Campbell Playhouse
(December 1938 – March 1940 ) Mercury Theatre on the Air now sponsored by the Campbell Soup Company. One-hour adaptions of literary works, including The Count of Monte Cristo and Rebecca.
The Mercury Theatre on the Air gained a sponsor in the Campbell Soup Company, and changed its name to the Campbell Playhouse. The sensation created by the War of the Worlds broadcast convinced Campbell’s that Welles could garner continued attention and great ratings. The introduction to the first episode, an adaptation of a bestselling novel of 1938, Rebecca, describes Welles as a genius and gives him a platform to describe his philosophy of radio drama as something different from motion pictures and the stage.
Welles produced 56 episodes of Campbell Playhouse; 43 are presented here.
A Christmas Carol --
12/23/38
Adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1853 novella "A Christmas Carol". Adapted by Howard Koch.
Counsellor at Law --
1/6/39
Adaptation of Elmer Rice's 1931 play "Counsellor at Law". Adapted by Howard Koch.
I Lost My Girlish Laughter --
1/27/39
Adaptation of Jane Allen's (pseud.) 1938 novel "I Lost My Girlish Laughter". Adapted by Howard Koch.
Green Goddess --
2/10/39
Adaptation of Williams Archer's 1921 play "The Green Goddess". Adapted by Howard Koch.
The Glass Key --
3/10/39
Adaptation of Dashiell Hammett 1931 novel "The Glass Key". Adapted by Howard Koch.
Twentieth Century --
3/24/39
Adaptation of the play "Twentieth Century" by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur.
The Things We Have (An American Cavalcade) --
5/26/39
The Count of Monte Cristo --
10/1/39
Adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' 1844-1845 (serialized) novel "The Count of Monte Cristo".
The Magnificent Ambersons --
10/29/39
Adaptation of Booth Tarkington's 1918 novel "The Magnificent Ambersons". Adapted by Howard Koch
Hurricane --
11/5/39
Adaptation of Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall's 1936 novel "The Hurricane".
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd --
11/12/39
Adaptation of Agatha Christie's 1926 novel "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd".
There's Always a Woman --
12/17/39
Adaptation of Gladys Lehman's 1938 screenplay "There's Always a Woman".
Vanity Fair --
1/7/40
Adaptation of William M. Thaeray's 1847-1848 (serialized) novel "Vanity Fair".
Theodora Goes Wild --
1/14/40
Adaptation of Mary McCarthy and Sidney Buchman's 1936 film "Theodora Goes Wild".
It Happened One Night --
1/28/40
Adaptation of the 1934 film "It Happened One Night" based on the 1933 short story "Night Bus" by Samuel Hopkins Adams.
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town --
2/11/40
Adaptation of the 1936 film "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" based on the 1935 short story "Opera Hat" by Clarence Budington Kelland.
Dinner at Eight --
2/18/40
Adaptation of George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber's 1932 play "Dinner at Eight".
Only Angels Have Wings --
2/25/40
Adaptation of Howard Hawks and Jules Furthman's 1939 film "Only Angels Have Wings".
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn --
3/17/40
Adaptation of Mark Twain's 1884 novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn".
