June Moon

Discuss the 58 programs of the Campbell Playhouse
Wellesnet
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June Moon

Postby Wellesnet » Thu Mar 26, 2015 7:29 pm

On 24 March 1940, Orson Welles's production of "June Moon" was broadcast on "The Campbell Playhouse," CBS-Radio.

Plot: Fred Stevens, a young aspiring lyricist journeys from Schenectady to New York City, hoping to make a name for himself in the world of song publishing and night clubs. On the train he meets dental assistant Edna Baker, and the two embark upon a friendship that evolves into love for her and fondness for him. Fred takes a shine to his composer partner Paul's glamorous, gold-digging sister-in-law Eileen as the two men sell a song to a music publisher and it develops into a hit.

Another nod to the Algonquinites, this time George S. Kaufmann and Ring Lardner. Welles basically turns the show over to Jack Benny (Fred), and takes most of the evening off (obviously, preparations for "Citizen Kane" were beginning to pick up steam). Welles returned the favor a couple years later when Benny got sick. There is some funny banter between the two at the beginning, though, and I believe this was the only Campbell Show that was done before a live audience. This program also features Gus Schilling, who would have a cameo in almost all of Welles's Hollywood films, as the songwriting partner Paul.

Available to listen to, in pretty good sound, at Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOT3OCpUdcI

"June Moon" was filmed only once, in 1931, with Francis Dee, a two-time Campbell co-star. The original Broadway production featured Norman Foster as Fred, and ran for nearly 300 performances.

Wich2
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Re: June Moon

Postby Wich2 » Thu Mar 26, 2015 10:47 pm

>I believe this was the only Campbell Show that was done before a live audience.<

It was. And though Benny is always fun, that choice makes for pretty weak Mercury!

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Le Chiffre
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Re: June Moon

Postby Le Chiffre » Fri Mar 27, 2015 8:34 pm

There's definitely less Welles/Mercury here than any of the other Campbell Shows. Welles did a somewhat similar thing a few years later during the Mercury Summer Theatre with LIFE WITH ADAM, which was a parody of him.

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Re: June Moon

Postby Wich2 » Sat Mar 28, 2015 11:21 am

That one, with a great turn by Fletcher Markle as "Adam Barneycastle,", is great fun!

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Le Chiffre
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Re: June Moon

Postby Le Chiffre » Sat Mar 28, 2015 12:40 pm

I agree, it is a good show, even though Welles isn't in it much. It's available to listen to on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGjkcGOY3h4

Markle and Welles became good friends, as evidenced by this doodle Welles later did for him. Markle also married Welles's Summer Theatre stalwart Mercedes McCambridge, probably meeting her shortly after "Adam" was broadcast:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/ ... Markle.jpg

Back to Benny for a minute: on 14 March 1943, Orson Welles began his 4-week stint as substitute host on "The Jack Benny Program," NBC-Radio. Benny was ill. An abridgement of the second of the four programs is also available to listen to at Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnCqynYbaE

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/ ... o96u7c.jpg

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Re: June Moon

Postby Wellesnet » Tue Apr 03, 2018 1:26 am

Pic of Benny and Welles rehearsing for the June Moon broadcast:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... ater&ifg=1

As one of the Facebook commentators notes, Bea Benaderet, who joined the Mercury for several shows for the CP second season would, among many other things, be the voice of Betty Rubble for the Flintstones TV show in the 1960s.

Available in very good sound, with script, at the Lilly website:
https://orsonwelles.indiana.edu/items/s ... 442%2C3763


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