To say that I love “Barrymore” produced by Colonial Radio Theatre, written by William Luce and starring Jerry Robbins, is like saying kids appreciate Halloween. There’s just not enough adjectives in the English language to describe this theatrical experience. One gets the feeling that you’re not listening to an audio drama, but you’re experiencing a night out to a Broadway Stage.
The production is crisp, and captures enough sound to support Robbin’s portrayal of John Barrymore. A portrayal which expertly sifts through the many moods and madnesses of the late master.
If, like me, you’re building your audio library this is a must buy. And even if, you’re not considering making a large collection, this is the show you’ll want to hear time and time again- and remember when Hollywood and the American Stage held court with Kings.
I think we should just “gift” CRT’s BARRYMORE to everyone we love, Jack! It is an essential piece of the puzzle that makes up the whole entertainment industry, taking place at the convergence of stage/early movies/celebrities with larger than life destructive liefestyles (that weren’t considered uncool) ~ and we wouldn’t want all those cultural references to go away.
Btw… I totally see your Clare Danes/Cate Blanchette thing! One is a redhead and one is blonde, other than that… they are pretty similar. But then, depending on the role, they could be… say Bob Dylan, or a brunette and then, well, we are all confused again!
Thanks so much Sharon! I couldn’t agree more. Barrymore is a gift to Audio Drama.
I think it should be an essential Christmas present!
J
P.S. Thanks for the whole Danes/Blanchette thing. I’ll have to pass that on to Shannon 😉
Hey Jack, I’d go to court with the Danes/Blanchette thang, if necessary.
Maybe we need to start a new cult, organized on the Luce/Barrymore by Robbins topic: WWBD? WWL’sBbyJR do? WWJR’sJB do? Our theme song could be “Kalamazoo!” Ooo, kinda scary… pass the Bourbon, and one of those red apples!