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Sandra Michael (born Anna Marie Mikkelsen; May 20, 1906 – August 29, 2003) was an American writer—and sometimes host/announcer or actor—who had a relatively brief but high-profile career spent primarily in old-time radio, best known for creating ambitious daytime dramas (she disdained the term "soap opera"). Most notable among these was Against the Storm, which, in 1942, became the first and only daytime radio drama to ever win a Peabody Award.

Life and career

Born in Denmark and raised in Lewistown, Montana and Chicago, Illinois, Michael was one of four children born to Jens Mikkelsen and Catherine Nørgård. She attended the University of Illinois and University of Chicago.

In 1935, Michael hosted The House Party on WGN in Chicago.

Looking back on her signature work, Against the Storm, in a series of articles written in 1948 for The New Yorker, James Thurber wrote, "Its success was immediate and, for a soap opera, phenomenal. Its prose, often sensitive, occasionally poetic, was a startling change from the general run of factory-made wordage. So was its aware, realistic, and outspoken story. It was concerned with a college professor alive to the dangers of Fascism and plagued by the complacency and opposition of his colleagues. It became the only daytime serial ever to win one of the George Foster Peabody awards for radio excellence, given annually by the University of Georgia. 'Against the Storm' was canceled in 1942. The reason for its closing is still a controversial issue. The Michaels insist that pressure was brought to bear by the agency to make it more like a typical daytime show, and that Sandra asked that her contract be terminated. The agency contends that the plot ran its course in the first two years and that the serial then deteriorated into a series of charming vignettes peopled by interesting and worthy personalities, with just no story line left. At any rate, the large number of listeners this program had originally attracted began to decrease steadily, according to figures of the Crossley system of audience research subscribed to at that time by the sponsor of the show."

Personal life and death

On September 10, 1935, Michael, as Anna Marie Mickelsen, married her future producer, John Geibish (aka Gibbs). They remained married until his death, on February 6, 1997.

On August 29, 2003, at age 97, Michael died of undisclosed causes in Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego County, California.

Legacy

In 1967, radio historian Jim Harmon sought to articulate what it was that set Michael apart from her better known contemporaries.

Michael was a writer who dealt in matters of stronger import, perhaps the only matters of any genuine import ever in a daytime soap opera. Her writings were often gentle and poetic and struck a note of realism and truth missing from the work of the financially more successful Elaine Carrington and Frank and Anne Hummert. Just as Louis Armstrong might do, she took a simple, trite melody and for a fleeting note blew a note too clean and sweet to last.

