The Count of Monte Cristo

Classic Movies on the Radio

By: Lux Radio Theatre

Narrated by: Robert Montgomery

This radio dramatization of the classic movie originally aired on February 6, 1939.

The Lux Radio Theatre was one of radio's most popular series, attracting Hollywood's top stars and boasting a lavish budget. It began in 1934 by featuring dramas from Broadway, but there was not enough material to support the show. In an attempt to reverse the slipping ratings, the show was moved to Hollywood in 1936, where there was plenty of material and talent. In fact, filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille often served as the host.

Hear more collections of radio movie dramatizations, or listen to all of the individual programs by themselves!©2006 Radio Spirits Inc. (P)2006 Radio Spirits Inc.

damage to recording spoils excellent play

It is a real shame that the record this recording is from is damaged part way through.

okay with issues

sound quality dropped about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way into the book but then recovered

Details?

The beginning was ok but throughout the story there was little depth. It felt like an outline rather than a story.

More commercial and fluff than play/story

Would you try another book from Lux Radio Theatre and/or Robert Montgomery?

No way! Now that I have seen how much of this is not the actual story, but only commercials.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I will go back and listen to the unabridged version of Count of Monte Christo with an even greater appreciation. There must be a happy medium- a better and more faithful abridged version.

What didn’t you like about Robert Montgomery’s performance?

The actor's performance was fine. There was just not much of the story to work with, and the change of him being arrested was not a good one.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Count of Monte Cristo?

All the beginning conversation with between Danglars and Morel was not needed in conparison to showing hos relationship with his father, which was ignored. So there was parallel fo the fatherly figured needed in his life and development for Abbe Faria and his father.

Any additional comments?

The story was too abreviated- to the point of embarassment. This is not enough of the original to even warrant comment. The radio nostalgia is interesting, but not at the expense of the story. The actors interview at the end is insipid and annoying. Not enough of the drama an passion of the story is allowed to shine in this version, which is half commercials for Lux and other unnecessary fluff.