Arnold Grimm's Daughter is an American radio soap opera that was broadcast from July 5, 1937, until June 26, 1942, first on CBS and later on NBC.[1]
Premise
After Connie Grimm eloped with Dallas Tremaine[2] (her childhood sweetheart) her tyrannical father, Arnold,[1] opposed the marriage so much that he disowned Connie,[3] while Dal's mother ("a schemer") "disliked Connie and plotted against her".[1] Connie found second-hand furniture and an old house in which to set up their home while artist Dal never finished the pictures that he began painting.[2] She also provided financial support by operating a business in partnership with French lingerie dealer Madame Babette.[1] At one point Dal took all of the money from Connie's purse and used it on a fling in Chicago. She forgave him when he returned, but he continued to brood over their poverty.[2]
Gladys Grimm was Arnold's wife. Jimmy Kent was a designer and Bill Hartley was Arnold Grimm's business partner. Judy was Connie's outspoken and sometimes funny maid. Mr. Tweedy was a lovable, good man. Sonia Kirkoff was a loyal friend to Connie.[1]
As the series progressed, Connie became pregnant. Before Little Dal was born, Dal died while saving a child from being hit by a fire engine. After her husband's death, Connie's attention turned to helping her father and his struggling business.[1]
Arnold Grimm's Daughter began as a local program on WGN radio in Chicago on April 19, 1937.[4]Frank and Anne Hummert produced the series.[1]Margaret Sangster was the writer.[4] W. P. Wright was the production manager. Directors included Wright[5] and Edwin H. Morse was the director. The theme song was "Modern Cinderella".[1]
The program replaced Modern Cinderella when it debuted on CBS.[6] Sponsored by Softasilk, it was broadcast daily at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time from July 5, 1937, until May 27, 1938. It was moved to NBC, where it was broadcast daily at 2:15 p.m. E. T. from May 30, 1938 until March 1941. It was moved to 2:45 p.m. E. T., where it stayed through its last broadcast on June 26, 1942.[1] It was replaced on NBC by Lonely Women.[7]