Collection Summary
Allen Prescott collection
1930-1968
(bulk 1933-1948)
1930-1968
(bulk 1933-1948)
Prescott, Allen
3.5 linear feet (4 boxes,
approximately 1,400 items)
63 photographic
prints
6 sound tape
reels
English
Collection materials are in English
Recorded Sound Research Center, National Audio-Visual Conservation Center,
Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
The Allen Prescott Collection consists of
sound recordings, photographs, and printed materials pertaining to Prescott’s career as
a radio personality during the early 1930s to 1970.
RPA 00323-00324 (boxes 1-2); RPC 00007
(box 4); RPD 00011 (box 3)
RXA 2480–2485
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC
Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and
by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Prescott, Allen--Archives.
Prescott, Allen--Photographs.
Prescott, Allen.
Subjects
Home economics.
Titles
Wife saver (Radio program)
Form/Genre
Audiotapes.
Clippings (Information artifacts)
Letters (Correspondence)
Photographic prints.
Publicity photographs.
Radio commercials.
Radio programs.
Radio scripts.
Scrapbooks.
Writings (Document genre)
Occupations
Housewives--Life skills guides.
Radio journalists--Photographs.
Radio journalists.
Radio personalities--Photographs.
Radio personalities.
Collection Acquisition
The collection was donated to the Library of Congress by Raymond A. Mann in 1980.
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Processing History
The collection was processed by Karen Fishman in November, 2009.
Copyright Status
Restrictions may exist on copying, quoting, or publishing materials included in the
collection. For additional information, contact a reference librarian in the Recorded
Sound Research Center, National Audio-Visual Conservation Center, Library of Congress,
Washington, DC, 20540-4690; (202) 707-7833.
Access and Restrictions
The Allen Prescott Collection is open for research. Advance notice is required; contact
a reference librarian in the Recorded Sound Research Center, National Audio-Visual
Conservation Center, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, 20540-4690; (202)
707-7833.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information:
[Container number, eg., Box 3] or [Audio tape number, eg., RXA 2480], Allen Prescott
Collection, National Audio-Visual Conservation Center, Library of Congress.
Biographical Note
Allen Prescott (1904-1978) was host of the radio program,
The Wife Saver
, a program offering household hints to housewives several mornings and
afternoons a week. His cheery introduction, “Hello, girls,” opened the program, and his
signature sign-off, “Mrs. Housewife, I hope there’s nothing burning,” characterized the
show’s light and breezy style. Listeners from all over the country sent him hundreds of
letters a week with household tips in hopes of Prescott reading them on the air.
The Wife Saver
aired on New York radio stations WINS and WABC in 1929, moving to NBC’s Blue
Network in 1932, where it was broadcast for 15 minutes, thrice weekly. In 1933 the show
could be heard on early morning time slots. By 1941 the program’s name and format
changed to
Prescott Presents
and the show aired weekdays for 30 minutes until 1943. In addition to hosting
his radio program, Prescott wrote two books,
The Wife-Saver’s Candy Recipes
and
Aunt Harriet’s Household Hints
.
Allen Prescott began his radio career as a newscaster. According to Thomas DeLong’s
Radio Stars
, Prescott was “working as a
New York Mirror
reporter in 1929, appearing on a WMCA news program with Walter Winchell. By
1931 Prescott was on the air as a WINS newsman, covering special events such as aerial
maneuvers over Manhattan and polo matches from Governors Island.” In later years he
would host other radio programs,
New York Tonight
,
Say It with Words
and
Crossword Quiz
, taking them with him when he made the transition to television. He also
appeared periodically on
For Men Only
,
Mile O’Dimes
,
Uncle Jim’s Question Bee
,
Hemisphere Revue
, and a public affairs program,
Once in Every Family
.
His work in television included a six-week run of
The Wife Saver
on NBC in 1947 and as emcee for the locally produced ABC show,
Quizzing the News
, from 1948 to 1949.
Born in St. Louis, Prescott moved to New York at an early age and graduated from the New
York Military Academy and the University of Pennsylvania. He served for two years during
World War II in the naval air service.
Allen Prescott died January 28, 1978, from a heart attack and left no survivors.
Scope and Content Note
The Allen Prescott Collection consists of sound recordings, photographs, and printed
materials pertaining to Prescott’s career as a radio personality during the early 1930s
to 1970.
