Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis; No. 24

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Series
Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis
Episode Number
No. 24
Producing Organization
KCRW (Radio station : Santa Monica, Calif.)
L.A. Classic Theatre Works
Contributing Organization
The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia (Athens, Georgia)
AAPB ID
cpb-aacip-526-t43hx1705k
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Description
Series Description
"The line-by-line dramatized reading of Sinclair Lewis' landmark American novel, 'Babbitt,' was produced for radio as a co-production of KCRW and the Los Angles Classic Theatre Works. A sensation when it appeared in 1922, the novel is a devastating portrayal of American materialism which helped win for Lewis the first Nobel Prize for literature awarded to an American. A 14 1/2-hour stereo radio drama, 'Babbitt' was first broadcast as an all-day 'blockbuster' on KCRW Thanksgiving Day 1987, and was subsequently rebroadcast in 29 half-hour installments. ED ASNER as George Babbitt and NAN MARTIN as his wife Myra head the all-star cast. Prominent for their work in film and television, the 34-member cast, directed by Gordon Hunt, includes: RENE AUBERJONOIS, BONNIE BEDELIA, ED BEGLEY JR., GEORGIA BROWN, ROSCOE LEE BROWNE, JACK COLEMAN, BUD CORT, TED DANSON, WILLIAM DEVANE, RICHARD DREYFUSS, HECTOR ELIZONDO, FIONNULA FLANAGAN, ROBERT FOXWORTH, HARRY HAMLIN, JULIE HARRIS, HELEN HUNT, AMY IRVING, STACY KEACH, JOHN LITHGOW, MARSHA MASON, MARION MERCER, JOANNA MILES, HOLLY PALANCE, JUDGE REINHOLD, FRANKLIN SEALES, DAVID SELBY, ALLY SHEEDY, MADOLYN SMITH, JAMES WHITMORE, JOBETH WILLIAMS, MICHAEL YORK. Most of the actors participate in reading the narration, in addition to being cast in the roles of Lewis' characters. The production is enhanced by music of the period (the '20s), special stereo perspective and inventive sound design for dramatic effect. A short synopsis precedes each half-hour episode. The project was inspired by Irish Radio's production of 'Ulysses,' and brings to American radio an exciting new form of radio drama. Audience reaction to the work with its surprisingly contemporary themes in American life has been unusually strong, and critical acclaim exceptional: 'This is world-class radio theater with, for once, an American label? Who would have thought that one of the highlights of the theater year would be a radio show? But there it is on KCRW.. The L.A. Theatre Works' production of BABBITT.' (Dan Sullivan, L.A. Times Theatre Critic, 11/26/87, in his first radio review in more than 15 years.) National Public Radio will distribute the program nation-wide when the producers can raise the talent fees for the actors (who worked pro bono on the local production) and the BBC is interested in airing the series in the UK. We consider this project an important step in the renaissance of American radio drama and worthy of Peabody Award consideration."--1987 Peabody Awards entry form.
Broadcast Date
1987-11-26
Asset type
Episode
Media type
Sound
Duration
00:27:22.704
Credits
Producing Organization: KCRW (Radio station : Santa Monica, Calif.)
Producing Organization: L.A. Classic Theatre Works
AAPB Contributor Holdings
The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia
Identifier: cpb-aacip-0ff319d80f4 (Filename)
Format: 1/4 inch audio cassette
Duration: 0:30:00
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Citations
Chicago: “Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis; No. 24,” 1987-11-26, The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed April 27, 2025, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-526-t43hx1705k.
MLA: “Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis; No. 24.” 1987-11-26. The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. April 27, 2025. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-526-t43hx1705k>.
APA: Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis; No. 24. Boston, MA: The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-526-t43hx1705k