COLUMBIA BROADCASTING SYSTEM – FORECAST, Monday, August 25, 1943, 9:00 - 9:30 PM EDST, FINAL, original ribbon typed script

[1943 CBS FORECAST RADIO PROGRAM SCRIPT; BLACK AMERICANA/PAUL ROBESON; MEDIA HISTORY; SOCIAL HISTORY/WWII] COLUMBIA BROADCASTING SYSTEM – FORECAST, Monday, August 25, 1943, 9:00 - 9:30 PM EDST, FINAL, original ribbon typed script double-spaced, 29 pages 8-1/2" x 11" held by rusted paperclip at upper left corner; the introduction to the program reads in part, "The Columbia Broadcasting System brings you the tenth and eleventh [tenth episode only follows] in a series of twelve proposed new radio programs…These broadcasts are radio 'first nights' — dress rehearsals…of shows ear-marked 'For Future Reference'…Forecast Number ten, from New York: 'Three Wishes', an unusual variety show with Alan Lunt and Lynn Fontaine…Paul Robeson…Moss Hart…master of ceremonies…Carl Van Doren…" followed by more than 20 pages of sections of representative dialogue and performances of Forecast Number ten; Robeson's limited appearance is on page 16 (words of the song he performs are not given), reading in part, "Yes, let me hear that huge Chaliapin [famed Russian opera singer] in bronze, Paul Robeson…here he is…Paul Robeson on the West Coast…singing 'Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child'. go ahead, Paul Robeson in Hollywood!…MUSIC: 'MOTHERLESS CHILD'…ROBESON AND ORCHESTRA…"; pages 3-17, appearances of variety of individuals as guests for the show's sampling of "Three Wishes" in addition to Robeson's appearance as noted; pages 17-26, "Miss Lynn Fontaine and Mr. Alfred Lunt…In a short play based on the final act of Maxwell Anderson's great poetic drama "Elizabeth the Queen"; pages 27-29 is the closing including Carl Van Doran's reading of Kenneth Allan Robinson's poem "American Laughter" in eight stanzas, single-spaced, final note on the Forecast presentation of "Three Wishes" as "proposed new series…[where] a different celebrity each week will be asked to express his three wishes for a good show…Tonight's performance was directed by George Zachary from a script by George Faulkner…", announcement of Forecast Number eleven coming up, "Stay tuned to this station for another Forecast program…Tony Martin and Bert Lahr in a new music and comedy sow – Search For A Sponsor"; ITEM NOTE: "Forecast was a CBS radio program run during the slow summer months introducing varied talent and different program ideas to listeners, inviting responses from them, 'If the public, in sufficient numbers, liked a Forecast sample – as they liked 'Duffy's Tavern' during the first season – the chances were that the fully developed product would be on the air after the fall semester opened. On the other hand, a negative response or some hearty, candid disapproval would prevent a lot of headaches, save a good many dollars, in the months to come.' " ("Is There a Sponsor in the House?" by Martin Grams, Jr., online resource); this Forecast program notably features Paul Robeson singing "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" in Hollywood; Robeson was associated with CBS as early as 1939 with his performances of the patriotic song "Ballad for Americans"; Forecast Number eleven mentioned in the introduction, but not present as part of this item, is described, "Forecast Number eleven, from Hollywood: Tony Martin and Bert Lahr in a new musical and comedy show brazenly titled 'Search for a Sponsor'…"; CONDITION: well-preserved, minimal fading and wear, rusted paperclip holds all the pages at the upper left corner.