The Candid Microphone: Radio's Pioneering Hidden Camera Show
Enjoys some shows
Taxi Cab (The Candid Microphone) - 13th July 1947
Girl From Texas (The Candid Microphone) - 31st March 1948
Sandwich Delivery Man (The Candid Microphone) - 11th February 1948
"The Candid Microphone" was an American radio program that aired on ABC from 1947 to 1948, and then on CBS from 1950 to 1950. The show's creator, Allen Funt, came up with the concept while serving in the Army during World War II. Inspired by a complaint column in the magazine Yank, the Army Weekly, Funt had the idea to secretly record people's unguarded reactions to various situations.
At the program's inception, Funt faced significant technical limitations. The bulky wire recorders of the time weighed over 100 pounds, forcing him to set up a hidden studio with microphones in one room and the recording equipment in an adjacent space. As portable recording technology improved, Funt was able to take his "candid microphone" out into the field, staging impromptu scenarios to elicit genuine responses from unsuspecting participants.
The show's format was simple yet innovative - Funt and his team would secretly record people's reactions to various pranks and unexpected situations, then play back the recordings for the participants before deciding whether to air the material. Participants were compensated, usually between $5 and $15, and had to consent to the use of their comments on the program.
Notable Episodes and Storylines
"The Candid Microphone" featured a wide range of hidden camera stunts and pranks that aimed to capture the genuine, unfiltered reactions of its unsuspecting subjects. Some of the show's most memorable moments included Funt posing as a shoe salesman who had "lost" one of the customer's shoes, and asking a candy store employee to mash on chocolate candies to determine which ones contained nuts.
The program also occasionally employed guest pranksters, such as the legendary horror actor Bela Lugosi, who appeared as "a shopkeeper of ghoulish curios" in the October 24, 1947 episode. These celebrity cameos added an extra layer of surprise and delight for listeners.
One of the show's most acclaimed segments, according to media critic John Crosby, was a recording of a woman's rant in a beauty parlor. Crosby praised Funt's ability to find limitless possibilities for hidden microphone locations, noting that the host "has scarcely any inhibitions."
Cast and Crew
In addition to Allen Funt as the show's creator and producer, "The Candid Microphone" featured a talented team of collaborators. Lamont Johnson and Don Hollenbeck provided narration, while Joe Graham served as the director. The program also had a rotating cast of announcers, including Les Griffith and Ken Roberts, as well as composers Ralph Norman and Bernie Green who provided the musical accompaniment.
Funt worked tirelessly to produce the show, often putting in "14 to 16 hours daily with five assistants" to meticulously edit the recorded material. The final version of each episode was then recorded on a disk to be broadcast.
Impact and Reception
"The Candid Microphone" was widely recognized for its innovative approach and groundbreaking content. In May 1948, the Radio-Television Critics Circle of New York included the program in its "first list of programs and individuals in broadcasting deemed worthy of the circle's commendation." It was one of only two shows singled out for "outstanding program developments."
The program's unique blend of hidden camera pranks and genuine human reactions drew both praise and criticism from reviewers. While some praised the show's "amusing idea" and "wonderful sport" of eavesdropping, others felt that the "aired sequences consisted simply of 'forced' situations rather than incidents during which the mike accidentally acted as an eavesdropper."
Despite the mixed reviews, "The Candid Microphone" was lauded for its contributions to the study of human behavior and psychology. According to one report, the program was "acclaimed by doctors as a contribution to the study of psychiatry, and college professors have requested copies of many recordings to be used in schools of speech."
Legacy and Influence
The success of "The Candid Microphone" led to the creation of a television adaptation, which premiered on ABC in 1948 under the name "Candid Camera." This long-running hidden camera series, hosted by Funt, would go on to become a television institution, influencing countless reality shows and prank programs that followed.
In addition to the TV adaptation, "The Candid Microphone" also spawned a series of short films produced by Columbia Pictures from 1948 to 1951, which reenacted some of the program's most popular stunts. The show's recordings were also preserved and donated by Funt to Cornell University, his alma mater, along with funding to enable students to use the material for education and research.
Today, "The Candid Microphone" is widely regarded as a pioneering and influential program that paved the way for the hidden camera comedy and reality TV genres. Its innovative approach to capturing genuine human reactions and its lasting impact on the entertainment industry cement its place as a landmark in the history of old-time radio.
© 2025 rusc.com