Definition
The Cinnamon Bear is a United States radio serial for children that was originally broadcast by NBC during the holiday seasons of 1937–1938. The program featured a fictional bear named the Cinnamon Bear who embarked on a quest in a fantasy setting.
Overview
The series was produced by NBC’s Children’s Department and aired daily from late November through December, coinciding with Thanksgiving and Christmas. Each episode ran approximately 15 minutes and together they formed a continuous storyline that followed the Cinnamon Bear’s adventure to locate a key that would unlock the “Land of the Lost.” A total of 52 episodes were produced, and the program was later syndicated and rebroadcast on various local stations throughout the United States. The serial was intended to provide holiday entertainment for a young audience and incorporated music, narration, and sound‑effects typical of radio drama of the era.
Etymology/Origin
The title combines the spice “cinnamon,” likely chosen to evoke the bear’s reddish‑brown coloration, with the animal “bear.” The alliterative construction was intended to be memorable and appealing to children. The concept was developed by NBC writers and producers as part of the network’s effort to create original children’s programming for the holiday period.
Characteristics
- Medium: Audio‑only radio drama, later distributed as recordings for rebroadcast.
- Target audience: Children and families during the Thanksgiving–Christmas holiday season.
- Narrative structure: Serial format with a single, continuous plot that progressed across episodes.
- Production elements: Utilized a narrator, voice actors for characters, orchestral music, and sound‑effects to create an immersive fantasy environment.
- Themes: Adventure, perseverance, and the spirit of holiday generosity.
- Legacy: The program is remembered as an example of early American children’s radio entertainment and has been referenced in retrospectives of holiday media.
Related Topics
- NBC Children’s Programming (1930s–1940s)
- Radio drama in the United States
- Holiday-themed broadcast serials (e.g., The Adventures of Santa Claus)
- Early American children’s media
- The transition of radio serials to television adaptations (though The Cinnamon Bear itself was not directly adapted for TV)