "Good Housekeeping" Seal of Approval.
For the show, consumer products were tested and evaluated by various "testers" in the community. Satisfactory brands got endorsed and promoted by "HPL" both on air and via on-shelf, grocery store displays. As described by Mr. Gray:
"['HPL' was] a consumer-oriented program which tested the advertised product before airing them [their commercials]. We each had a 'tester's bureau,' mine in Minnesota had 800 members. I never sent out less than 100 samples [of a product] and we demanded an 80% approval from our questionnaire which asked such questions as: Was the product what it claimed to be? Was the price fair?. . . We accepted no alcohol or tobacco advertising dollars, and armed with 80% (or better) approval, we approached grocery groups for (and got) distribution and displays. Our shelf talkers were everywhere. Ninety percent of our advertising dollars were grocery store related. The material we used was from some of the ablest writers in the industry. There were about 10 writers in all who were asked to provided 10 scripts each week, for which they were paid 10 dollars per story. It was dependable income for many seasoned writers."
Though much of the program was about selling, the daily broadcast themselves were not sales pitches. In fact, the program's scripts covered a stunningly wide gamut of subjects from human interest stories to parables to profiles of famous people to tracking down the origins of certain words and phrases to funny stories to information on everything from fashion to gardening to good health and child rearing.
According to Mr. Gray, as late as 1962, the series was still generating over 5 million dollars annually but nevertheless CBS radio (who wanted to move to an all-news format) chose to end the program.
After "HPL" came to an end, Mr. Gray undertook various activities--from having his own radio talk program/call-in show over WCBS to running his own food brokerage business, to running his own advertising agency and for a time running his own art gallery--before returning, full time, to broadcasting.
Gray began his daily, nationally heard "Coffee Break" program in 1964. According to one source, "Break," "could be about anything but couldn't be boring." "Break" was a daily series of five-minute vignettes similar in form to "HPL" (in fact, "Coffee" often reutilized many old "HPL" scripts); it ran for 12 years.
Later in life, Mr. Gray undertook various endeavors including doing freelance work in radio and television and building and running his own radio station, KLKS-FM in Breezy Point, Minnesota. Catering mainly to the over-40 set, KLKS signed on the air in 1984 and is still owned by Mr. Gray.
Now largely retired, Mr. Gray makes his home in Breezy Point.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The "Housewives' Protective League" Collection encompasses the dates 1931-1985 with the bulk from between the 1950s and early 1960s. Material in the collection pertains to both the radio series "Housewives' Protective League" (and its latter-day sister show "Coffee Break") and to various other aspects of Mr. Gray's long broadcasting career. The collection contains scripts, photos, correspondence, promotional materials, clippings and other materials.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
This collection was donated to the Library of American Broadcasting in July of 2000 by Allen Gray.
Processing Information
Processed by Cary O'Dell, December 2003
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Cary O'Dell, May 2005.
Arrangement of Collection
Organized as nine series:
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Correspondence, 1949-1989 and undated (7 folders)
Letters to and from Mr. Gray and to and from other parties. Includes correspondence with Fairway Foods, New York State Food Merchants, Kirsh Beverages Inc., The Creamette Company, Alaga and Whitefield, Rudd-Melikian, Inc., and Dover Foods, Inc. As well as Colle & McVoy Advertising, Knox Reeves Advertising, Ralph D. Gardner Advertising, Steinway & Sons, and Riedl and Freede, Inc.
And from Mutual Fund Planning Corp., Lutheran Brotherhood Life Insurance, New England Mutual Life Insurance, Minnesota Motor Company, Air Alaska, The Travelers Insurance Company, and Donald James Clark, architect. And letters from WCCO Radio, WOOD (Grand Rapids), Crosley Broadcasting Corp., Bozell & Jacobs, Inc., Nature-Lovers' Paradise, Sperry and Hutchinson Company, Food Enterprises, Inc., Minnesota Food Retailers Association, Douglas MacCrae, and WCBS.