Works

Radio

Television

References

1. ^ "Denmark Census, 1911", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2WW-T8YK : Sat Mar 09 00:09:40 UTC 2024), Entry for Jens Mikkelsen and Cathrine Mikkelsen, 1911.
2. "Ex-Montanan Authors Radio Drama". Great Falls Tribune. May 25, 1949. p. 12.
3. ^ "United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, Births, and Marriages 1980-2014", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKWD-YPH5 : Sun Mar 10 00:36:52 UTC 2024), Entry for Anna Marie or "sandra" Gibbs, 03 Sep 2003.
4. Lester, John (November 21, 1955). "Radio and Television". The Gazette and Daily. p. 14.
5. ^ "Radio Newsreel". Chicago Tribune. March 17, 1935. pt. 3, p. 6.
6. Goldberg, Dan (May 29, 1940). "She Knows Her P.'s & G.'s; ACTOR ROLL CALL (Those listed below are employed, or have been employed, on the various dramatic serials of Irma Phillips' authorship)". Variety. p. 26. ProQuest 1505815774. Malcolm Meacham, Dorothy S. Meade, Ralph Menzing, June Meredith, Sandra Michael, Bob Middleton, Don Mihan, Kay Miller, Margaret Miller
7. "Peabody Awards Focus on Program Merit; Prizes Conferred on Shortwave Outlets". Variety. April 13, 1942. p. 29. ProQuest 1040442485. PROCTER & GAMBLE's Against the Storm, set at mythical Harper University in Hawthorne, won the 1941 Peabody drama award because of its human interest and integrity and as a standout 'above the mediocrities in its field.' Of this Monday-thru-Friday serial on the Red, and its author Sandra Michael, John K. Hutchins of the New York Times wrote: 'They are recognizable human beings instead of figures carved out of the sponsor's product ... They are sensitive and intelligent and they talked literstely of such subjects—not usually discussed on the radio at 3 p.m.—as politics, art and poetry ... The explanation doubtless is that Miss Michaels is herself a sensitive, intelligent and literate person.
8. ^ Skutch, Ira; ed. (1998). Five Directors: The Golden Years of Radio : Based on Interviews with Himan Brown, Axel Gruenberg, Fletcher Markle, Arch Oboler, Robert Lewis Shayon. Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow Press. p. 61. ISBN 0-8108-3483-9.
9. Horten, Gerd (2003). Radio Goes to War: The Cultural Politics of Propaganda During World War II. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 154. ISBN 978-0-520-24061-2.
10. Landry, Robert J. (May 3, 1967). "Radio-Television: 'Radio's Golden Age': A Nostalgic Binge". Variety. p. 55. ProQuest 1032441254. A quick rundown of forgotten or semi-forgotten personages will push many a light-button. There is Sandra Michael, once the great white-robed priestess of soap opera to conjure with.
11. Landry, Robert J. (January 2, 1974). "Radio-Television: Irna Phillips, 72, Dies; Dominant Daytime Serial Force For 40 Years". Variety. p. 31. ProQuest 1032472294. Phillips would invariably be mentioned in any discussion of 'soaps' along with such pioneers as Ann Hummert, Elaine Sterne Carrington, Sandra Michael, Mona Kent, Paul Rhymer ('Vic and Sade,' also from Chicago), Myrtle Vail ('Myrt and Marge'), Bess Flynn, Gertrude Berg, Lee Gebhart, Addie Richton and Lynn Stone, and others.
12. ^ Barnouw, Erik; ed. (1945). Radio Drama in Action: Twenty-five Plays of a Changing World New York: Farrar & Rinehart, Inc. p. 346. OCLC 1371095.
13. Thurber, James (June 12, 1948). "Onward and Upward With the Arts: Soapland III—Sculptors in Ivory.". The New Yorker. pp. 56, 55, 56.
14. "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1938", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2C6-3DDK : Wed Mar 06 22:18:36 UTC 2024), Entry for John Edward Giebish and Anna Marie Mickelsen, 10 September 1935.
