David Roberts Young (November 4, 1911 – November 3, 1969)"California, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGF9-WFGH : Sun Mar 10 07:01:57 UTC 2024), Entry for David Roberts Young and Vivian Merrill Young, 16 October 1940."California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPHC-KQ3 : 26 November 2014), David R Young, 03 Nov 1969; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento. was an American director, producer and actor, in radio and on the stage, known as the longtime director of Family Theater.Taliaferro, Walt (May 9, 1949). "David Young rings bell on Family Theater program". Los Angeles Daily News. p. 26.

Early life and career He attended Polytechnical Elementary and Junior High School in Pasadena,"Three-Day Show to Mark Pasadena School's Birthday". The Los Angeles Times. February 10, 1957. pt. IV, pg. 3 graduated from Coronado High School in 1929, and from the Pasadena Community Playhouse School of Theater in 1931."Talk on Sword Play". The Pasadena Post. March 17, 1931. p. 16."Receiving Diploma from Theatre School". The Peninsula Times Tribune.

In September 1936, Young was promoted from chief announcer to program director and production manager at Don Lee's KGB in San Diego,"KGB Promotes Young to Program Chief". The San Diego Sun. September 26, 1936. p. 4. where he remained until March 1939, when he succeeded Z. Wayne Griffin as continuity editor for Lee's L.A. station, KHJ. In 1942, he was promoted to production manager for the entire Don Lee Network.Willen, Jac (September 9, 1942) "Los Angeles". Radio Daily. p. 4.

In 1947, Young replaced Mel Williamson as director on Family Theater."Production". Broadcasting. September 1, 1947. p. 56. He continued in that capacity through May 1949, reappearing only sporadically and infrequently over the following five years.

Young's roles in other radio programs can be seen in the table below. Program Year Role(s) Notes KGB Drama Guild 1935–1936, 1938 Producer, director, actor Werner, Willie (December 5, 1935) "'First Officer's Watch' on KGB Drama Guild Tonight". The San Diego Sun. p. 6."30th Production by KGB Guild Scheduled". The San Diego Sun. August 13, 1936. p. 4."Bette Davis Stars in Film Drama; Will Appear in 'Jezebel' Sketch With Fonda and Brent; 9:15 p. m. KGB". The San Diego Sun. March 25, 1938. p. 5. The Life of Edison 1935–1936 Actor:Thomas Edison Produced by Art Linkletter, written by Sid FullerWerner, Willie (December 17, 1935). "Edison's Most Exciting Six Months Dramatized". Radio Daily. May 3, 1937. p. 4.W.W. (September 22, 1936). "On the Air: Louis Fight Broadcast on KFSD at 5:30". The San Diego Sun. p. 6. Sycamore Street 1937 Producer (as Dave Young) "Los Angeles". Radio Daily. May 3, 1937. p. 8."Dial Highlights". The Bakersfield Californian. May 3, 1937. p. 7. Air Adventure 1937 Producer (as Dave Young) "Los Angeles". Radio Daily. June 17, 1937. p. 6. Man of the House 1938 Producer "Purely Programs: For a Change". Broadcasting. February 15, 1938. p. 90. Hollywood Laff'n Swing Club 1939 Producer Adventures Ahead 1939 Narrator (as Dave Young) "Purely Programs: Based on Sound". Broadcasting. November 15, 1939. p. 68. Radio Charades 1941 MC "Radio Advertisers: Federal Outfitting Co.". Radio Daily. January 1, 1941. p. 46. Music Depreciation 1941-1945 Producer/Host Greene, Mary (August 15, 1943). "Music Depreciation". Radio Life. pp. 37-38. We Pay You 1942–1943 MC "War Program Ideas: 'We Pay You' Quiz". Radio Daily. November 18, 1942. p. 5. "New quiz show entitled 'We Pay You' will have its premiere on KHJ, Los Angeles today and will be heard weekly thereafter from the stages of the Independent Theater Group with patrons of the theaters contesting for cash prizes. Jack Bailey and Dave Young will be co-emcees on the broadcasts. The program was placed through the Allied Advertising Agency and extends through next February 10." This Is the Hour 1943 Producer B.J. (November 18, 1942). "On KOOS Radio As You Hear It: Darn the Directions". The World. p. 4. The Dick Haymes Show 1945–1946 Producer/director "From the Gag Bag". San Fernando Valley Times. November 26, 1945. p. 14."Bulletin Board: Tuning WAIM". Anderson Independent Mail. October 13, 1945. p. 3.Bates, Bob (January 26). "The High Road". Harrisburg Telegraph. January 26, 1946. p. 16. Retrieved May 18, 2024. Surprise Party 1946 Producer "Agencies". Broadcasting. June 10, 1946. p. 62.Palmer, Zuma (July 1, 1946). "Morgan Receives in Friendly Fashion; Tomorrow". Hollywood Citizen News. p. 22. Family Theater 1947–1949, 1951, 1952 Director "David Young episodes". Old Time Radio Researchers. The Joyful Hour December 21, 1947 Director "Rosary Crusade Arranging Star-Studded Broadcast". The Brooklyn Eagle. December 20, 1947. p. 6. The Triumphant Hour March 28, 1948 Director "Plan 'Triumphant Hour'". The Catholic Advance. March 26, 1948. p. 11. Daily News Oratorical Contest Winners March 18, 1949 Producer "[S]pecial public service broadcast" aired by KFWB"Girl Oratory winners will broadcast". Los Angeles Daily News. March 18, 1949. p. 43. Yours Truly, Johnny DollarEp. "The Horace Lockhart Matter" August 1, 1951 Director EscapeEp. "The Vessel of Wrath" May 10, 1953 Actor:The Head Boatsman Old Time Radio Researchers (February 23, 2017). "Escape - The Vessel of Wrath". YouTube. EscapeEp. "Clear for Action" June 14, 1953 Actor:Unknown role EscapeEp. "The Open Boat" July 19, 1953 Actor:The Oiler Old Time Radio Researchers (February 23, 2017). "Escape - The Open Boat". YouTube. Crime ClassicsEp. "The Final Day of General Ketchum, And How He Died" July 27, 1953 Actor:Unknown role SuspenseEp. "Needle in the Haystack" November 9, 1953 Actor:Unknown role SuspenseEp. "Lili and the Colonel" May 17, 1955 Actor (as Dave Young):Unknown role Original radio play by actor John Dehner