Letters are ordered by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Correspondence -- To AG, 1949-1989, undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence -- To AG, 1949-1989; undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Correspondence -- To AG, 1949-1989; undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Correspondence -- From AG, 1950-1990 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Correspondence -- From AG, 1950-1990 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Correspondence -- From AG, 1950-1962 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Correspondence -- Other, 1961-1965 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
Series 2: Clippings, 1956-1962; undated (1 folder)
Collection of newspaper clippings (28 total), mainly advertisements, promoting "HPL." Some of the clips/ads also feature photos of Mr. Gray. Arranged by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clippings, 1956-1962, undated | series 2 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
Series 3: Photos, 1956; undated (5 folders)
Contains black-and-white photos (32 total), sizes 4" x 5" and 8" x 10", picturing Mr. Gray at various "HPL"-related in-store events (and store displays), doing work on a farm (c. 1956), with an unidentified group of friends, and some casual shots of Mr. Gray "on the town."
Also contains a collection of black-and-white photos (21 total), mostly 8" x 10", simulating nuclear fallout--includes images of houses being destroyed or destroyed, military activities, etc. (These photos were probably used in tandem with the radio series "If War Should Come"; see Series 8: Other Shows)
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photos -- General, circa 1956, undated | series 3 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Photos -- General, circa 1956, undated | series 3 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Photos -- Store Displays, circa 1956, undated | series 3 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Photos -- Nuclear Fallout, circa 1956, undated | series 3 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Photos -- Nuclear Fallout, circa 1956, undated | series 3 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
Series 4: Business Records ("HPL"), 1950-1962; undated (4 folders)
This series contains various documents related to the financial and sponsorship end of "Housewives Protective League." Includes: communiqués from AFTRA, "Sponsor's Schedule," 1950; two bound reports/dossiers titled "Allen Gray-HPL Merchandising for Horn & Hardart Coffee," June 21-October 24, 1962; as well as nine pages of lists, typed and handwritten, of names/addresses/phone numbers various individuals related to the program; and a folder labeled "New York Material," which contains 20 items, including correspondence to Mr. Gray from various New York-based advertising, audio copy, a list of "HPL testers" from the NY and New Jersey area, and several photo negatives of various in-store displays presumably from the New York area. Arranged by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Records -- General, 1950-1962; undated | series 4 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
| Business Records -- General, 1950-1962, und. | series 4 | box 1 | folder 15 | |
| Business Records -- Addresses, 1950-1962; undated | series 4 | box 1 | folder 16 | |
| Business Records -- "New York Material", 1952-1960; undated | series 4 | box 1 | folder 17 | |
Series 5: Promotion, circa 1951-1984 and undated (8 folders)
This series has three subseries.
Subseries 5.1: Promo Kits, circa 1951-1959 (5 folders)
Various brochures/booklets--10 items total--which promote the sale of the series "Housewives' Protective League" to stations. Most contain rundowns/descriptions of the series, rates, letters of support from various advertisers and listeners, and various promotional items. There are four kits in this series, two are circa 1951, the others are from 1956 and 1959. Kits are ordered by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion -- Promo Kit, 1951 | series 5.1 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Promotion -- Promo Kit, 1951 | series 5.1 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Promotion -- Promo Kit, 1956 | series 5.1 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| Promotion -- Promo Kit, 1956 | series 5.1 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
| Promotion -- Promo Kit, 1959 | series 5.1 | box 2 | folder 5 | |
Subseries 5.2: "WCCO Promotional Material", 1956-1964 (1 folder)
Folder which contains multi-colored sales packet titled "WCCO Radio: The Northwest's 50,000-Watt Giant." Folder also contains several one-page written descriptions of various grocery store chains who have worked with "HPL" in the past, including Country Club Foods, Piggly Wiggly, National, and Red & White. Folder also contains a 1964 memo to all on-air personnel from a Val Linder regarding WCCO's 40th anniversary.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion -- "WCOO Promotional Material", 1956-1964 | series 5.2 | box 2 | folder 6 | |
Subseries 5.3: "WCBS Promotional Material", 1959-1962; undated (2 folders)
Correspondence, promo material and other odd items specifically related to WCBS broadcasts and "HPL"-related events held in and around New York City. Thirty-six items total.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion -- "WCBS Promational Materials", 1959-1962; undated | series 5.3 | box 2 | folder 7 | |
| Promotion -- "WCBS Promational Materials", 1959-1962, undated | series 5.3 | box 2 | folder 8 | |
Series 6: Radio Fodder, 1955-1959; undated (9 folders)
Faced with the challenge of coming up with (at least) one commentary a day, Mr. Gray and his writers always had an eye out for unique stories, facts, sayings and other items of interest that they could fashion into scripts. This series contains some of their more popular sources of material drawn from newspaper and magazine clippings, newsletters and the daily "Wall Street Journal" feature "Pepper. . .and Salt."
