Welcome to Spectrum City, a bustling 1940s metropolis where radio is king, big bands fill the nightclubs, entertainers become household names, and the airwaves carry more than just music and entertainment.
Inspired by the golden age of radio broadcasting and the glamour of early television, Spectrum City is a world of radio networks, recording studios, theatrical stages, jazz clubs, newspaper offices, advertising agencies, and the colorful personalities who bring the city to life.
At the center of it all is Arlene Ashmore.
A talented radio performer, accomplished singer, and rising entertainment personality, Arlene is making her name in a business where success depends on talent, opportunity, and knowing the right people. Her beautiful voice has made her a favorite with audiences, but her natural curiosity and ability to listen often lead her into situations far more complicated than anything written in a radio script.
Behind the microphones and bright theater lights, Spectrum City has another side. Network executives negotiate with powerful sponsors, politicians seek influence over the airwaves, performers compete for fame, and secrets travel through the city faster than the evening news.
From mysterious broadcasts and backstage rivalries to nightclub intrigues, celebrity scandals, and unexpected adventures, Arlene discovers that the entertainment business can be every bit as dramatic as the stories performed on the radio.
Told in the spirit of classic Old Time Radio serials, each adventure brings memorable characters, dramatic storytelling, music, mystery, romance, comedy, and plenty of cliffhangers. As Arlene's career grows, so does the world around her, eventually carrying her from the golden age of radio into the exciting new world of television.
So pull up a chair, tune your radio dial, and join Arlene Ashmore for another adventure.
The microphones are on. The orchestra is ready. And Spectrum City is listening.
Welcome to Spectrum City!
Arlene Ashmore
The Voice of Spectrum City
Beautiful, talented, and naturally charming, Arlene Ashmore is a rising star of Spectrum City's broadcasting and entertainment world. A gifted radio actress and accomplished singer, she divides her time between network studios and the city's popular nightclubs. Her voice may have made her famous, but her curiosity and remarkable ability to listen often lead her into unexpected adventures. Arlene is discovering that behind the glamour of show business lies a world full of secrets, rivalries, and intrigue.
Edward "Eddie" Mercer
Radio Network Executive
Edward Mercer is an experienced and influential broadcasting executive who knows the radio business inside and out. Confident, well-connected, and accustomed to getting his way, Eddie has helped build the network into one of Spectrum City's major entertainment institutions. He recognizes Arlene's potential and wants to see her succeed, but his ambition and willingness to compromise have occasionally placed him in dangerous company.
Frank Doyle
Chief Radio Engineer
Walt Keene is the hardworking producer responsible for keeping the network's programs running smoothly. Between demanding performers, difficult scripts, impossible schedules, and meddling executives, he rarely has a quiet day. Practical, experienced, and passionate about producing quality radio, Walt has little patience for industry politics. He becomes one of Arlene's most dependable friends and allies inside the broadcasting world.
Walter "Walt" Keene
Senior Radio Producer
Walt Keene is the hardworking producer responsible for keeping the network's programs running smoothly. Between demanding performers, difficult scripts, impossible schedules, and meddling executives, he rarely has a quiet day. Practical, experienced, and passionate about producing quality radio, Walt has little patience for industry politics. He becomes one of Arlene's most dependable friends and allies inside the broadcasting world.
Vivian "Vivi" Hart
Radio Actress | Performer
Vivian Hart is a talented and ambitious radio actress who knows that success in show business requires considerably more than a good voice. Witty, fashionable, and considerably more streetwise than she sometimes lets on, Vivi is one of Arlene's closest friends in the entertainment business. The two share a love of performing, a taste for adventure, and an occasional tendency to find themselves in situations best left out of the newspapers.
Victor Harcourt
Advertising Executive
Victor Harcourt is a wealthy and influential advertising executive whose company represents one of the network's most important sponsors. Impeccably dressed, articulate, and accustomed to getting results, Harcourt believes that financial investment should come with a measure of control. To him, broadcasting is a business first and entertainment second, and he has little difficulty reminding executives where their money comes from.
Senator Malcolm Vane
Politician | Political Power Broker
Senator Malcolm Vane is an ambitious political figure who understands the extraordinary influence of radio broadcasting. He recognizes that reaching thousands of listeners can be far more powerful than addressing a crowded political gathering. Smooth, calculating, and always thinking several moves ahead, Vane sees the broadcasting industry as an important instrument of public influence and has no intention of leaving it out of his political calculations.
Arthur Bell
Political Aide | Fixer
Arthur Bell is Senator Malcolm Vane's trusted aide and the man responsible for handling the conversations his employer would rather not have personally. Polished, courteous, and exceptionally persuasive, Bell rarely needs to raise his voice to make a point. He specializes in delivering uncomfortable messages and explaining the consequences of ignoring them. His professional manner conceals a man who understands exactly how power works.
Benny "Benny Blue" Blue
Bandleader | Singer | Entertainer
Benny Blue is one of Spectrum City's most charismatic musical entertainers and the leader of a popular swing and jazz ensemble. A gifted vocalist, natural showman, and respected musician, Benny is equally comfortable commanding a nightclub stage or entertaining a packed audience. Friendly, quick-witted, and well-connected throughout the entertainment district, he knows musicians, club owners, performers, and practically everyone worth knowing.
The Bellamy Brothers
Dance Team | Stage Performers
The Bellamy Brothers are one of Spectrum City's most exciting entertainment attractions. Combining spectacular tap dancing, acrobatic routines, impeccable timing, and plenty of showmanship, the brothers bring an extraordinary energy to every performance. Equally comfortable on the theater stage or in a crowded nightclub, they have earned a reputation as entertainers who can bring an audience to its feet. Their motto is simple: never let the music get ahead of the dancers!
