Orson Welles Show (Lady Esther)
A variety program featuring short dramatic pieces, poetry, and comedy, sponsored by Lady Esther Cosmetics.
Welles took a break from radio work while making his film Citizen Kane, which premiered in May of 1941 to critical success and lackluster financial returns. In September 1941, Orson Welles began producing this light radio series for CBS while working on multiple film projects. A number of episodes feature Cliff Edwards as Jiminy Cricket, serving as a comedic co-host.
Welles produced 22 episodes. Fifteen are presented here, but several are incomplete.
Shredni Vashtar / Hidalgo / An Irishman and a Jew --
9/15/41
Adaptation of Saki's "Shredni Vashtar", a story about Father Hidalgo and the Mexican revolution in 1810, as well as a story about "An Irishman and a Jew".
The Interloper / Song of Solomon / I'm a Fool (incomplete) --
9/29/41
Original radio play "The Interlopers", a reading of "Song of Solomon", as well as the Sherwood Anderson story "I'm a Fool". Unfortunately, this program is incomplete.
Black Pearl / There's a Ful Moon Tonight / Annabel Lee (incomplete) --
10/6/41
Original story "The Black Pearl" by Norman Foster, as well as Edgar Allan Poe's poem "Annabel Lee". Unfortunately, this program is incomplete.
If in Years to Come / Dorothy Parker Poetry (incomplete) --
10/13/41
Earle Reed Silvers' story "If in Years to Come" and Lucille Ball reads poems by Dorothy Parker. Unfortunately, this program is incomplete.
That's Why I Left You / The Maysville Minstrel --
11/10/41
Original story "That's Why I Left You" by John Nesbitt and a story by Ring Lardner, "The Maysville Minstrel".
Something's Going to Happen to Henry / Wilbur Brown, Habitat: Brooklyn (incomplete) --
12/1/41
Original story "Something's Going to Happen to Henry" by Wilma Shore and Louis Solomon. Also, Arthur Stander's story "Wilbur Brown, Habitat: Brooklyn". Unfortunately, this program is incomplete.
Symptoms of Being Thirty-Five / Leaves of Grass (incomplete) --
12/8/41
Original "divertisement" by Ring Lardner, "Symptoms of Being Thirty-Five". Also, selections from Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass". Unfortunately, this program is incomplete.
St. Luke, ch.2 / The Happy Prince / Christmas Poetry --
12/22/41
Welles tells the story of the nativity. Also, Oscar Wilde's fable "The Happy Prince" and poetry by G.K. Chesterton.
There are Frenchmen and Frenchmen (incomplete) --
12/29/41
Joseph Cotton's adaptation of Richard Connell's story "There Are Frenchmen and Frenchmen". Unfortunately, this program is incomplete.
My Little Boy (incomplete) --
1/19/42
Adaptation of Carl Ewald's 1899 work "Mein Kleiner Junge (My Little Boy)." Unfortunately, this program is incomplete.
The Happy Hypocrite --
1/26/42
Max Beerbohm's story, "The Happy Hypocrite". Unfortunately, this program is incomplete.
Between Americans --
2/2/42
Norman Corwin's story, "Between Americans". Unfortunately, this program is incomplete.