Included in the collection are recordings from Prescott’s radio programs, manuscript
materials, publicity photographs, and two 16mm films (which are located in the National
Audio-Visual Conservation Center).
The paper materials date from 1930 to 1968, with the bulk of the materials dating from
1933 to 1948. The collection contains correspondence, fan mail, radio scripts, newspaper
clippings, and scrapbooks. It also includes an unpublished novel, short stories,
manuscript submissions to publishers, and an interview with Steve Allen, the
entertainer.
Collection Arrangement
The collection has been arranged into eight series:
- Series 1: Radio Scripts, 1933-1948, and undated
- Series 2: Household Hints, 1953-1954, and undated
- Series 3: Correspondence and Fan Mail, 1930, 1932, 1936-1937, 1968, and
undated
- Series 4: Newspaper Clippings, 1932, 1938
- Series 5: Writings, undated
- Series 6: Photographs, 1930, 1932, 1949, 1953, and undated
- Series 7: Scrapbooks, 1930-1932, 1939
- Series 8: Sound Recordings, 1965, and undated
Catalog Record: [https://lccn.loc.gov/2009600303]
Container List
Series 1. Radio Scripts, 1933-1948 , and undated
1933-1948
undated
8 folders
RPA 00323 (box 1)
Series 1 contains scripts of Prescott’s radio programs,
The Wife Saver
and
New York Tonight
, as well as scripts for commercials. The
Wife Saver
scripts date from 1933 to 1945, and the five
New York Tonight
scripts are from June, 1948. Commercials are for A.E. Staley Mfg. Company
and Martinson’s Coffee. The miscellaneous scripts folder includes commercials for
the Detroit Motor Company, the Girard Company (makers of Dagger Blades), the
Gillette Company (maker of Sun Up aftershave), Sta-Puf fabric softener, and Mohawk
carpets.
1/1
The Wife Saver
, 1933-1935, 1938-1939, 1940
1933-1935, 1938-1939, 1940
1/2
The Wife Saver
, 1941, 1945
1941, 1945
1/3
The Wife Saver
, undated
undated
1/4
The Wife Saver
, A.E. Staley Mfg. Company commercials, undated
undated
1/5
Martinson’s Coffee commercials, undated
undated
1/6
Miscellaneous commercials, undated
undated
1/7
Miscellaneous scripts and sample shows, undated
undated
1/8
New York Tonight
, 1948
1948
Series 2. Household Hints, 1953-1954 , and undated
1953-1954
undated
2 folders
RPA 00323 (box 1)
The Wife Saver
radio program gave housewives helpful advice, much of it that had been
sent in from listeners all over the United States. This series contains letters
and postcards dating from 1953 and 1954. Memos from station WFIL in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, also contain many recommendations used by Prescott. A booklet, the
Wife Saver Handy Book
, a collection of household hints published by the Blue Network of NBC in
1950, and one folder of miscellaneous material are included in this series as
well.
1/9
Household hints used on program, 1953-1954, and undated
1953-1954, and undated
1/10
Miscellaneous household hints, undated
undated
Series 3. Correspondence and Fan Mail, 1930 , 1932 , 1936-1937 , 1968 , and undated
1930
1932
1936-1937
1968
undated
1 folder
RPA 00323 (box 1)
This small series contains correspondence with a listener, as well as letters from
radio personalities such as Ted Husing and A.L. Alexander, NBC management,
publishers, and his mother, Mrs. J.A. Prescott (one letter). Business invoices are
also included.
1/11
Correspondence and fan mail, 1930, 1932, 1936-1937, 1968, and
undated
1930, 1932, 1936-1937, 1968, and
undated
Series 4. Newspaper Clippings, 1932 , 1938
1932
1938
1 folder
RPA 00323 (box 1)
The majority of clippings in this series is from 1938, when Prescott was mentioned
in many newspaper columns, including “In New York,” “Radio Dial Log,” “Dialing
with Doyle,” and “Walter Winchell on Broadway.” Most newspaper clippings in this
series have been photocopied onto acid free paper. Many more newspaper articles
about Prescott will be found in his scrapbooks in Series 7.
1/12
Newspaper clippings, 1932, 1938
1932, 1938
Series 5. Writings, undated
undated
8 folders
RPA 00324 (box 2)
This series contains typescripts of unpublished novels and short stories. Included
are nine chapters from an unpublished novel,
The Corinthian Class
, four chapters and a synopsis from another novel,
Goode Knight
, and synopses from short stories, “Don’t Just Do Something; Sit There,”
“Stay in Your Own Bed,” and “Mama Bear, Papa Bear and Baby Bear.” There is also
one folder of an interview Prescott conducted with entertainer Steve Allen and
another folder of material for an unpublished book,
The Wife saver, a Household Hand Book and Wives’ Companion
.
