The March of Time

Big Bill Thompson Reelected Mayor of Chicago

English · Radio, Politics

The March of Time presents a dramatized news program built around events and public figures in the headlines. This recording is identified with the reelection of Big Bill Thompson as mayor of Chicago, bringing a specific moment in civic and political life into the program’s documentary-style presentation.

The series combined narration, dramatic scenes, and sound effects to recreate current events for radio listeners. Its reports ranged across politics, public affairs, and other newsworthy subjects, using performers to portray people and situations connected with the stories. The result is a blend of journalism and radio drama rather than a conventional fictional adventure.

Listeners can hear how the program framed contemporary events for a broad audience, with a direct, news-focused tone and the immediacy of a story drawn from the headlines. This episode’s subject offers a snapshot of Chicago politics as presented in the early days of broadcast news dramatization.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.