Arrowsmith & The Citadel

[Wellesnet]

On 3 February 1939, Orson Welles's production of Sinclair Lewis's novel "Arrowsmith" was broadcast on "The Campbell Playhouse," CBS-Radio. It is the story of a bright young doctor from a small town, making his way up to upper echelons of the scientific community. The guest star was Helen Hayes, who had co-starred with Ronald Coleman in the 1931 film version, which also featured Richard Bennet. One of several Ronald Coleman films that Welles adapted for radio.

Wiki: "This novel has been inspirational for several generations of pre-medical and medical students. There is much agonizing along the way concerning career and life decisions. While detailing Martin's pursuit of the noble ideals of medical research for the benefit of mankind and of selfless devotion to the care of patients, Lewis throws many less noble temptations and self-deceptions in Martin's path. The attractions of financial security, recognition, even wealth and power distract Arrowsmith from his original plan to follow in the footsteps of his first mentor,"

Welles no doubt identified with the theme of idealism vs wealth and power.

[Wellesnet]

On 21 January 1940, Orson Welles's production of "The Citadel" was broadcast on "The Campbell Playhouse," CBS-Radio.
Co-starring Geraldine Fitzgerald, who gave birth to Michael Lindsay-Hogg in May that year, so she was about 5 months pregnant at the time of the broadcast. After the show, Welles and Fitzgerald reminisce about the work together the previous year in the Mercury production of Shaw's "Hearbreak House".

Based on the classic novel by A. J. Cronin, first published in 1937, which was groundbreaking with its treatment of the contentious theme of medical ethics vs. the temptations of the medical establishment. It has been credited with laying the foundation in Great Britain for the introduction of the NHS (National Health Service) a decade later.

The 1937 film version, directed by Welles's good friend King Vidor, starred Robert Donat, another actor whose films, like Ronald Coleman's, Welles adapted several times for radio.

[Le Chiffre]

ARROWSMITH sounds excellent at the IU/Lilly website. Big sound quality upgrade, and a fine show, probably the best of Helen Hayes's eight appearances on the series. As the young idealistic doctor coming to terms
with the selfish temptations of the medical profession, Welles is very good too:
https://orsonwelles.indiana.edu/items/s ... 776%2C3302

[Wich2]

And right in his wheelhouse thematically, as a good example of Early/Mid Twentieth Century Social Liberalism.

(Note that I did not write Liberal Socialism!)

-Craig

[Wellesnet]

The Citadel is available, in good sound, at the new IU/Lilly website, along with the original script:
https://orsonwelles.indiana.edu/items/s ... 633%2C3203

Thanks to Dan_UK for discovering that there are two versions of this program online:

The Citadel
Lilly Library version is the 60-minute West Coast version,
The old mp3 is the 55-minute East Coast version. Unfortunately the best version I've ever found is 32kbps and sounds like garbage. I don't know if there's a better version available.

The east coast version is available to listen to at the old Mercury Theater on the Air website, still maintained by Kim Kommando:
http://www.mercurytheatre.info/

[Le Chiffre]

And right in his wheelhouse thematically, as a good example of Early/Mid Twentieth Century Social Liberalism.

(Note that I did not write Liberal Socialism!)

-Craig

I'm not totally clear on the difference, Craig, but I take it to essentially mean voluntary altruism vs. government enforced altruism.

These two novels are lumped together so often as indictments of the greed and hypocrisy of the medical establishment, with both becoming classics in their own right, that I've decided to try lumping the two Welles shows together. The very title of the Cronin book implies a fortress that needs to be stormed.

Both movies were nominated for Best Picture in their respective years.