Professor David Demko, PhD AgeVenture News Service  The UCLA Center on Aging honored 91 year old Norman Corwin with a" 2001 Icon of Successful Aging" award at a ceremony held June 5. Corwin was selected for his outstanding contributions to society and active life that exemplifies the UCLA's Center on Aging's motto of "living better longer." John Lehrer, Westways Magazine editor and friend to Mr. Corwin, presented the award (photo).
Norman Corwin is considered by many to be the world's preeminent director, writer, and producer of the Golden Age of Radio. He has been an inspiration to and a primary influence on such notables as Edward R. Murrow, Charles Kuralt, Walter Cronkite, Stan Freberg, Rod Serling, and Ray Bradbury. Norman is the recipient of the One World Award, two Peabody Medals, an Oscar nomination, an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and an induction into the Radio Hall of Fame. After working as a writer for a small-town newspaper, he began his career in radio at WBZA in Massachusetts. Soon he was producing and writing his own radio shows that featured everything from poetry to essays to dramatic plays. By the mid 1940’s, he claimed success in radio, books, magazines, and movies. He wrote and produced numerous programs commemorating important events during World War II. When CBS wanted to mark the allied victory in Europe in World War II, Corwin created the classic "On a Note of Triumph," a success so great that it was adapted into a book and for television. When Japan surrendered, CBS turned again to Corwin, who wrote the poetic "14 August" with Orson Welles as narrator. These wartime works united the nation and inspired optimism, pride and hope. Mr. Corwin is also the author of 17 books, five stage plays, and numerous movie and TV works. His acclaimed script for "Lust for Life" received an Academy Award nomination, and his television adaptation for his radio play titled "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas" received an Emmy Award. Norman's professional and academic credits include visiting lectureships at five major universities and teaching journalism at the University of Southern California (USC). Now in his 90's, Corwin continues teaching, writing, traveling, and creating new radio productions. In 1995, a collection of his letters was published by Barricade Books, which includes correspondence with Edward R. Murrow, Orson Welles, Bette Davis, Groucho Marx, and Carl Sandburg. He has been producing dramatic specials for National Public Radio, "More by Corwin", since 1995 which debuted with the production of the Columbia duPont-award winning "Fifty Years After 14 August," narrated by Charles Kuralt. His productions have attracted today’s top celebrities and are exposing new generations of listeners to his incredible talent. |
