Family Theater

Family Theatre is a wonderful story in itself. The idea was developed and then produced by Father Patrick Peyton of the Holy Cross Fathers. Father Peyton knew radio reached millions of people in its personal, emotional way. Why shouldn't someone create a special show for the entire family to enjoy together with well-known actors telling solid, meaningful stories? It could have quality, be inspiring entertainment, developed with a bottom line of delivering goodness, not money.

The Mutual Radio Network was interested, and Father Peyton rallied the support of many great Hollywood stars to be on the shows. Mutual asked that the shows not be sectarian, always have at least one major star on each show, and if Father Peyton produced the shows themselves, then the Mutual network would broadcast them. Father Peyton readily agreed, and this very inspired business partnership made Family Theatre a reality.

The Family Theatre legacy? Over the course of 9 years, shows were made featuring a role call of almost every star in Hollywood. Many episodes starred the "first lady" of Family Theatre, Loretta Young, who went on to do a TV series based on somewhat the same idea.

Entertaining and inspiring, Family Theatre is a singular accomplishment of one man's faith, and the thousands that worked with him to make faith into a wonderful old time radio show for the listeners to share.