Tralfaz Sunday Theatre: Prescription For Life

Presciption For Life isn’t a campy short, nor is it a very exciting one.

I’m posting it for one reason—about 14 minutes of Mel Brandt.

His voice was heard every day for years saying the words “The following program is brought to you in Living Color on NBC.”

This short needs a straight-forward, matter-of-face tone, and that’s one thing Brandt can do well.

The item below has been cobbled together from network news releases and other sources of Nov. and Dec. 1957.

Mel Brandt, Formerly Unseen 'Voice' On `Modern Romances,' Welcomes His Host, Narrator, Story Editor Role 'On Camera'
Mel Brandt, the new host, narrator and story editor of NBC-TV's MODERN ROMANCES (Monday through Friday, 4:45 P. M., EST) is delighted the network decided to give a chance to "Home talent" in replacing Martha Scott on the dramatic day-time series. When Martha requested release to star in a Broadway play, Mel was a "voice" on the show—the announcer. Now he faces the TV cameras in his triple assignment.
He has not always been an unseen "voice" on television. In 1947 he was appearing regularly on many network dramatic shows, including "Kraft Television Theatre", "Gangbusters" and "Counterspy" among others.
He came to NBC as a "voice," however, quite by accident. He was auditioning for a dramatic role, and the agency believed he had come for 'the announcing job.' He was hired as announcer for NBC Radio's "When a Girl Marries." Next he became staff announcer, and in the years to follow handled many announcing assignments remaining — as Mel says—"relatively anonymous."
Besides being a communicator for NBC Radio's "Monitor", from 1955 to 1957 he was the familiar "voice over" for the NBC-TV "Producers' Showcase" colorcasts. Then in January, 1957, he became announcer for "Modern Romances." "This is the second time in my life that I have appeared in a theatrical venture in which Martha Scott also has been associated," Mel says." The first time she never knew it.
Introducing a male personality on the show suggested a new format might be tried, as well. [Producer] Wilbur Stark says, of this: "Whereas Martha Scott appealed to housewives as a next-door neighbor or friend — woman to woman -- Mel is more the ’voice* of the story being presented. Unlike Martha's daily appearance behind a desk, Brandt now sits on a stool in front of the set, and lights from behind bring alive the action as he outlines the situation."
The latest change in "Modern Romances" is its home. Previously telecast from the NBC studios in New York's Radio City, it now emanates from the Century Theatre.

Brandt died in retirement in 2008. I cannot embed it, so you’ll have to watch it here.