31 Facts About Norman Corwin

Norman Lewis Corwin was an American writer, screenwriter, producer, essayist and teacher of journalism and writing.

Norman Corwin's work was very influential on successful creative and performing artists, including Ray Bradbury, Charles Kuralt, The Firesign Theatre, Robert Altman, and Robin Williams among many others.

Norman Corwin has been called "The Grand Master of American Audio Theatre".

Norman Corwin was the writer and creator of series such as The Columbia Workshop, 13 by Corwin, 26 by Corwin and others.

Norman Corwin was a lecturer in Journalism at the University of Southern California until he was 97.

Norman Corwin was inducted into the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters Diamond Circle in 1994.

Norman Lewis Corwin was born in Boston, the third of four children born to Rose, a homemaker, and Samuel, a printer.

Norman Corwin graduated from Winthrop High School, but unlike his brothers, he did not attend college.

Several years later, Norman Corwin was hired by the Springfield Republican.

Norman Corwin first worked as the radio editor of the Springfield Republican and subsequently began broadcasting his own radio program.

The date of his first broadcast has been reported as early as 1931 by R Leroy Bannerman; but the Springfield Republican reported that his first program, Rhymes and Cadences, a show during which Corwin read poetry, and his friend Benjamin Kalman offered musical interludes on the piano, debuted in March 1934 on WBZ in Boston and WBZA in Springfield.

In June 1935, Norman Corwin accepted an executive position in Cincinnati at station WLW.

The first program he produced and hosted for CBS was Words Without Music, the goal of which, Norman Corwin said, was to make poetry more entertaining.

Norman Corwin continued to produce and host a wide range of programs for CBS.

Norman Corwin said it was written at the "invitation" of the US Office of Facts and Figures.

Norman Corwin recalled being on a train on his way to California to produce the program when news of the attack on Pearl Harbor came to him.

Norman Corwin sent a telegram to Washington at the next stop, asking if the OFF still wanted the program done.

Norman Corwin intentionally avoided interviewing government officials, choosing instead to focus on everyday people and how they were affected by the war.

Not knowing where he would be when the end came, broadcast historian Erik Barnouw wrote, Norman Corwin had performers ready in both New York City and Los Angeles.

Norman Corwin was the first winner of the One World Award established by the Common Council for American Unity along with the Willkie Memorial of Freedom House.

Norman Corwin won the award for his contributions in the field of mass communication to the concept of the world becoming more unified.

Norman Corwin interviewed both world leaders and ordinary citizens, accompanied by a CBS recording engineer with 225 pounds of magnetic wire recording equipment.

Norman Corwin ultimately left radio around 1952; some sources say he was frustrated by what he felt was radio's over-reaction to Mccarthyism; other sources say he left radio after persistent accusations that he was a Communist sympathizer, a charge which he always vehemently denied.

Norman Corwin wrote a number of motion picture screenplays, including The Blue Veil, Scandal at Scourie, Lust for Life, and The Story of Ruth.

Norman Corwin wrote several books, which include Trivializing America; plus many essays, letters, articles and plays.

Norman Corwin wrote and directed two plays produced on Broadway, The Rivalry and The World of Carl Sandburg.

In 1993, Norman Corwin was finally inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame after a long career.

Norman Corwin lectured at USC as a visiting professor and was on the Advisory Board of the National Audio Theatre Festival.

Norman Corwin wrote and produced over 100 programs during the golden age of radio.

Norman Corwin won a One World Award, two Peabody Medals, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a duPont-Columbia Award; he was nominated for an Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay for Lust for Life.

Norman Corwin was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1993.