# Best Plays

Heard 1952–1954. 51 episodes.

An anthology of hour-long "tab" versions of outstanding Broadway plays - some featuring members of the original stage casts - "Best Plays" was hosted by New York Daily News drama critic John Chapman.

## Sets

- Best Plays (1952-1953) (Old Time Radio): Marked Public Domain Mark 1.0 by its uploader at the Internet Archive; the record gives no basis for it. Source: https://archive.org/details/BestPlays1952-1953

## Episodes, in broadcast order

1. [Winterset by Maxwell Ande](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/4cdce4d07715), aired 8 June 1952 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/520608001WintersetByMaxwellAnde.mp3
1. [On Borrowed Time by Paul](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/7ce97f339189), aired 15 June 1952 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/520615002OnBorrowedTimeByPaul.mp3
1. [Angel Street by Patrick H](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/b6502bb564c9), aired 22 June 1952 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/520622003AngelStreetByPatrickH.mp3
1. [The Hasty Heart by John P](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/2dfa0a45c05c), aired 29 June 1952 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/520629004TheHastyHeartByJohnP.mp3
1. [Arsenic and Old Lace by J](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/783161eda5da), aired 6 July 1952 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/520706005ArsenicAndOldLaceByJ.mp3
1. [The Voice of the Turtle b](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/22b4ea81b44a), aired 20 July 1952 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/520720007TheVoiceOfTheTurtleB.mp3
1. [Outward Bound by Sutton V](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/64fd93c04e2c), aired 3 August 1952 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/520803009OutwardBoundBySuttonV.mp3
1. [Uncle Harry by Thomas Job](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/3fff419f2a31), aired 10 August 1952 (57 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/520810010UncleHarryByThomasJob.mp3
1. [The Philadelphia Story by](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/660ca74b3e94), aired 17 August 1952 (55 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/520817011ThePhiladelphiaStoryBy.mp3
1. [Home of the Brave by Arth](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/ab8d89013dae), aired 24 August 1952 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/520824012HomeOfTheBraveByArth.mp3
1. [Blithe Spirit by Noël Cow](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/e3ff825fb858), aired 31 August 1952 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/520831013BlitheSpiritByNolCow.mp3
1. [Victoria Regina by Lauren](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/837126b8606e), aired 3 October 1952 (57 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/521003015VictoriaReginaByLauren.mp3
1. [She Loves Me Not by Howar](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/e30cce249e8c), aired 10 October 1952 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/521010016SheLovesMeNotByHowar.mp3
1. [High Tor by Maxwell Ander](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/159988037270), aired 17 October 1952 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/521017017HighTorByMaxwellAnder.mp3
1. [Biography by S.N. Behrman](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/ffa97f145153), aired 24 October 1952 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/521024018BiographyByS.n.Behrman.mp3
1. [Elizabeth the Queen by Ma](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/ca0a8b1bfd1d), aired 9 November 1952 (1 h 01 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/521109019ElizabethTheQueenByMa.mp3
1. [The Madwoman Of Chaillot](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/4f4fe0d0ed31), aired 16 November 1952 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/521116020TheMadwomanOfChaillot.mp3
1. [Missouri Legend by E. (El](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/bdbdd32368ee), aired 23 November 1952 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/521123021MissouriLegendByE.el.mp3
1. [Rope (Rope's End) by Patr](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/dfc0f000d1d6), aired 30 November 1952 (57 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/521130022RoperopesEndByPatr.mp3
1. [Skylark by Samson Raphels](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/79e83d35769b), aired 7 December 1952 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/521207023SkylarkBySamsonRaphels.mp3
1. [Craig's Wife by George Ke](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/c05087aaea85), aired 14 December 1952 (1 h 01 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/521214024CraigsWifeByGeorgeKe.mp3
1. [Night Must Fall by Emlyn](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/5f73916ac4d1), aired 21 December 1952 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/521221025NightMustFallByEmlyn.mp3
1. [A Bell for Adano by Paul](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/835eeba10f41), aired 28 December 1952 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/521228026ABellForAdanoByPaul.mp3
1. [Accent on Youth by Samson](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/54322dbc7170), aired 4 January 1953 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530104027AccentOnYouthBySamson.mp3
1. [Men in White by Sidney Ki](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/f1ddfaa48821), aired 11 January 1953 (1 h 03 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530111028MenInWhiteBySidneyKi.mp3
1. [There Shall Be No Night b](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/17703b63aefc), aired 25 January 1953 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530125029ThereShallBeNoNightB.mp3
1. [Camille by Alexandre Duma](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/bf29d55add08), aired 1 February 1953 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530201030CamilleByAlexandreDuma.mp3
1. [John Loves Mary by Norman](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/9243865f9d2a), aired 8 February 1953 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530208031JohnLovesMaryByNorman.mp3
1. [Mr. Roberts by Thomas Heg](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/2d926d6d1a49), aired 17 April 1953 (58 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530417033Mr.RobertsByThomasHeg.mp3
1. [Susan and God by Rachel C](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/cc64b78ee842), aired 1 May 1953 (54 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530501034SusanAndGodByRachelC.mp3
1. [Of Mice And Men by John S](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/97d1c859fcb6), aired 8 May 1953 (56 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530508035OfMiceAndMenByJohnS.mp3
1. [St. Helena by Jeanne De C](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/cf76e9b7dd66), aired 15 May 1953 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530515036St.HelenaByJeanneDeC.mp3
1. [Summer and Smoke by Tenne](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/0695f42f3ad9), aired 22 May 1953 (58 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530522037SummerAndSmokeByTenne.mp3
1. [The Amazing Dr Clitterhou](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/cdbab0410df4), aired 29 May 1953 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530529038TheAmazingDrClitterhou.mp3
1. [Autumn Crocus by Dodie Sm](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/b629a759dd60), aired 5 June 1953 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530605039AutumnCrocusByDodieSm.mp3
1. [Another Language by Rose](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/499a1f1ce4ac), aired 21 June 1953 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530621040AnotherLanguageByRose.mp3
1. [The Farmer Takes a Wife b](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/e8d9871b56b9), aired 28 June 1953 (57 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530628041TheFarmerTakesAWifeB.mp3
1. [Macbeth by William Shakes](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/7f7528ff9e2f), aired 12 July 1953 (57 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530712043MacbethByWilliamShakes.mp3
1. [The Rose Tattoo by Tennes](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/eee4e784b49b), aired 19 July 1953 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530719044TheRoseTattooByTennes.mp3
1. [There's Always Juliet by](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/f3e5509144b6), aired 2 August 1953 (57 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530802045TheresAlwaysJulietBy.mp3
1. [The Male Animal by James](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/e3633fa5ec13), aired 9 August 1953 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530809046TheMaleAnimalByJames.mp3
1. [Detective Story by Sidney](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/33c417733f28), aired 16 August 1953 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530816047DetectiveStoryBySidney.mp3
1. [Tonight at 8 30 \[Ways and](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/a5565f267136), aired 30 August 1953 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530830049TonightAt8_30waysAnd.mp3
1. [Kiss the Boys Good-bye by](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/049611303b51), aired 6 September 1953 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530906050KissTheBoysGood-byeBy.mp3
1. [Ethan Frome by Owen Davis](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/5574076924d2), aired 13 September 1953 (1 h 00 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530913051EthanFromeByOwenDavis.mp3
1. [The Petrified Forest by R](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/e380a0496749), aired 20 September 1953 (59 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/530920052ThePetrifiedForestByR.mp3
1. [Alice In Wonderland by Le](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/0699b94fe6ba), aired 27 December 1953 (53 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/531227013AliceInWonderlandByLe.mp3
1. [John Loves Mary by Norman](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/0093b7236148), aired 17 January 1954 (54 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/540117016JohnLovesMaryByNorman.mp3
1. [Sunset Boulevard by Charl](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/678a7f51667d), aired 31 January 1954 (48 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/540131018SunsetBoulevardByCharl.mp3
1. [Biography by S.N. Behrman](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/7715697cdbb5), aired 7 February 1954 (55 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/540207019BiographyByS.n.Behrman.mp3
1. [Julius Caesar by William](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/radio-drama/series/best-plays/0a5aa902a960), aired 14 March 1954 (53 min): https://archive.org/download/BestPlays1952-1953/540314024JuliusCaesarByWilliam.mp3

From the Old Time Radio collection at the Internet Archive, uploaded by the collector named.

Nothing here is called public domain on this site's say-so. In the United States, sound recordings first fixed before 15 February 1972 have federal protection under the Music Modernization Act of 2018, for most until 2067 at the latest, so most American radio of the 1930s to the 1950s is not in the public domain there. Each set shows the licence, mark or statement its archive gives, and says whose it is.