15. "California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VP8P-FL9 : 26 November 2014), John E Gibbs, 06 Feb 1997; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.
16. Harmon, Jim (1967). The Great Radio Heroes. Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday. p. 185. LCCN 67-19803.
17. "Pepsin Syrup Discs". Broadcasting, Combined With Broadcast Advertising. August 15, 1935. p. 44. ProQuest 1505598161. PEPSIN Syrup Co., Monticello, Ill. (Dr. Caldwell's Syrup of Pepsin), is transcribing The Monticello Party Line, a humorous drama of small town life, which will be placed this fall over 20 Southern and Western stations. The scripts are written by Sandra Michael and the programs are being transcribed in the Chicago studios of the Columbia Phonograph Co. by the Cramer-Krasselt Adv. Agency, Milwaukee.
18. "Radio: 'Party Line' Goes On". Variety. March 19, 1937. p. 35. ProQuest 1475954294. Renewal for 52 weeks on Sandra Michael's 'Monticello Party Line,' five-a-week transcription serial, has been signed by Cramer-Krasselt, Milwaukee agency, for Caldwell's Syrup of Pepsin, effective Sept. 27, and show is to continue throughout summer on 60 stations. Makes show and sponsor tie-up for the third consecutive year. Columbia Transcription Service, Chicago studios, doing the transcription.
19. "Party Line Celebrates". Broadcasting, Broadcast Advertising. May 1, 1938. p. 73. ProQuest 1014930396. THE Monticello Party line, said to be the oldest transcription serial on the air, was broadcast for the 675th time April 29. Sponsored by Dr. W. B. Caldwell Inc. (Syrup of Pepsin), the 15-minute strip program, broadcast five times a week, is produced and placed by the Cramer-Krasselt Co., Milwaukee agency. Coincident with the event, the cast held its third annual banquet at the Drake Hotel, Chicago, with officials of the Caldwell company and the agency in attendance. There has been no talent change in the program in its three years on the air. The program was created and is still being written by Sandra Michael.
20. "General Mills Test". Broadcasting, Broadcast Advertising. January 1, 1938. p. 63. ProQuest 1014921243. GENERAL MILLS, Inc., Minneapolis, on Jan. 3 will start tests of a new serial, Magnificent Lady, on WGN, Chicago. Program will be broadcast 2:15-2:30 p. m., Monday thru Friday. Sandra Michael, wife of Edward Giebisch, radio director of Cramer-Krasselt Co., Milwaukee, is author of the series which will promote either Corn-Kix, General Mills's new cereal, or Softasilk Flour. Knox Reeves Adv. Inc., Minneapolis, handles the account.
21. "General Mills Shifts". Broadcasting, Broadcast Advertising. February 15, 1938. p. 63. ProQuest 1014929661. GENERAL MILLS, Inc., Minneapolis, on March 7 will substitute Valiant Lady—successfully tested on WGN, Chicago, for two months—for Hollywood in Person, quarter-hour program on the General Mills' CBS show five mornings weekly. Valiant Lady, written by Sandra Michael, wife of J. E. Giebich, radio director of the Crame-Krasselt Co., Milwaukee, and starring Joan Blaine and Francis X. Bushman, will originate in Chicago. Knox-Reeves Adv. Inc., Minneapolis, handles the account.
22. "Sandra Michael Drops 'Affairs of Anthony'". Variety. May 29, 1940. p. 30. ProQuest 1505815213. Sandra Michael, whose 'Lone Journey' serial started yesterday (Monday) for Procter & Gamble, will discontinue 'The Affairs of Anthony,' NBC sustainer serial, with Friday's (31) stanza. Understood it may be revived later. Authoress also does 'Against the Storm' for P. and G. Ted MacMurray, of the NBC staff, who's directing 'Anthony,' is handling 'Journey.' Durwood Kirby is announcer-narrator and Elwyn Owen is organist. Cast includes Betty Winkler, Lester Damon, Cliff Soubler, Connie Crowder, Fern Persons, Cleveland Towne and DeWitt McBride.
