Betty Ruth Smith

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Betty Ruth Smith was an American actress best known for her work in old-time radio.

Early years[]

The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sloan H. Smith[1] and a native of Wichita, Kansas, Smith began taking drama lessons when she was five years old.[2] By 1922, she was "well known to theater patrons" when she performed a dance number in a musical program at the Wichita Theater.[3]

She acted on the campus radio station at the University of Kansas, from which she graduated in 1937.[4] While she was a student at the university, students chose her as Homecoming Queen and Intercollegiate Festival Queen.[5] She also acted in Little Theater productions in Wichita.[1]

Career[]

After her college graduation, Smith took a job at radio station KFH in Wichita, having leading parts on The Phantom Theater, Parlor Playhouse, and other programs.[1] While there, she also learned to write for radio. After 18 months on that station, she took a vacation in Chicago and auditioned successfully for NBC radio while she was there.[6] In Chicago, she began working on network radio programs. In 1943, she became the star of The Romance of Helen Trent, a popular CBS soap opera.[4] She had temporarily filled that role in 1942 when the star, Virginia Clark, had a baby.[7]

Besides her work on Helen Trent, Smith's other roles on network radio programs included those shown in the table below.

Program Role
Doctors at Work Alice Riggs[8]
Judy and Jane Jane Lee[9]
Lone Journey Nita Bennett[9]: 204 
Road of Life Judith[10]
Vic and Sade Crisco Spokeswoman[11]
Woman in White Karen Adams[9]: 358 

She was also heard on Backstage Wife,[12] Stepmother, and Mary Marlin.[1]

In 1942, Smith was designated the "radio actress with the most beautiful eyes."[13]

Personal life[]

Smith married U. S. Naval Reserve Lieutenant Junior Grade Robert Francis Zech in 1943.[14]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d "KFH dramatic star crashes big time". The Wichita Eagle. July 30, 1939. p. 12 D. Retrieved September 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Betty Ruth Smith Is Top Dramatic Actress". The Times. Louisiana, Shreveport. September 24, 1943. p. 9. Retrieved November 23, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Extra Features on Program of Wichita Theater". The Wichita Beacon. January 15, 1922. p. 2. Retrieved September 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b "Betty Ruth Smith Portrays 'Helen Trent' Over WNBF". Press and Sun-Bulletin. New York, Binghamton. July 10, 1943. p. 7. Retrieved November 22, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Little, Mary (July 7, 1943). "Betty Ruth Smith Wins Title Role in Romance of Helen Trent". The Des Moines Register. p. 7. Retrieved September 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "New Girl Drama Star In Rapid Rise To Fame". The Honolulu Advertiser. Hawaii, Honolulu. June 16, 1940. p. 31. Retrieved November 23, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Honigberg, Sam (April 11, 1942). "Chicago". Billboard. p. 7. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  8. ^ "Doctors at Work". Hygeia. 20 (5): 377. May 1942. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 181–182. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4.
  10. ^ "KTSP advertisement". Star Tribune. Minnesota, Minneapolis. December 17, 1943. p. 16. Retrieved November 23, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2010). Radio Program Openings and Closings, 1931-1972. McFarland. p. 243. ISBN 978-0-7864-4925-5. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  12. ^ Cox, Jim (14 June 2015). The Great Radio Soap Operas. McFarland. pp. 15–16. ISBN 978-1-4766-0414-5. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  13. ^ "Tribute to Her Eyes". Chicago Tribune. Illinois, Chicago. December 9, 1942. p. 7. Retrieved November 23, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Green, Nat (February 13, 1943). "Chicago". Billboard. p. 7. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
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