The Man Without a Country
Seeing all of the parades and communities gathered for patriotic celebrations in July, always makes me think of a radio show I once listened to called The Man Without A Country.
The Man Without a Country is a short story written by American writer Edward Everett Hale, first published in The Atlantic in December 1863, and tells the tale of American Army lieutenant Philip Nolan, who renounces his country during a trial for treason, and is consequently sentenced to an unthinkable punishment.
There were several adaptations of the story on radio over the years, all telling the tale in their different ways of the American officer, court-martialed and sentenced to live the rest of his life at sea, never to set foot on American soil again.
The first of these adaptations was broadcast on the Weird Circle radio program on November 21st 1943. It was later adapted into a four-part dramatization by Decca Records, which was released in 1947. Bing Crosby narrated the recording, and Frank Lovejoy portrayed Philip Nolan. The show was also adapted for the Philco Radio Time program for Thanksgiving in 1947, with Crosby again providing narration.
The radio shows have always been well-received, as a well-produced and well-acted adaptation of a beloved American story, and a powerful reminder of the importance of patriotism and national unity, which was particularly relevant during World War II.
Here are some of the other radio series that adapted the story of The Man Without a Country:
Happy listening my friends,