Television On New Year's Day, 1940, Young and fellow KHJ staffer Eddie Albright co-hosted and narrated what was reported to be the first-ever live telecast of the Tournament of Roses Pageant on W6XAO."Television News Notes: Don Lee's New Unit". Broadcasting. December 15, 1939. p. 36. On June 27, 1949, Young produced West View Review, a star-studded 90-minute fund-raiser—hosted by Garry Moore and featuring, among others, Ella Fitzgerald, Kay Kyser, Benny Carter and Dorothy Dandridge—airing on KTLA, in support of a proposed like-named interracial hospital,"Garry Moore Heads Benefit for Hospital". Los Angeles Daily News. June 20, 1949. p. 12-A."Video show to climax West View drive tonight; Video show will aid fund drive". Los Angeles Daily News. June 27, 1949. p. B1. to be constructed at 5334 South Main Street in Los Angeles."West View Hospital, Incorporated; Will Your Organization Help Build WEST VIEW HOSPITAL?". Los Angeles Tribune. February 22, 1947. p. 12.

Miscellany On February 15, 1939, Young was the guest speaker at the San Diego branch of the League of American Pen Women. His talk stressed the importance of playwrights keeping their characters clearly delineated and of always reading aloud one's own work beforehand to ensure that no dialogue prove unduly difficult to voice."David Young Speaks Before Penwomen on Playwriting". The San Diego Sun. February 18, 1939. p. 5.

Honors In June 1949, at the 20th annual commencement exercises of the Pasadena Playhouse School, Ernest A. Batchelder, chairman of the school's board of directors, presented Young with the Fannie E. Morrison Award "for having achieved special distinction in his career in the world of theater." It was also noted that "his achievement in radio has been through his own persistence and hard work.""David Young Given Award for Achievement in Radio". Los Angeles Daily News. June 11, 1949. p. 10-B.

Personal life and death Young was married twice: from February 27, 1936 until their divorce in October 1966, to fellow thespian—and occasional co-star—Vivian M. Merrill,"Betrothed Maid". The Daily Herald (Utah)|The Daily Herald. September 13, 1936. p. 5."California Divorce Index, 1966-1984," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPYW-WKV : 27 November 2014), Vivian Merrill and David R Young, Oct 1966; from "California Divorce Index, 1966-1984," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2007); citing Orange, California, Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento."Bette Davis Stars in Air Film Drama; Will Appear in 'Jezebel" Sketch With Fonda and Brent". The San Diego Sun. March 25, 1938. p. 5. and from 1968 until his death, to Dorothy M. Dodge."California Marriage Index, 1960-1985", database, FamilySearch n(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V6K5-K1S : 26 January 2024), David R Young in entry for Dorothy M Dodge, 1968."United States, GenealogyBank Historical Newspaper Obituaries, 1815-2011", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPBZ-HGW9 : Thu Mar 07 21:55:51 UTC 2024), Entry for David R Young and Dorothy, 6 November 1969. The first marriage produced a daughter, Janis, and son, David Ross Young."Behind the Mike". Broadcasting. June 15, 1939. p. 46."United States Census, 1940", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9C2-51Z : Sun Mar 10 23:21:28 UTC 2024), Entry for David Young and Vivian Young, 1940.

On November 3, 1969, one day before his 58th birthday, Young died of undisclosed causes in San Diego, California. The following year, David Ross Young, then a graduate student at Scripps Institute of Oceanography,"The Barlows Announce Daughter's Betrothal". Santa Ana Register.  June 23, 1968. p. C7. Retrieved May 22, 2024. dedicated his dissertation to his father's memory.Young, David Ross (1970). The Distribution of Cesium, Rubidium, and Potassium in the Quasi-Marine Ecosystem of the Salton Sea. San Diego: University of California.

References

Further reading

External links David Young at Old Time Radio Researchers