23. "New Series". The Greenville News. May 19, 1939. p. 28.
24. "Burns and Allen on Air Tonight". Belvidere Daily Republican. June 9, 1939. p. 5.
25. "Snowed In, Marooned, Is Author's Experience". The Buffalo News Magazine. September 16, 1939. p. 5.
26. Ackerman, Paul (September 30, 1939). "Advertisers and Agencies". The Billboard. p. 8. ProQuest 1032197860. NEW YORK: Against the Storm, five-time-s-week serial authored by Sandra Michael, who also writes the WJZ sustainer, Affairs of Anthony, goes over the NBC Red natowrk for P. & G.'s Ivory Soap beginning October 16.
27. Butterfield, C. E. (April 14, 1949). "Who-Dun-It to Be Benny's Competition; Cancels Plans for Super Giveaway". The Danville Bee. p. 28.
28. Ladd, Bill (September 30, 1951). "Radio Fans Bring Back 'Against the Storm". The Courier-Journal. Sec. 5, p. 11.
29. Adams, Magee (June 27, 1952). "Look and Listen". The Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 10.
30. "Michael's Show Bought on Rep". Variety. May 8, 1940. p. 35. ProQuest 1505813934. Procter & Gamble starts a new five-week dramatic serial, 'Lone Journey,' May 27 over NBC red (WEAF). Exact spot hasn't been picked, as time isn't yet cleared. Show will probably begin originating out of Chicago. It's authored by Sandra Michael, who already writes the same sponsor's 'Against the Storm' and the NBC sustainer 'Affairs of Anthony.' She'll continue both. It's a package deal, with John E. Gibbs, New York radio producer, in charge of production on the show. Director and cast are not set, as the series was bought without audition. Beckett-Sample-Hummert is the agency.
31. Gold (June 5, 1940). "Radio Reviews: Lone Journey". Variety. p. 29. ProQuest 1505832017.
32. ^ Doran, Dorothy (June 19, 1943). "Peabody Award Winner Scripts New Daytime Serial; Sandra Michael Writes New Serial". The Akron Beacon Journal. p. 15.
33. Stephan, Robert S. (October 10, 1942). "Reserve Round Table Is Year Old Tomorrow". The Cleveland Plain Dealer. p. 13.
34. "Chaplin (continued from page 3)". Variety. October 21, 1942. p. 22. ProQuest 1285803682. Another dramatic highlight was the playing, by Margaret Webster, Selena Royle, and Hester Sondergaard of the 'My Brother Lives in Stalingrad' skit, written by Sandra Michael, and heard on the Kate Smith program the previous week.
35. "ShowManagement: War-Script-of-the-Month Selections". Variety. March 14, 1945. p. 28. ProQuest 1285840341. The Writers' War Board, in cooperation with the Association for Education by Radio, arranged for recognition and reissue of outstanding broadcasts dealing with issues of the war.
36. Koehler, Joseph M. (July 17, 1943). "Program Reviews: 'The Open Door'". The Billboard. p. 10.
37. "Radio Reviews: Followup Comment". Variety. August 25, 1943. p. 34. ProQuest 1401241605. 'The Open Door' is currently dealing vigorously with important, adult matters. The Sandra Michael serial, on NBC for chase & Sanborn coffee, last week devoted several minutes of dialog on one episode to reactionary columnists (none was named, but the identity could be guessed) who ridicule Vice-President Wallace's quart-of-milk suggestion. The program's principal character, Dean Hansen, then segued into a discussion of Fascist-minded Americans. The next day's chapter offered a confab between two subordinate characters about everyone's civic duty to vote, using a flashback to quote Dean Hansen on the subject. This is red-blooded material for commercial radio drama and the authoress, as well as Standard Brands, the Bates agency and NBC, show commendable courage for using it. Possibly only the CBS sustainer, 'Green Valley, U.S.A.,' has been as forthright in the serial field.
