Paul Edward Prentiss[1] (September 9, 1908 – March 19, 1992) was an actor in the era of old-time radio.[2] He was perhaps best known for portraying the title role on the radio version of Captain Midnight.
Prentiss was born in Chicago, Illinois.[2] He attended the University of Iowa.[3]
Radio historian Jim Harmon noted, in his book The Great Radio Heroes, "Ed Prentiss was not the first actor to play Captain Midnight, contrary to some published reports."[4] After Bill Bouchey had the role in the program's second season, Prentiss auditioned for the third season, got the part, and continued as Captain Midnight for seven years.[4]
On The Guiding Light soap opera, Prentiss played Ned (a "neglected youth") and was the program's "omniscient host."[5] Beginning in 1943, Prentiss was narrator for an hour-long block consisting of three soap operas: Today's Children, The Guiding Light and Woman in White. The three programs had interconnecting story lines, with Prentiss's narration "introducing each program segment and linking all three together."[6]
Prentiss's other roles on radio programs included those shown in the table below.
Program | Role |
---|---|
Armstrong of the SBI | Announcer[7] |
The First Nighter Program | Host[7]: 118 |
Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy | Announcer[7]: 167 |
Johnny Lujack of Notre Dame | Lujack's sidekick[7]: 178 |
Silver Eagle | Narrator[7]: 304 |
Sweet River | Minister [7]: 324 |
A Tale of Today | Michael Denby[8] |
Prentiss had his own syndicated program, This Is The Story. An ad for the 15-minute program described it as follows: "Ed Prentiss, America's greatest story teller ... offers true and unusual tales, each with a surprisingly different ending."[9]
He also was a regular on Arnold Grimm's Daughter,[10] Painted Dreams, Bud Barton,[11] The Romance of Helen Trent, Springtime and Harvest[12] and Holland Housewarming.[7]: 153
Prentiss appeared in Westbound (1959)[13] and The FBI Story (1959).[14]
Prentiss played Dr. Snyder on As the World Turns.[15] He was one of the hosts of Action Autographs,[16] was the host for Majority Rules.[16]: 643 and played Edward Elliott on Morning Star.[16]: 716 He also was the announcer for That's O'Toole.[17] He also played roles in various TV Westerns of the late 1950s-early '60s, often as a sheriff. He is easily recognized by his voice, as well as his physical appearance. In 1957 Prentiss appeared as Bob Gentry on the TV western Cheyenne in the episode titled "Top Hand."[citation needed]
Prentiss married Ivah Davidson on November 21, 1941.[18] They had a son, born September 14, 1943.[19]
Year | Title | Role | Notes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1957 | Cheyenne | Ben Gentry | Episode: Top Hand | |||||
1958 | Violent Road | Mr. Nelson | ||||||
1958 | Home Before Dark | Dr. Collins | Uncredited | |||||
1959 | Westbound | James Fuller - U.S. Post Office | Uncredited | |||||
1959 | The FBI Story | U.S. Marshal | ||||||
1959 | Beloved Infidel | Attendee at Preview | Uncredited | |||||
1960 | Wanted Dead or Alive (TV series) | Sheriff Truxton | Episode: Mental Lapse | |||||
1960 | Man on a String | Adrian Benson | ||||||
1960 | The Crowded Sky | Joseph Bruce aka J.B. | Uncredited | |||||
1960 | Sunrise at Campobello | Barker | Uncredited | |||||
1961 | A Fever in the Blood | Convention Chairman | Uncredited | |||||
1961 | Ada | Clergyman at Legislative Meeting | Uncredited | |||||
1961 | The Children's Hour | Head of Hospital | Uncredited | |||||
1961 | Lover Come Back | Zachary, Ad Council Member | Uncredited | |||||
1961 | The Outsider | Speaker | Uncredited | |||||
1963 | A Gathering of Eagles | Duty Controller | ||||||
1963 | Wall of Noise | Paddock Steward | ||||||
1963 | Leave it to Beaver | Mr. Bailey | Episode: The Clothing Drive | 1964 | One Man's Way | Mr. Boardman | ||
1964 | Kisses for My President | Max Kloch | Uncredited | |||||
1964 | Quick, Before It Melts | Dentist in Antarctica | Uncredited | |||||
1967 | Eight on the Lam | Minister | Uncredited | |||||
1968 | Project X | Hicks | ||||||
1971 | The Barefoot Executive | Harry - Justice Dept. Man | ||||||
1971 | The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker | Mr. Franklin |
Perry Mason, Series 7, Episode 12. "The case of the badgered brother". Credited as Voice on recording, at the reading of the will in Perry's office.
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National libraries |
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