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radio Fodder -- Newsletters, 1955-1959, undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
| Radio Fodder -- Newsletters, 1955-1959, undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| Radio Fodder -- Newsletters, 1955-1959, undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
| Radio Fodder -- Newsletters, 1955-1959, undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
| Radio Fodder -- Newsletters, 1955-1959, undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 5 | |
| Radio Fodder -- Newsletters, 1955-1959; undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 6 | |
| Radio Fodder -- Newsletters, 1955-1959; undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 7 | |
| Radio Fodder -- Newsletters, 1955-1959; undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 8 | |
| Radio Fodder -- "Pepper. . .and Salt", undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 9 | |
| Radio Fodder -- "Pepper. . .and Salt", undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 10 | |
| Radio Fodder -- General, 1955-1959, undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 11 | |
| Radio Fodder -- General, 1955-1959, undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 12 | |
| Radio Fodder -- General, 1955-1959; undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 13 | |
| Radio Fodder -- General, 1955-1959; undated | series 6 | box 3 | folder 14 | |
Series 7: Scripts, 1937-1976 and undated (33.25 linear feet)
This series contains copies of scripts from both the "HPL" and "Coffee Break" series as well as ad copy for various sponsors who advertised on those programs over the years. This series has six subseries.
Subseries 7.1: Writers' Lists, 1951-1952 (1 folder)
Contains four lists, each listing a series of "HPL" script/episode titles and their authors. Authors represented are: Mary Alkus, Marian Clark and "Cromer" (no first name listed). Ordered by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scripts -- Writer's Lists, 1951-1952 | series 7.1 | box 3 | folder 15 | |
Subseries 7.2: Programs ("HPL" and "Coffee Break"), 1937-1972 (27.00 linear feet)
Scripts for "HPL" and "Coffee Break." Scripts for both shows are intermingled as many "HPL" scripts were later recycled for the "Coffee Break" series. All scripts are arranged, loosely, by topic based upon Mr. Gray's original filing system. Many topics overlap (i.e. "Marriage" and "Husbands") and the researcher is encouraged to cross reference all subjects. Furthermore, duplicate scripts exist within this series and each may have been filed under more than one topic.
