Friday, November 30, 2018

A Christmas Carol (1939 radio play)

A Christmas Carol is a radio play narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore. It aired on December 24, 1939, as part of the Campbell Playhouse radio series, which was a continuation of Welles' Mercury Theatre on the Air.


You can see my blog posts on other Christmas Carol adaptations here.

12 comments:

  1. Oooh, I need to make time to listen to this. I love Lionel Barrymore

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    1. It's less than an hour long, so it's easier to fit in than the modern video versions. I'm amazed by how expressive Barrymore's voice is.

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  2. Anonymous7:41 AM

    I love this. I contend that radio conjured with the imagination in a way that no other medium can approach. Then, of course, there is Orson Welles...
    -- A Pal

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    1. His voice is perfect for the narrator. The performance does bring the story to life in your mind :)

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  3. This is actually a wonderful post. Both Orson Welles and Lionel Barrymore in one post. Seems Campbell's Soups knew what and who to sponsor. It was a wonderful story, and of course, we all know exactly how it ends, too.

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    1. Welles' voice is perfect, isn't it, and Barrymore can make you see it. It's a good version :)

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  4. Last year I listened to a couple of Christmas Carol themed books. One was Jacob T Marley about the Marley from a Christmas Carol and the other was Mr. Dickens and His Carol. This one was about the inspiration that made Dickens write this story. They were both very enjoyable and well written stories. Have you ever read either?

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    1. I haven't read either of these, but I think my husband has the Dickens one. I'll have to see if he does and read it. Thx!

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  5. I love this. I contend that radio conjured with the imagination in a way that no other medium can approach.

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    1. I agree! It's like the difference between reading a book and watching a video adaptation. The word without the visuals does fire the imagination more, I think.

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  6. Yes, a little time for the imagination while I was cooking and eating dinner. Was fun! Although I couldn't help but picture him as Mr. Potter--LOL! ;) I watch that movie every year. :)

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    1. Mr. Potter, yes, that's how I pictured him, too lol! I am one of the Wonderful Life Naysayers, though ;)

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