[1] A former radio newscaster at KNX[2] and announcer, Manning entered the motion picture field in 1939 as an offscreen narrator.

He made his services available to independent producers as well, bringing equal vigor to a religious drama and an anti-vice crusade.

Trade reviewers constantly praised this series of antique silent films re-edited with satirical soundtracks, and often singled out Knox Manning's comic timing as an important asset.

He announced and read commercials for The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.

His Behind the Scenes program featured dramatized re-creations of news events involving famous historical figures.