The Mercury Theatre on the Air achieved sufficient fame in its short life to nab a major sponsor, Campbell’s Soups, after which the show became The Campbell Playhouse. So we have lots of ads for Campbells during the break. They were very proud of being associated with Orson Welles to judge by the opening spiel – and why not, for this was an excellent way to launch the show. Margaret Sullavan’s acting skill and throat voice make her a strong ? (the woman she plays is never named); Welles is a perfect Maxim – he was always at his best as an actor when he didn’t have to carry the action, but where the action centred around him (eg Kane, Harry Lime). He was slim and good looking enough at this stage to have played the role in the film version too – although he got the next best thing, Rochester in Jane Eyre.Mildred Natwick is a strong Mrs Danvers, not as good as Judith Anderson but still pretty good, and George Colouris, Ray Collins and Agnes Moorehead support (these three actors supported Welles in the bulk of Mercury’s on air stuff that I’ve heard). My main gripe – the plot bit is banged through in about two-three minutes (i.e. Maxim being on trial); it’s far too quick. They spent the time instead on atmosphere and character, which are strong, but I think they should have allocated a bit more time to the murder story.
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