A RADIO CHRISTMAS SAMPLER, VOL. II

Written by

John F. Barber

Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.
©2022 Re-Imagined Radio. All rights reserved (except those granted by the Creative Commons license)

Re-Imagined Radio
Season 10, Episode 12R, December 19, 2022

Final draft

A Radio Christmas Sampler, Vol. II

Re-Imagined Radio
Season 11, Episode 12R
Final Draft

Premier broadcast: December 19, 2022

Written, produced, hosted by John F. Barber

Sound design, Music composition, Post-Production by Marc Rose

Graphics by Holly Slocum

Synopsis
For "A Radio Christmas Sampler, Vol. II," Re-Imagined Radio samples from "A Radio Christmas Carol" performed by Metropolitan Performing Arts and Christmas, Jean Shepherd, Suspense, and The Six Shooter.

Notes

In The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre, author Stephen D. Youngkin discusses the radio career of Peter Lorre. The book’s appendix provides a complete-to-date list of Peter’s radio credits. Of this Suspense episode . . . "Back for Christmas" (CBS, December 23, 1943). 30 min. Joseph Kearns ("The Man in Black"), host. Cast: Peter Lorre (Hubert Schumacher), John McIntire.

The Six Shooter
"Britt Ponset’s Christmas Carol"
20 Dec. 1953
Episode 14

The Six Shooter
Episode 14
Written by Frank Burt.

From the introduction . . . "The man in the saddle is angular and long-legged. His skin is sun-died brown. The gun in his holster is gray steel and rainbow mother of pearl, its handle unmarked. People call them both "The Six Shooter." His real name is Britt Ponset, the Texas plainsman who wandered through the Western territories leaving behind a trail of still remembered legends."

Jean Shepherd
https://www.rusc.com/old-time-radio/Jean-Shepherd.aspx?s=765
Monologues for future use
March on Washington, 29 August 1963
Day of JFK's Funeral, 25 November 1963

COLD OPEN
SFX: Sample from "A Christmas Story" by Jean Shepherd.
SFX: FADE UP THE FOLLOWING . . .
MUSIC: RIR THEME
ANNOUNCER
Welcome to Re-Imagined Radio, a program about radio storytelling. I’m Jack Armstrong. With each episode we combine dialogue, sound effects, and music to engage your listening imagination. This episode is no different, and here to tell you about it is John Barber, producer and host.
HOST OPEN
HOST
Thank you Jack. Hello everyone. Welcome.
It's December. Holiday Season. Every year at this time since 2013 Re-Imagined Radio has offered a performance of a familiar story by Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol."
Last year, we did something different. We sampled one of our previous holiday performances and several other radio holiday programs, offering what we called "A Radio Christmas Sampler."
Listeners told us they enjoyed this approach. So this year we tried to extend the idea. 
Our opening was sampled from Jean Shepherd reading his "Red Ryder Nails The Cleveland Kid" on New York's WOR Radio, 24 December 1970. Shepherd is cited by some as the creator of free-form talk radio, and is noted for his nightly extemporaneous, mostly improvised monologues. 
For the rest of our episode we will sample from two radio Christmas programs starring big name Hollywood actors.
Our radio storytelling originates from KXRW-FM. Vancouver, Washington's community radio station. We thank them for their support.
And we thank YOU for joining us as Re-Imagined Radio presents "A Radio Christmas Sampler, Vol. II."
MUSIC: CINEMATIC HOLIDAY TRANSITION
HOST
The end-of-year holidays are a time to gather with families and friends. To celebrate. Or, as is the case with our first story, a chance to start a new life.
This story is "Back for Christmas" starring Peter Lorre.
Born Lazlo Lowenstein (1904) in Hungry, LORE-ee, began his acting career in Vienna. He moved to Berlin, where he appeared as a serial killer in M a 1931 film directed by Fritz Lang, famous for the 1927 German expressionist science-fiction drama film Metropolis.
When the Nazis took over Germany in 1933, Lorre sought refuge in Paris, and then London. There, in 1934, he appeared in the Alfred Hitchcock film, The Man Who Knew Too Much. After that, Lorre settled in Hollywood, where he found featured roles in crime, mystery, and detective movies.
Perhaps the two most notable of Lorre's Hollywood films were The Maltese Falcon in 1941, and Casablanca in 1942.
Lorre's distinctive voice was also heard on radio. In fact, more people might know Peter Lorre for his radio appearances than his films. Between 1936 and 1964, he made 143 radio appearances including comedy programs, radio drama, and popular genre programs. In the same period he appeared in only 68 films.

