The Green Lama (radio series)

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The Green Lama is an American radio adventure drama that was broadcast on CBS June 5, 1949 - August 20, 1949. [1] It was based on novels about that character by Richard Foster. [2]

Contents

Overview

After spending 10 years in Tibet in a monastery of lamas, [3] wealthy young Jethro Dumont returned to the United States after having become an honorary lama. [2] In addition to that title, he had obtained "curious and secret powers" [1] that he used, as the on-air introduction said, "in his single-handed fight against injustice and crime". [4] In Tibet, green represented justice, so he chose that color as part of his name. [2] Paul Frees portrayed Dumont, and Ben Wright played his loyal Tibetan servant, Tulku. Other actors and actresses heard on the series included Harry Bartell, Gloria Blondell, Lillian Buyeff, William Conrad, Lawrence Dobkin, Georgia Ellis, Laurette Fillbrandt, Jack Kruschen, Nestor Paiva, and Herb Vigran. Larry Thor was the announcer. Richard Aurandt provided the music. [5]

Production

Initially Norman MacDonnell produced and directed the show; [6] By July 6, 1949, Jim Burton had become the director. [7] Writers included Foster, William Froug, [1] and Ken Crossen. [8] Originating from Hollywood, [3] the show was sustaining. [5] It initially was broadcast on Sundays at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time [1] as a replacement for Broadway Is My Beat . [9] Effective July 16, 1949, it was moved to Saturdays at 7 p.m. E. T. [10]

Episodes

Episodes of The Green Lama
DateEpisode
June 5, 1949"The Man Who Never Existed" [3]
June 12, 1949"The Man Who Stole a Pyramid" [3]
June 19, 1949"The Girl With No Name" [3]
June 26, 1949"The Million Dollar Chopsticks" [3]
July 3, 1949"The Last Dinosaur" [3]
July 16, 1949"The Return of Madame Pompadour" [3]
July 23, 1949"Tapestry in Purple" [3]
July 30, 1949"The African Diamond Affair" [3]
August 6, 1949"The Gumbo Man" [3]
August 13, 1949"The Case of the Dangerous Dog" [3]
August 20, 1949"The Case of the Patient Prisoner" [3]

Critical response

A review of the premiere episode in the trade publication Variety said that it was "a little fanciful" but adequate for a summer mystery program. [11] The review commended the acting of Frees and the supporting cast as well as the quality of the show's writing and the episode's "exotic atmosphere". [11]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Dunning, John (May 7, 1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. p. 299. ISBN   978-0-19-977078-6 . Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "'The Green Lama' Makes Debut on CBS-KWKH Today" . The Shreveport Times. June 5, 1949. p. A 15. Retrieved November 15, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Grams, Martin Jr. (October 16, 2024). Radio Drama: A Comprehensive Chronicle of American Network Programs, 1932-1962. McFarland. p. 212. ISBN   978-1-4766-0826-6 . Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  4. ↑ Terrace, Vincent (June 8, 2015). Radio Program Openings and Closings, 1931-1972. McFarland. pp. 96–97. ISBN   978-1-4766-1223-2 . Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Cox, Jim (June 14, 2015). Radio Crime Fighters: More Than 300 Programs from the Golden Age. McFarland. pp. 123–124. ISBN   978-1-4766-1227-0 . Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  6. ↑ "CBS Mystery Series". Broadcasting. June 13, 1949. p. 58. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  7. ↑ "From the Production Centres: In Hollywood . . ". Variety. July 6, 1949. p. 36. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  8. ↑ Mougin, Lou (January 10, 2020). Secondary Superheroes of Golden Age Comics. McFarland. p. 281. ISBN   978-1-4766-3860-7 . Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  9. ↑ "CBS Mulls Summer 'Green Lama' Show". Billboard. May 28, 1949. p. 6. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Radio and Television: NBC Video Series to Depict Psychological Motivations in Human Behavior" . The New York Times. July 7, 1949. p. 50. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  11. 1 2 "The Green Lama". Variety. June 8, 1949. p. 28. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
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