Light Programme, Drama, 1953
Listing compiled by Stephen Shaw, Feb 2023 (....many thanks - ND)
Drama on the BBC Light Programme in 1953
(The Light Programme ran from 1945 to 1967)
4th January 1953
19.30-20.30:
Bomber's Moon by Wing-Commander E.W. Anderson edited by Cynthia Pughe.
April 1943: 24 hours with a Bomber Squadron.
Production: Ayton Whitaker
Flight-Lieut. Murdoch (Narrator): Hugh Manning
Sergeant: Douglas Hayes
Corporal 'Susie' Moon: Virginia Winter
Wing-Cdr. Martin: William Fox
Flt-Lt. Johnny Bannerman: Patrick Troughton
Flying Officer Carter: Derek Hart
Flight-Sgt. Gray: Norman Mitchell
Sgt. Murgatroyd: John Cazabon
'Mike': Brian Hayes
Mabel (Mrs. Gray): Nancy Nevinson
Flight-Lieut. Griffiths: Aubrey Richards
Also with Wyndham Milligan, Antony Kearey, Geoffrey Bond, Garard Green, Alan Reid, Rupert Davies, Arthur Lawrence
[A 1946 production of this name was unrelated]
5th January 1953
16.30-18.00:
Monday Matinee: She Stoops To Conquer or The Mistakes of a Night (1773) by Oliver Goldsmith (1726-1774) adapted by Raymond Raikes.
Music composed and conducted by Alfred Reynolds
Period: 1773
Production by Raymond Raikes
Mrs Hardcastle: Betty Hardy
Mr Hardcastle: James Dale
Tony Lumpkin: Charles Leno
Kate Hardcastle: Marjorie Westbury.
Constance Neville: Hermione Hannen
Little Aminadab Tickle: Aubrey Richards
Jack Slang: Garard Green
Tom Twist: Arthur Lawrence
Dick Muggins: Hugh Manning
Stingo, the landlord: Cyril Shaps
Young Marlow: John Mills
George Hastings: Antony Kearey
Pimple: Sulwen Morgan
Diggory: John Cazabon
Sir Charles Marlow: Allan Jeayes
Repeated from 31st December 1952.
6th January 1953-
19.30-20.00
Horatio Hornblower
9 of 16. Produced By: Archie Campbell
Please refer to the list entry for 4th November 1952 for further information.
7th January 1953
20.00-21.15:
Monday Matinee: The Constant Wife (1926) by W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Adapted by Peggy Wells
Produced by John Richmond
Bentley: Norman Mitchell
Martha: Anne Cullen
Mrs Culver: Gladys Young
Barbara Fawcett: Patricia Hilliard
John Middleton: Anthony Nicholls
Constance, his wife: Margaret Lockwood
Marie-Louise Durham: Joy Shelton
Bernard Kersal: Roderick Lovell
Mortimer Durham: Campbell Singer
Repeated 12th January 1953
[There was also a production in 1949 by Frank Hauser]
[There was also a production on BBC Home in 1967 by John Powell]
10th January 1953
21.15-22.00:
Dramatic Interlude: The Whole Truth by Stella Margetson (1912-1992)
Produced By: Harold Neden and Norman Wright
Introduced By: Franklin Engelmann
A dramatic monologue given by Marie Ney
11th January 1953
19.30-20.30:
Radio Theatre: No Surrender! by Diarmuid Kelly
Produced by Hugh Stewart
Malachi Keegan: Cyril Cusack
Mrs Margaret Malone: Barbara Mullen
Micky: Harry Hutchinson
Major Lee: Gordon McLeod
Mrs Lee: Catherine Nangle
Dan Corrigan: Tony Quinn
Mrs Corrigan: May Carey
Bart Corrigan: John Glyn-Jones
Father Tim: Charles Maunsell
Sergeant Dooley: Tommy Duggan
Post Office Engineer: Robert Mooney
Guard Toomey: Michael O'Halloran
Tom Brady: Arthur Lawrence
Dr Dodd: Bryan Powley
Also with Brian Hayes, Frank Tickle, Virginia Winter, Patrick Troughton, Wyndham Milligan, Garard Green, Alan Reid. Margaret Ward and Cyril Shaps
14th January 1953
20.00-21.30:
Journey To Earth by Bridget Boland
Produced by E. J. King Bull
The Chaplain: Ernest Jay
The Prioress: Betty Hardy
Agatha Fosdyke: Flora Robson
Angela Swithin: Jill Balcon
Peter Swithin: Patrick Troughton
Lay Sister: Nancy Nevinson
Cyril Plummer: Denys Blakelock
Repeated 19th January 1953
18th January 1953
19.30-20.30:
Radio Theatre: The Innocent Bride by Anne Meredith (Lucy Beatrice Malleson (1899-1973) - aka Anthony Gilbert aka J Kilmeny Keith)
Produced by Mary Hope Allen
Robert Moreton, a reporter: Norman Claridge
Mr Scorrier: Alec Finter
Sophia: Mary Williams
Stephen Traill: Hugh Manning
Monica, his sister: Thea Holme
Martha, a maid: Audrey Mendes
Cook: Elsa Palmer
Mr Neate, a lawyer: Aubrey Richards
Frost, a private investigator: David Laing
A Police Constable: Norman Mitchell
Also with Basil Dignam, Alan Reid, Douglas Hayes, Jean Driant
21st January 1953
20.00-21.15:
Rope by Patrick Hamilton (1904-1962), adapted by Peter Watts
Produced by Peter Watts
Wyndham Brandon: David Peel
Charles Granilla: Roger Delgado
Sabot: Hugh Manning
Kenneth Raglan: Frank Duncan
Leila Arden: Elizabeth London
Sir Johnstone Kentley: Michael Bates
Mrs Debenham: Harriet Petworth
Rupert Cadell: Eric Portman
Repeated 26th January 1953
[Also produced by Raymond Raikes in 1966]
[Also produced by John Tydeman in 1992 for R4]
25th January 1953
19.30-20.30:
Radio Theatre: Hear No Evil adapted by Rex Rienits (1909-1971) from The Happy Prisoner (1931) by Lorna Rea
Produced by Hugh Stewart
Clare Pembridge: Rachel Gurney
Noel Carstairs: Hector Ross
Judy Pembridge: Grizelda Hervey
Lady Pembridge: Margaret Halstan
Sir Herbert Pembridge: Allan Jeayes
Mrs Carstairs: Nan Marriott-Watson
Lord Robert Poyning: Owen Fellowes
Lady Robert Poyning: Mary Wimbush
Mr Mackinder: Brian Hayes
Leyland: Cyril Shaps
Mrs Leyland: Rosamund Greenwood
Matron: Nancy Nevinson
Miss Robinson: Elma Verity
Nurse: Sulwen Morgan
Butler: Wyndham Milligan
Repeated 31st August 1953
28th January 1953
20.00-21.30:
The Witch by H. Wiers-Jenssen (1866-1925)
Music by John Buckland, Conducted by Leighton Lucas
Organist:Charles Spinks
Produced by E. J. King Bull
Absolom, Palace Chaplain: Clive Morton
Merete Beyer, his mother: Gladys Young
Anne Pedersdotter his wife: Claire Bloom
Martin: Robert Eddison
Bishop Jena Schelderup: Howieson Culff
Master Klaus, Priest in Manger: Rupert Davies
Master Laurentiius: Duncan McIntyre
Master Johannes: Geoffrey Wincatt
Choirmasiter David: Antony Kearey
Leader of the Town Guard: Geoffrey Bond
Herlofs-Marte: Phyllis Morris
Bente: Gladys Spencer
Jorund: Monica Grey
Repeated 2nd February 1953
[Original play "Anne Pedersdotter" (1908), based upon an historic person c. 1590]
1st Februaru 1953
19.30-20.30:
Radio Theatre: Letter From Korea by Conrad Voss-Bark(1913-2000)
Produced by Raymond Raikes
Stuart: Derek Hart
Roberts: William Fox
Mac: Arthur Lawrence
Bill: Brian Hayes
Sergeant: Cyril Snaps
Stuart's mother: Audrey Mendes
Robert's wife: Patricia Hilliard
Bill's mother: Margaret Ward
Tank Driver: Garard Green
Gunner: Rupert Davies
4th February 1953
19.30-21.30:
Curtain Up! : Man And Superman (1903) by Bernard Shaw(1856-1950)
Produced by Frederick Bradnum
John Tanner: John Clements
Ann Whitefleld: Kay Hammond
Ramsden: Barry Letts
Octavius: Allan Cuthbertson
Mrs Whitefield: Barbara Everest
Miss Ramsden: Margaret Scudamore
Violet Robinson: Peggy Simpson
Straker: Brian Hayes
Hector Malone: John Bushelle
Malone: Joseph Tomelty
The Maid: Rosamund Greenwood
Narrator: Derek Hart
Repeated 9th February 1953
[As usual the lengthy third act "Don Juan in Hell" is omitted, it runs at more than 75 minutes - a version of Act 3 was broadcast on the 3rd Program in January 1952]
11th February 1953
20.00-21.10
The Faithful Heart by Monckton Hoffe, adapted by Mollie Greenhalgh
Produced by Hugh Stewart
Waverley Ango: Ian Hunter
Blacky: Shelagh Fraser
Blacky the second: Dorothy Gordon
Diana: Patricia Hilliard
Miss Gatiterscombe: Betty Warren
Major Lestrade: Allan Jeayes
Gilbert Oughterson: Hugh Falkus
Rackham: Patrick Troughton
Ginger: Virginia Winter
Brabazon: Eric Lugg
George: Joe Sterne
Miteham: Vincent Ball
A butler: Michael O'Halloran
Repeated 16th February 1953
[No connection with the 1991 (rptd 1994) play by Stephanie Miller]
8th February 1953
19.30-20.30:
Radio Theatre: The Flower In The Rock by Joseph Schull (1906-1980), adapted by Cynthia Pughe
Produced by Ayton Whitaker
Ponter: Frank Tickle
Capt John Mason: Norman Claridge
Witihera/ Club Attendant: John Cazabon
Prudence Mason: Marjorie Westbury
Richard Mason: Christopher Langley
Catherine Patemaude: Olive Gregg
Edward Mason: Donald Bisset
An old manservant: Tony Quinn
Mr Ovrum, a detective: Edward Lexy
Philip Graves (alias Porter): Bernard Braden
Canadian Police:
P C Weathers: Alan Keith
Inspector Manley: Stanley Maxted
Mabel: Mavis Villiers
Mrs Jackson: Gwen Day Burrough
Shop assistant: MacDonald Parke
Repeated 1st and 6th July 1953
15th February 1953
19.30-20.30:
Radio Theatre: The Owl And The Pussy Cat by Giles Cooper (1918-1966)
A Bank Holiday weekend with a boat.
Produced by Norman Wright
Daisy: Virginia Winter
Rita: Thelma Hughes
Warthrop: Norman Mitchell
James Low: Derek Hart
Mrs Berts: Audrey Mendes
Amelia Foss: Sulwen Morgan
Card: Douglas Hayes
Also with Alan Reid, Aubrey Richards, Geoffrey Bond, and Rupert Davies
22nd February 1953
19.30-20.30:
Radio Theatre: The Wages Of Fear by Georges Arnaud adapted by Jon Manchip White
Produced by Ayton Whitaker
The Manager: Tommy Duggan
The Supervisor: Guy Kingsley Poynter,
Juan, a Spaniard: Cyril Shaps
Johnny, a Rumanian: Anthony Jacobs
Luigi an Italian: Hugh Manning
Gerard a Frenchman: Howard Marion-Crawford
[There was a 1961 production by John Gibson which also had Tommy Duggan as the manager- but John Dearth as the Supervisor]
23rd February 1953
16.30-18.00:
Monday Matinee: Friends And Relations (1941) by St. John Ervine (1883-1971) adapted by Preston Lockwood
Produced by Norman Wright
Fanny Cairns: Lydia Sherwood
Kate: Nora Nicholson
Arthur: David Enders
Edward Scantlebury: Felix Felton
Doreen: Joy Hodgkinson
Adam Bothwell: Godfrey Kenton
Mrs Corken: Nan Marriott-Watson
James Finlay: Duncan McIntyre
Jenny Conn: Joan Hart
First broadcast on BBC Home 9th March 1952
[There was a production in 1956, no cast or producer details]
[Also produced by Ronald Mason in 1963 for BBC Home]
25th February 1953
20.00-21.30:
Curtain Up! : Golden Boy (1937) by Clifford Odets (1906-1963)
Violinist, Granville Jones
The scene is New York. The choice is a boxing ring or play the violin.
Produced by Donald McWhinnie
A Commissionaire: Stuart Nichol
Joe Bonaparte: Richard Attenborough
Tom Moody: Howard Marion-Crawford
Lorna Moon: Peggy Hassard
Tokio: Anthony Jacobs
Mr Bonaparte: Marton Miller
Siggtie: Peter Jones
Mr Carp: Harold Ayer
Anna: Miriam Karlin
Frank: Arthur Hill
Roxy Gottlieb: Sidney James
Eddie Fusell: Noel Willman
Pepper White: Lou Jacob
Mickey: Harold Jamiesen
Drake: Stuant Nichol
Driscoll: Richard Carver
Barker: Harold Ayer
Repeated 2nd March 1953
[Also produced in 1951 for BBC Home by Donald McWhinnie with David Kossoff as Mr Carp and Sydney Keith as Siggtie. Violinist: Colin Sauer.]
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1st March 1953
19.30-20.30:
Radio Theatre: The Body (1949) by William Sansom (1912-1976), adapted by C. Gordon Glover
Production by Cleland Finn
Madge Bishop: Megs Jenkins
Henry Bishop: Rolf Lefebure
Charley Diver: Howard Marion-Crawford
Norma: Janet Morrison
Mrs Lawler: Winifred Oughton
Dickie: Billy Thatcher
Richard: Deryck Guyler
L H Bradford: Ivan Samson
Also with Geoffrey Bond, John Cazabon, Hamilton Dyce, Derek Hart, Arthur Lawrence, Sulwen Morgan, Virginia Winter, Mary Wimbush
[Also produced by R D Smith in 1966 for BBC Home]
2nd March 1953:
20.30-21.00
Westward Ho! by Charles Kingsley, Adapted by Ronald Gow.
No further details published for this part.
Details from Part 2:
Produced by Owen Reed
BBC West of England.
Narrator: Lewis Gedge
Mrs Leigh: Phyllis Smale
Frank Leigh: Frank Duncan
Amyas Leigh: Hedley Goodall
Eustace Leigh: Andrew Faulds
Rose Salterne: Aileen Milds
Will Gary: Richard Grant
Jack Brimblecombe: Geoffrey Matthews
Sir Richard Grenville: Baliol Holloway
Salvation Yeo: Bernard Fishwick
Old Lucy: Ethel Coleridge
Parsons: Harry Canter
Campian: Leonard Bennett
Additional cast in later episodes:
Ayacarora: Caroline Hooper
Don Guzman: Raf de la Torre
Drew: Francis Lunt
Evans the Smith: Ian Packer
Grace: Jean Howell
Inquisitor: Ivor Maddox
Simon Salterne: George Holloway
Sir Richard Greenville: Carleton Hobbs
Will Parracombe: Norman Kendall
Pt2:09/03/53 Pt3:16/3/53 Pt4:23/3/53
Pt5: 30/3/53 Pt6:6/4/53
All episodes repeated after five days.
3rd March 1953
19.30-20.00
The Adventures Of P.C. 49: The Case of the Blue Bootees by Alan Stranks (1903-1959)
The first of series 11 (the final series)
Produced by Vernon Harris.
PC49: Brian Reece (1913-1962)
Joan Carr: Joy Shelton
Remaining cast not listed.
The 1953 episodes were first broadcast on the Light on Thursdays and were repeated four days later, on the following Saturday on BBC Home.
[Alan Stranks wrote the lyrics for Britain's first Eurovision Song Festival entry...and other better known pop songs]
4th March 1953
20.00-21.30:
A Month In The Country(1855) by Ivan Turgenev (1818-1883),
Translated by Constance Garnett, Adapted by Cynthia Pughe
Produced by Mary Hope Allen
Narrator: Brian Hayes
Mihail Alexandrovitch Rakitin: Godfrey Keniton
Natalya Petrovna: Margaret Leighton
Anna Semyonovna Islayev: Elsa Palmer
Lizaveta Bogdanovna: Hester Paton Brown
Kolya: Christopher Langley
Alexey Nikolayevitch Beliayev: Nigel Stock
Matvey, a manservant: Brian Hayes
Dr Ignaty Ilyitch Shpigelsky: Ronald Simpson
Vera, Natala's ward: Peggy Bryan
Arkady Sergeyitch Islayev: Michael Shepley
Katya a maid: Mollie Maureen
Afanasy Ivanovitch- Bolshintsov: John Ruddoc
Repeated 9th March 1953
[First titled The Student, first published under the title "Two women", retitled 1872]
7th March 1953
21.15-22.00:
Dramatic Interlude: Dear Stephen by Stella Margetson (1912-1992)
Produced By: Harold Neden and Archie Campbell
Introduced By: Franklin Engelmann
A dramatic monologue given by Gladys Young
8th March 1953
19.30-20.30:
Radio Theatre: On A Chinese Screen (1922) by Somerset Maugham (1874-1965), adapted by Howard Agg(1908-1968)
Produced by Val Gielgud (1900-1981)
The Traveller: William Fox
Mr Webb: Hugh Manning
Mr Wingrove: Edward Lexy
Mrs Wingrove: Rosamund Greenwood
The Consul: Norman Claridge
Mrs Yu: Mary Wimbush
The Professor: Cyril Shaps
The Missionary Lady: Hester Paton Brown
The Host: Michael O'Halloran
The Philosopher: Allan Jeayes
The Mother Superior: Margaret Ward
Also with Virginia Winter
10th March 1953
19.30-20.00:
The Adventures Of P.C. 49: The Case of the Front-Page Story by Alan Stranks
Series 11, story 2.
Production by Vernon Harris
P C 49: Brian Reece
Joan his wife: Joy Shelton
Chief Inspector Wilson: Leslie Perrins
Detective Sergeant Wright: Eric Phillips
Sally Honeywell: Peggy Cameron
Morelli: Sebastian Cabot
Ginger Bullock: Harry Towb
Chuck Lucas: Bruce Beeby
Spinner Drew: Victor Maddern
Nellie: Elsa Palmer
Joe: Lance George
Waiter: John Ingram
Repeated on BBC Home on 14th March 1953.
11th March 1953
20.00-21.30:
The Road To Rome by Robert E. Sherwood adapted by Cynthia Pughe
Produced By: Hugh Stewart
Amytis: Geraldine McEwan
Hannibal: Anton Walbrook
Cart halo: Deryck Guyler
Mago: Geoffrey Keen
Maharbal: Hamilton Dyce
Hasdrubal: Gordon McLeod
Amytis: Geraldine McEwan
Fabia: Mary Hinton
Fabius Maximus: John Schlesinger
Scipio: David Geary
Sertorius: Michael Logan
Varius: Basil Jones
Meta: Sulwen Morgan
Sergeant: Geoffrey Bond
Corporal: Rupert Davies
Tanus: Max Miradin
Bala: Alan Reid
First Guardsman: Wyndham Milligan
Second Guardsman: Garard Green
Repeated 16th March 1953
[There was a 1950 production for BBC Home by Peter Watts]
[Produced by Archie Campbell in 1966, rptd 1973, for BBC Home]
17th March 1953
19.30-20.00:
The Adventures Of P.C. 49: The Case of the Imperfect Alibi by Alan Stranks
Series 11, story 3.
