Theatre Guild on the Air
Volume 1
Theatre Guild on the Air was more than just the name of a well-produced radio program. The group that formed the core of this eight-season adaptation anthology show originally started in 1919. The goal of the Guild was basically to raise the bar for theater by putting together better productions, bringing quality scripts to life on stage with the best talent possible. Before debuting on radio in 1945, the Guild had already succeeded in its mission in various ways, such as bringing Oklahoma to the stage for the first time and producing works by such playwrights as Eugene O'Neill. When the opportunity presented itself to take this same level and desire for quality to radio, the Guild proved up to the challenge.
Producing shows for radio proved a challenge for the Guild, even before the first show aired. None of the members were familiar enough with radio to helm the project fully and there were concerns over losing certain aspects of stage performances in the process of adapting for sound only presentations. The Guild, however, overcame this hurdle by doing what it did best, making use of the best in theater to move forward. Several playwrights and authors responsible for the first year of adaptations for the program had the experience in translating works to radio, including Arthur Arent, Paul Peters, Kenyon Nicholson, and Arthur Miller. Knowing the nuances of adaptation, these script writers laid the foundation for the classic program Theatre Guild On the Air would become.
As the show came together, the Guild learned quickly that there were tools that not only were part and parcel of radio, but could make their adaptations a whole new experience. Focusing on strong musical scores and top notch sound effects, layers were added to the performances that the show's producers had not expected.
Listen to the best of Stage, Screen, and more on Theatre Guild On The Air, Volume 1. Six hour long episodes restored to sparkling audio quality by Radio Archives!
Mornings at Seven
Paul Osborn's drama starring Ralph Morgan and Aline McMahon
Sunday, November 25, 1945 - 60:00 - ABC, sponsored by United States Steel Corporation
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott's drama starring Katherine Hepburn and Oscar Homolka
Sunday, December 23, 1945 - 60:00 - ABC, sponsored by United States Steel Corporation
Dead End
Sidney Kingsley's drama starring Alan Baxter
Sunday, February 24, 1946 - 60:00 - ABC, sponsored by United States Steel Corporation
Green Pastures
Starring Juano Hernandez and Richard Huey
Sunday, April 21, 1946 - 60:00 - ABC, sponsored by United States Steel Corporation
The Green Goddess
Starring Ronald Colman, Anita Louise and Walter Abel
Sunday, October 20, 1946 - 60:00 - ABC, sponsored by United States Steel Corporation
A Bill Of Divorcement
Starring Penelope Ward and James Mason
Sunday, December 1, 1946 - 60:00 - ABC, sponsored by United States Steel Corporation
