Classic Radioland - this is a series that "Love Those Classic Movies!" loves to cover. These classic radio broadcasts are a gem to listen to from the re-teaming of a cast that were superb on-screen to the newly establishing actors in a role that one might have never thought.
This tine around for our series we are focusing on one true classic; "My Man Godfrey" which was a "Lux Theatre" production that aired on May 9, 1938, it is celebrating it's 80th Anniversary this year from its original airing. For the teaming of this production; Lux brought back the stars of the motion picture; William Powell and Carole Lombard to reprise their roles....which was a very smart decision!
Now, it is time for you to turn off all other distractions and listen to the next edition of the serial; Classic Radioland!
Here is our ninth installment of "Classic Radioland" where we feature
the very best of radio presentations. This program we feature on this
occasion stands up to the title as "classic." We have the original stars from the 1939 classic motion picture whom reprise their roles in this radio feature. This "Lux Radio" presentation was done the same year as the motion picture release.
The stars are Cary Grant, Carole Lombard, and Kay Francis.
Plot: A loveless marriage is what we encounter between Alec Walker (Grant) and his wife Maida (Francis). Maida loves the fine things in life and is perfectly fine keeping her husband at arms length, for her it is all about the status she obtains from her husband. They as a couple continue the charade of a happily married couple until Alec meets Julie Eden (Lombard). Instantly, Alec is taken by Julie whom is a widower and she with him. The elephant in the room is Maida whom refuses to give up her marriage even though it is based not so much on love rather convenience. Games are then played by the ill reputed Maida whom decides to make it her job to crush Julie and all happiness that both she and her husband have. Will the love that Alec and Julie have for one another prevail or will the hatred from Maida conquer all....you are highly suggested to both listen to the classic radioland presentation along with the motion picture which are both excellent!
Now get comfortable with a snack and have a listen to our feature presentation from Radioland!
Here is our eighth installment of "Classic Radioland" where we feature the very best of radio presentations. This program we feature on this occasion stands up to the title as "classic." We have one of the most famous couples of cinema and theatre; Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in the lead roles of the classic "Rebecca."
Vivien Leigh & Sir Laurence Olivier perform the classic on Lux Radio Theatre in 1950. The couple play Maxim de Winter (Olivier) and Mrs. de Winter (Leigh) in this riveting version of the classic film and novel.
Here is our seventh installment of our "Classic Radioland" article for all you lovers of movies and radio programs. We are now bringing you one of the best character actress's Agnes Moorehead performing as Larry's mother or what she has her son call her Laurie. This centers on what happens when Larry being twenty five years old and is in love with Roberta who is twenty nine. The young couple is truly in love and now the problem is when being introduced as a couple to Laurie (Larry's mother) that she hates the idea, for starters in the mother's eyes Roberta is too old and he needs to stay with her, what a tangled web of insanity!
Agnes Moorehead as always does a stunning portrayal as the mother who really does her own mind games in a cruel way.
Also starring James McCallion as Larry and Cathy Lewis as Roberta.
Here is our sixth installment of our classic radioland article for all you lovers of movies and radio programs. We are now brinings our first leading lady Lucille Ball and rather than a feature film presented via the radio we have her beloved radio program: "My Favorite Husband."
This superly successful radio show was the reason why CBS took on Lucille Ball and the tv show: "I Love Lucy." In the radio program we have Liz (Ball) & George (Denning) Cooper (Cougat the last name at the begnning of the series). During the beginning of the show's run in 1948 the couple was a upper class banker and wife couple when then the name change happened so did the role of a middle class couple to have listeners be able to be more apt to identify with them.
CBS, then wanted the show to go onto TV and wanted the original team to continue though Lucy wanted her husband Desi to play her on-screen husband istead and insisted on it. The network agreed and came up with the new title and the ral life couple took the show on the road to show CBS just how popular and well liked they could be and it was an enormous hit, and as they say the rest was history!
So now here is the full length episode for your enjoyment from the first season in 1948 of: "My Favorite Wife" entitled: "The Cugat's Tenth Anniversary" (this is still when the show had the couple with the original last name). HAPPY RADIO LISTENING!!!!
Classic Radioland: Ann Sothern in "Beware The Quiet Man" (1948) in Suspense Theater.Here our classic film buffs is our fifth installment of our classic radioland article for all you lovers of movies and radio programs. This time around we are featuring leading lady Ann Sothern in the classic radio production of "Beware The Quiet Man"in 1948.
Classic Radioland: Bette Davis in "The Little Foxes"Here our classic film buffs is our fourth installment of our classic radioland article for all you lovers of movies and radio programs. This time around we are featuring leading lady Bette Davis in the classic radio production of "The Little Foxes."
Starring:
Bette Davis, Otto Kruger, Teresa Wright, Charles Dingle & Lurene Tuttle
Background:
"The Little Foxes" radio and film production are based on Lillian Hellman's play. Screen Guild Theatre's Radio Show, August 6th 1945. The motion picture was also famously starring Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, Teresa Wright, & Richard Carlson. The radio production re-teams Bette & Teresa.