Production by Vernon Harris
P C 49: Brian Reece
Joan his wife: Joy Shelton
Chief Inspector Wilson: Leslie Perrins
Detective Sergeant Wright: Eric Phillips
Joe Kilshaw: Geoffrey Hibbert
Mrs Kilshaw: Gwen Day-Burroughs
Monty Cutts: Russell Napier
Harry Royal: Roger Snowdon
Max Spiller: Arnold Diamond
Phyllis Bray: Anna Turner
Sergeant Battle: Robert Vernon
Repeated on BBC Home on 21st March 1953.
18th March 1953
20.00-21.30:
Curtain Up!: Sweet Aloes (1935) by Jay Mallory (aka Joyce Carey 1898-1993), adapted by Cynthia Pughe
Produced by Hugh Stewart
Miss Esther Warren: Hester Paton Brown
Rose: Sulwen Morgan
Miss Dodd: Rosamund Greenwood
Linda: Diana Wynyard
Tubbs Barrow: Richard Hurndall
Lord Farriragton: Laidman Browne
Clara: Mavis Villiers
Jim Baker: Thomas Palmer
Johnson: Rupert Davies
Florence Cudahy: Joan Young
A maid: Margaret Ward
Rosamond: Ruth Dunning
Bob Melford: David Oxley
Repeated 23rd March 1953
[Filmed in 1936, the film is also known as "Give me your heart"]
24th March 1953
19.30-20.00:
The Adventures Of P.C. 49: The Case of the Final Curtain by Alan Stranks
Series 11, story 4.
Production by Vernon Harris
P C 49: Brian Reece
Joan his wife: Joy Shelton
Chief Inspector Wilson: Leslie Perrins
Detective Sergeant Wright: Eric Phillips
Warren Fernleigh: Lloyd Lamble
Gilbert Trench: Gordon Davies
Coroner: Arnold Bell
Dr Masters: Peter Bathurst
Ellen Jukes: Tita Dane
Mr Maddox: Ronald Sidney
Judge: Leslie Kyle
Repeated on BBC Home on 28th March 1953.
25th March 1953
20.00-21.30:
Curtain Up!: The Lodger (1913) by M. Belloc Lowndes (1868-1947) adapted by Felix Felton.
Produced by David H. Godfrey
Bunting: Charles Leno
Ellen, his second wife: Betty Hardy
Daisy, his daughter: Sarah Leigh
Joe Chandler: Hugh Manning
Mr Sleuth the lodger: Robert Farquharson
The Coroner: Allan Jeayes
Also with Aubrey Richards, Geoffrey Bond, Ernest Sefton, Richard Bebb, David Garth, Margaret Ward, Patricia Hilliard, Denis McCarthy, Kenneth Cleveland, Ian Sadler, Frank Tickle and John Serret
Repeated 30th March 1953, 22nd July 1953 and 27th July 1953
[There was a BBC Radio production by David Blount in 2003, with a major story change].
[First published in a shorter version in 1911. The story was the first known novelization based on Jack the Ripper and has been adapted for radio and film many times, including a 1926 Alfred Hitchcock silent film with a modified story.].
31st March 1953
19.30-20.00:
The Adventures Of P.C. 49: The Case of the Catchy Tune by Alan Stranks
Series 11, story 5.
Production by Vernon Harris
P C 49: Brian Reece
Joan his wife: Joy Shelton
Chief Inspector Wilson: Leslie Perrins
Detective Sergeant Wright: Eric Phillips
Shaver Gleeson: Sydney Tafler
Whitey Meredith: Alfle Bass
Sheelagh Borden: Elizabeth Kentish
Mr Blessington: Arthur Lowe
P C Cole: Peter Tuddenham
Mrs Clayton: Doreen Francis
Police Constable: Pat Connor
Repeated on BBC Home on 4th April 1953.
1st April 1953
20.00-21.30
Curtain Up! : Disputed Barricade (1952) by Henry Gibbs (1909-1975), adapted by Rex Rienits.
Produced by Cleland Finn.
John Anthrop: James McKechnie
Tom Hylow: Heron Carvic
Lex Anthrop: Michael O'Halloran
A barber: Stanley Groome
Mary: Gabrielle Blunt
Eve Periapt: Mary Wimbush
Simon Peters: Charles Maunsell
Max Periapt: Hamilton Dyce
Lily Field: Violet Loxley
Holding: Charles Richardson
Theo Mime: Donald Gray
Percy Wallust: Alan Reid
Mrs Periapt: Janet Burnell
Toddy: Dunean McIntyre
Charter: Derek Hart
Boy: Barry MacGregor
Young John: Jeremy Spenser
Also with Rosamund Greenwood, Geoffrey Bond, Virginia Winter
[Henry Gibbs also wrote as Simon Harvester]
6th April 1953
18.00-18.45:
April In Paris
Adapted from the film soundtrack by Gordon Gow
Produced by Thurstan Holland
with Doris Day, Ray Bolger and Claude Dauphin
7th April 1953
19.30-20.00:
The Adventures Of P.C. 49: The Case of the Wrong Murder by Alan Stranks
Series 11, story 6.
Production by Vernon Harris
P C 49: Brian Reece
Joan his wife: Joy Shelton
Chief Inspector Wilson: Leslie Perrins
Detective Sergeant Wright: Eric Phillips
Septimus Parrott: William Mervyn
Milton Charvey: Oliver Burt
Mark Helston: Martin Case
Sergeant Frost: Frank Foster
P.C. Dawson: Donovan Winter
Repeated on BBC Home on 11th April 1953.
8th April 1953
20.00-21.00
Paul Temple and Steve Again by Francis Durbridge (1912-1998)
Produced by Martyn C. Webster
Paul Temple: Kim Peacock
Steve: Marjorie Westbury
Sir Graham Forbes: Lester Mudditt
Detective Inspector Marlow: Ivan Samson
Reagan: Rolf Lefebvre
Dr Schumann: Anthony Jacobs
Katherine Davis: Mary Williams
Inspector Kendal: Norman Claridge
Dan White: Garard Green
Papa Bendix: Cyril Shaps
Miss Wilton: Susan Richmond
Daisy: Daphne Maddox
Mavis: Lisa Sibley
Sergeant Colford: Lee Fox
Charlie: James Beattie
Also with John Cazabon, Stanley Groome, Douglas Hayes, Arthur Lawrence, Susan Neil, Aubrey Richards, Margaret Ward
Repeated 13th April 1953
[The first Paul Temple radio serial was in 1938. The last new one broadcast in 1965. This was the 15th story for radio.]..
14th April 1953
19.30-20.00:
The Adventures Of P.C. 49: The Case of the Perfect Vacuum by Alan Stranks
Series 11, story 7.
Production by Vernon Harris
P C 49: Brian Reece
Joan his wife: Joy Shelton
Chief Inspector Wilson: Leslie Perrins
Detective Sergeant Wright: Eric Phillips
Skip Roper: George Cross
Splinter Gale: John Blythe
Boomer Kennedy: Russell Napier
Lord Lashwood: James Raglan
Hawkins: Arnold Bell
Sergeant Steele: Morris Sweden
Mrs. Billings: Doris Rogers
Repeated on BBC Home on 18th April 1953.
15th April 1953
20.30-22.00
Curtain Up!: Sir Walter Ralegh (1909) by William Devereux and Thorp Devereux, adapted by W. Thorp Devereux (1898-1979)
Produced by Hugh Stewart
Sir Walter Ralegh: David Farrar
Queen Elizabeth I: Phyllis Neilson-Terry
Don Bernadino de Mendoza: Carleton Hobbs
Elizabeth Throgmorton: Pamela Alan
John Ballard: Peter Augustine
John Savage: William Fox
Anthony Babington: Anthony Jacobs
Robert Barnwell: Michael O'Halloran
Francis Throgmorton: Brian Haines
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester: Garard Green
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex: Derek Hart
William Cecil, Lord Burghley: Allan Jeayes
Sir Francis Walsingham: Norman Claridge
Jeremiah Lightfoot: Arthur Lawrence
Jim Longbowe: Michael Collins
Anne Charnock: Virginia Winter
Sir Amyas Porter: Michael Logan
Barnabas Grubb: Frank Foster
Diego Alvarez: Norman Mitchell
Repeated 20th April 1953
[The National Portrait Gallery records that William Bull aka William Devereaux was married to Agnes Thorp, died in 1945, and had a son Wilfred born 1898. The name Devereux was a Norman name.]
21st April 1953
19.30-20.00:
The Adventures Of P.C. 49: The Case of the Red Hat by Alan Stranks
Series 11, story 8.
Production by Vernon Harris
P C 49: Brian Reece
Joan his wife: Joy Shelton
Chief Inspector Wilson: Leslie Perrins
Detective Sergeant Wright: Eric Phillips
Marty Matthews: John Bryning
Connie: Myrtle Reed
Micky: Michael Ripper
Jonah: Harry Towb
Madame Kathy: Doris Gilmore
George: Christopher Hodge
Clerk: Philip Bray
Repeated on BBC Home on 25th April 1953.
22nd April 1953
20.00-22.00
Curtain Up!:- Will Shakespeare (1921), an Invention by Clemence Dane (Winifred Ashton (1888-1965))
Music composed by Dr. Thomas Wood
Produced by David H. Godfrey
Will Shakespeare: Val Gielgud
Anne: Mary Wimbush
Mrs Hathaway: Eileen Thorndike
Henslowe: Leon Quartermaine
Queen Elizabeth: Nancy Price
Mary Fitton: Joyce Heron
Kit Marlowe: Alexander Davion
Repeated 27th April 1953
[Earlier radio productions - the year, the producer, and the actor playing Will Shakespeare:
1931 - Val Gielgud - Harman Grisewood
1934 - Val Gielgud- Emlyn Williams
1940 - Barbara Burnham - Robert Donat]
28th April 1953
19.30-20.00:
The Adventures Of P.C. 49: The Case of the Arresting Autograph by Alan Stranks
Series 11, story 9.
Production by Vernon Harris
P C 49: Brian Reece
Joan his wife: Joy Shelton
Chief Inspector Wilson: Leslie Perrins
Detective Sergeant Wright: Eric Phillips
Bart Moray: John Sherman
Janice Lorimer: Mary MacKenzie
Patsy Gamble: Charles Irwin
Jigger Loxton: John Harvey
Miggs: Gwen Day-Burroughs
George: Jack Howarth
Chrissie Johnson: Mela White
P C Morton: Pat Connor
Milkman: John Ingram
Repeated on BBC Home on 2nd May 1953
29th April 1953
20.30-22.00:
Curtain Up! : Treasure Island (1881) by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) adapted by John Keir Cross
Produced by Martyn C. Webster
Jim Hawkins (as a man): Deryck Guyler
Jim Hawkins (as a boy): Brian Smith
Blind Pew: Charles Leno
Billy Bones: Stanley Groome
Mrs Hawkins: Nan Marriott-Watson
Dr Livesey: Rolf Lefebvre
Squire Trelawney: Leon Quatermaine
Long John Silver: Laidman Browne
Israel Hands: Emrys Leyshon
Captain Smollett: William Fox
Ben Gunn: Bryan Powley
Also with Wyndham Milligan, Aubrey Richards, Garard Green, Michael Wynne, Geoffrey Bond, Ronald Sidney, Michael O'Halloran, Arthur Lawrence
Repeated 4th May 1953
[Derek McCulloch produced the play in 1944 for BBC Home with Malcolm Keen as Long John and again in 1946 with Stephen Jack as Long John]
[Cleland Finn produced the play in 1948, with Laidman Browne as Long John but with Bryan Powley as the squire.]
[There was a R4 production in 1984 with Timothy West as Long John.]
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5th May 1953
19.30-20.00:
The Adventures Of P.C. 49: The Case of the Incomplete Angler by Alan Stranks
Series 11, story 10
Production by Vernon Harris
P C 49: Brian Reece
Joan his wife: Joy Shelton
Chief Inspector Wilson: Leslie Perrins
Detective Sergeant Wright: Eric Phillips
Conrad Dunnitt: Michael Logan
Jacob Holly: Stephen Jack
Arthur Gaskin: Fred Yule
John Pater, Q C: Brian Haines
Harry: Sidney Vivian
Gummy: Max Briminell
Kilburn: Denis McCarthy
Repeated on BBC Home on 9th May 1953
6th May 1953
20.30-22.00
20.30
Curtain Up! : The Winslow Boy (1946) by Terence Rattigan (1911-1977)
Produced By: Peter Watts
Violet: Nora Nicholson
Ronnie Winslow: Colin Campbell
Grace Winslow: Elsa Palmer
Arthur Winslow: Cecil Trouncer
Catherine Winslow: Angela Baddeley
Dickie Winslow: David Enders
John Watherstone: Wyndham Milligan
Desmond Curry: Clive Morton
Miss Barnes: Susan Richards
Sir Robert Morton: Dennis Arundell
Repeated 11th May 1953
[Also produced by Peter Watts in 1947 with Frank Cellier as Arthur.]
[Also produced in 1965, rptd 1969, for BBC Home by Norman Wright with Lockwood West as Arthur]
[Also directed by Ian Cotterell in 1981, rptd 1986, for R4 with Michael Aldridge as Arthur]
[Radio 4 Extra used the 1981 version.]
[Based upon a 1908 court case, the play uses quotations from the court transcripts and Hansard but the characters and chronology are fictional.]
12th May 1953
19.30-20.00:
The Adventures Of P.C. 49: The Case of the Yellow Streak by Alan Stranks
Series 11, story 11
Production by Vernon Harris
P C 49: Brian Reece
Joan his wife: Joy Shelton
Chief Inspector Wilson: Leslie Perrins
Detective Sergeant Wright: Eric Phillips
Barry Cross: John Slater
Laura Shandon,: Freda Falconer
Jimmy Westbrook: Derek Blomfield
Weeper Dow: David Kossoff
Lex Bernard: John Gaibriel
Doc Tritton: Lockwood West
Miff Tanner: Victor Maddern,
Repeated on BBC Home on 16th May 1953
13th May 1953
20.30-22.00
Curtain Up! : A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens dramatised by Terence Rattigan and John Gielgud.
Produced By: Cleland Finn
Narrator: Keith Pyott
Jarvis Lorry: Frank Tickle
Jerry Cruncher: Alastair Duncan
Doctor Manette: Martin Lewis
Lucie Manette: Belle Chrystall
Miss Pross: Grace Allardyce
Mr Stryver: Wensley Pithey
Sydney Carton: Eric Portman
Charles Darnay: John Byron
John Barsad: John Carol
Ernest Defarge: Deryck Guyler
Madame Defarge: Vivienne Chatterton
Seamstress: Penelope Bartley
Also with Ivan Samson, Harry Hutchinson, John Turnbull, Andrew Churchman, David Kossoff, Bryan Powley, Ella Milne, Betty Baskcomb, Joan Hart, Denise Bryer, Grizelda Hervey, Gabrielle Blunt, Joan Matheson, Susan Richards
Repeated 18th May 1953
19th May 1953
19.30-20.00:
The Adventures Of P.C. 49: The Case of the Uninvited Guest by Alan Stranks
Series 11, story 12
Production by Vernon Harris
P C 49: Brian Reece
Joan his wife: Joy Shelton
Chief Inspector Wilson: Leslie Perrins
Detective Sergeant Wright: Eric Phillips
Sir Harman Forrest: Deryck Guyler
Mary Forrest: Molly Rankin
Sylvia Forrest: Peggy Batchelor
Michael Grimshaw: Geoffrey Adams
Gilbert Cadman: Geoffrey Hibbert
Eddie Kline: Charles Richardson
Carletti: Dino Galvani
Repeated on BBC Home on 23rd May 1953
20th May 1953
20.30-22.00::
Curtain Up! : The Way To The Stars based on the film script by Terence Rattigan and Anatole de Grunwald, adapted by Gilbert Thomas
World War Two, Royal Air Force.
Pianist: Arthur Dulay
Production by Ayton Whitaker
Narrator: Arthur Lawrence
News Reader: Frank Phillips
Peter Penrose: Derek Hart
David Archdale: Patrick Troughton
Miss Todd: Mary Wimbush
Johnny Hollis: Arthur Hill
Iris: Sulwen Morgan
Joe Frizelli: Jon Farrell
Miss Winterton: Nan Marriott-Watson
Tiny Williams: Hamilton Dyce
Mr Palmer: Eric Anderson
Nobby Clarke: Cyril Shaps
S/Ldr Carter: William Fox
Jones: Emrys Leyshon
Wally: Stuart Nichol
The Colonel: Nicholas Stuart
Also with Margot Shortman, John Cazabon, Douglas Hayes, Alan Reid, Stan Thomason, Michael J Cohlina
[There was a production by Hugh Stewart in 1946 for BBC Home]
[The film of this name is based upon a 1942 play by Rattigan titled "Flare Path"- Rattigan served in the RAF. A production of Flare Path was broadcast on BBC Home 10th April 1950 with another production on BBC Radio 3 on 5/6/2011 and 14/10/2012.]
25th May 1953
17.15-18.00:
Call Me Madam adapted from the film sound-track by Gordon Gow
Produced by Thurstan Holland
With Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Vera-Ellen, and George Sanders
26th May 1953
19.30-20.00:
The Adventures Of P.C. 49: The Case of the Swell Guy by Alan Stranks
Series 11, story 13
Production by Vernon Harris
P C 49: Brian Reece
Joan his wife: Joy Shelton
Chief Inspector Wilson: Leslie Perrins
Detective Sergeant Wright: Eric Phillips
Brad Wheeler: Sydney Tafler
Docker Hogan: Harry Towb
Blister Darby: Sidney Vivian
Jimmy Vincent: Ysanne Churchman
Ben Beasley: Arnold Diamond
Dr Stroud: Lockwood West
Police-Constable: Frederick Buckland
Repeated on BBC Home on 30th May 1953
31st May 1953
15.00-15.30:
Wild Geese Calling by Elizabeth Dawson (1913-????)
Produced by Archie Campbell
Ned: Lance Secretan
Grandad: Bryan Powler
Charlotte: Sarah Leigh
Tom: Geoffrey Lewis
Jack Slater: Geoffrey Bon4
[Also produced by Robin Midgly for BBC Home 27/1/57 rptd 16/4/57 with Kenneth Collins as Ned]
1st June 1953
16.30-17.55:
Monday Matinee: Glad Tidings by R. F. Delderfield (1912-1972), adapted by Helena Wood
Produced by Archie Campbell
Colonel Forster: Richard Williams
Miggs: Sulwen Morgan
Celia: Olive Gregg
Joe: Jill Bennett
Derek: Michael Plant
Kay Stewart: Joyce Barbour
Flight-Lieutenant Cusack: Ian Lubbock
Nicholas Brayne: Leslie Phillips
Mallow: Franklyn Bellamy
Repeated from BBC Home 23rd February 1952
2nd June 1953- Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
3rd June 1953:
20.00-20.45:
Curtain Up!: Happy and Glorious by Laurence Housman (1865-1959)
Production: Hugh Stewart
Queen Victoria: Audrey Mendes
Prince Albert: Arthur Lawrence
Prince Ernest: John Cazabon
Lord Conyngham: Norman Claridge
Archbishop of Canterbury: Allan Jeayes
The Duchess of Kent: Eileen Thorndike
Lady Jane: Elizabeth London
The Duchess: Hester Paton Brown
His Royal Highness: Rupert Davies
A Princess: Mary Williams
A Maid: Margaret Ward
Narrator: Brian Hayes
Repeated 8th June 1953
[Also produced in 1981 for R4 by Glyn Dearman with Joanna David as Victoria]
[There were two plays on BBC Home in 1951-1959 using bits of several Housman plays, sometimes headlined as "Happy and Glorious" as a collective title- adaptations by John Watt, and by Antony Brown and Mollie Greenhalgh]
[Radio 4 extra used the 1981 production with Joanna David= 2019]
8th June 1953
20.30-21.00:
Dead Silence by Simon Rattray adapted by Elleston Trevor (1920-1995) (NB- both the same person).
