History's Longest Running Radio Drama Series 'Unshackled!' to Air Broadcast 3,000

History's Longest Running Radio Drama Series "Unshackled! " to Air Broadcast 3,000
Dramatic Program Has Aired Continuously Since Sept. 23 1950

By Jeremy Reynalds
Correspondent for ASSIST News Service


CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (ANS) -- History's longest running radio drama is getting ready to broadcast episode three thousand during the week of July 13-19.


The "Unshackled!" episode will air just two months shy of the program's 58th anniversary on Sept. 23.

"Unshackled!" is an outreach of the Pacific Garden Rescue Mission (PGM) in Chicago.

Reflecting on the program's unique history, PGM President David McCarrell said in a news release, "One person can make a difference. In the mid-1900's, God gave Harry Saulnier, PGM superintendent for 47 years, the vision to start a radio outreach. After a difficult start in 1950, the program now has a worldwide spiritual impact for Jesus Christ."

According to a news release from PGM, Saulnier wanted to present stories of lives changed at Pacific Garden Mission, so for a short time he aired a 15-minute program on Chicago radio station WAIT in 1945, entitled "Doorway to Heaven."

Then on Sept. 23, 1950, a group headed by writer/director John Gillies assembled in a WGN radio studio for the first broadcast of "Unshackled!" Adopting the format of the popular radio dramas of the day, the thirty-minute program featured its signature organ musical bridges and real sound effects from the outset.

The title was chosen to emphasize how a person's life is changed and transformed from the shackles of the sin of wrong choices, disobedience and selfish motives, to the freedom of the Christian faith. They become "Unshackled!"

According to the news release, following that first broadcast, the popularity of "Unshackled!" was quickly evident, as hundreds of letters poured in each week. Because of WGN Radio's powerful 50,000 watt clear-channel transmitter, listener response came from the eastern half of the United States and Canada, and even from ships at sea in the Atlantic.

In the early days, the program featured lives of people from skid row affected by alcohol and drug abuse. Stories of prostitutes, mobsters, and criminals were dramatized - people with names such as Casey Jones, Jimmy the Rat and Hattie Matthews. Eventually, stories of others who were not necessarily down and out were also featured.

They included people such like Billy Sunday, who went from a famous, highly paid professional baseball player to an ardent evangelist. Today's stories deal with issues such as abuse, abandonment, pornography, gambling, fear, lust, anger, sexual dysfunction and crime.

On March 22, 2008, production of "Unshackled" episode 3,000 episode was completed. Dealing with the topics of anger, depression and deception, it depicts the life and faith of Kathy Wellin.

McCarrell said he considers "Unshackled!" a key component of PGM's outreach, as well as an important tool for support. Speaking in a news release he said, "Because the program blesses so many people, we receive mail and gifts from all over the world. The program is a unique treasure in the annals of broadcasting."

McCarrell added, "We have cared for millions of people since 1877. We are not a soup kitchen, but provide comprehensive programs that can make PGM a stepping stone to the betterment of lives. These include GED educational assistance, computer courses, and life skills training which help them create a resume, balance a checkbook, set goals, and manage their lives. The Mission is a real factor in helping end the cycle of homelessness in Chicago, one person at a time."

And from that one radio station which first broadcast "Unshackled!" the program now airs over 6,500 times each week on over 1,700 radio stations and outlets in the United States and around the world. In addition to English, it is translated and re-dramatized in Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Korean and Japanese.

For more information go to www.unshackled.orgor www.pgm.org










Jeremy Reynalds is a freelance writer and the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, http://www.joyjunction.orgHe has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is "The Face of Homelessness." Additional details are available at http://www.HomelessBook.comHe lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@comcast.net. Tel: (505) 400-7145. Note: A higher resolution JPEG picture of Jeremy Reynalds is available on request from Dan Wooding at danjuma1@aol.com.

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