"A Harsh Time of Change in England": The Way It Was, 5 June

1944: "THIS TEMPESTUOUS STORY OF THE EMOTIONS"---"Charlotte Bronte wrote this novel over a century ago. Yet, in a world at war, this tempestuous story of the emotions is a bigger success than ever, for several new editions of the novel have appeared in the last few months." So says host/producer Cecil B. DeMille, introducing one of old-time radio's most impeccable translations of Jane Eyre.

This one, adapted from the 1944 film hit, the seventh time Jane Eyre was adapted to film, puts a pair of genuine screen giants---Orson Welles (reprising his film role) and Loretta Young (in the title role, played in the film by Joan Fontaine)---before the mikes, in the story of the often-abused orphan girl hired as the governess to the young ward of a mysterious manor house lord with whom she falls in love . . . and with whom she's finally on the threshold of marriage when his and his home's secret, the cause of several unsettling events, is about to be revealed fatefully.

My name is Jane Eyre. I was born in 1820, a harsh time of change in England. Money and position were all that mattered. Charity was a cold and disagreeable word and religion, too often merely a mask to cover bigotry and meanness . . .

---The title character's opening narration, as delivered by Loretta Young.

Thus merely begins tonight's edition of Lux Radio Theater. (CBS.)

Mrs. Reed: Possibly Agnes Moorehead, recreating her film role. Additional cast: Unknown. Adapted from the John Houseman screenplay, based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte.

CHANNEL SURFING . . .

1939: Y.Y. FLIRCH TRIES TO CALL---With Sade (Bernadine Flynn) off on a day trip to Pontiac, preoccupied Rush (Bill Idelson) tells Vic (Art Van Harvey) his old lodge brother wants to talk, which seems as puzzling as exciting to Vic, on today's edition of Vic & Sade. (NBC.)

Announcer: Ralph Edwards. Writer: Paul Rhymer.

1949: DESIGN FOR DANGER---A former convict (possibly Frank Lovejoy) returning to Watertown has revenge killing on his mind---and his old flame (possibly Lurene Tuttle) wants Holliday (Alan Ladd) to prevent more victims, including a potential surprise one, on tonight's edition of Box 13. (Mutual.)

Suzy: Sylvia Picker. Kling: Edmund MacDonald. Writer: Bob Mitchell.

1949: SCHOOL KEY---There's only one thing wrong on the day Madison High is supposed to receive a district attendance award---thanks to absentminded Mrs. Davis (Jane Morgan), in whose custody it was left for the morning, the key to the school is missing, and nobody can get in or answer its phones, on tonight's edition of Our Miss Brooks. (CBS.)

Connie: Eve Arden. Walter: Richard Crenna. Conklin: Gale Gordon. Harriet: Gloria McMillan. Writer: Al Lewis.

1949: THE TONSILLECTOMY---That oftentimes-first childhood trauma is on the schedule for one member of the Harris household . . . and the traumatised soul's (Phil Harris) getting the business from the usual suspects who only begin with his wife (Alice Faye) and his obnoxious brother-in-law (Robert North), on tonight's edition of The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show. (NBC.)

Little Alice: Jeanine Roos. Phyllis: Ann Whitfield. Remley: Elliott Lewis. Julius: Walter Tetley. Writers: Ray Singer, Dick Chevillat.

PREMIERING TODAY . . .

1910---Herb Vigran (actor: Sad Sack; Father Knows Best; The Jack Benny Program), Fort Wayne, Indiana.
1916---John Raby (actor: A Brighter Day; Our Gal Sunday), New York City.
1920---Cornelius Ryan (correspondent, World War II), Dublin.
1925---Bill Hayes (singer/actor: Arthur Godfrey Time), Harvey, Illinois.