The Damon Runyon Theatre - Single Episodes
The Damon Runyon Theatre was a production of Alan Ladd's Mayfair Transcription Company, inspired by Damon Runyon's beloved newspaper column, 'The Brighter Side'. Initially, Pat O'Brien was slated to star as 'Broadway', but due to scheduling conflicts with the film The Boy with Green Hair, John Brown took over the role. The series aired over independent radio station KSEL in Lubbock, Texas, and later reached major outlets from November 1948 to December 1951.
Runyon's stories, filled with colorful characters and unique vernacular, depict the vibrant underbelly of New York City. The program features a talented cast, including Gerald Mohr and Herb Vigran, who brought authenticity to the performances. The charm of Runyon's work continues to resonate, as seen in the famous adaptation of Guys and Dolls, which captures the essence of his storytelling.
The Damon Runyon Theatre remains a significant contribution to the Golden Age of Radio, offering listeners a timeless glimpse into the world of gamblers, hustlers, and the rich tapestry of New York life.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
Chapitres
Critiques
What These Citizens Said - Only More So
Snoop David Niven
If you think I'm here to offer a contrary point of view - forget it. DAMON RUNYON THEATRE represents radio at its best. If you're already familiar with the original stories, as I am, you'll be delighted at how faithful, to both text and spirit, these adaptations are. If you only know the GUYS AND DOLLS musical, this restores some of Runyon's original grit which was generally softened in the translation to the stage. And if you haven't a clue to who Damon Runyon was or why his name is still known, well - shame on you, and congratulations: you're about to become a fan for life. Luckily for Runyon and posterity both, these radio plays were overseen by Alan Ladd's Mayfair Productions - Mayfair routinely produced some of the highest-quality radio of the era. Acting, writing and production values are first-rate. In this case, providence took a additional hand by replacing original 'host' Pat O'Brien before the first show was recorded - his last-minute replacement, John Brown, was not only superb as the Runyon stand-in character "Broadway"....once experienced, it's impossible to picture anyone else voicing the part - O'Brien included. Unfortunately, none of the supporting players are credited (though I'd swear I hear Sheldon Leonard, Edward Brophy and Marc Lawrence at different times - not totally out of the question as Mayfair had Ladd's Rolodex to hit up!) That Brown turns out to have been an Englishman from Hull is just further testimony to his great skill, as he portrayed every American 'type' extant over his career in radio. Unfortunately, Brown was one of those lesser lights that got chewed up in the 1950s blacklist; he died at only 53 of a heart attack in Hollywood, having not worked in over four years at the time. Was the blacklist a contributing factor to his death? It seems likely. Very little is known about Brown besides a mostly-complete list of credits for his radio/film/tv work (very entertaining all by itself - did you know he was in both STRANGERS ON A TRAIN and ROBOT MONSTER? Or that he was briefly one of the 'Harry Mortons' on the BURNS & ALLEN SHOW?) Radio, however, was clearly his strong suit, and his great work on DAMON RUNYON THEATER will stand nicely as the feather in his professional cap.
Wonderful programme.
DevonRich
I am English and it was with some trepidation that I downloaded this series. I am so glad I did. As a result of listening to this programme I have located and purchased just about all the Broadway books by this author and a few more baseball stories which are not as good. I love the way the author cleverly writes in the present tense and there is always a twist to the tale in the end. These stories are faithful to the books and I cannot recommend them highly enough.
This is the ONE HITTER QUITTER
The True Brain Pimp
This series above all MUST BE PRESERVED! Runyonesque. Nuff said. More movies than any other OTR show per episode. If you ever want to get someone into OTR who doesn't have a genre preference, start them here. Anything from the top half of the catalog is great. But the EPIC of the series? "Tight Shoes". Enjoy with a good friend on a 30 minute drive. Its THAT good
Health warning. These stories can become addictive.
Laikadog
50 + half hours of great radio and all of it free. If you have never heard these episodes before - then boy! .. are you the lucky one. The stories can make you laugh and some will make you shed a tear. The actors are all terrific and seem to be enjoying themselves enormously. Broadway the narrator and often the lead in the stories will lead you into a lost world where characters like the brain and nicely nicely and harry the horse and countless others will therein entertain you and all your cares will disappear for half an hour or so. Highly recommended.
The Best of the Best
JMancuso
I really love these stories! Yes, the speech is very stylized, but not completely inaccurate. Possibly only exaggerated. I am from New York and have had the blessing of relatives who lived well into their 90s and I have heard this present tense at times when telling a story of a past event. These characters are endearingly familiar in so many ways and the storytelling is as perfect as is humanly possible. I love poor Broadway's hapless way of being taken on these adventures! Listen for yourself I think many would enjoy these hidden gems.
A Date With Damon
harron68
I found the printed stories first, so this is a comparison. The stories on radio are faithful to the book. I believe the lack of interest as seen here by number of views is a result of few knowing of the charming tales and perhaps some annoyance of the accents. However, that never bothered the much more popular radio show "Duffy's Tavern." This series has top notch actors and grand stories. I recommend it highly.
Damon Runyon
Panelsmasher
As a boy being born to parents from 1925/27 my father would be silly with my sister using voices that were "Runyon" inspired. . . . He would use character names that he remembered hearing on the radio 30/40/50's. . . . I distinctly remember Harry the horse, and Joe Joe the Dogfaced boy. . . . Dad wouldn't say where these characters came from but listening to these OTR shows, I now know. . . .
Damon Runyon books are here on Internet Archive too.
Den NC USA
Just a note: As mentioned in the fine reviews below, the stories are told faithfully and joyfully. The digital books of Damon Runyon's writing, for immediate enjoyment, via download, are also here for us. https://archive.org/details/texts?and%5B%5D=damon+runyon&sin=