Lux Redux: Hollywood's Timeless Theater

The Last of Mrs. Cheney: A Thief, A Secret, and Society’s Charm

In Lux Radio Theater’s sparkling adaptation of The Last of Mrs. Cheney, Norma Shearer, Walter Pidgeon, and Adolphe Menjou shine in a tale of deception, wit, and unexpected romance. When the elegant and mysterious Mrs. Fay Cheney charms her way into London high society, she seems to be the perfect guest—until a string of secrets, stolen pearls, and unexpected affection threaten to unravel everything.
What begins as a sophisticated heist quickly turns into a sharp social satire, exploring honor among thieves and the gray lines between crooks and aristocrats. With polished dialogue, delightful performances, and a twist of heart, this episode is a dazzling example of vintage radio drama at its cleverest.
Cast Members: Norma Shearer, Walter Pidgeon, Adolphe Menjou, Frederick Warlock, Keith Hitchcock, Winifred Harris, Jill Esmond, Claire Verdera, John Abbott, Eric Snowden, Pat Walker, Charles Seel, Anne James, Louis Silvers, Cecil B. DeMille
Special Guest: Irene Castle (ballroom dancer and actress)

The Show-Off: Pride, Pretenses, and a Peculiar Piper

In Lux Radio Theater’s uproarious presentation of George Kelly’s celebrated play The Show-Off, Irene Castle joins Harold Peary—best known as the Great Gildersleeve—in a comic tale of bluster, blunders, and unexpected redemption. When Aubrey Piper, a loud, boastful clerk with grand illusions, sweeps Amy Fisher off her feet, her family’s world is turned upside down by his relentless bragging and absurd claims.
Despite Aubrey’s bumbling interference—from derailing his brother-in-law’s invention deal to colliding with a police car—his misguided antics accidentally lead to unexpected fortune. Blending slapstick and sincerity, this episode is a hilarious yet tender examination of how even the most frustrating personalities can bring about surprising joy.
Cast Members: Harold Peary, Una Merkel, Beulah Bondi, Paula Winslowe, Jeff Corey, Eddie Marr, Norman Field, Leo Cleary, Charles Cane, Arthur Q. Bryan, Ken Christy, Sharon Douglas, Fred MacKaye, Louis Silvers, Cecil B. DeMille
Special Guest: Irene Castle (ballroom dancer and actress)

Burlesque: A Tale of Love, Laughter, and Heartbreak

Originally Aired: June 15, 1936, on "Lux Radio Theatre"In this captivating episode of "Lux Radio Theatre," we dive into the glitzy and tumultuous world of "Burlesque," a story that weaves together themes of love, ambition, and the harsh realities of show business. Set backstage at a small-town Midwestern burlesque show, we follow the journey of successful comedian and singer Skid Brown, played by the legendary Al Jolson, as he faces the challenges of pursuing fame while trying to hold onto the love of his life, Bonny Smith, portrayed by Ruby Keeler.As Skid's career takes him to the dazzling stages of New York City, his personal life begins to unravel. Meanwhile, Bonny is faced with her own difficult choice: stay loyal to the man she loves or take a chance on a better life with a wealthy rancher. The drama, heartbreak, and moments of tenderness in this episode paint a vivid picture of the highs and lows of a life in show business.The broadcast includes special intermission interviews with 85-year-old theatrical producer Daniel Frohman, as well as Al Jolson and Ruby Keeler themselves, adding depth and authenticity to this theatrical masterpiece. Jolson even performs timeless classics such as "A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody," "Is It True What They Say About Dixie?" and "Toot, Toot Tootsie."

Confession: A Past Unveiled, A Mother's Secret

In Lux Radio Theater’s emotionally charged drama “Confession: A Past Unveiled, A Mother's Secret,” Miriam Hopkins and Claude Rains deliver riveting performances in a tale of passion, loss, and redemption. When a glamorous cabaret singer is arrested for the murder of a famed pianist, the courtroom becomes the stage for a gripping story that spans decades—and hides a secret that could destroy an innocent life.
As the trial unfolds, a web of past betrayals and maternal sacrifice is slowly revealed, with a daughter unknowingly caught in the crossfire of a tragic love triangle. Adapted from the 1937 Warner Bros. film, “Confession” is a poignant exploration of justice, identity, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child.
Cast Members: Miriam Hopkins, Claude Rains, Richard Greene, Anne Shirley, Sy Kendall, Margaret Brayton, Ted Osborne, Arthur Van Slyke, Myra Marsh, Ethel Sykes, Edwin Max, David Kerman, Elia Braca, Jerry Gale, Justina Wayne, Teresa Carmo, James Eagles, Louis Silvers, Cecil B. DeMille
Special Guest: Dr. Herman Lissauer (Head of Warner Brothers' Research Department)

The Buccaneer: Pirates, Patriotism, and the Price of Honor

In Lux Radio Theatre’s swashbuckling adventure “The Buccaneer: Pirates, Patriotism, and the Price of Honor”, Clark Gable stars as the legendary Jean Lafitte, a pirate torn between infamy and integrity. Joined by Olympe Bradna, Akim Tamiroff, and Gertrude Michael, this dramatic retelling of Lafitte’s role in the War of 1812 explores loyalty, love, and redemption. As British forces threaten New Orleans, Lafitte must choose between a lucrative alliance with the enemy or risking everything to aid General Andrew Jackson and defend the city he once preyed upon. Romance, betrayal, and gripping naval drama unfold in this thrilling tale inspired by history and brought vividly to life on the Lux stage. Cast Members: Clark Gable, Olympe Bradna, Akim Tamiroff, Gertrude Michael, Clara Blandick, Frank Nelson, Louis Silvers, Cecil B. DeMille Special Guest: Rupert Hughes (Author and Historian) Air Date: November 14, 1938