Within each topic, all scripts are sequenced by date. A full list of all topics/subjects can be found at the end of this finding aid.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scripts -- Accidents-Animals, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 4 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Animals (cont.)-Autos, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 5 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Autumn-Children, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 6 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Children (cont.)-Clothes, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 7 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Clothes (cont.)-Dreams, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 8 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Driving-Families, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 9 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Famous People-Fashion, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 10 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Fashion (cont.)-Food, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 11 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Food (cont.)-Friday the 13th, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 12 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Friends-History, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 13 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- History (cont.)-Insects, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 14 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Insects (cont.)-Life, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 15 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Lightening-Marriage, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 16 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Marriage (cont.)-Men and Women, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 17 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Men and Women (cont.)-Music, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 18 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Music (cont.)-One-Minute Tales, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 19 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- One-Minute Tales (cont.)-Plastic Surgery, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 20 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Poetry-Psychology, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 21 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Psychology (cont.)-Show Business, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 22 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Sight-Summer, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 23 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Summer (cont.)-Thanksgiving, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 24 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Thanksgiving (cont.)-Vacation, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 25 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Valentine's Day-Women, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 26 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Women (cont.)-Youth, 1937-1972 | series 7.2 | box 27 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Miscellaneous, 1937-1955 | series 7.2 | box 28 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Miscellaneous, 1955 (cont.)-1956 | series 7.2 | box 29 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Miscellaneous, 1956 (cont.)-1972, undated | series 7.2 | box 30 | folder 1 | |
Subseries 7.3: "Quizzes", 1961; undated (3 folders)
Collection of short tests mainly on issues of psychology and personality which were used on "HPL." Titles include "How Likely is a Nervous Breakdown?"; "How Perfect Is Your Mate?"; "How General is Your Knowledge"; "Can I Hold a Man?"; "Would You Be Happier Living Alone?"; and "Are You Romantically Immature?,"etc. Ordered alphabetically by title of quiz.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scripts -- Quizzes, 1961, undated | series 7.3 | box 31 | folder 1 | |
| Scripts -- Quizzes, 1961, undated | series 7.3 | box 31 | folder 2 | |
| Scripts -- Quizzes, 1961, undated | series 7.3 | box 31 | folder 3 | |
Subseries 7.4: "Very Old Scripts. . . .", 1931-1938 (2 folders)
This subseries/folder contains various radio scripts and was labeled by Mr. Gray "Very Old Scripts, Fletcher Wiley May Have Used, Hollywood." Sequenced by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scripts -- "Very Old. . .", 1931-1938 | series 7.4 | box 31 | folder 4 | |
| Scripts -- "Very Old. . .", 1931-1938 | series 7.4 | box 31 | folder 5 | |
Subseries 7.5: "Rejects", 1945-1962; undated (4 folders)
Various scripts collected and labeled by Mr. Gray as "Rejects." Arranged by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scripts -- "Rejects", 1945-1962, undated | series 7.5 | box 31 | folder 6 | |
| Scripts -- "Rejects", 1945-1962, undated | series 7.5 | box 31 | folder 7 | |
| Scripts -- "Rejects", 1945-1962, undated | series 7.5 | box 31 | folder 8 | |
| Scripts -- "Rejects", 1945-1962, undated | series 7.5 | box 31 | folder 9 | |
Subseries 7.6: Sponsors, 1971-1976 (0.50 linear feet)
Contains pages of on-air copy for various sponsors of Mr. Gray's programs. Each sponsor is one folder unless otherwise noted. Sponsors are: American Home Furnishings (1973); Appleside (cider) (1975); Bachman's (flowers) (1970-1971; undated) (4 folders); Bergstroms (furniture) (1973-1975); Bermel Smaby (real estate) (1974-1976) (2 folders); El Dorado Tires (1975); Fred G. Anderson (paint, etc.) (1975-1976); Heritage of Edina (assisted living residence) (1971-1972); Lighting Concepts (1975-1976) (2 folders); Munsingwear (clothing) (1971-1974) (4 folders) and other.
Along with ad copy, folders may contain correspondence and other materials.
Materials are arranged alphabetically by client and then internally by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- American Home Furnishings, 1973 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 10 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Appleside (cider), 1975 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 11 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Bachman's Flowers, 1970-1971, undated | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 12 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Bachman's Flowers, 1970-1971, undated | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 13 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Bachman's Flowers, 1970-1971, undated | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 14 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Bachman's Flowers, 1970-1971, undated | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 15 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Bergstroms (furniture), 1973-1975 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 16 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Bermel Smaby (real estate), 1974-1976 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 17 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Bermel Smaby (real estate), 1974-1976 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 18 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- El Dorado Tires, 1975 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 19 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Fred G. Anderson (paint), 1975-1976 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 20 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Heritage of Edina, 1971-1972 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 21 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Lighting Concepts, 1975-1976 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 22 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Lighting Concepts, 1975-1976 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 23 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Munsingwear, 1971-1974 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 24 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Munsingwear, 1971-1974 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 25 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Munsingwear, 1971-1974 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 27 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Munsingwear, 1971-1974 | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 28 | |
| Scripts -- Sponsors -- Other, undated | series 7.6 | box 31 | folder 29 | |
Series 8: Other Programs, 1949-circa 1985 and undated (1.00 linear foot)
Pertains to various programs, produced, created or scripted by Mr. Gray. This series has seven subseries:
Subseries 8.1: "Allen's Apron Club", 1949; undated (7 folders)
This series pertains to a radio series Mr. Gray produced prior to his affiliation with "HPL." This series contains 45 items, including: scripts, fodder for future broadcasts and some correspondence, including letters from listeners. Arranged by date. (Some letters are attached to scripts.)
