Lux Radio Theatre


Read by Cecil B. DeMille

Lux Radio Theatre was one of radio’s biggest hits, consistently attracting Hollywood’s stars and studios to promote their movies. The series began in New York in 1934, primarily adapting Broadway plays, but it truly made its mark after moving to Hollywood in 1936. The show was hosted by the famous executive, producer, and director Cecil B. DeMille, who was later replaced by producer William Keighley due to a dispute over AFRA union rules.

As television began to rise in popularity during the early 1950s, the series started to lose its audience. Despite this, Lux Radio Theatre continued to present high-quality productions, often featuring the same stars from the original films, although sometimes other Hollywood actors were used due to prior commitments. The productions were technically impressive, with strong orchestral arrangements, but the acting varied as movie stars had to adapt to the live performance format.

Lux Radio Theatre was notable for its large production scale and was one of the few hour-long programs to achieve lasting ratings success. The presence of a live audience added to the excitement and pressure for the performers, making each broadcast a unique experience.

Source notes: These recordings are part of the Joe Hehn Memorial Collection, which was digitized by a range of volunteers and collectors.


This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.