Best Plays

Best Plays was a prestigious radio anthology series that aired on NBC Radio from June 9, 1952, to August 30, 1953, showcasing adaptations of some of the most celebrated theatrical works of the 20th century. Hosted and directed by John Chapman, the drama critic for the New York Daily News, the program aimed to bring the finest Broadway and off-Broadway plays to a national radio audience during a time when radio drama was beginning to wane in the face of television’s rise. The series ran for 52 episodes, each an hour long, and was broadcast on Monday nights at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. The show’s mission was to present “the best plays of the modern American theater,” and it delivered by adapting works from renowned playwrights like Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Eugene O’Neill, and Lillian Hellman. Episodes included classics such as Williams’ The Glass Menagerie (starring Helen Hayes), Miller’s Death of a Salesman (with Thomas Mitchell as Willy Loman), O’Neill’s The Emperor Jones, and Hellman’s The Little Foxes. The series also featured Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, Maxwell Anderson’s Winterset, and Sidney Kingsley’s Detective Story, among others. Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio https://link.radioking.com/otradio Listen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/Entertainment Radio | Broadcasting Classic Radio Shows | Patreon Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio

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Kiss the Boys Goodbye - E50

In this episode of Best Plays, host John Chapman introduces the witty comedy "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" by Clare Boothe Luce, featuring Helen Clare. The play, originally a satire on Hollywood's search for a new actress, is also described by the author as a political allegory about fascism in America. The story unfolds on a train heading north from the…

In this episode of Best Plays, host John Chapman introduces the witty comedy "Kiss the Boys Goodbye"…

06 April 2025 | 00:58:31

Ethan Frome - E51

In this episode of Best Plays, we delve into the dramatic adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel, "Ethan Frome," brought to life by the talented Geraldine Page, Evelyn Varden, and Carl Weber. The play, adapted by Owen and Donald Davis, explores the harsh winter life of New England farmers, focusing on the tragic story of Ethan Frome, his wife Zenobia,…

In this episode of Best Plays, we delve into the dramatic adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel,…

06 April 2025 | 00:59:35

The Petrified Forest - E52

In this episode of Best Plays, we delve into the classic drama "The Petrified Forest" by Robert Sherwood, featuring a stellar performance by Cyril Ritchard. Set in the desolate Black Mesa filling station and barbecue lunchroom in Eastern Arizona, the story unfolds with a mix of intriguing characters, including the wandering intellectual Alan Squire…

In this episode of Best Plays, we delve into the classic drama "The Petrified Forest" by Robert…

06 April 2025 | 00:59:23

Best Plays 53-08-30 (49) Tonight At 8 30

Going on-air from 1952 to 1953, the Best Plays was an NBC Radio program that featured some of the most excellent theatric plays ever created. Some of the best ones featured were dramatic or comedic plays. John Chapman, New York Daily News' drama critic, served as the program's host.

Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio