The long running daytime serial drama of Just Plain Bill, the barber of Hartville, was first broadcast over the CBS network on September 19, 1932 (until August 14, 1933 it was heard during the early evening); American Home Products' Kolynos dentifrice products began sponsorship on October 16, 1933; on September 14, 1936 the series was moved to the NBC Red net- work with The Whitehall Pharmacal Company's Anacin, and other products taking over as sponsor; and on March 25, 1940 Bill shifted to NBC's Blue network.

"The real life story of a man who might be your next door neighbor" began and closed each weekday fifteen minute episode with the themes My Darling Nellie Gray and Polly Wolly Doodle played on harmonica and guitar by Hal Brown.

Widower Bill Davidson (his wife died in childbirth) cut hair to earn a living; how-ever, his real calling was to help and advise the people of Hartville in his capicity as the town's self appointed sage. The role was more than adequately filled during the entire run of the series by veteran actor Arthur Hughes. Much of the story line revolved around sponsored music of these series to aining on a ha ng the vacatin, Madeleine Pierce. Among the dozens of familiar radio voices heard over the years in the supporting cast were Curtis Arnell, Macdonald Carey, Cliff Carpenter, Ray Collins, Clayton Collyer, Audrey Egan, Charlie Egleston, Anne Elstner, Teri Keane, Effie Palmer, Ed Prentiss, Bill Quinn, Ann Shepherd, Guy Sorel and Carleton Young. The announcing corps was comprised of Andre Baruch, Fielden Farrington, John W. Harrington, Ed Herlihy, Evie Juster, Roger Krupp, Ron Rawson, and Tom Shirley.

After twenty-three seasons on the air, the final episode of Just Plain Bill was heardon October 7, 1955.