Today we will travel back 77 years, deep to the middle of World War 2, to the dramatic anthology series Brownstone Theater which ran for less than a year from February to September 1945 and only 12 episodes. The show was directed by Jack Macgregor, and narrated by the mellifluous Clayton Hamilton.
Famous for adaptations of popular stories and plays, Brownstown Theater describes itself as a theater of tales from the past, and this story is no different. Originally written in 1807 by Edward Hale and transcribed for radio Jock MacGregor, travels back to a tale of a young lieutenant, who is tried for treasonous crimes. The Lieutenant, Nolan, goes as far as to shout “I wish I may never hear of the United States again!” during his trial.
This story can be a bit confusing at times so for some context on a few things. This was aired in May, 1945, less than 3 months before the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. The original story was published in 1863 to bolster support for the Union in the north. A name that comes up frequently during this episode is that of one Aaron Burr, who for context was historically tried for treason in 1807. Nolan, who develops a friendship with Burr and a strong hatred for the United States eventually leads to him being put on trial and a harsh lifetime sentence.
So sit back, relax, and think of home, as you travel back 77 years to the middle of World War 2, on May 30th, 1945 and Brownstone Theater presenting Man Without a Country.
