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Scenario Productions
Many of us are too young to remember the golden age of radio plays. Families used to gather around the radio to listen to their favorite shows; The Shadow, Boston Blackie, The Saint, and of course, The Stage Series.
The Stage Series, was, for many years, the flagship program of the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
From the archives of the CBC the historic Stage Series radio plays 1946-1966, together with the long-forgotten memento of CBC's war-time effort; the 1942 Special Presentation of Nazi Eyes on Canada; Starring Orson Welles, Helen Hayes and Vincent Price.
The Stage Series spawned and launched the acting careers of such notables as Lorne Greene, Christopher Plummer, John Drainie, Barry Morse, John Colicos, William Shatner and James Doohan. In their day, the Stage Series actors were called "...the best radio repertory company in North America..." by New York Times Radio Editor, Jack Gould.
The Stage Series is comprised of wonderful adaptation from classic novels, together with excellent Canadian works
 In the first of Stage Series we present "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad. This riveting psychological drama tracks Mr. Marlow's perilous journey into the African Congo in search of Mr. Kurtz, who is missing in the interior and is believed to have gone mad. Originally broadcast 1951. Starring: Lorne Greene, John Colicos, Jane Mallett The second radio play included is "The Investigator" by: Reuben Ship. Reuben Ship wrote the play after his deportation from the United States. He was living in California, where he wrote for radio, and was summoned to appear before the Un-American Activities Committee because of his one-time membership of the Communist Party. He refused to name names and was deported. In this entertaining parody of the 1950s McCarthy Hearings, The Investigator wakes up in a fog after a plane crash and learns that none of the passengers survived, including himself. He finds himself at the Pearly Gates and seeks entry, but first he must be investigated and accepted by a board of admissions, consisting of historical figures. The Investigator declares the chairman unfit and turns the tables on the board of admissions and the chairman. In its day "The Investigator" was such a controversial radio play that it caused a stir in both the Canadian Parliament and the U.S. Senate, due to the nature of the play's subject. Reuben Ship wrote the play after his deportation from the United States. He was living in California, where he wrote for radio, and was summoned to appear before the Un-American Activities Committee because of his one-time membership of the Communist Party. He refused to name names and was deported. Starring: John Drainie, Barry Morse, James Doohan. |
 ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND by Lewis Carroll Stage Series Number 2 begins with "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," Lewis Carroll's timeless children's story in which Alice falls down a rabbit hole and enters a bewlidering world where nothing is quite as it seems. Originally broadcast 1965. Starring: Maxine Miller, Bruno Gerussi, Alan King. "Curioser and curioser," says Alice in Lewis Carroll's enchanting sequel:"Through the Looking Glass," in which Alice walks through a mirror into a fantastical land populated by chess pieces, where everything happens backwards. Originally broadcast 1947. Starring: Alice Mather, John Drainie, Mavor Moore, Budd Knapp. |
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND by Lewis Carroll Stage Series Number 2 begins with "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," Lewis Carroll's timeless children's story in which Alice falls down a rabbit hole and enters a bewlidering world where nothing is quite as it seems. Originally broadcast 1965. Starring: Maxine Miller, Bruno Gerussi, Alan King. "Curioser and curioser," says Alice in Lewis Carroll's enchanting sequel:"Through the Looking Glass," in which Alice walks through a mirror into a fantastical land populated by chess pieces, where everything happens backwards. Originally broadcast 1947. Starring: Alice Mather, John Drainie, Mavor Moore, Budd Knapp. |
 SWEENEY TODD by George Dibden Pitt Number Three in the Stage Series presents George Dibden Pitt's "Sweeney Todd" The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is one of the most macabre stories of Olde London. Sweeney Todd's barber shop is a death trap for unwary customers in need of a shave. Originally broadcast 1947. Starring: John Drainie, Mavor Moore, Lister Sinclair. Next, we bring you an original radio play by Andrew Allan. "A Sense of Sin." Aspiring pianist Peter Nairs returns from New York City upon the untimely death of his mother, only to find that she has died under very suspicious circumstances. Originally broadcast 1953. Starring: CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER, Pat Arthurs, Budd Knapp. |
