Tweet Legendary radio writer Norman Corwin turns 101 today

[Mike Gebert]

And in light of recent events, it's perhaps even more appropriate than most days to listen to his famous broadcast on the end of WWII, "On a Note of Triumph." It, and an NPR documentary about his life, are here.

And in light of recent events, it's perhaps even more appropriate than most days to listen to his famous broadcast on the end of WWII, "On a Note of Triumph." It, and an NPR documentary about his life, are here.

It is so cool that he's still around. One of the few actual pleasures I had during the turn of the millenium (gad, was that already more than a decade ago?) was hearing Walter Chronkite narrate a special half-hour show on NPR written by Norman Corwin then to commemorate it. The knowledge that at least two greats were still alive and kickin' at the start of the new Century gave me a little happy hope. Chronkites gone, but Corwin's still with us. Happy Birthday to him!


RICHARD M ROBERTS (also cool to know his birthday is the day after mine.)

RICHARD M ROBERTS (also cool to know his birthday is the day after mine.)

Yeah, but he's still not as old as you are!

Jim

RICHARD M ROBERTS (also cool to know his birthday is the day after mine.)

Yeah, but he's still not as old as you are!

Jim

Naaah, he's older, I'm just crankier.

RICHARD M ROBERTS

[Mike Gebert]

Norman Corwin has passed away at 101.

"Take a bow, G.I. Take a bow, little guy. The superman of tomorrow lies at the feet of you common men of this afternoon."

Norman Corwin has passed away at 101.

"Take a bow, G.I. Take a bow, little guy. The superman of tomorrow lies at the feet of you common men of this afternoon."

Now the flags should be at half-mast, but the Country is more concerned with who's on DANCING WITH THE STARS or whether Lindsey Lohan is in jail, and most "average folk" have no idea who in the hell Norman Corwin was. Some dump this place's turned into. Take a bow G.I, take a bow little guy. The idiots of today stand on the backs of you common (now uncommon) men of yesterday and pick their noses.


and just how many of you here actually knew who Norman Corwin was?


RICHARD M ROBERTS

Now Richard.... OK, I have quite a few of Mr. Corwin's radio plays including the classic ones (i.e.,On a Note of Triumph). So I'm well acquainted with his genius (and I'm not misusing that term) but truth be told I only learned about him because I'm an old time radio buff and collect tons of broadcasts from the 1930s and 40s. So it's near impossible to do that without running into Norman Corwin, or Orson Welles, or Fred Allen, or Henry Morgan. I consider myself very lucky that I met up with his work many years ago and am the better for it. My point - if his death serves to introduce members of N'ville to his legacy, I think he would be pleased. Let's not berate anybody because they may not have heard of him. His passing is an opportunity, not a quiz.

Now Richard.... OK, I have quite a few of Mr. Corwin's radio plays including the classic ones (i.e.,On a Note of Triumph). So I'm well acquainted with his genius (and I'm not misusing that term) but truth be told I only learned about him because I'm an old time radio buff and collect tons of broadcasts from the 1930s and 40s. So it's near impossible to do that without running into Norman Corwin, or Orson Welles, or Fred Allen, or Henry Morgan. I consider myself very lucky that I met up with his work many years ago and am the better for it. My point - if his death serves to introduce members of N'ville to his legacy, I think he would be pleased. Let's not berate anybody because they may not have heard of him. His passing is an opportunity, not a quiz.

Nahhh, lets say "screw everyone dumb enough not to know about Norman Corwin or anyone else who wasn't famous until yesterday", then give em a CD of WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS. Most likely, they wouldn't understand it anyway.


Put your Pollyanna routine where the sun don't shine, I'm in mourning.


RICHARD M ROBERTS