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Programs -- "Allen's Apron Club" -- General, 1949, undated | series 8.1 | box 32 | folder 1 | |
| Other Programs -- "Allen's Apron Club" -- Scripts, 1949 | series 8.1 | box 32 | folder 2 | |
| Other Programs -- "Allen's Apron Club" -- Scripts, 1949 | series 8.1 | box 32 | folder 3 | |
| Other Programs -- "Allen's Apron Club" -- Scripts, 1949 | series 8.1 | box 32 | folder 4 | |
| Other Programs -- "Allen's Apron Club" -- Scripts, 1949 | series 8.1 | box 32 | folder 5 | |
| Other Programs -- "Allen's Apron Club" -- Scripts, undated | series 8.1 | box 32 | folder 6 | |
| Other Programs -- "Allen's Apron Club" -- Scripts, undated | series 8.1 | box 32 | folder 7 | |
| Other Programs -- "Allen's Apron Club" -- Scripts, undated | series 8.1 | box 32 | folder 8 | |
Subseries 8.2: "Atom Show", 1955 (1 folder)
Materials related to WCCO radio show, produced by Mr. Gray in association with the Civil Defense Administration, titled "If War Should Come" Most of the material used in the documentary was taped in Yucca Flats, Nevada, where public exhibitions of atom bomb blasts were being held. This folder contains two copies of the script and 21 photos and negatives though how these were utilized for radio is not known at this time. Arranged by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Programs -- "Atom Show", 1955 | series 8.2 | box 32 | folder 9 | |
Subseries 8.3: "Coffee Break", 1979-1980; undated (1 folder)
Thirty items related to "Coffee Break,"a post-"HPL"radio script service/series produced by Mr. Gray. This folder contains written series descriptions; sample scripts; promo items (including a multi-page document titled "Meet Allen Gray"used to try to syndicate the program); signed and unsigned contracts/order forms for the show; correspondence; a list of Minnesota broadcasters; notes related to the series; and two blank sheets of "Coffee Break"stationary. All items are sorted by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Programs -- "Coffee Break", 1979-1980, undated | series 8.3 | box 32 | folder 10 | |
| Other Programs -- "Coffee Break", 1979-1980; undate | series 8.3 | box 32 | folder 11 | |
Subseries 8.4: "Conservation in Action", 1971-1974 (6 folders)
Pertains to environmentally-concerned radio show produced by Mr. Gray in association with Munsingwear. This series contains scripts, correspondence, press releases, and research material, among other items. Ordered by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Programs -- "Conservation in Action" -- Scripts, 1971-1974 | series 8.4 | box 32 | folder 12 | |
| Other Programs -- "Conservation in Action" -- Scripts, 1971-1974 | series 8.4 | box 32 | folder 13 | |
| Other Programs -- "Conservation in Action" -- Scripts, 1971-1974 | series 8.4 | box 32 | folder 14 | |
| Other Programs -- "Conservation in Action" -- Scripts, 1971-1974 | series 8.4 | box 32 | folder 15 | |
| Other Programs -- "Conservation in Action" -- Other, 1971-1974 | series 8.4 | box 32 | folder 16 | |
| Other Programs -- "Conservation in Action" -- Other, 1971-1974 | series 8.4 | box 32 | folder 17 | |
Subseries 8.5: "U.F.O.--Fact or Fiction!!??", 1973 (1 folder)
Materials--32 total items--related to proposed five-minute daily radio series on UFOs. Folder contains promo material as well as reply letters (all addressed to Jack LaSalle of LaSalle Research, Inc.) from various radio stations regarding the program. Items are arranged by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Programs -- "U.F.O.--Fact or Fiction?", 1973 | series 8.5 | box 32 | folder 18 | |