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 THE LAST TYCOON by F. Scott Fitzgerald Number Five in the Stage Series is F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Last Tycoon" This is the tragic story of Munroe Stahr, a brilliant young studio executive and his relationships with the actors, writers and directors who move within the world of 1930s Hollywood. He has the power to make anyone's dreams come true... except his own. This is a lavish 1947 version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's last, unfinished novel, adapted for CBC radio by Hugh Kemp. Starring: Lloyd Bochner, Dianne Foster, Alice Hill, John Drainie. Paired with The Last Tycoon is William Makepeace Thackeray's "Vanity Fair." This is the story of the seductive, alluring and social climbing Becky Sharp. This wonderful adaptation of Thackeray's classic novel holds an everlasting mirror to high society's manners and morals. Originally broadcast 1947. Starring: Barbara Kelly, Lorne Greene, Budd Knapp, Alice Mather, Alan King. |
 LIES MY FATHER TOLD ME by Ted Allan The Sixth in the Stage Series is Ted Allan's classic "Lies My Father Told Me" A story of Jewish family battling the pressures between three generations in this comedy-drama set in 1920s Montreal. Looking back on his childhood, David, played by Paul Kligman, details his endearing relationship with his Orthodox Grandfather and the magical tales he used to tell. Originally broadcast 1954. Starring: Paul Kligman, Isaac Swerdlow, David Sniderman, Claire Murray, William Shatner. Together with this story is Charles Israel's "Never Had It So Good." After World War II, an American Army Colonel stationed in occupied Germany has orders to set up a school on lands recently developed into a Kibbutz by Jewish concentration camp survivors. As the two groups are at odds, Dorothy, the Colonel's daughter arrives to visit her father. She meets Peter, the Kibbutz leader and to the Colonel's dismay the two begin a relationship. As the deadline nears for the Jews to be removed from their land, Dorothy must decide between her love for Peter and her father's wishes. Originally broadcast 1954. Starring: Howard Milson, Toby Robbins, Lloyd Bochner, James Doohan, Alan King. |
 THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by Oscar Wilde Number seven in the Stage Series is Oscar Wilde's masterpiece "The Picture of Dorian Gray" When Dorian Gray, a wealthy but naive young man, has his portrait painted, he rashly wishes that he could remain as youthful and beautiful as the handsome face in the portrait. Little does he realize that his wish will come true. But Gray's wanton lifestyle will eventually catch up with him, and the consequences of his reckless behavior will come to haunt him. Originally broadcast 1950. Starring: Frank Perry, Budd Knapp, Robert Christie, John Drainie, Sandra Scott, Alan King. Also on this bill is Alexandre Dumas' timeless "Camille." This is the tale of Marguerite Gauthier is a dying French courtesan who's won the heart of Armand Duval, a handsome young nobleman. Secretly, ArmandÕs father persuades Marguerite to give up his son. Soon after, the father relents and Armand returns to Marguerite, but he may be too late as he finds her close to death. Originally broadcast 1950. Starring: Barbara Chilcott, Barry Morse, Frank Peddie, Jane Mallett, Alan King, Drew Thompson, Joanne Clark. |
 THE 39 STEPS by John Buchan The Eighth volume in the Stage Series is John Buchan's thriller "The 39 Steps." The Butler runs into a room in Mr. Richard Hannay's apartment as a secret agent lies dying on the floor. A dagger in his back, writhing in pain, the agent sputters "Tell Mr. Hannay, the 39 steps, high tide..," and dies. Mr. Hannay returns and as he and his Butler discuss the precarious situation, another knife flies into the room and sticks into the wall. Stuck to the blade is an ace of spades with a red circle around the "A." It's the calling card of The Blackstone, an international spy ring. This means certain death. Mr. Hannay embarks on a murder mystery adventure that involves assassination, secret plans and impostors. The 39 Steps is a 1947 CBC Stage Series' adaptation of John Buchan's classic thriller. Starring: Budd Knapp, Bernard Braden, Richard Nelson, Lister Sinclair, Sam Payne, Kathleen Kid, John Drainie, Ruth Springford, Daphne Dyer. |
 SUNSHINE SKETCHES OF A LITTLE TOWN by Stephen Leacock The Ninth in the Stage Series is Stephen Leacock's classic "Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town." This 1946 adaptation of Stephen Leacock's timeless tale is set in Mariposa, a fictional town on the shore of magnificent Lake Wissanotti. This story depicts the comedy of day-to-day life in a bustling small town. This dramatization tells of the amazing foreordained attachment of Peter Pupkin, junior teller in the Exchange Bank in Mariposa, and Zena Pepperleigh, old Judge Pepperleigh's daughter. Starring: John Drainie, Peggi Loder, Tommy Tweed, Bernard Braden, Budd Knapp. |
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