Back before films were based on theme park rides and board games, Broadway was the source for many of the films from the classic era. Here is a collection of some of the films adapted from hit Broadway plays.

 

You’ll hear two version of the George S. Kaufman-Marc Connelly comedy, Dulcy. One stars Zasu Pitts and Gene Lockhart, and the other George Burns and Gracie Allen. This comedy was made three times on film; with Constance Talmadge (1923), with Marion Davies (as Not So Dumb 1929), and again with Ann Sothern (As Dulcy 1940). The “World’s Greatest Entertainer”, Al Jolson stars with his wife, Ruby Keeler in the show biz tale, Burlesque. Of course, some of the classic Jolson songs are featured. Jeanette MacDonald stars in the frothy musical, Irene, aided by Regis Toomey and a very young Arthur Lake (of Blondie fame). The social drama, Saturday’s Children stars Robert Taylor and Olivia deHavilland. Fredric March starred in the Paramount film, Death Takes a Holiday and repeats his role as the mysterious Prince Sirki, opposite his real life wife, Florence Eldridge.

 

For comedy fans you get the great W.C. Fields reprising his role in the Broadway hit, Poppy. Nobody matched Fields for pure honest laughter and this broadcast is no exception. He starred in two filmed versions, Sally of the Sawdust (directed by DW Griffith 1925), and Poppy (1936). Listen to Fields as ad libs his way through this wonderful hour. Frank Capra made a wonderful adaptation of the George Kaufman/Moss Hart Broadway hit, You Can’t Take It With You. In this version we find Walter Connolly in the Lionel Barrymore role, and repeating his role from the film, Edward Arnold. Fay Wray and Robert Cummings take over the roles originally played by Jean Arthur and James Stewart. But Jean Arthur does turn up as Eliza Doolittle, opposite Brian Aherne in Pygmalion, Shaw’s classic comedy, which was adapted in the 1950’s by Lerner and Loewe as My Fair Lady. And finally, Ben Hecht and Charlie MacArthur’s immortal tale of the 4th Estate, The Front Page. Get this casting...James Gleason as cutthroat editor, Walter Burns...and playing Hildy Johnson none other than actual newspaperman, Walter Winchell.

 

What fun to hear these great stars in these great radio adaptations of terrific films...but let’s not forget that these films/shows were once big hits on the Great White Way.

 

Curtain going up. Take your seats, please.