Radio review - Ford Theatre - "A Farewell to Arms" (1949) **1/2

Fletcher Markle steps out from behind the glass to co-star opposite Helen Hayes in this version of the Hemingway classic. He doesn't do a bad job and Hayes keeps her whimpering and simpering in check. Still, Hemingway dialogue always sounds odder than it reads and that doesn't change here. Solid story (two people who don't really want to fall in love fall genuinely in love) with repetitions (Lt Henry keeps getting injured) - but this version lacks the desperation, romance, passion and urgency which the tale needs.