Falling from a moving train. [much easier in 1953]
Episode 1 of 8 - Death Takes a Train
Production by Cleland Finn
Police Sergeant: Geoffrey Bond
Gerry: Noel Hood
Hugo Bishop: Robert Eddison
Det Insp Frisnay: Raf de la Torre
Mrs Scobie: Ann Codrington
Signalman: Alan Reid
Sir Bernard Gregg: Ivan Samson
Mrs Cobb: Dorothy Grimston
Dr Taplow: Geoffrey Wincott
Joanna Gregg: Monica Grey
Jackson: Stanley Beard
Additional actors in later parts:
Arthur Ridley, Cecil Brock, Charles Leno, Charles Maunsell, Cyril Wentzel, Daphne Maddox, Derek Waring, James E Thompson, Mary Wimbush, Michael O'Halloran, Nancy Nevinson, Richard Waring, Stan Thomason, Terence Soall, William Abney
Ep2:15/6/53 Ep3:22/6/53 Ep4:29/6/53 Ep5:6/7/53 Ep6:13/7/53 Ep7:20/7/53 Ep8:27/7/53
[The book which originated this tale was published after the broadcast, and reissued as "Pawn in Jeopardy" by "Adam Hall". There were six books with the character Hugo Bishop.]
[The author's "real" original name was Trevor Dudley-Smith. As Adam Hall he wrote stories about Quiller published from 1965-1996. He also used several other names including Howard North, Roger Fitzalan, Mansell Black, Trevor Burgess, Warwick Scott, Caesar Smith and Lesley Stone.]
10th June 1953
20.30-22.00
An Inspector Calls by J B Priestley Adapted by Cynthia Pughe
Who was responsible for the death?
Produced by Donald McWhinnie
Arthur Birling: Frank Pettingell
Sybil Birling: Gladys Young
Sheila Birling: Angela Baddeley
Eric Birling: David Enders
Gerald Croft: Alastair Duncan
Edna: Dorothy Smith
Inspector Goole: Richard Williams
Repeated 15th June 1953
[Also produced in a 30 minute form by Sunday Wilshin for BBC Home in 1963]
[Also produced in 1979 rptd 1990 for R4 by Alfred Bradley with Ronald Baddiley as Arthur]
17th June 1953
20.30-22.00:
Curtain Up! : Housemaster(1936) by Ian Hay (John Hay Beith 1876-1952) adapted by Peggy Wells
Produced by Martyn C. Webster
The Rev Edmund Ovington: Malcolm Hayes
Charles Donkin: Jack Hulbert
Victor Beamish: Hamilton Dyce
Frank Hastings: Stanley Groome
Philip de Pourville: Desmond Carrington
Bimbo: Jeremy Spenser
Old Crump: James E Thompson
Pop: David Spenser
Travers: Archie Angus
Flossie Nightingale: Michael Holt
Barbara Fane: Gladys Spencer
Rosemary: Marjorie Westbury
Chris: Ursula Hirst
Button: Beryl Calder
Sir Berkeley Nightingale: Martin Lewis
Matron: Susan Richards
Ellen: Dorothy Smith
First broadcast on BBC Home 7th April 1951, repeated 7th July 1952
Repeated 22nd June 1953.
[Also produced in 1945 by Hugh Stewart for BBC Home]
[Ian Hay had worked as a schoolmaster and the play may be modelled on life (1902-1906) at Durham School]
19th June 1953
21.30-22.00:
Thirty-Minute Theatre: Ring In The New by Moultrie Kelsall (1904-1980)
Production by Norman Wright
Vicar's wife: Hester Paton Brown
Vicar: Neil Tuson
Mr Rollo: Rolf Lefebvre
Colonel Ramshorne: Allan Jeayes
Doctor: Douglas Hayes
Verger: Eric Anderson
Silas: Brian Haines
William: Lawrence Baskcomb
Barmaid: Virginia Winter
Albert: Dafydd Havard
Slocombe: Aubrey Richards
26th June 1953
21.15-22.00:
The Beggar's Opera (1728) by John Gay (1685-1732) with additional dialogue and lyrics by Christopher Fry
Music arranged and composed by Arthur Bliss
Adapted from the film soundtack by Gordon Gow
Produced by Thurstan Holland
Captain MacHeath: Laurence Olivier
Polly Peachum: Dorothy Tutin
Peachum: George Devine
Mrs Peachum: Mary Clare
Mrs Trapes: Athene Seyler
Lockit: Stanley Holloway
Lucy Lockit: Daphne Anderson
Jenny Diver: Yvonne Furneaux
The Beggar: Hugh Griffith
[The film opened in London on 9th June 1953 with general release on 5th October 1953. The film also credited Dennis Cannan as a writer]
29th June 1953
16.30-18.00:
Monday Matinee: Libel (1934) by Edward Wooll (1878-1970), adapted by Mollie Greenhalgh
Produced by Raymond Raikes
Spring 1927: The Defendants: The Daily Gazette
You, the listeners, form the Jury
Note: This trial of an action for Liberty is founded on a combination of facts, though the characters are entirely fictitious
Sir Arthur Tuttington- Judge: Harcourt Williams
Sir Mark Loddon, Bart, MP: James McKechnie
Sir Wilfred Kelling, K C , MP: Norman Shelley
Thomas Foxley, K C: Donald Wolfit
William Bale: David Peel
George Hemsby: Donald Gray
Lady Loddon (Enid): Catherine Salkeld
Patrick Buckenham: Jon Farrell
Dr Emile Flordon: Austin Trevor
The Associate: Hamilton Dyce
[There were two productions by Raymond Raikes in 1964 with the setting reset to 1930:
March and April 1964 for BBC Radio Three and BBC TV (simultaneous)- an early Stereo drama- with James McKechnie as Sir Mark, Hamlyn Benson as Sir Wilfrid and Stephen Thorne as William Bale. This production repeated on R4 in 1971.
September 1964 for BBC Home, with Patrick Barr as Sir Mark, Hamlyn Benson as Sir Wilfrid, and Bruce Beeby as William Bale -this production repeated BBC Home in 1966]
[The author Wooll was a Kings Counsel, leader of the Northern Circuit. The play was originally presented using a pseudonym "Ward Dorane".]
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1st July 1953
21.00-22.00:
Curtain Up! : The Flower In The Rock by Joseph Schull, adapted by Cynthia Pughe
Repeated from 8th February 1953- please see above.
8th July 1953
20.30-22.00:
By Popular Request : The Happiest Days Of Your Life, adapted by Giles Cooper
Produced by Ayton Whitaker
Dick Tassell: Derek Hart
Rainbow: Nicholas Parsons
Rupert Billings: William Fox
Godfrey Pond: Cecil Trouncer
Evelyn Whitchurch: Winifred Oughton
Miss Gossage: Rosamund Greenwood
Hopcroft Mi: Colin Campbell
Barbara Cahoun: Joy Adamson
Joyce Harper: Virginia Winter
The Rev E Peck: Arthur Ridley
Mrs Peck: Gladys Spencer
Edgar Sowter: Arthur Seaton
Mrs Sowter: Susan Richards
Previously broadcast on BBC Home on 5th and 10th July 1952.
Repeated 13th July 1953
[Also produced by Joe Burroughs in 1965 for BBC Home]
[Also produced by Ian Cotterell in 1979, repeated 1991, for R4, with Fred Bryant as Rainbow]
15th July 1953
20.30-22.00:
Curtain Up! :-Morning Departure by Kenneth Woollard
The Submarine Service.
Produced by James Crampsey
Lt Cmdr Stanford, D S O , R N (Captain of S.14): James McKechnie
Lieut Manson: David Peel
Lieut Oakley: Harry Hutchinson
Lieut McFee: Duncan McIntyre
Petty Officer Barlow: Donald Gray
Leading Seaman Hillbrook: Kenneth MacKintosh
Stoker Marks: Ronald Sidney
Stoker Snipe: Charles Mason
Able Seaman Higgins: Charles Leno
Commander Gates, R N: Alan Wheatley
Commander Whateley: Alec Ross
Captain Fenton: Eric Anderson
Captain Marshall: Ivan Samson
Brackley: Basil Gray
Day telephone operator: Denise Bryer
Night telephone operator: Ella Milne
Repeated 20th July 1953
[Also produced in 1949 by James Crampsey for BBC Home, with Derek Walker as Manson and David Enders as Hillbrook, repeated 1949 on BBC Light]
[Also produced in 1959 by Audrey Cameron for BBC Home]
19th July 1953
16.30-17.00:
Welcome To Welkham by Larry Stephens (1923-1959)
An episode in the life of the inhabitants of Welkham Bay
Production by Peter Eton
Councillor Reece: Brian Reece
Mr Pemble: Wallas Baton
Mr Tripfield: Arthur Ridley
George Madkin (a publican): Sidney Vivian
Mr Quince: Graham Stark
Lemon: Anthony Green
Miss Desiree Bogman: Dorothy Summers
Helen Locke: Genine Graham
[This short play originated as a vehicle for Tony Hancock (for whom Stephens then wrote) to be called "Vacant Lot". "Vacant Lot" was finally performed in 2017 after the script was found in 2015.]
[In 1953 Hancock led the radio show "Star Bill" with some shows written by Larry Stephens and Eric Sykes- later in the year by Galton and Simpson. Graham Stark appeared regularly in those shows.]
Then followed a Summer break with no drama.
10th August 1953
17.00-18.00:
Monday Matinee: He Who Laughs Last, adapted by H. Oldfield Box from Gerald Kersh (1912-1968) story "Fairy Gold" (1949)
Produced by Hugh Stewart
Narrator: Hugh Falkus
Trew: Jonathan Field
Middleton: Hugh Burden
Louie: Margaret Barton
Mr Mawson: Austin Trevor
Mrs Gibson: Elsa Palmer
Jack Duck: Frank Atkinson
Norah Duck: Elma Verity
Joe Jakes: Allan Jeayes
Clerk: Patrick Troughton
Mr Pismire: Tony Quinn
Also with Hugh Manning, Frank Tickle, Michael O'Halloran, Margaret Ward, Mary Williams and Norman Mitchell
Repeated from 12th October 1952
[Also produced by Audrey Cameron in 1962 with Hugh Burden as Middleton, but David March as Trew]
10th August 1953
20.30-21.00
Artists in Crime by Ngaio Marsh (1895-1982) dramatized by Giles Cooper.
