RUSC MAILING

Written by Ned Norris

Pull up a chair by the Philco—I've been revisiting Screen Directors’ Playhouse, one of classic Hollywood’s most charming crossovers. Born in 1949 with the Screen Directors Guild, it brought notable films to radio (and later TV) while putting the director’s name right up front. Each episode runs a tight half hour, often capped with a brief chat or intro from the director—a little spotlight for the person steering the ship.

The premiere set the tone: John Ford’s Stagecoach with John Wayne and Claire Trevor back at the mic. Hearing Wayne as the Ringo Kid—conjured by dialogue, bootsteps on a coach platform, and the snap of reins—shows how radio can honor a film and reveal new textures at the same time.

That balance of respect and reinvention is the series’ signature. Genres hop from westerns to thrillers to comedies; original film stars often reprise their roles. Sound and music stand in for the camera, and the scripts keep the storytelling lean so a full movie sings in 25 minutes. Just as important, the show nudged listeners to notice the creative hand of the director—timely in an era when studios and stars hogged the marquee.

If you want a quick tour, start here:

• Stagecoach — January 9, 1949
• A Foreign Affair — March 1, 1951 (hour-long)
• The Spiral Staircase — November 25, 1949
• The Pride of the Yankees — September 30, 1949
• Shadow of a Doubt — November 9, 1950 (hour-long)

Plenty of the radio recordings survive and they’re a joy to explore. Cue up Stagecoach to hear how the series announced its mission. Then if you want to hear more tune in to RUSC.com for over 100 shows.

Happy listening,

RUSC Old Time Radio
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