OLLI member Barry Cohen (left) talks with Cabell Smith about the class on vintage radio he’s teaching at The Bishop’s House.
Smith, former manager of radio-TV services at Duke, played host Monday to “OLLI Dollars,” evoking the style of radio quiz shows from the 1930s and 40s, such as “You Bet Your Life” and “Twenty Questions.” Play money was handed out as prizes, but Smith shared examples of some of the prizes that lured live radio contestants on shows like “Queen for a Day.” A deluxe Dishmaster with push-button suds promised “no scraping required.”
The class, part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Duke, continues through early November with discussions of soap operas, thrillers and news shows. OLLI members will have the opportunity to produce their own radio drama, complete with script, music and sound effects.