L.A. THEATRE WORKS: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (RADIO)
Summary
This L.A. Theatre Works radio drama, an adaptation of an Arthur Miller play, tells the story of illiterate dock worker Eddie Carbone, whose jealous inclinations lead to tragedy for his family. Set in Brooklyn’s Red Hook in the 1950s, lawyer Alfieri – who serves as the tale’s narrator -- talks about his Italian roots and how the concept of justice is important in Red Hook. He introduces longshoreman Eddie, who admires his niece Catherine’s beauty after getting home from work. Eddie’s wife Beatrice listens as her husband tells Catherine that she’s dressing in a provocative fashion. He reminds Catherine that he promised her late mother that he’d always watch out for her while she was living in his house. Bea is then told that her two cousins, Marco and Rodolpho, have arrived from Italy by ship. Eddie and Bea discuss the plans for the two illegal immigrants to temporarily sleep on the floor of the Carbone home. Eddie is later upset to hear that Catherine has got a job as a stenographer and won’t be finishing secretarial school. After Bea nags him, Eddie gives Catherine his blessing. Eddie, Bea, and Catherine then discuss the plight of illegal immigrants, as well as what happens to anyone in the neighborhood who snitches on them. That night, Rodolpho and Marco come to the Carbone home, expressing their gratitude, and a desire to find work on the docks. Eddie is immediately angered when Catherine starts flirting with the handsome, blond Rodolpho. Marco notes that he only wants to stay in America long enough to accrue a sizable bank account for his wife and children in Italy. A few weeks later, Eddie worries when Catherine and Rodolpho are late in getting home from the movies. Eddie criticizes Rodolpho’s actions, stating to Bea that Rodolpho sings while working on the docks and is “too handy” with a sewing kit. He maintains that his co-workers make fun of Rodolpho and think of him as “a pretty boy.” Beatrice is more concerned by the fact that Eddie hasn’t made love to her for three months. She also notes that he’s too protective of Catherine, reminding him that his niece is almost eighteen. When Rodolpho and Catherine finally get home, Eddie reads Catherine the riot act. She doesn’t deny that she’s romantically drawn to Rodolpho. Eddie says that Rodolpho only wants to marry Catherine to get a green card, causing her to leave in a huff. Later, Bea tells Catherine that Eddie never liked any of her suitors, and advises her to speak up to Eddie. Bea also warns her to stop walking around the apartment in her slip while Eddie is watching, noting that he’s become too possessive of her. Mr. Alfieri recalls when Eddie came to him and inferred that Rodolpho is a homosexual. Eddie wants to know if there’s any kind of law that can keep Rodolpho away from Catherine; Mr. Alfieri cautions him about his feelings. Back at home, Marco tells the family how much he misses his wife and children. Eddie invites Marco to a fight, after which he offers to teach Roldolpho about boxing. During the first lesson, Eddie takes a cheap punch at Rodolpho. In retaliation, Marco triumphs in a contest of strength with Eddie, who is humiliated. A few months later, Catherine tells Rodolpho that she’d willingly live with him in Italy after getting married. When he questions her motives, Catherine admits to being afraid of Eddie. Rodolpho retorts that he won’t expose her to Italy’s poverty. Catherine tries to explain her conflicted emotions regarding Eddie. Later, Eddie arrives home early and thinks that he’s found Rodolpho and Catherine in a compromising position. When Eddie throws Rodolpho out, Catherine says she’ll move as well. Eddie then grabs Rodolpho and gives him a violent kiss to “expose” Rodolpho’s tendencies to Catherine. Eddie then threatens Rodolpho and warns him to stay away from Catherine. Two days later, Eddie goes back to see Mr. Alfieri, saying he proved to Catherine that Rodolpho “ain’t right.” Mr. Alfieri advises Eddie to let Catherine go, telling him he’ll have no friends if he reports on Rodolpho to authorities. Regardless, Eddie makes a call to the immigration bureau and tells an agent about Rodolpho and Marco. Back at home, Catherine berates Eddie for forcing her two cousins to move to a rented room upstairs. Afterward, they argue about Eddie’s feelings toward Catherine, who’s decided to marry the following week. Eddie refuses to offer congratulations. He panics when finding that Bea has also rented the upstairs room to two other illegal immigrants -- relatives of a neighbor -- as well as Marco and Rodolpho. As he urges Catherine to get everyone out, immigration agents knock at the door. Bea immediately realizes what Eddie has done as the four men are taken away. Marco spits on Eddie as he’s dragged from the house. Marco then publicly accuses Eddie of betrayal as the neighbors gather. Mr. Alfieri offers to bail Marco out of jail if he promises not to hurt Eddie. Upon hearing Catherine’s pleas, Marco agrees. Catherine assures him that no one will ever speak to Eddie again. Later, Bea tries to leave the house for Catherine’s wedding, though Eddie says he won’t attend. He also forbids Bea from witnessing the nuptials, after which Catherine insults Eddie. Soon, Rodolpho arrives, warning that Marco is coming to kill Eddie. Rodolpho apologizes to Eddie for all that has happened. Eddie retorts that he wants his name back, which can only be restored by Marco. Bea tells Eddie that he’s hopelessly in love with Catherine but can never have her. Outside, Eddie is confronted by Marco. When Eddie says that Marco is a liar, Marco calls him “an animal.” Eddie pulls out a knife and gets into a scuffle, during which Eddie is stabbed. As Bea and Catherine sob over the dying Eddie, Mr. Alfieri admits that he will always mourn for Eddie “with a certain alarm.” The acquisition and cataloging of The Arthur Miller Collection was made possible by The Laura Pels Foundation.
Details
- NETWORK: NPR National Public Radio / KCRW-FM (Santa Monica, CA)
- DATE: November 30, 2001
- RUNNING TIME: 1:34:15
- COLOR/B&W: N/A
- CATALOG ID: R:30033
- GENRE: Radio - Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Susan Albert Lowenberg … Executive Producer
- Raymond Guarna … Producer
- Peter Levin … Director
- Arthur Miller … Writer
- Ed O'Neill … Cast, Eddie Carbone
- Mary McDonnell … Cast, Beatrice Carbone
- Harry Hamlin … Cast, Marco
- Amy Pietz … Cast, Catherine
- Charles Cioffi … Cast, Mr. Alfieri
- Jamie Hanes … Cast, Rodolpho
- Peter Morse … Cast, Lewis/Second Immigration Officer
- Don Tieri … Cast, Mike/First Immigration Officer