Subseries 8.6: "Been Taken Lately?", 1975-1978 (7 folders)
This series pertains to a 65-part radio series on consumer fraud based on the book "Been Taken Lately?"co-authored by Joe Cartwright and Jerry Patterson. The series was produced by Mr. Gray and Donald L. Herrick, President of TV Sport Scene, Inc. This series contains: correspondence, contracts, scripts and miscellaneous; they are sorted by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Programs -- "Been Taken Lately?" -- Correspondence, 1975-1978 | series 8.6 | box 32 | folder 19 | |
| Other Programs -- "Been Taken Lately?" -- Contracts, 1975-1977 | series 8.6 | box 32 | folder 20 | |
| Other Programs -- "Been Taken Lately?" -- Scripts, 1975-1978 | series 8.6 | box 32 | folder 21 | |
| Other Programs -- "Been Taken Lately?" -- Scripts, 1975-1978 | series 8.6 | box 32 | folder 22 | |
| Other Programs -- "Been Taken Lately?" -- Scripts, 1975-1978 | series 8.6 | box 32 | folder 23 | |
| Other Programs -- "Been Taken Lately?" -- Scripts, 1975-1978 | series 8.6 | box 32 | folder 24 | |
| Other Programs -- "Been Taken Lately?" -- Other, 1975-1976, undated | series 8.6 | box 32 | folder 25 | |
Subseries 8.7: "Tax Break", circa 1985 (2 folders)
Scripts (as they are) for an 11-part and a 50-part radio series on US income tax produced by Mr. Gray. There are 63 items in this series; they are ordered by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Programs -- "Tax Break", circa 1985 | series 8.7 | box 32 | folder 26 | |
| Other Programs -- "Tax Break", circa 1985 | series 8.7 | box 32 | folder 27 | |
Series 9: Miscellaneous/Other, 1950-1985; undated (7 folders)
Assortment of odds-and-ends including souvenirs, notes, paper programs, and other minutia both professional and personal. Also includes information regarding Mr. Gray's post-"HPL" career activities including the founding of radio station KLKS.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous -- Business, 1950-1985; undated | series 9 | box 32 | folder 28 | |
| Miscellaneous -- Business, 1950-1985; undated | series 9 | box 32 | folder 29 | |
| Miscellaneous -- Personal, 1950-1985; undated | series 9 | box 32 | folder 30 | |
| Miscellaneous -- Personal, 1950-1985; undated | series 9 | box 32 | folder 31 | |
| Miscellaneous -- Personal, 1950-1985; undated | series 9 | box 32 | folder 32 | |
| Miscellaneous -- Other, 1950-1985; undated | series 9 | box 32 | folder 33 | |
| Miscellaneous -- Other, 1950-1985; undated | series 9 | box 32 | folder 34 | |
| Miscellaneous -- Allen Gray and Company/KLKS/Other, 1950-1985; undated | series 9 | box 32 | folder 35 | |
| Miscellaneous -- Allen Gray and Company/KLKS/Other, 1950-1985; undated | series 9 | box 32 | folder 36 | |
| Miscellaneous -- Allen Gray and Company/KLKS/Other, 1950-1985; undated | series 9 | box 32 | folder 37 | |
| Miscellaneous -- Allen Gray and Company/KLKS/Other, 950-1985; undated | series 9 | box 32 | folder 38 | |
Related Material
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Selected Search Terms
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Subjects
- Consumers -- Research -- History -- Sources.
- Gray, Allen, 1920- -- Correspondence.
- Radio broadcasters -- United States -- Archives.