This story tells about a rutheless family being The Giddens residing in the deep south. Regina (Bette Davis) is a money hungry woman who due to her being a woman she missed out on receiving any inheritance from her wealthy parents. Now she plans along with the rest of her family to wed her daughter to her brothers son to ensure the family's wealth. Very difficult decisions were made to ensure Regina's and her two brother's finances. Both the film and radio adaptation are very worthy of hearing/watching.
Now, turn the lights down, get something good to eat/drink and snuggle up and enjoy this great radio performance of "The Little Foxes!"
Classic Radioland: Merle Oberon in "The Dark Angel"Here our classic film buffs is our third installment of our classic radioland article for all you lovers of movies and radio programs. This time around we are featuring leading lady Merle Oberon in the classic radio production of "The Dark Angel."
Background:
Recorded live on May 8th, 1944, this production pairs leading lady Merle Oberon who also starred in the original motion picture made in 1935 for Samuel Goldwyn. The film had Fredrick March and Herbert Marshall and in the radio production it brings back the lovely Merle Oberon in the lead as Kitty Vane. This time in 1944 on radio she is with Ronald Colman & Donald Crisp, what a line-up!
Plot:
This film based upon the equally titled novel is about three friends, oner female being Kitty Vane (Oberon) and two men being Alan Trent & Gerald Shannon. It is a love triangle right from the start where both men are in love with Kitty who falls in love with Alan. All of this is happening with the backdrop of WW I looming over them. Gerald gives the young couple his approval as a great friend. Both men are sent into the trenchesof the war leaving Kitty nervous back at home. Gerald gives Alan a very dangerous mission while in war which could change everything for the three people. One will have to see the classic '35 film and listen to the wonderful radio production from '44.
Now with no further a do here are Merle Oberon, Ronald Colman & Donald Crisp performing "The Dark Angel" in 1944 from the Screen Guild Theatre. Turn the radio's up and get a cool glass of ice tea and some cookies and relax to this wonderful production, enjoy!!!!
Classic Radioland: Claire Trevor as "Mildred Pierce"
Here our classic film buffs is our second installment of our classic radioland article for all you lovers of movies and radio programs. This time around we are featuring leading lady Claire Trevor as the title role and of the film's title, "Mildred Pierce" (circa 1950's). Zachary Scott plays the role of Monte (which he played in the motion picture). This time it is Hollywood Radio that brings us this lovely production.
Mildred Pierce Plot:
Zachary Scott
The Classic Film Gentleman does not want to give too much away on this film especially to any who has never saaw nor heard this lovely production. Mildred Pierce is truly a woman ahead of her time where she had the know how and drive to make it all on her own from nothing and no help. Mildred has a daughter named Veda who always wants more and is alone with her mother since Mildred's cheating husband has long since left the picture. Mildred always seeks approval from Veda and never seems to obtain it no matter what she does even when it is working from the bottom of a restaurant and making it all her own. An amazing film and a great production done on radio. The film had Joan Crawford who won an Academy Award for her role and Claire Trevor stunning audiences with her take on it as well. You will be impressed by the radio performance by Claire Trevor along with Zachary Scott which does the book and film justice.
Now get comfortable and turn the lights low and have your classic evening like it would have been over 40 years ago. No worries we as a group will ahve these article as a norm and together will have a classic radio listening party!!! Good evening and happy listening!
Classic Radioland: My Bill starring Kay Francis & Warren William (1941)
Here is our first installment of our series of "Classic Radioland" which will bring us back to the fun days of sitting around the radio and turing the dial to all the lovely performances of the best of the best.
Our first is an underrated film made in 1938 starring Kay Francis and John Litel from Warner Bros. This time for the radio production on "Lux Theatre" we have Kay Francis reprising her film role and Warren William. In the 1930's Kay Francis was one of the top leading ladies in Hollywood with her films grossing a lot. This film "My Bill" was a big turn for her career to play an older woman and an aunt to top it off not the usual scene stealing beauty with all high fashions!
Plot:
The story takes place in Connecticut where a single mother of four is having to deal with bringing up her children. William is the only one of the four children that decides to leave the widowed mother to move in with the much wealthier aunt who can give them everything that the mother can not. A wealthy neighbor of the young mother becomes friends with them and when the older individual passes leaves a large inheritance to the young boy. What a lovely film that is truly underrated that many forget about now that was a turning point for Kay Francis and her acting career. The radio production is lovely and provides the similar nuances that the films does and allows you to have an imagination with areas.
Now sit back and relax and listen to "My Bill" from the Lux Theatre which originally aired in 1941. Reserve an hour of time to be all your's and put yourself back in time with a nice glass of coffee or wine and be nice and toasty warm....let's have our first radio listening party and enjoy!!!!
