RADIO TRAILERS

We investigated radio trailers for films using 1970s radio adverts for cult movies   

This is a very rich resource which introduced me to dozens of radio adverts. Most had a clear generic structure: 

• introductory soundtrack with key sound codes that signal genre
• introductory voice over, often specifying genre
• dialogue spoken by key character, usually dramatic, enigmatic, setting up expectations, creating tension / suspense, setting out key themes
• musical soundtrack underpins dialogue, often building to a climax
• tag line from film poster
• concluding voice over, with information on when the film opens and when the screenings take place, certification.