38. "From the Production Centres: IN NEW YORK CITY". Variety. April 19, 1944. p. 30. ProQuest 1285825839. Doria Folliott now scripting the CBS 'Open Door' show in place of Sandra Miichael, who's been ordered off show by her doctor. Miss Folliott has scripted 'Mary Marlin' and 'Pepper Young's Family' in the past.
39. "Bates-Gibbs Tiff Shuts 'Open Door'". Variety. May 31, 1944. p. 35. ProQuest 1285831253. Differences between Ted Bates agency and producer John Gibbs over scripts of 'The Open Door,' Standard brands-CBS airer, will result in show being dropped after the June 30 session. Requests for cast changes and additional pressure over scripts caused show's scripter and owner, Sandra Michael, to request that the agency release her in January and again in March. She finally suffered a nervous breakdown in April and refused to write the show.
40. "Radio Programs: Orson Welles to Narrate Radio Drama". The Daily Home News. October 29, 1943. p. 16. ProQuest 2265371408. Orson Welles will be featured as narrator in Sandra Michael's Who Is Charley?', written for a special broadcast in behalf of the National War Fund on WABC at 11:30 tonight - - - Special music for the program was composed and will be conducted by Paul Baron.
41. "Another Job Well Done". NAB Reports. Vol. 11, No. 51, December 17, 1943. p. 502. "Sandra Michaelson, Peabody Award winner, wrote an original radio drama for the fund, entitled 'Who Is Charlie,' which was staged by CBS with Orson Welles in the lead."
42. . Variety. November 3, 1943. pp. 30, 47. "Orson Welles did a forceful narration Friday (29) on CBS in Sandra Michael's sketch, 'Who Is Charlie,' which was authored as a National War Fund drive effort. It's unfortunate that the stanza was aired 11:30-midnight, for its warmth and straightforward appeals packed by Welles' punchy sales talk warranted a larger audience than is usually tuned in at such a late hour. Miss Michael's 'Charlie' symbolized the average boy fighting for democracy. His aspirations, army life and death in combat were graphically presented."
43. "Educational Drive Against VD to Be Started Here Next Week". Battle Creek Enquirer. January 29, 1950. p. 6.
44. "First in Series Health Education" The Taylor Daily Press. March 23, 1950. p. 10.
45. "Donald Woods Is Featured in Montgomery Play". The Portsmouth Star. May 17, 1953. p. 21.
46. Riese, Randall (1991). The Unabridged James Dean : His Life and Legacy From A to Z. Chicago : Contemporary Books. p. 225. ISBN 0-8092-4061-0.
47. "Talent ShowSheet February 22-28, 1954; Monday February 22". Ross Reports. February 21, 1954. p. C.
48. "Radio and Television". The Journal Times. December 6, 1954.
49. Johnson, Robert (December 7, 1954). "TV News and Views; Chevalier to Return Tonight—How Is He, After All; 'Dr. Ed' Is Fine". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. p. 10.
50. "Old Age Problem Is Explored on TV". The Oshkosh Northwestern. February 27, 1955. p. 14.
51. "Today's Tops in TV". The San Francisco Examiner. December 26, 1955. p. 23.
52. Gardella, Kay (August 8, 1956). What's On? TeeVee's Cool Saleslady Warms Up for Conventions; Drama Scores. New York Daily News. p. 60.
53. Gould, Jack (Ny Times News Service)"TV Review: Two Monday Shows Leave TV Critic Sad". Buffalo Courier Express. p. 4.
54. "TV Review: Maybe Tomorrow". The Hollywood Reporter. August 8, 1956. p. 9. ProQuest 2338239003.

