STAGE STRUCK {DAVID WAYNE, GERALDINE PAGE, GWEN VERDON, "PICNIC," ROSALIND RUSSELL} (RADIO)
Summary
One in this series of programs about the world of theater, hosted by Mike Wallace, featuring interviews, scenes, and musical numbers from current and upcoming productions. This program reviews the theatrical accomplishments of 1953. Highlights of this program include the following, among others: Robert Alda performs "Luck Be a Lady Tonight" from the hit musical "Guys and Dolls"; host Mike Wallace reviews the various hit shows that opened during the year; David Wayne comments on the opening night of "Tea House of the August Moon"; new star Helen Gallagher performs "You're Gonna Dance With Me, Willie" from the musical "Hazel Flagg"; off-Broadway star Geraldine Page talks about the recognition she has received for her work; Ben Gazzara performs a monologue; Gwen Verdon talks about the changes that have occurred in her life since she was given the spotlight in "Can-Can," her professional goals, and Lilo's response to her success; Lilo performs "I Love Paris" from the musical "Can-Can"; Wallace reviews the twenty-one failures of 1953; Brenda Bruce and Anthony Oliver perform a music-hall song from the mystery "Gently Does It"; Hermione Gingold comments on the American response to comedy; Felix Aylmer recalls working with Katharine Cornell; Lilo talks about being a star in America; Ralph Meeker, Janice Rule, and Eileen Heckart perform scenes from "Picnic"; Rosalind Russell performs the song "One Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Man" from "Wonderful Town"; Wallace talks about the new playwrights who came into the spotlight in 1953; Robert Anderson discusses what it takes to become a playwright; a chorus sings "The Theatre Is Dying" from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Me and Juliet"; Wallace lists many of the great people of show business who died during 1953; Brook Atkinson comments on the accomplishments of the recently deceased playwright Eugene O'Neill; Shirley Booth comments on the "death" of the The Empire Theater; Basil Rathbone portrays the character Prospero in tribute to The Empire Theater; the owners of the recently built Phoenix Theater comment on their new venture; Martha Scott and Thomas Chalmers perform a scene from "The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker"; Martha Scott and Burgess Meredith perform a scene from "The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker." Also, various producers discuss their work. Includes a promo.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: January 1, 1954 Friday 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:06
- COLOR/B&W: N/A
- CATALOG ID: R78:0210
- GENRE: Radio - Variety; Radio - Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Music; Musicals, revues, comedies, etc. - Excerpts; Plays - Excerpts; Theater
- SERIES RUN: CBS - Radio series, 1953-1954
- COMMERCIALS:
- Radio - Promos - CBS
CREDITS
- Howard G. Barnes … Producer
- Bruno Ziroto … Director
- John Dietz … Director
- Bob Corcoran … Writer
- Mike Wallace … Host
- Robert Alda … Performer
- Brenda Bruce … Performer
- Thomas Chalmers … Performer
- Helen Gallagher … Performer
- Ben Gazzara … Performer
- Hermione Gingold … Performer
- Eileen Heckart … Performer
- Lilo … Performer
- Ralph Meeker … Performer
- Burgess Meredith … Performer
- Anthony Oliver … Performer
- Basil Rathbone … Performer
- Janice Rule … Performer
- Rosalind Russell … Performer
- Martha Scott … Performer
- Robert Anderson … Guest
- Brooks Atkinson … Guest
- Felix Aylmer … Guest
- Shirley Booth … Guest
- Geraldine Page … Guest
- Gwen Verdon … Guest
- David Wayne … Guest
- Katharine Cornell
- Eugene O'Neill