2/1
The Wife Saver
, additional sections, undated
undated
2/2
The Corinthian Class
, chapters I-V, undated
undated
2/3
The Corinthian Class
, chapters VI-IX, undated
undated
2/4
Goode Knight
, undated
undated
2/5
“Don’t Just Do Something; Sit There,” undated
undated
2/6
"Mama Bear, Papa Bear and Baby Bear," undated
undated
2/7
"Stay in Your Own Bed," undated
undated
2/8
Interview with Steve Allen, undated
undated
Series 6. Photographs, 1930 ,
1932 , 1949 , 1953 , and undated
1930
1932
1949
1953
undated
63 photographic prints (2 folders, 1 oversize box)
RPA 00324 (box 2); RPD 00011 (box 3)
This series contains 63 photographs. Prescott appears in studio portraits as well
as publicity photos, both alone and with other radio personalities and work
associates. Personalities include Fran Allison, Rex Stout, Graham McNamee, Ted
Husing, and Ace Pancoast. There are also six photos from Prescott’s military
service during World War II, when he was attached to Fleet Air Wing 4 and
stationed in the Aleutian Islands. Photographs located in the oversize box include
portraits, two photographs of Prescott and his mother, and many photographs of
Prescott posing with unidentified colleagues. Most of the photographs are undated
and unidentified.
2/9
Photographs, 1932 and undated
1932 and undated
2/10
Photographs, 1930, 1949, 1953, and undated
1930, 1949, 1953, and undated
2/10
Allen Prescott publicity photograph, between 1930 and
1939
between 1930 and 1939
1 photographic print
Digital content available
3
Oversize photographs, undated
undated
Series 7. Scrapbooks, 1930-1932 , 1939
1930-1932
1939
1 oversize box
RPC 00007 (box 4)
This series includes two scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, magazine
articles, photographs, and other ephemera. The larger of the two scrapbooks is
made from a promotional magazine published by the Studebaker Car Company that has
newspaper clippings, magazine articles, and photographs pasted onto its pages. The
other scrapbook consists of newspaper clippings from 1939. Both are in very poor
condition.
4
Scrapbooks, 1930-1932, 1939
1930-1932, 1939
Series 8. Sound Recordings, 1965 ,
and undated
1965
undated
6 sound tape reels
RXA 2480–2485
A digital version of the audiotapes is available for listening in the Recorded
Sound Research Center, National Audio-Visual Conservation Center, Library of
Congress, Washington, DC, 20540-4690; (202) 707-7833. Format of access copy:
Broadcast Wave (BWF), 44.1 kHz, 16 bits per sample (made from preservation copy:
Broadcast Wave (BWF), 96 kHz, 24 bits per sample).
This series consists of six sound recordings on 7-inch reels. Included are undated
Wife Saver
radio programs and brief announcements, experimental spots, and audition
pieces for a program called
As a Matter of Fact
.
RXA 2480
The Wife Saver
, undated
undated
Prescott, Allen
1 sound tape reel (20 minutes, 40 seconds)
Title on original container: "Monitor-The Wifesaver."
Consists of a series of household hint "talks," each about one minute long,
delivered by Allen Prescott. Every piece begins with the sound of a ringing
doorbell and the introductory line, "Hello, girls, this is Allen Prescott, the
Wife Saver," and ends with, "Mrs. Housewife, I hope there's nothing burning."
No guests and no music are featured, just Prescott delivering household hints
with a touch of humor.
Handwritten description on original container: "About 15 one-minute talks."
RXA 2481
As a Matter of Fact
, 1965-03-16
1965-03-16
Prescott, Allen
1 sound tape reel (2 minutes, 36 seconds)
Allen Prescott introduces himself and announces an Everlasting Dagger Blades
commercial that includes descriptions of several historical and technological
phenomena, each introduced by the phrase, "As a matter of fact...." In the next
track, Prescott introduces himself and delivers a Rock of Ages Bank and Trust
Co. commercial that includes descriptions of several historical and
technological phenomena, each introduced by the phrase, "As a matter of
fact...." The third track consists of a very brief, unidentified segment of an
unaccompanied choral performance.