Further reading

Articles

• Morrison, Hobe (April 17, 1940). "'There Are No Villains in Real Life or My Stories,' Says Sandra Michael; Authoress Bit Alarmed at Thought She's Become a Writer's Writer—Thinks 'We're Not Listening' Movement Is Stupid—At Mercy of Agencies". Variety. p. 30. ProQuest 1505753247.
• "From the Production Centres: IN NEW YORK CITY". Variety. March 5, 1941. p. 38. ProQuest 1505754792. John Gibbs and Sandra Michael (Mrs. Gibbs), who have been leasing a place at Silvermine, Conn., have bought a farm at Greenwich....they're remodeling the house and will move in about July....she's currently at Palm Springs, Cal., and does her radio scripting at the local public library, because that's the town's only building with steam heat.
• "Inside Stuff—Radio". Variety. May 21, 1941. p. 33. ProQuest 1285762804. McClellan Barclay is currently painting portraits of the characters in 'Against the Storm,' Procter & Gamble serial. However, they're 'mental pictures,' at the artist is not using any models, but is merely painting from his conception of the characters after listening to the program. He is not being paid. John Gibbs, producer of the show and husband of its author, Sandra Michael, and Hal James, of the Compton agency, had the idea of the portraits after hearing from a friend of Barclay's that the artist was a regular listener to 'Storm.' They intend sending reproductions of the pictures to newspaper and magazine editors for the possible publicity breaks.
• Gray, Robert (Nov 3, 1941). "Radio Serial Author Corrects a Few Misleading Impressions". The Commercial Appeal. p. 8
• Mickelson, Gunnar (December 21, 1941). "Bitter and Sweet of Boyhood Days Spent in Lewistown Recalled by One Who Has Done Much to Give Nationwide Fame to This City". Lewistown Daiy News. p. 41.
• Morrison, Hobe (January 7, 1942). "Radio Writers in the Money". Variety. p. 120. ProQuest 1285816167.
• "Sandra Michaels' Bad Throat". Variety. January 14, 1942. p. 28. ProQuest 1285803330. Sandra Michael, author of 'Against the Storm,' is ill with strep infection at her Silvermine (Conn.) home. She goes to Palm Springs, Cal., for a month or two.
• "Sandra Michaels Requested to Write Special Radio Show for War Board". Variety. March 11, 1942. p. 29. ProQuest 1285792556. Sandra Michael, author of 'Against the Storm,' Procter & Gamble's serial on NBC, may write a show for the War Productions Board, which last week took over the radio department of the Office of Emergency Management. scripter has tentatively agreed to do the new program, but is uncertain about what specific propaganda idea is to be stressed and what form the stanza should take. Bernard C. Shoenfeld, WPB radio head, asked Miss Michael to do the series. She is currently in Palm Springs, Cal., but the matter is being finalized for her in New York by John Gibbs, her husband and producer of 'Storm.'
• "Personalities Clash". Variety. May 6, 1942. p. 29. ProQuest 1285795264. Margaret Cuthbert's Monday panel on 'Broadcasting for Women' was marked by the sharp clash in the personalities of two of the notable femmes taking part. On was Sandra Michael, Danish-born radio author of 'Against the Storm' and known for her supreme idealism. The other was Helen Kennedy, the unsentimental, veteran radio director. They formed the most dramatic contrast of viewpoints and backgrounds observed at the Ohio State Institute.
• "From the Production Centres: IN NEW YORK CITY". Variety. May 13, 1942. p. 34. ProQuest 1285799990. Sandra Michael, author of 'Against the Storm,' lectured on serial programs before the radio class at Columbia Universoty...Neil O'Malley, m.c. of 'Battle of the Boroughs,' lectures there this week...Erik Barnow, who teaches the Columbia radio course, has written a sketch for the recorded 'Treasury Star Parade'.
• Michael, Sandra (November 9, 1942). "The Radio Serial". Broadcasting, Broadcast Advertising. p. 36.
• "The Writing Michael Family; Sandra's Sister and Brother Also Doing Radio Scripts—Sisters Now Co-Authors". Variety. July 22, 1942. p. 22. ProQuest 1285794120. Gerda Michael has been inactive as a writer lately. However, she has written two or three 'Against the Storm' episodes during the past year or two. Sandra Michael will lecture next Tuesday (28) before the radio class at the School of Speech at Northwestern University. She may also guest on John T. Frederick's 'Men and Books' program Aug. 1 via CBS from Chicago. However, the latter appearance is uncertain, as NBC may not allow the author of one of its programs to appear on a CBS series.
• "From the Production Centres: IN NEW YORK CITY". Variety. June 2, 1943. p. 38. ProQuest 1401241190. Sandra Michael working on a novelized version of her 'Lone Journey' serial.
• "Writers for Racial Tolerance Air Series". Variety. August 18, 1943. p. 31. ProQuest 1401244739. Scripts for the dramatic programs to be heard as part of radio's month (Aug. 15-Sept. 15) of broadcasts on racial tolerance will be written by Eve Merriam, Sandra Michael, Milton Geiger, Ruth Adams Knight, Langston Hughes, Hughes Allison, Fannie Hurst (an original story, to be adapted by Sheldon Stark), Theodore Ferro and Stuart Hawkins. The shows will be heard on various New York stations and subsequently will be available to local outlets throughout the country. Katharine Seymour arranged the script assignments for the Writers' War Board.
• "Sandra Michael in Hosp". Variety. September 22, 1943. p. 31. ProQuest 1401249806. Sandra Michael, author of 'The Open Door,' was taken Monday (20) to Mt. Kisko (N. Y.) hospital. She has been ill since last week with fever of undiagnosed cause. During her illness her sister, Gerda Michael, is assisting her on the script.
• Conley, Bud (May 31, 1957). "Australians to Hear About Life in Central Montana". Lewistown Daily News. p. 1.

Books

• Weaver, Luther (1948) The Technique of Radio Writing. New York: Prentice Hall. pp. 309–331. OCLC 329976.

External links

• Sandra Michael at IMDb 
• Sandra Michael Programs/Episodes at Old Time Radio Researchers.

• 1906 births
• 2003 deaths
• 20th-century American women writers
• American women writers
• Danish emigrants to the United States
• Peabody Award winners
• Women radio writers