For this episode of Re-Imagined Radio we sample "Back for Christmas," the 23 Dec. 1943 episode of Suspense, a radio drama series offered by the Columbia Broadcasting System from 1940 to 1962. Subtitled "radio's outstanding theater of thrills," Suspense was all about drama and suspense, and during the early years often featured leading Hollywood actors.
"Back for Christmas" was produced and directed by William (SPEER) Spier from the original short story by John Collier, first published in The New Yorker magazine, 7 October 1939.
The story is about infidelity, bitterness and years of pent-up frustration, with a good twist ending. You've probably heard these conventional themes in many other stories, but Lorre's voice and delivery is so wicked and he makes everything sound fresh and new.
Lorre voices the part of Hubert Schumacher, a henpecked British botany professor. He and his wife, Hermione, plan a end-of-year trip to America where he will give a series of lectures. Hermionie tells friends they will be back for Christmas. But Lorre has another plan for his wife: murder, and then an extended stay in America with his new wife, the young, adoring Miss Markham. But, as we will hear, his perfect plans unravel in fiendish ways.
Let's listen now to "Back for Christmas," starring Peter Lorre . . .

ACT 1: BACK FOR CHRISTMAS
SFX: SAMPLE FROM "BACK FOR CHRISTMAS"

MUSIC: RIR BREAK THEME
HOST
I'm John Barber. You are listening to Re-Imagined Radio. We explore stories told through sound. Our episode is "A Radio Christmas Sampler Vol. II." You just listened to "Back for Christmas," the 23 Dec. 1943 episode of Suspense, starring Peter Lorre.