Produced by Martyn C Webster.
Part 1 of 5.
No cast list for part 1.
Total cast for parts 2-5:
Agatha Troy: Avice Landone
Bobbie O'Dawne: Mavis Villiers
Captain Pascoe: Michael O'Halloran
Cedric Malmsley: Richard Waring
Dr Curtis: Lee Fox
Fred: Wyndham Milligan
Inspector Fox: Charles Leno
Katti Bostock: Valerie White
Lady Alleyn: Gladys Spencer
Narrator/ Sergeant Bailey: Emrys Leyshon
Nigel Bathgate: Peter Wyngarde
Phillida Lee: Denise Bryer
Police Constable Sligo: Raymond Mason
Ted: Frank Tickle
The Constable: Garard Green
The Horn Basil Pilgrim: Guy Verney
Valmai Seacliff: Mary Wimbush
Watt Hatchett: John Cazabon
Chief Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn: Richard Hurndall
Also with Alan Reid, Cyril Shaps, Tony Quinn
Pt2: 17/8/53 pt3:24/8/53 pt4:31/8/53 Pt5:7/9/53
[Also produced in 1963 by John Tydeman for BBC Home]
17th August 1953
17.00-18.00:
Monday Matinee: I Passed By Your Window by Rachel Grieve
Produced by Ayton Whitaker
Addie Turnbull: Margaret Ward
Philip May: Hugh Manning
Lilian Harvey: Nan Marriott-Watson
Margaret Harvey: Audrey Mendes
Walter Turnbull: Allan Jeayes
Police Sergeant: Geoffrey Bond
Sergeant Evans: Aubrey Richards
Detective-Inspector Howard: Garard Green
Repeated from 30th November 1952
[The title is from a poem by Helen Taylor, which was set to music by Brahe and well known in the early 50s.]
24th August 1953
17.00-18.00:
Monday Matinee: Out Of The Frying Pan by Arthur Goring
Produced by Wilfrid Grantham
Susan Demont: Thelma Hughes
Robin Collingwell: Derek Hart
Minella Collingwell: Patricia Hilliard
Lady Collingwell: Nan Marriott-Watson
Inigo Quin: Antony Kearey
Repeated from 2nd November 1952
31st August 1953
17.00-18.00:
Monday Matinee: Hear No Evil by Rex Rienits, adapted from the novel The Happy Prisoner by Lorna Rea
Repeated from 25th January 1953- please see above.
31st August 1953
18.15-18.45:
The Sword And The Rose by Gordon Gow, adapted from scenes and music from the film.
1 of 5: 'La Volta'
Produced by Thurstan Holland
Charles Brandon: Richard Todd
Mary Tudor: Glynis Johns
Henry VIII: James Robertson Justice
Sir Edwin Caskoden: Peter Copley
Lady Margaret Bolingbroke: Jane Barrett
The Duke of Buckingham: Michael Gough
Queen Catherine: Rosalie Crutchley
Additional actors in later parts:
de Longueville, the French Ambassador:Fernand Fabre(2)
Cardinal Wolsey: D A Clarke-Smith (2)
Captain Brad'hurst of the Royal Hind: Caven Watson(3)
Louis XII of France: Jean MacUre(4)
Francis, the Dauphin: Gerard Oury(4)
Royal Physician: Robert Le Beal(4)
Duprat, the French Chancellor: Gaston Richer(5)
Pt2:1/9/53 Pt3:2/9/53 Pt4:3/9/53 Pt5:4/9/53
Series repeated daily commencing 12/10/53
[UK film release date was 3rd September 1953. The film ran for 92 minutes and the script was credited to Lawrence Watkin, and the novel by Charles Major: "When knighthood was in flower".]
7th September 1953
17.00-18.00:
Monday Matinee: The Girl In The Dark by A. A. Kennington
Produced by William Hughes
Dilys: Rosamund Greenwood
The Girl: Virginia Winter
Mrs Westoby: Nan Marriott-Watson
Larry Tremaine: Patrick Troughton
Inspector Simonds: Tony Quinn
Jet: Thelma Hughes
Colonel Ranger: Allan Jeayes
Doctor Meredith Ranger: John Cazabon
Repeated from 19th October 1952
[The title has been widely used for other unrelated plays and books]
14th September 1953
17.00-18.00:
Monday Matinee: In The Shadow Of The Cathedral by Guy Rawlence and Denis Constanduros based on the novel "The Passing Day"(1951) by Guy Rawlence
Produced by William Hughes
Mrs Payne: Nan Marriott-Watson
Brenda Payne: Ysanne Churchman
Canon Armitage: Ernest Jay
Mrs Armitage: Thea Wells
Mabel Armitage: Mary Williams
Bert Wheeler: Hamilton Dyce
Amy Wheeler: Hester Paton Brown
Harry Thornlon: Geoffrey Bayddon
Gertrude Gable: Barbara Leake
Tom Gable: Patrick Troughton
Florrie Main: Audrey Mendes
Brigadier Eardley: Richard Williams
Lt Martin Eardley,: R N Derek Hart
Mrs Eardley: Georgie Henechel
Mr Bolden: Frank Tickle
Dr Webb: Hugh Manning
The Narrator: Robert Harris
Repeated from 23rd November 1952
27th September 1953
17.00-18.00:
Radio Theatre: The Spectacle by Rayne Kruger (1922-2002) adapted by Rex Rienits
Produced by David H. Godfrey
Warren Payne: Richard Johnson
Mr Booker: Frank Tickle
Grant ??thly: Hamilton Dyce
Nadia Fenn: Sarah Leigh
Major Roll: J Hubert Leslie
Police Inspector: Owen Fellows
Mr Cheevers: Reginald Hearne
Mr Stepping: Alan Reid
Mr Plyerleigh: Peter Garstin
Sir Webb Stamtool, QC: Bryan Powley
Usher: Middleton Woods
Mr Ladlow, QC: Arthur Ridley
Judge: John Turnbull
Taxi Driver: Geoffrey Bond
Mrs Booker: Nan Marriott-Watson
28th September 1953
21.00-21.30
Sincerity (1912) by Warwick Deeping (1877-1950) adapted by Betty Stafford Robinson.
1 of 5
Newcomers to the village - and pollution.
No program details given for episode one. The details below are taken from the listings for episodes 2-5.
Produced by Ayton Whitaker
General Brandon: Donald Bisset
Mrs Threadgold Hester: Paton Brown
Mrs Brandon: Antoinette Cellier
Ragg: Rupert Davies
Aubrey Brandon: Glyn Dearman
John Wolfe: Roger Delgado
Sir George Griggs: William Fox
Jasper Turrell: Richard George
Jess Mascall: Olive Gregg
The Rev Robert Flemming: John Nugent Hayward
Hector Turrell: Arthur Lawrence
Dr Montague Threadgold: Edward Lexy
Whitehead: Wyndham Milligan
Mrs Mascall: Elsa Palmer
Sam Perkins: Roy Pugh
Josiah Crabbe: Arthur Ridley
Adam Grinch: Ian Sadler
Boxall: Cyril Shaps
Mrs Loosely: Eileen Thorndike
Crump: Harry Lockwood West
Also with Sulwen Morgan, Nan Marriott-Watson, Rupert Davies, Audrey Mendes, and Douglas Hayes.
Ep2:5/10/53 Ep3:12/10/53 Ep4:19/10/53 Ep5:26/10/53
Serial repeated commencing 29/7/85
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4th October 1953
17.00:
Radio Theatre: The Disagreeable Man by C E Webber (1909-1969), based upon a portion of the novel 'Ways and Means' by Henry Cecil (1902-1976)).
Produced by Martyn C. Webster
Basil Meridew: Malcolm Graeme
Nicholas Drewe: Derek Hart
The Rev Maitland Temperley: James Thomason
Mrs Temperley: Sarah Leigh
Major-General Sir Bragge Purbrick: Hamilton Dyce
Isabel Stroud: Isabel Dean
His Honour Judge Strachan: Allan Jeayes
Dr Sainsbury: Alan Reid
The old man: Kenneth Connor
Mrs Thwaites: Sophie Ellis
Mr Buckram: Tony Quinn
Mrs Gaspard: Courtney Hope
Set Larch: Richard Waring
Adam Twigg QC: Geoffrey Wincott
Repeated 25th July 1954, 18th March 1956
[Also produced for BBC Home in 1960, rptd 1961, by Archie Campbell with Valentine Dyall as Basil]
[Martyn C Webster also produced the play again in 1967 (Light and Home) with Norman Shelley as Basil, repeated 1972 on R4]
7th October 1953
20.30-22.00
Curtain Up! : The Witness Of Canon Welcome (1950) by Ernest Raymond (1888-1974), adapted by Charles Hatton
Produced by David H. Godfrey
Amy Welcome: Nan Marriott-Watson
Canon Humbert Welcome: Robert Harris
Doctor Bettersby: Arthur Ridley
The Rev Timothy Clay: John Forrest
Maid: Maureen Armstrong
The Rev Peter Baynes: Sidney Monckton
Inspector Timmins: Rupert Davies
Ricky Carman: Ian Sadler
Mr Haines, Q C: Frank Tickle
Judge: Arthur Lawrence
Mr Mitchison, Q C: Preston Lockwood
Mrs Carman: Patience Collier
Phil Janey: Myrtle Reed
Fred Lanark: Douglas Hayes
Len Farrow: Alan Reid
Mrs Anscombe: Hester Paton Brown
Detective-Sergeant Wayne: T. St. John Barry
Ned Horby: Roger Snowdon
Police Sergeant: Richard Waring
P C Ramsay: Arthur Lawrence
Sergeant Trapnell: Brian Hayes
Lilian Eadie: Catherine Salkeld
Repeated 12th October 1953
11th October 1953
17.00-18.00:
Radio Theatre: The Burning Secret (1913) by Stefan Zweig (1881-1942) adapted by Alan Jenkins
Austria, 1911. A boy and his mother.
