The intention of this blog is to bring awareness to the almost forgotten media of American theatrical radio. To bring something old and new, in this technological age, to those who pass by and take the opportunity to listen to a media that has seen better days in the United States.

Of all of the programs, genre’s, styles and series, I have chosen one simple theme that truly showcases the talents, fun, and entertainment they provide: Halloween.

Beginning October 1, 2009 until Halloween, I will post one show per day in celebration of the season, as well as the entertainment these timeless performances provide.

Enjoy.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Day 14: Mercury Theater - Dracula...

One of the greatest radio anthology series of the 1930s was The Mercury Theater on the Air, featuring the talents of the New York drama company founded by Orson Welles and John Houseman.

The Mercury Theater on the Air featured an impressive array of talent, including Agnes Moorehead, Bernard Herrmann, and George Coulouris. It was a relatively short lived show – only five months, but it remains one of the most culturally significant shows in entertainment history.

The show is most notable for its notorious War of the Worlds broadcast on October 30, 1938, but the troupe presented many other memorable programs.

Their first program is a true classic...a rendition of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula,' which features Welles playing both Count Dracula and Doctor Seward.

Stars: various; hosted by Orson Welles
Sponsor: Sustaining (none), Campbell's Soup
Network: CBS
Aired: 1938-1941
Type of Show: Drama Anthology
Show Trivia:As a direct result of the front-page headlines Welles generated with his Halloween, 1938 production War of the Worlds production, Campbell's Soup signed on as his sponsor. The Campbell Playhouse began December 9, 1938, offering 60-minute adaptations of classic plays and novels, plus some adaptations of popular motion pictures.

Download Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?qg2nq5oaonz
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)