Spellbound (Screen Directors' Playhouse, 25/Jan/1951)
First broadcast on Thursday 25th January 1951, as part of the Screen Directors' Playhouse series, this radio adaptation of Spellbound (1945) starred Joseph Cotten and Mercedes McCambridge.
Director Alfred Hitchcock provided an introductory narration to each act, as well as closing remarks.
Audio
Listen to the broadcast...
Broadcast Details
- broadcast as part of Screen Directors' Playhouse
- date: 25/Jan/1951
- length: approx 60 minutes
Credits
- Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman - theremin
- Jack Rubin - radio adaptation
- Howard Wiley - producer
- Bill Cairn - director
Cast
- James Wallington - announcer
- Alfred Hitchcock - introduction & guest narration
- Joseph Cotten - Dr Edwards
- Mercedes McCambridge - Dr Constance Peterson
- Herbert Butterfield
- Bill Tracy
- Jim Nusser
- Howard McNear
- John Blyforce
Hitchcock's Narration
Introduction to Act One
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, this is Alfred Hitchcock.
The prime desire of any motion picture maker is to entertain his audience, but occasionally an idea is presented that can prove to be both entertaining and instructive. When we achieve such a wedding of qualities, we feel we really have something, and this was the case in the story you are about to hear.
"Spellbound" was the first motion picture to deal with psychoanalysis, the method by with modern science treats the emotional problems of the sane.
The analyst seeks only to induce the patient to talk about his hidden problems, to open the locked doors of his mind. Once the complexes that are disturbing the patient are uncovered and interpreted, the illness and confusion of the patient disappear and the devils of unreason are driven from the human soul.
To portray the roles of Dr Edwards and Dr Constance Peterson, we are indeed fortunate to have Mr Joseph Cotten and Miss Mercedes McCambridge.
And now, the first act of "Spellbound" which begins in the office of Dr Constance Peterson, psychiatrist on the staff of Green Manors in Vermont.
Introduction to Act Two
The answer to Constance's wonderment came to her as she sat at Dr Edwards' bedside. The autograph signature on the title page of his book did not match that of the note he had written to her earlier in the day asking her to come to his office.
Clearly the man before her was not Dr Edwards...
Introduction to Act Three
The succeeding six hours on the train for Constance and J.B., or John Brown, or whatever an amnesia victim can name himself, was a series of questions and evasive answers. Relentlessly, Constance fought to reach the depths of his memory, but it was a losing battle... it was like a pygmy facing a giant and J.B. was the giant.
They reached the home of Dr Brulov in Rochester...
Closing Narration
A long time ago, William Shakespeare wrote, "The fault is not in our stars but in ourselves." How very wise he was.
Closing Remarks
Alfred Hitchcock: Thank you Joseph Cotten and Mercedes McCambridge for a splendid performance. On our Screen Directors' Playhouse, it is our aim to always present the best, and most certainly you both fall into that category.
Joseph Cotten: Thank you, Hitch, for those beautiful words. What does an actor have to look forward to, other than praise?
Mercedes McCambridge: Mind if I answer that, Joe?
JC: Sure, Mercedes.
MM: A pay check! [laughter] Seriously though, it's been a great privilege to work with you, Mr Hitchcock, and for Joe and myself I'd like to say, "invite us back soon, won't you?" Goodnight.
JC: Goodnight, Hitch.
AH: We'll be seeing you, Joe Cotten and Mercedes McCambridge. Goodnight, everybody.
