CAMPBELL PLAYHOUSE, THE: THE THINGS WE HAVE
(RADIO)
Summary
One in this weekly drama series featuring adaptations of popular and literary classics. This program features Orson Welles's original play, "The Things We Have," starring Welles and Cornelia Otis Skinner. In this play, a couple, Jim and Mary Scott, have just adopted a European orphan named Simon. Eager to teach Simon about American heritage and values, the Scotts give the boy an overview of U.S. history and government during his first few days in America. Interspersed throughout the play are dramatizations of historical events. The Scotts find Simon crying himself to sleep on his first night in their home. To reassure Simon, Jim tells the story of other immigrants who came to America, and recalls how the English came to escape religious persecution under the reign of King James I. Next is a dramatization of the Puritan petition to King James, the king's decree regarding state religion, and the Puritan speeches about building a "city on a hill." Jim tells Simon about immigrants who came in search of freedom of speech, followed by a sketch about a German professor who flees his country because the government is imprisoning his colleagues for expressing their beliefs. Next, Jim says some immigrants fled political oppression, and a sketch follows about a family hiding from Cossack soldiers. Finally, Jim explains that some came for economic opportunity, followed by a sketch about the potato famine in Ireland. Then, at a baseball game, Simon confuses policemen with soldiers, so Jim takes this opportunity to discuss the merits of a democracy. He explains the role of the president, using Abraham Lincoln as an example. Next, Mary and Jim review the history of the American Revolution, and a dramatization of the Boston Tea Party follows. Then, Jim alludes to the uglier side of American history, including the genocide of Native Americans and the enslavement of Africans. Two skits follow -- one in which Chief Logan expresses bitterness over the displacement and genocide of his people, and another in which two Americans on a slave ship discuss the fate of their human cargo. Next, Jim discusses the Civil War and John Brown's insurrection, followed by a dramatization of Brown's defense in court. Finally, Mary and Jim discuss the suffragist movement; in one sketch, Susan B. Anthony is arrested for trying to vote, and in another, a woman proves to her congressman that women and men are equals. The play concludes as the family talks about the government's responsibility to the American people. After the play, Welles makes an announcement about "poppy day" and recalls Ms. Skinner's acting credits. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: May 26, 1939 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: N/A
- CATALOG ID: R87:0543
- GENRE: Radio - Drama; Radio - Docudrama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Blacks - Politics and suffrage - Drama; Drama; Docudrama; Emigration and immigration - Drama; Indians of North America - Drama; Slavery - Drama; U S - History - Colonial period - Drama; U S - History - Revolution - Drama; U S - History - Civil War - Drama; Women's rights - Drama; Indigenous Peoples Collection
- SERIES RUN: CBS - Radio series, 1938-1940
- COMMERCIALS:
- Radio - Commercials - Campbell's soup
- Radio - Promos - "Campbell Playhouse"
CREDITS
- Orson Welles … Producer, Writer, Host
- Bernard Herrmann … Conductor, Music (Misc. Credits), Music arranged by
- Ernest Chappell … Announcer
- Orson Welles … Cast, James Scott, OÕShaughnessy, John Brown and Chief Logan
- Cornelia Otis Skinner … Cast, Mary Scott, Lady Townsend, Susan B. Anthony and the Polish Woman
- Ray Collins … Cast
- Kingsley Colton … Cast
- Kenneth Delmar … Cast
- Agnes Moorehead … Cast
- Frank Readick … Cast
- Everett Sloane … Cast
- Howard Smith … Cast
- Susan B. Anthony
- John Brown
- Chief Logan
- King James I
- Abraham Lincoln