That Certain Woman: Secrets, Sacrifices, and Second Chances

In Lux Radio Theatre’s stirring adaptation of That Certain Woman, Carole Lombard and Basil Rathbone deliver deeply affecting performances in this tale of love, loss, and redemption. Lombard stars as Mary Donnell, a resilient woman trying to escape the shadows of her gangster husband’s past, while Rathbone portrays the compassionate lawyer who helps guide her path forward. Caught between societal judgment and personal sacrifice, Mary fights for dignity, love, and her child’s future. As Mary’s journey unfolds—from tragedy to quiet triumph—this emotionally charged drama asks what it truly means to love selflessly. Adapted from Edmund Goulding’s screenplay and previously filmed by Warner Brothers, this episode blends melodrama with heartfelt realism in a story about finding hope after heartbreak. Cast Members: Carole Lombard, Basil Rathbone, Geoffrey Lynn, Montague Shaw, Elizabeth Wilbur, Lorene Tuttle, George Pembroke, Galen Galt, Bobby Larson, Frank Nelson, Louis Silvers, Cecil B. DeMille Special Guest: Edmund Goulding (Hollywood director and writer)

Seven Keys to Baldpate: Benny, Livingston, and a Locked-Door Laugh Riot

In Lux Radio Theatre’s madcap mystery-comedy Seven Keys to Baldpate, Jack Benny and Mary Livingston trade wisecracks, bullets, and ghost stories in a snowbound house with more “one-of-a-kind” keys than anyone expected. When Benny wagers he can write an original drama in 24 hours at Cecil B. DeMille’s remote mountain lodge, he finds himself tangled in a whirlwind of shady characters, hidden treasure, and a possibly homicidal hermit. Adapted from George M. Cohan’s stage hit (itself based on Earl Derr Biggers’ novel), this riotous romp turns suspense inside out as crooks, heirs, and alleged ghosts parade through the front door—each with their own key and their own scheme. With rapid-fire banter, self-deprecating jabs, and a violin interlude courtesy of special guest Ephraim Zimbalist, the evening’s “thriller” proves to be as much a send-up of melodrama as it is a love letter to it. Cast Members: Jack Benny, Mary Livingston, Cecil B. DeMille, Margaret Brayton, Ted Osborne, Ross Forrester, Gail Gordon, Lou Merrill, John Fee, Martha Wentworth, Eddie Waller, Joe Kearns, Victor Rodman, Mary Lansing, Frank Nelson, Dorothy Griewatz, Katherine Carlton, Louis Silvers Special Guest: Ephraim Zimbalist (violinist)

Theodora Goes Wild: A Double Life in Bloom

In Lux Radio Theatre’s sparkling adaptation of “Theodora Goes Wild,” Irene Dunne and Cary Grant light up the airwaves in a breezy comedy of secrets, scandal, and small-town rebellion. Dunne plays Theodora Lynn, a seemingly prim Sunday school teacher whose sensational novels, penned under a pseudonym, scandalize her quiet Connecticut town. But when a dashing illustrator (Grant) uncovers her double life, Theodora’s world unravels—and then explodes into color. As identities are revealed and reputations tested, Theodora must choose between the safety of conformity and the thrill of authenticity. Adapted from the hit Columbia Pictures film, this clever romantic comedy brims with charm, witty banter, and a touch of rebellion against societal expectations. Cast Members: Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, Kathleen Lockhart, Sarah Hayden, Lou Merrill, Louis Silvers, Cecil B. DeMille Special Guest: Gwen Dew (Hollywood writer and globe-trotting journalist) Air Date: June 13, 1938

A Doll’s House: Secrets, Sacrifices, and Selfhood

In Lux Radio Theatre’s gripping production of “A Doll’s House: Secrets, Sacrifices, and Selfhood,” Joan Crawford and Basil Rathbone deliver powerful performances in Henrik Ibsen’s revolutionary play. This compelling drama explores the quiet struggles and internal awakenings of Nora Helmer, a devoted wife whose world is upended when a long-concealed secret threatens to destroy her carefully constructed domestic life. As Nora’s inner conflict grows, so does the tension between duty, identity, and independence. With stakes that challenge the very foundations of marriage and selfhood, Ibsen’s masterpiece is brought to life with emotional depth and period authenticity. A moving examination of freedom, truth, and the cost of silence, this adaptation captures the enduring relevance of one woman’s quest to discover who she truly is. Cast Members: Joan Crawford, Basil Rathbone, Sam Jaffe, Nedda Harrigan, Vernon Steele, Louis Silvers, Cecil B. DeMille Special Guest: Frances Manson (Head of the Story Department, Samuel Goldwyn Productions)

I Met My Love Again: Lost Time, Rekindled Hearts

In Lux Radio Theatre’s poignant romantic drama “I Met My Love Again: Lost Time, Rekindled Hearts,” Joan Bennett and Henry Fonda reunite in a touching tale of youthful love, heartbreak, and second chances. Set in the serene college town of Linborough, Vermont, the story follows Julie and Ives—two souls torn apart by a decade of missteps, misjudgments, and missed opportunities. When Julie returns home with her young daughter after years abroad, a chance encounter with her former fiancé reopens old wounds—and reignites a love that refuses to be forgotten. As emotions swell and past decisions haunt the present, Julie and Ives must face whether love can truly be reborn after so much time. With tender performances and stirring dialogue, this adaptation of the screen hit explores forgiveness, resilience, and the power of enduring affection. Cast Members: Joan Bennett, Henry Fonda, Mae Robeson, Margaret Hamilton, Louise Platt, Louis Silvers, Cecil B. DeMille Special Guest: Jimmy Starr (Hollywood columnist)