We need to take a short break now. We'll return with a story starring Jimmy Stewart. Please stay with us. You'll enjoy Stewart's version of "A Christmas Carol."
BREAK #1--THE FUSEBOX BREAK
SFX: FUSEBOX SFX?
Re-Imagined Radio introduces you to new and different forms of radio storytelling. The Fusebox Show is one you should know about. They're not new--they've been at it for eight years now--but they are different . . . in a good way. Here's a sample . . .
SFX: THE FUSEBOX SHOW TEASER  
HOST
As you heard, the cast is opinionated, but safe for children  . . . The sound design and voice acting shows real talents at work responding to world events. And the way Fusebox responds to the holidays . . . . Well, they are making lists and checking them twice . . . noting who has been naughty and who has been nice. You will want to check the latest episodes and catch up quickly. Learn more wherever you get your podcasts, or at The Fusebox Show website, www dot thefuseboxshow dot com.
SFX: ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT, BUZZING
MUSIC: RIR THEME, FADE OUT UNDER THE FOLLOWING
ACT 2: BRITT PONSET'S CHRISTMAS CAROL
HOST
Welcome back to Re-Imagined Radio. I'm John Barber. Producer and Host. Our episode is "A Radio Christmas Sampler Vol. II." We're exploring radio storytelling, stories told with sound. Up next is "Britt Ponset's Christmas Carol" starring Jimmy Stewart.
You probably know Jimmy Stewart for his film appearances. From 1935 to 1991 his distinctive drawl and everyman persona were featured in 80 films. His breakthrough came in 1938 with a part in Frank Capra's comedy You Can't Take It With You.
In 1939, working with Frank Capra, Jimmy Stewart played a virtuous man who becomes a United States Senator in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his 1940 performance in The Philadelphia Story with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant.
Then there was It's a Wonderful Life, also in 1940, working again with Frank Capra. Based loosely on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful Life became Stewart's defining film role and a Christmas classic.
In these films, Stewart played characters with a strong sense of morality, a characteristic he exhibited in his personal life as well. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him third on its list of the greatest American male actors.
HOST
Jimmy Stewart is also noted for his radio acting. He appeared several times on the Lux Radio Theatre reprising his movie roles for radio.
And, from 1953-1954, he held the leading role in a series called The Six Shooter. Created by Frank Burt, The Six Shooter lasted only one season, just 30 episodes. In the leading role as Britt Ponset, Stewart played a wandering cowboy in the last days of the American West. Episodes ranged from Western drama to comedy.
The Six Shooter was Jimmy Stewart's only recurring, leading role in radio, and remains one of the best examples of the adult western genre, along with  Gunsmoke, episodes of which we have featured on Re-Imagined Radio.
The term "adult western" speaks to combining contemporary psychological themes and traditional Western motifs to examine the deeper character motivations and to inform the plot. Both Gunsmoke and The Six Shooter are excellent examples.
As you will hear, Stewart's narration is subtle, often soft-spoken, to increase the story’s drama.
Let's listen now to "Britt Ponset’s Christmas Carol." As the story begins, Britt Ponset is camping on the Texas plains the night before Christmas. A young boy rides up to his camp . . .
SFX: SAMPLED BRITT PONSETT'S CHRISTMAS CAROL
MUSIC: RIR BREAK THEME
BREAK #2--THE RE-IMAGINED RADIO BREAK
HOST
You're listening to Re-Imagined Radio. Our episode is "A Radio Christmas Sampler Vol. II. Re-Imagined Radio explores radio storytelling, stories told with voices, sound effects, and music to spark your imagination.
 SFX: RE-IMAGINED RADIO BILLBOARD
Each episode of Re-Imagined Radio is produced with support from KXRW-FM, Vancouver's community radio station. Join us each month for MORE interesting radio storytelling.
HOST
I'll be back with concluding remarks after this short break.
MUSIC: RIR BREAK THEME
BREAK #3 -- THE SUPPORT BREAK
HOST 
Hello everyone. John Barber here, producer and host of Re-Imagined Radio, to encourage your support of KXRW-FM, Vancouver's community radio station.
You might not know it, but KXRW operates entirely on local support. Support for local community radio provides alternative listening experiences with a focus on community interests and information. Your support of community radio stays and works HERE, in our community, promoting social justice, diversity, and inclusivity. If you already support community radio thank you for your generosity. If not, please contact KXRW-FM, or your community radio station where ever you listen to this program, and learn how to support their efforts. Thank you for your support.
MUSIC: RIR THEME, RETURN
HOST CONCLUSION
HOST
This is Re-Imagined Radio. With each episode we explore radio storytelling, stories told with sound. This episode is "A Radio Christmas Sampler Vol. II."
Our opening sampled from "Red Ryder Nails The Cleveland Kid" by Jean Shepherd, first heard on his WOR talk radio program, 24 December 1970.
We sampled from "Back for Christmas," the 23 Dec. 1943 episode of Suspense, starring Peter Lorre, and "Britt Ponset's Christmas Carol," the 20 Dec. 1953 episode of The Six Shooter.
I hope you enjoyed this episode of Re-Imagined Radio and its message: that Christmas is not about giving or receiving gifts, but about reestablishing connections with family, friends, partners, community, and beyond.
MUSIC: RIR THEME, FADE UP, ESTABLISH, THEN DUCK UNDER THE FOLLOWING
HOST CREDIT ROLL
HOST
Re-Imagined Radio is produced with support from KXRW-FM. Vancouver, Washington's community radio station.
Content curation and script by John Barber.
Music composition and post-production by Marc Rose.
Graphic design by Holly Slocum Design.
Our announcer is Jack Armstrong.
As you go forward, reach out to those you come in contact with and share your best wishes. This simple gesture can go a long way to making our world a better place. Happy Holidays everyone. Best wishes for the coming New Year!
MUSIC: RIR THEME UP, THEN DUCK UNDER THE FOLLOWING
ANNOUNCER
This is a production of Re-Imagined Radio. Our radio broadcasts are heard on local, regional, and international community radio stations.
For on demand streaming, point your browsers to our website, reimaginedradio (all one word, no punctuation) DOT net.
Thank you so much for listening, and please, join us again for another episode of Re-Imagined Radio where we will continue our exploration of radio storytelling.
MUSIC: RIR THEME UP, AND TO END.