Production by Frederick Bradnum
Anton, the receptionist: James Thomason
Otto, Baron von Sternifeldt: Noel Johnson
A waiter: Douglas Hayes
Edgar Blumenthal: Ian Hindle
Liesl Blumenthal, his mother: Monica Grey
A maid: Mary Williams
Booking Clerk: David Garth
Max Blumenthal: Peter Bathurst
The Pianist: Josephine Lee
The Violinist: David Wolfsthal
[Original title: Brennendes Geheimnis ]
14th October 1953
20.30-22.00
Curtain Up!: Front Page Lead by Rex Rienits (1909-1971)
Produced by Wilfrid Grantham
Celia: Joyce Wren
Bert: Alan Tilvern
Robert Frayne: Valentine Dyall
Warren: T St John Barry
Alice: Sulwen Morgan
Johnny Waring: Frank Duncan
Inspector Nelson: Tony Quinn
Sergeant Howard: William Fox
Police Doctor: Howard Fairclough
Laura Frayne: Monica Grey
Miss Yorke: Hester Paton Brown
Porter: Ronald Sidney
Photographer: Ian Sadler
Receptionist: Victor Platt
Repeated 19th October 1954
[Australian broadcast 8th May 1954- no production information]
18th October 1953
17.00-18.00:
Radio Theatre: One Green Bottle by Elleston Trevor (1920-1995)
Production by Norman Wright
Fairbrother: John Wyse
Brocktey: Ian Sadler
Joan: Virginia Winter
Coster: Eric Anderson
Mrs Strickland: Grizelda Hervey
Superintendent Browning: Hamilton Dyce
Crispin: Godfrey Kenton
Banks: Garard Green
Miss Gray: Elizabeth Gray
Tucker: Aubrey Richards
Smith: Ronald Sidney
[Unrelated to other radio programs using this title]
[The author used many other names- Simon Rattray, Howard North, Roger Fitzalan, Mansell Black, Trevor Dudley-Smith, Trevor Burgess, Warwick Scott, Caesar Smith and Lesley Stone]
21st October 1953
20.30-22.00:
Curtain Up! : Tea With The Willises by Aubrey Dexter (1898-1958)
Pianist: Cecily Hoye
Production by Ayton Whitaker
Dr Herbert Froise: Eric Anderson
Chinese boy: Aleksander Browne
Walter Willis: Hamilton Dyce
Harriet Willis: Marjorie Westbury
Richard Cutty: Richard Pearson
Repeated 26th October 1953
25th October 1953
17.00-18.00:
Radio Theatre: The Journey Of Simon McKeever (1949) by Albert Maltz (1908-1985). Dramatised by Rex Rienits
A few days in the life of a 73-year-old arthritic in a rest home.
Produced by Hugh Stewart
Narrator: Warren Stanhope
Sarah: Bessie Love
Simon McKeever: MacDonald Parke
Mrs Lees: Natalie Lynn
Tom Finney: George Margo
Ada Finney: Virginia Winter
Jop Peake: Sydney Keith
Stan Pavlovsky: Bernard Rebel
Percy Fuller: Launce Maraschal
Chuck: Richard Waring
The Mexican: Dick Vosburgh
George: Dermot Palmer
Harold Malone: Neil McCallum
Mr Cochran: John Cazabon
Mrs Cochran: Nancy Nevinson
Dr Amelia Balzer: Joan Young
Also with: Ian Sadler, Mary Wimbush, Michael O'Halloran, Eileen Thorndike, Tony Quinn, and Cyril Shapps
[Maltz was blacklisted by the US Anti-Communist movement and was fined in 1950, not to be openly involved with a film then until 1970.]
1st November 1953
17.00-18.00:
Radio Theatre: The Most Of Her Chances by William Templeton (1913-1973)
Produced by Ayton Whitaker
Roger: Brian Hayes
Diana Baines: Sulwen Morgan
George Baines: Allan Jeayes
Harriet Bainea: Gladys Spencer
Literary Editor: Arthur Lawrence
Mrs Hunt: Eileen Thorndike
Mr Tilt: James Thomason
Julie Sanderson: Gwenda Wilson
Maisie: Janet Burnell
Peter Farleigh: Peter Newell
Charlie Michael: Charles Hodgson
Amanda: Bettina Dickson
Voltante: Heron Carvic
Police Inspector: William Fox
Shenstone: Malcolm Hayes
28th October 1953:
20.45-22.00:
Curtain Up! :The Steeper Cliff (1947) by David Davidson adapted by C. E. Webber
Produced by Frederick Bradnum
Captain Jones, U.S. Army: Michael O'Halloran
Lieutenant Cooper, U.S Army: Anthony Jacobs
Sergeant Fortuno, U.S Army: Gaylord Cavallero
Doctor Steeber: David Hurst
Major Groll, U S Army: John Slater
Lorenz, Senior: Cyril Shaps
The boy Lorenz: Virginia Winder
Brigitte Lorenz: Dilye Hamlett
Karl Schwimmer: Michael Hitchman
French Commandant: Paul Whitsun-Jones
Hans Ulrlch: James Dale
Military Police Captain: Bruce Beeby
Military Policeman: Dick Vosburgh
Adam Lorenz: Hugh David
Repeated 2nd November 1953
4th November 1953
20.30-22.00:
Curtain Up! : Queen In Danger by Simon Rattray, adapted by Elleston Trevor
Production by Norman Wright
Hugo Bishop: Robert Eddison
Gorry: Noel Hood
Maurice Jerrold: Godfrey Kenton
Thelma: Mary Wimbush
Marjorie: Monica Grey
Victor Tasman: Ian Lubbock
Detective Inspector Frisnay: Wensley Pithey
Mervyn Speight: Brian Haines
Rex Willison: Arthur Lawrence
A woman: Eileen Thorndike
Mrs Martin: Elizabeth Gray
A dealer: Brian Hayes
Repeated 9th November 1953 and 27th February 1956
8th November 1953
17.00-18.00:
Radio Theatre: The Sea Shall Not Have Them
No production details are available online.
A 1954 film with this title was credited to a 1953 book by John Harris (1916-1991)
11th November 1953
20.30-22.00
The Letter by W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) adapted by Raymond Raikes
1920s Singapore and Malaya. The life of a plantation manager.
Produced by Raymond Raikes
A Quiet Voice: T St John Barry
Leslie: Googie Withers
Geoffrey Hammond: John Witty
Chinese Boy: Enkuo Liu
Malay Servant: Yunus Maris
The Head Boy: Noel Iliff
John Withers: David Peel
Robert Crosbie, Leslie's husband: James McKechnie
Howard Joyce, a lawyer: Carleton Hobbs
Ong Chi Seng, his Cantonese clerk: Malcolm Hayes
Mrs Parker, a prison matron: Rosamund Greenwood
Chung Hi: Norman Shelley
A Chinese woman: Annie Chang
Mrs Joyce: Ella Milne
Repeated 16th November 1953
[Another Raymond Raikes production with a differing cast in 1964, repeated 1966, with Stephen Murray as Robert and Carletton Hobbs as Howard, Andrew Sachs as Ong Chi Seng.]
[Googie Withers was in both Raikes productions]
15th November 1953
17.00-18.00:
Radio Theatre : Dolores - A Star Goes West by Harry Shepherd
Produced by Charles Lefeaux
Joe Carter: George Margo
Joe's partner: Godfrey Kenton
Dolly Conklin: Dora Bryan
Sam Wantage: John Bushelle
Thaddeus Grand: MacDonald Parke
Ricardo Manti: John Glen
Also with Betty Baskeomb, Jon Farrell, Catherine Fleming, Monica Grey, Clement Hamelin, Malcolm Hayes, Alan. Keith, Arthur Lawrence, Elizabeth London, John Mann,
Trevor Martin, Michael O'Halloran, Bernard Rebel, Alan Reid, Eileen Thorndike, T.D. Tsien, Mavis Villiers, Richard Waring and Mary Wimbush
18th November 1953
20.45-22.00:
The Stars in Their Choices: The Rose Without A Thorn (1933) by Clifford Bax (1886-1962)
Harpsichordist: Winifred Davey
Producer: Archie Campbell
Narrator: Cyril Luckham
Katherine Titney, a lady-in-waiting: Catherine Campbell
Katheryn Howard: Pamela Kellino
Francis Derham, a courtier: Alexander Davion
Margery Morton, another lady-in-waiting: Elizabeth Gray
Anne of Cleves: Audrey Mendes
Thomas Culpeper, a friend of the King: Kenneth Fortescue
Manservant: Norman Mitchell
Henry VIII: James Mason
Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury: Cyril Luckham
John La ssells, a butler: Robert Urquhart
Earl of Hertford: Donald Gray
Sir Thomas Audley, Lord Chancellor: Rolf Lefebvre
Mary Laseells, lady-in-waiting to Anne: Olive Gregg
Repeated 23rd November 1953
[There was a 1950 production by Norman Wright on both Light and Home with Basil Sydney as Henry VIII]
22nd November 1953
17.00-18.00:
Radio Theatre: Triple Crown by Alan Kennington (1906-1986)
The crooked world of horse racing.
