Martin Grams, Jr.'s latest book--in preparation for some
time--was released on January 21st.
The book is Truth or Consequences: The Quiz Program that Became a National Phenomenon (published by BearManor Media).
The program was created by Ralph Edwards; Edwards was its host on radio, and was the original host of the TV version of the show (when it was seen in prime time). Bob Barker, who was host of the TV show for a number of years (for its daytime version, and then in syndication), wrote the foreword to the new book.
The program was created by Ralph Edwards; Edwards was its host on radio, and was the original host of the TV version of the show (when it was seen in prime time). Bob Barker, who was host of the TV show for a number of years (for its daytime version, and then in syndication), wrote the foreword to the new book.
I've written about Martin Grams periodically, in this space; he has written (or co-written) a great many books about Old-Time Radio, and vintage
television programs. The books include The Twilight Zone: Unlocking the Door to a
Television Classic (2008); The Radio
Adventures of Sam Spade (2007); The
Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television (2010; written with Terry
Salomonson); Duffy's Tavern: A History of
Ed Gardner's Radio Program (2018); Car 54, Where
Are You? (2016); and The Time Tunnel: A History of the Television
Program (2012).
Martin is a prominent figure in the Old-Time Radio and nostalgia-oriented
communities. His articles about Old-Time
Radio programs appear regularly in various OTR publications--and he writes
about radio, television, film, and other popular culture matters on his blog (http://martingrams.blogspot.com). He's the editor of Radio Recall, the journal of the Metropolitan Washington Old Time
Radio Club; the publication appears six times each year. In addition, he and Michelle Grams, his wife, have for years run the annual
Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention, based in Maryland.
Yet he is undoubtedly best known
for his book projects--and in particular, for the considerable research
skills he brings to them. Indeed, the
books routinely include vast amounts of archival and historical materials he
has located, and mined. As such, his
books often have an encyclopedic feel, in their scope, and length. His Twilight Zone book, one notes, is 800
pages long. His book about Duffy's Tavern is just under 800 pages. His newest title, about Truth or Consequences, continues the
tradition: it comes in at just over 700 pages.
