The Life and Times of Frances Alvord Harris
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF FRANCES ALVORD HARRIS: MICHIGAN'S FIRST WOMAN NEWSCASTER By Carole Mary Eberly A DISSERTATION Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of English Program in American Studies 1995 UMI Number: 9631262 Copyright 1995 by Eberly, Carole Mary All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9631262 Copyright 1996, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 ABSTRACT THE LIFE AND TIMES OF FRANCES ALVORD HARRIS: MICHIGAN'S FIRST WOMAN NEWSCASTER By Carole Mary Eberly In 1931 Frances Alvord Harris began her long career in broadcasting, appearing as host of homemaker shows at Detroit's WWJ radio station. Since so many of the male newscasters were in the military during World War II, she asked for an assignment broadcasting the news, thus becoming Michigan's first woman newscaster. After the war, Harris remained on the news side at WWJ, eventually winning a George Foster Peabody Award in 1949. The research and historical issues involved for this study are Harris' experience in radio from 1931-1950, how it compared to other women in radio, the media and work force in general, and what she encountered in her personal and professional life before and after her move into newscasting. In addition, how she juggled the roles as working woman, wife and mother are studied. Also investigated is the growth of radio and its impact on women working in the medium. The issues are significant because Harris was among the women radio pioneers who opened the way for contemporary women in both radio and television broadcasting. It is important for women in the media today to know, generally, upon whose shoulders they stand and to know, specifically, the experiences of one early woman newscaster. Several sources for analysis have been used. Harris, her colleagues, family and friends were interviewed. Personal documents were examined. Videotapes of Harris were studied. Newspaper and magazine articles were analyzed. Among the major findings are that Harris was successful in her career because of her personal qualities of independence and pragmatism. At the same time, her family's political influence and home life support were factors that made her achievements possible. Copyright by CAROLE MARY EBERLY 1995 Dedicated to: My daughter, Jessica, the other half of the Donner party, who never doubted I would reach the finish line. V ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many persons gave generously of their time, papers and ideas to make this work possible. It is impossible to cite all of them, but each of those noted in the bibliography has my thanks. In addition, Mary Jones and Michael Unsworth at the Michigan State University library deserve a special salute for giving me invaluable information. Thanks also to helpful folks at the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. Thanks also to my committee members, Dr. Joyce Ladenson, Director of Women’s Studies at Michigan State University, and Dr. Douglas Miller from the Department of History, who provided insightful suggestions and support for this work. Special thanks to Dr. Robert V. Hudson from the School of Journalism who put in countless hours editing and directing my work. It is a far better piece because of it. Finally, thank you, Dr. James McClintock, my adviser from American Studies, who stuck with me all the way, providing encouragement and running interference. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................1 Methodology..................................................................................................................... 14 Chapter I Offspring of Independent Thinkers ..................................................................21 II From Salesgirl to Julia Hayes........................................................................... 39 On Women’s Voices............................................................................... 49 Mrs. Harris...............................................................................................53 III The Depression Hits Home ................................................................................56 IV Nancy Dixon, Shopper.......................................................................................67 V Harris as Newscaster or The Station Runs Out of M en............................74 VI Chasing Speeders .......................................................................................... 89 Blue Makeup & Fencers.....................................................................102 VII Kicked U pstairs.................................................................................................. 107 VIII Driving Around Principalities.........................................................................116 IX Conclusion: Harris in Perspective................................................................. 137 APPENDIX ....................................................................................................................146 A. Awards, Community Service, Citations........................................ 146 B. Harris interview with Adolphe Menjou ......................................... 150 C. Photograph of Fran Harris ................................................................. 154 BIBLIOGRAPHY.........................................................................................................155 APPENDAGE................................................................................................................ 163 vii INTRODUCTION Few scholarly works exist on women radio pioneers. In fact, little scholarly research exists on radio as a field of study. Alan Havig suggests that interest in early radio has been left almost entirely to the "nostalgia merchants and their patrons,"1 with little support coming from the academic community. One reason that Havig points to is the bias of scholars toward the printed page, the published book. A significant proportion of popular creative writing since the 1920s has never appeared in permanent, published form, Havig contends. Words spoken into the early microphones came from written scripts which constituted an enormous volume of recent American writing, but writing that was and is not recognized as worthy of study.2 Bruce Lohof asserts there is a tendency among scholars to equate serious work with literature.3 The study of material culture is a partial corrective of this situation, but Havig believes words spoken on radio have been left out as an area for analysis. He believes Alan Havig, "Beyond Nostalgia: American Radio As a Field of Study," Journal of Popular Culture 12:2 (Fall 1978), p. 218. 2 Alan Havig, "Beyond Nostalgia: American Radio As a Field of Study," Journal of Popular Culture, p. 223. 3 Bruce Lohof, "Popular Culture: The Journal and the State of the Study," Journal of Popular Culture VI (Winter 1972), pp. 457-58. 2 that the examination of early radio will come only when scholars overcome their bias toward the published book.4 In academe it might be expected that schools of journalism would lead in the study of early radio. This, however, is not the case for at least three reasons. Radio broadcasting is a relatively new field of study for historians. For most journalism historians, in particular, this area, until recently, has not been part of their professional background. That is, most journalism scholars with professional experience have worked in print journalism or have taught in schools of journalism where print has been the primary focus. The hands-on involvement with radio which might lead to a scholarly interest simply has not been there. For instance, the Journalism Quarterly for 1993 and 1994 printed only four articles, out of a total of one hundred forty-four, about radio. None dealt with historical issues of the medium. Add to this the bias that broadcast journalism