Produced by David H. Godfrey
Gil Ranger: Peter Goss
Steve Orton: Arthur Lawrence
Joyce Ranger: Thelma Hughes
Jenny Ranger: Mollie Maureen
Andrews: Edward Lexy
Mr Vincent: Mischa de la Motte
Lord Faber: Ivan Samson
Saunders: Reginald Thorne
Stern: Alan Keith
Commentators: Neil Tuson and Alan Redd
25th November 1953
20.45-22.00
The Stars in Their Choices: Anna Christie (1921) by Eugene O'Neill (1888-1953), Adapted by Muriel Pratt
Produced by Norman Wright
First Longshoreman: Erroll MacKinnon
Second Longshoreman: Alan Tilvern
Johnny: Jon Farrell
Postman: Nigel Sharpe
Chris Christopherson: Cyril Shaps
Marthy: Nan Marriott Watson
Anna Christie: Joan Miller
Mat Burke: Harry Towb
Repeated 30th November 1953
29th November 1953
17.00-18.00:
Radio Theatre: Passport To Yesterday by Enid Hollins
She has lost her memory.
Produced by Hugh Stewart
The Girl: Rachel Gurney
The Man: Raymond Young
Veronica: Violet Loxley
Ruth: Catherine Salkeld
Madame Renaud: Joan Clement Scott
Hotel Manager: John Cazabon
Also with Catherine Fleming, Sulwen Morgan, Hester Paton Brown, and Alan Reid
Repeated 5th September 1954
[Also produced by Archie Campbell in 1960 for BBC Home with Wendy Craig as the girl]
2nd December 1953
20.30-22.00
Hanging Judge - play by Raymond Massey (1896-1983) based on a novel by Bruce Hamilton (1900-1974) adapted by John Richmond
A murder mystery.
Produced by the late Cleland Finn (1914-1953)
Sir Francis Brittain: Boris Karloff
Sir George Sidney MP: Hugh Manning
Keith Nottingham: Duncan McIntyre
Miles Lamprey: Howieson Culff
Sir Ronald Pond: Robert Webber
Colonel George Archer: Richard Williams
Major the Rt Hon Gilbert West: Norman Claridge
John Teal: T St John Barry
Mary Reddish: Gabrielle Blunt
Roberts: Richard Hutton
Also with Geoffrey Bond, John Cazabon, Brian Hayes, Peter Hoar, Arthur Lawrence, Stanley MacKenzie and Tony Quinn
Repeated 7th December 1953
[Also broadcast on R4X 2019, 2021]
[Book: Let him have judgement (1948) ]
[Raymond Massey starred in the 1958 ITV film, also in the stage production and also in a US TV production of the play...]
6th December 1953
17.00-17.50:
Radio Theatre: The Dentist On The Dyke by Julian Orde (1917-1974)
Incidental music composed by James Bernard and played by George Malcolm
Produced by Martyn C. Webster
Mr Lott: Ernest Jay
Mrs Dehoot: Betty Hardy
Mr Tozer: James Thomason
Mr Alfredo: John Cazabon
Mr Banks: Trevor Martin
Mrs Peel: Elizabeth Maude
Waitress: Sulwen Morgan
9th December 1953
20.30-22.00
The Stars in Their Choices: Three plays from "Tonight At 8.30" by Noel Coward, adapted by Cynthia Pughe.
Produced by Archie Campbell.
20.30-20.58: Ways and Means
20.58-21.43: The Astonished Heart
21.43-22.00: Red Peppers ("An interlude with music" with a section of the BBC Revue Orchestra, conducted by Harry Rabinowitz)
Toby Cartwright: Richard Waring
Stella Cartwright/ Barbara Faber/ Lily Pepper: Diana Churchill
Gaston: Derek Prouse
Lord Chapworth/ Tim Verney/ Alf: Ian Lubbock
Olive Lloyd-Ransome/ Leonora Vail/ Mabel Grace: Brenda Dunrich
Princess Elena Kraseiloff/ Susan Birch/ Daphne Maddox
Murdoch/ Sir Reginald French/ Mr Edwards: Arthur Ridley
Nanny: Eileen Thorndike
Stevens/Ernest/ Bert Bentley: Frank Atkinson
Christian Faber: David King-Wood
George Pepper: George Benson
Members of the audience: Hester Paton-Brown and Monica Grey
Repeated 14th December 1953 (at 4.30pm)]
13th December 1953
17.00-18.00:
Radio Theatre: Five Days To Friday by Redmond Macdonogh, Based on an idea by Henry Ellul
The adventures in the snow of a Canadian and an Englishman
Produced By: Archie Campbell
John: Michael Gough
Max: William Sylvester
Captain Curran: Alan Tilvern
Jake: Arthur Hill
Doctor: Charles Farrell
Repeated 8th May 1955
[Cedric Messina produced this play in 1962. rptd 1963, with Gough and Sylvester but with Jon Farrell as Curran]
16th December 1953
20.30-22.00:
The Heiress (1947) Ruth Goetz (1912-2001) and Augustus Goetz, Based on the novel Washington Square (1880) by Henry James (1843-1916)
Directed by Frederick Bradnum
Maria, the maid: Monica Grey
Doctor Sloper: Cecil Trouncer
Lavinia Penniman: Thea Wells
Catherine Sloper: Celia Johnson
Mrs Almond: Idina Scott-Gatty
Manian Almond: Elizabeth London
Arthur Townsend: T St John Barry
Morris Townsend: William Fox
Mrs Montgomery: Beatrix MacKey
Repeated 21st December 1953, 29th March 1954 and 30th June 1956
[The 1947 Goetz play has a modified ending to the original James book]
[Originally inspired by a related incident in the life of the brother of actress Fanny Kemble]
20th December 1953
17.00-18.00
Radio Theatre: The Little Prince (1943) by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944) adapted by Jon Farrell
Incidental music by James Bernard
Production by Martyn C. Webster
Incidental music by James Bernard
Parts played by: Monica Grey, Elizabeth London, Hester Paton Brown, Sulwen Morgan, Marjorie Westbury, Mary Williams, Mary Wimbush, Gabrielle Blunt, John Cazabon, Hamilton Dyce, Deryck Guyler, Hugh Manning, Cyril Shaps, and Richard Waring
[The author was a noted aviator who died in a plane crash]
23rd December 1953
21.10-22.00 and 22.15-23.10
The Stars in Their Choices: The White Carnation (1953) by R. C. Sherriff (1896-1975)
Produced by Ayton Whitaker
John Greenwood: Ralph Richardson
Lady Mary: Meg Maxwell
Police Constable Thompson: Campbell Singer
Police Sergeant Phillips: John Boxer
Mr Gurney (The Coroner): Frederick Piper
Dr MacGregor (Police Surgeon): Harry Lockwood West
Lydia Truscott: Meriel Forbes
Mr Pendlebury (The Vicar): Harcourt Williams
Mrs Carter: Ann Wilton
Sir Horace Duncan (of the Home Office): Colin Gordon
Also with Michael Nightingale, Frances Clare, Peter Wigzell, Margaret Chisholm, Kenneth Edwards, Edith Savile
Repeated 28th December 1953
[Also broadcast on R7 2004]
[The stage premier of the play was 5th January 1953. After that it was next performed on stage in 2013.]
25th December 1953
16.15-17.00:
The Band Wagon by Gordon Gow based on the screenplay by Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Norman Corwin.
Adapted from the soundtrack of the 1953 film.
Play Produced by Thurstan Holland
Introduced by Jack Buchanan
With Fred Astaire, Cyd Chaiisse, Oscar Levant, Jack Buchanan and Nanette Fabray
[A similar adaption of the film was produced in 1962 by Alfred Dunning]
26th December 1953
16.30-17.30
Rob Roy: The Highland Rogue by Gordon Gow, based on the screenplay by L E Watkin, which was possibly inspired by the novel by Walter Scott.
Adapted from the soundtrack of the film
Produced by Thurstan Holland
with Richard Todd, Glynis Johns, James Robertson Justice, Michael Gough and Finlay Currie
[The film received a Royal Command Performance on 26th October 1953]
[The filmscript was also rumoured to have been partly inspired by the anonymous novel originally attributed to Daniel Defoe, called "A Highland Rogue"(1723) which was published whilst Rob Roy was still alive- Rob MacGregor lived c1671-1734. There was also a 1706 book "The scotch rogue" - Walter Scott owned copies of both.]
27th December 1953
17.00-18.00
Radio Theatre: The Little World Of Don Camillo by Giovanni Guareschi (1908-1968)
English version by Nina Burch and Harvey Unna is based upon a French radio version by Armand Lanoux (1913-1983).
Produced by Mary Hope Allen (1898-2001)
Narrator: Richard Hurndall
Don Camillo: Carleton Hobbs
Maria Peppone: Audrey Mendes
A Voice: Godfrey Kenton
Peppone: Francis de Wolff
Old Filloti: Kenneth Connor
Gina: Sulwen Morgan
A Gamekeeper: Derek Birch
Mariolino: Nigel Stock
Signora Christina: Gladys Spencer
Spiccio: Brian Hayes
Scartazzani: Alan Reid
Giulio: Ronald Sidney
Ciro Bruciata: Frank Atkinson
[The 1952 film of the title, based upon the Italian short stories, was an Italian/French production; the English book version was 1950 and contained unauthorised cuts, restored 2013 in a new translation.]
[There were also five BBC Radio series made starting 2001]
30th December 1953
20.30-22.00:
The Stars in Their Choices: The Lady Of The Camellias (1848) by Alexandre Dumas Fils (1824-1895). Translation by Norman Ginsbury and John Sand
Pianist, Cicely Hoye
Production by Ayton Whitaker
Marguerite Gautier: Jean Kent
Armand Duval: Patrick Troughton
Prudence Duvernoy: Catherine Salkeld
Gaston Rieux: T St John Barry
Nanine: Vivienne Chatterton
Georges Duval: John Turnbull
Artur de Varville: Olaf Pooley
Olympe: Betty Baskcomb
Saint Gaudens: Bryan Powley
Comte de Giray: Peter Bathurst
Nichette: Virginia Winter
Gustave: Stanley MacKenzie
Also with Audrey Mendes, Nancy Nevinson, Mary Williams, Peter Ducrow, Brian Hayes, Peter Hoar, Douglas Hayes, Cameron Miller and Harold Siddons
Repeated 4th January 1954
[The original book was also adapted into the opera La Traviata]
===end====
Compiled by Stephen Shaw 2023
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