A C A N T I C L E F O R L I E B O W I T Z
- --------------- ----- -----------------
1981 - 1982
First Show: Oct 11, 1981 Last Show: Jan 17, 1982
Number Shows: 15 Audition Show: none
Series Description:
A CANTICLE FOR LIEBOWITZ is a science fiction serial based on a novel
of the same name by Walter M. Miller, Jr. The story first appeared
as a series of novellas in the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
and was later published as a complete novel in 1959. This Hugo
award winning work is considered a classic ranking with "Brave New
World" and "Fahrenheit 451".
The story was adapted for radio by John Reed, and aired in 15 30-
minute episodes. It was first heard on radio station WHA, Madison,
Wisconsin and NPR stations. This first broadcast ran from October
11, 1981 through January 10, 1982, Sundays, from 10:00 to 10:30 PM.
The series was repeated in 1983, 1984 and 1985 on NPR stations. It
was not heard on the air again until 2001, when it was rebroadcast in
October through December of that year on NPR stations.
The series was directed by Karl Schmidt. Narrator for the series
was Carol Collins and it starred Fred Coffin, Russell Horton, Bart
Hayman and Herb Hartig. Music for the series was by Greg Fish and
Bob Budney and the Edgewood College Chant Group.
The story starts approximately 500 after a global nuclear war has
reduced mankind to barbarism. It centers around an order of monks
living in an abbey in the former US Southwest. The order, founded
by an engineer or scientist named Leibowitz who lived through the
war, is dedicated to preserving pre-war science texts. The story is
divided into 3 parts, approximately 500 years after the war, then
1100 years and finally 1800 years. Part 1 covers the discovery of
artifacts leading to proof of sainthood of the Blessed Leibowitz.
Part 2 covers a time of expansion and nationalism in North America.
Part 3 covers the approach of a second nuclear war. The radio
version covers each part in multiple episodes.
The dramatization, in stereo, features excellent acting and use of
sound effects. It can be a bit slow-moving, but that's in keeping
with the flow of the original novel. Overall, this is an excellent
series.
The British Broadcasting Corp. also produced a 90-minute adaptation
of the novel in 1992, covering only the first 2 parts. This
otherwise excellent production is flawed by not including the last
part. It does present the material in a slightly different manner.
Listening to the BBC version before the NPR version offers the
listener a different perspective on the first 2 parts.
The version heard on NPR can be purchased through NPR's web site
(http://shop.npr.org) or the ZBS web site (http://www.zbs.com).
Log Comments:
The episodes were untitled. Rather than have a episode title field,
I've used a "Description" field. They identify the part of the book
the episode is based on, the time frame it occurred in and the core
theme. Beneith that, there's a brief description. I've also added
section titles, using titles for the original novellas followed by
publication information.
Chronological Log:
Date Ep Description
------------ -- ------------------------------------------------
........... A CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ ...........
(Fantasy & Science Magazine, April, 1955)
Oct 11, 1981 1 500 Years After: Sainthood for Leibowitz, part 1
Brother Francis discovers an ancient fallout
shelter.
Oct 18, 1981 2 500 Years After, part 2
Relics found the shelter appear to be in the
handwriting of the beatus Liebowitz himself but
Brother Francis fails to convince others they
are real.
Oct 25, 1981 3 500 Years After, part 3
Brother Francis is not allowed to take his vows.
Did he really see Liebowitz himself?
Nov 01, 1981 4 500 Years After, part 4
The Canonization of Saint Liebowitz and a trip
to New Rome planned for Brother Francis.
............ AND THE LIGHT IS RISEN ............
(Fantasy & Science Magazine, August, 1956)
Nov 08, 1981 5 1100 Years After: A Rise in Nationalism, part 1
An audience with the Pope and the strange death
of Brother Francis.
Nov 15, 1981 6 1100 Years After, part 2
A new era of learning and an unwitting pawn in
the struggle of the uses of knowledge.
Nov 22, 1981 7 1100 Years After, part 3
The re-invention of the electric light and an
enlightened emissary from the King.
Nov 29, 1981 8 1100 Years After, part 4
The arrival of Don Tedeo and the last Jew in the
world. Is war to come?
Dec 06, 1981 9 1100 Years After, part 5
Don Tedeo explores the memorabilia of the
Monastery, while his soldiers makes notes of the
Monastery's fortifications.
Dec 13, 1981 10 1100 Years After, part 6
Don Tedeo's vision of the future. An unexpected
visit by Benjamin, the old Jew of the Mesa.
Dec 20, 1981 11 1100 Years After, part 7
The coming of a dark age as war seems imminent,
and Abbot Paolo passes from the scene.
.............. THE LAST CANTICLE ...............
(Fantasy & Science Magazine, February, 1957)
Dec 27, 1981 12 1800 Years After: The Coming War, part 1
As nuclear war nears, the Abby plans an
interstellar voyage of preservation.
Jan 03, 1982 13 1800 Years After, part 2
A new Exodus begins as war once again comes to
Earth.
Jan 10, 1982 14 1800 Years After, part 3
The Death Camps of the Green Star, anathema for
a Priest.
Jan 17, 1982 15 1800 Years After, part 4
The fire comes again, and the strange birth of
Rachel.
References:
* "The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide To All
Circulating Shows", by Jay Hickerson, Box 4321, Hamden, CT 06514
* GOLDINdex database, J. David Goldin, Box 542, Newtown, CT 06470
(http://www.radiogoldindex.com)
Last Update: May 20, 2004
This log is informational only and does not imply that I have these
shows for trade or sale. The shows are still protected under
copyright law and should be obtained only from authorized dealers.
The log may be freely reproduced and published on a no-profit basis.
Please send error corrections or additional information to Frank M.
Passage, 109 Elmwood Road, Verona, NJ 07044 (email: wb2ntp@arrl.net).