Description on original container: "4 one minute audition (?) talks."
RXA 2482
The Wife Saver
, undated
undated
Prescott, Allen
on 1 sound tape reel (3 minutes, 44 seconds)
Four brief
Wife Saver
pieces, with a total duration of 03:44.
Wife Saver
pieces (about one minute each in duration) each begin with the
introduction, "Hello, this is Allen Prescott, the Wife Saver." Household hints,
interspersed with wry comments, include suggested methods for keeping "baby"
safe while "parked" on the sofa, opening bottles of soda water, hanging
wallpaper, and deterring moles.
The
Wife Saver
material is followed on the tape by two examples of a proposed series
entitled
As a Matter of Fact
.
RXA 2482
As a Matter of Fact
, undated
undated
Prescott, Allen
on 1 sound tape reel (2 minutes, 29 seconds)
Allen Prescott introduces an idea for "a series of fillers" entitled
As a Matter of Fact
. Similar to the light, comedic treatment of useful information that
characterizes his
Wife Saver
program, Prescott remarks that
As a Matter of Fact
expands "from the household to a broader field." Two sample pieces
include brief descriptions of the use of feathers for money, an ancient game,
connecting rods, the secret ballot, and the oldest known fossils of beetles.
Both pieces end with the phrase "...as a matter of fact."
The
As a Matter of Fact
material is preceded on the tape by four brief
Wife Saver
pieces.
RXA 2483
The Wife Saver
, undated
undated
Prescott, Allen
on 1 sound tape reel (3 minutes, 44 seconds)
The content is identical to
The Wife Saver
material on the preceding tape, RXA 2482.
RXA 2483
As a Matter of Fact
, undated
undated
Prescott, Allen
on 1 sound tape reel (2 minutes, 29 seconds)
The content is identical to
As a Matter of Fact
material on the preceding tape, RXA 2482.
RXA 2484
The Wife Saver
, undated
undated
Prescott, Allen
1 sound tape reel (9 minutes, 31 seconds)
In the first of two brief
Wife Saver
programs, announcer Allen Prescott offers a number of household hints,
such as how to freshen a black silk dress, freezing nylon stockings for longer
wear, whipping cream, and removing lime deposits from tea kettles; also
included are commercials for General Electric coffee makers and toasters. In
the second program, Prescott offers household hints concerning "our war with
inanimate objects," such as coping with "vacuum cleaner fuddle," wearing clip
earrings, peeling oranges with a spoon, keeping slacks in shape, keeping "baby"
safe when "parked" on the sofa, and serving mussels; commercials are for
General Electric portable vacuum cleaners, toasters, and coffee makers.
Description on original container: "2 five-minute shows for General
Electric."
RXA 2485
The Wife Saver
experimental spots, undated
undated
Prescott, Allen
1 sound tape reel (15 minutes, 40 seconds)
The tape contains four
Wife Saver
programs, each less than five minutes in duration, and a separately
presented commercial. At the beginning of each program, announcer Allen
Prescott introduces himself as the Wife Saver. In the first program, he makes
suggestions to use moleskin to make clip earrings more comfortable, peel
oranges with a spoon, hang slacks by the pockets to dry, keep "baby" safe when
"parked" on the sofa, and button cuffs to the front of a shirt before washing;
commercials are for Sta-Puf fabric softener and Sta-Flow spray starch. In the
second program, he provides tips on adding hot soup to a cold meal, making a
slip-free tie rack, reducing the amount of luggage needed for overseas travel,
using eyeliner, peeling cooked eggs, and cleaning a dirty oven with a towel
soaked in ammonia; commercials are for Sta-Flow and Sta-Puf.
In the third program, Prescott offers hints on freshening a black silk dress,
freezing nylon stockings for longer wear, keeping rabbits away from the garden,
whipping cream, removing lime deposits from tea kettles, grating chocolate
safely, and keeping moths away from stored yarn; commercials are for Sta-Flow
and Blue Raindrops water softener. In the fourth program, which is several
minutes shorter than the first three, Prescott offers a household tip on
stopping squeaks in doors and delivers a Sta-Flow commercial. The fifth track,
not a program, is a 30-second commercial for Sta-Flow.
Description on original container: "15 minutes, audition (?) recording for A.E.
Staley" (maker of Sta-Puf and Sta-Flow laundry products, and sponsor of the
program).