Hello Americans

The Alphabet a to C

English · Radio

Hello Americans is a wartime radio series created to introduce listeners to the peoples, cultures, and shared history of the Americas. Hosted by Orson Welles, the program uses narration and dramatic presentation to bring its subjects to life, connecting the United States with its neighbors across North, Central, and South America.

The series blends historical and cultural storytelling with music and performance, offering portraits of places and traditions throughout the hemisphere. Its approach is educational without being merely a lecture: Welles’s expressive delivery gives the material a theatrical quality, while the program’s varied subjects make each installment a window onto a different part of the Americas.

Produced during World War II as part of a broader effort to foster understanding among the nations of the region, Hello Americans has an earnest, outward-looking tone. This installment is titled “The Alphabet a to C,” and the series’ mix of information, narration, and radio drama offers a distinctive way to encounter the history and culture of the Americas.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.