Suspicion
By Alfred Hitchcock
October 30, 2021 | 7:30 p.m.
“Suspicion,” the 1941 film by Alfred Hitchcock, was produced six times on radio, once by Academy Award Theater, twice by Lux Radio Theater, and three times by Screen Guild Theater. A shy young heiress meets a handsome gambler on a train while trying to travel in a first-class car with a third-class ticket. He begins to court her, and before long, they are married. It is only after the honeymoon that she discovers his true character, and she starts to become suspicious when his friend and business partner is mysteriously killed.
Holiday Affair
By Isobel Lennart & John D. Weaver
December 11, 2021 | 7:30 p.m.
“Holiday Affair” is a 1949 romantic comedy film that starred Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh that was adapted for radio in 1950 by Lux Radio Theater. Mitchum reprised his role of veteran Steven Mason, a Christmas-season department store clerk who loses his job when he fails to report war-widow Connie Ennis, a rival store’s comparison shopper, when she returns a train set she has purchased the day before. Their encounter results in a date, which doesn’t sit well with Connie’s steady-suitor, Carl, but delights her son Timmy, who doesn’t want Carl for a step-dad.
My Favorite Wife
By Bella Spewack & Sam Spewack
February 12, 2022 | 7:30 p.m.
Based on the 1940 film, Screen Directors’ Playhouse radio adaptation featured original cast members Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. Ellen Arden arrives seven years after being given up for dead in a shipwreck only to find her husband Nick just remarried to Bianca. The overjoyed Nick awkwardly tries to break the news gently to Bianca. But before he can do that, an unpleasant surprise – news that Ellen has spent the seven years on a deserted island with fellow-survivor Burkett. Nick’s jealously tries to find out the truth. Hilarious confusion reigns before Nick chooses his favorite wife.
Shadow of a Doubt
By Thornton Wilder, Sally Benson,
& Alma Reville
April 9, 2022 | 7:30 p.m.
“Shadow of a Doubt” is a 1943 American psychological thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotten. Lux Radio Theater adapted it in 1944 with William Powell substituting for Cotten and Teresa Wright recreating her original role. Screen Directors’ Playhouse presented their version in 1950 with Cary Grant and Betsy Drake in the lead roles. Young Charlie Newton is excited when her favorite Uncle Charlie Oakley arrives for a surprise visit. However, Uncle Charlie harbors a dark secret, and she soon begins to suspect that he is the mysterious Merry Widow killer.
Comedy Tonight
Father Knows Best By Paul West & Roz Rogers
Easy Aces by Goodman Ace
June 4, 2022 | 7:30 p.m.
Two classic comedies from the Golden Age of Radio, “Easy Aces” and “Father Knows Best” conclude the PTPRC season. “Easy Aces” follows the misadventures of malaprop-prone Jane Ace and her witty, intelligent husband, Goodman. Similar in style to the classic pairing of Burns and Allen, “Easy Aces” ran for 15 years on radio. The episode “Jane Serves on a Jury” finds Jane called to do her civic duty and giving the legal system a run for its money.
“Father Knows Best” premiered on radio in 1949 with Robert Young starring in the precursor to the popular television show of the late 50s and early 60s. “Aunt Martha and the Ball Game” explores the Anderson family’s dilemma when a visit from their aunt conflicts with the baseball tickets son Bud has won.
Prospect Theater Project established its PTP Radio Cavalcade programming in 2017, and our upcoming season will be our fourth full year of a four-show radio play season. The 2019-2020 season may have been interrupted, but our Radio Cavalcade Players have been hard at work, recording a gorgeous four-part video series of Raymond Chandler’s beloved THE BIG SLEEP.
THE BIG SLEEP was the first appearance of the unforgettable Phillip Marlowe, the hard-boiled detective who would become a staple of Chandler’s detective stories. Marlowe was iconically portrayed on the silver screen by the laconic Humphrey Bogart.
Just like a live Radio Cavalcade show, our at-home video version makes YOU the studio audience of our radio station at the height of radio’s Golden Age. Sit back and get lost in Raymond Chandler’s THE BIG SLEEP — just click on ACT ONE below to start watching!
We are offering this first virtual installment of our Radio Cavalcade for free, out of gratitude for the immense support of our patrons and for the inspiring creativity and resilience of our artists. However, if you would like to donate, you are always welcome to do so. Our current donation campaign can be found by clicking the link below.