John Buchan's the 39 Steps (Cbc Stage Series, 8) [Abridged] [Audio CD]

John Buchan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2000 | Series: Cbc Stage Series, 8 (Book 8)

The Butler runs into a room in Mr. Richard Hannay¹s apartment as a secret agent lies dying on the floor. A dagger in his back, writhing in pain, the agent sputters ³Tell Mr. Hannay, the 39 steps, high tide..,² and dies. Mr. Hannay returns and as he and his Butler discuss the precarious situation, another knife flies into the room and sticks into the wall. Stuck to the blade is an ace of spades with a red circle around the A. It¹s the calling card of The Blackstone, an international spy ring. This means certain death. Mr. Hannay embarks on a murder mystery adventure that involves assassination, secret plans and impostors. The 39 Steps is the 1947 CBC Stage Series¹ adaptation of John Buchan¹s classic thriller. Starring: Budd Knapp, Bernard Braden, Lister Sinclair, Kathleen Kidd and others. Produced and Directed by Andrew Allan. Original Music Composed by Lucio Agostini. CBC Stage Series. Originally Broadcast 1947.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Buchan (1875–1940) was a Scottish novelist and Unionist politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the 15th since Canadian Confederation. After a brief career in law, Buchan simultaneously began writing and his political and diplomatic career, serving as a private secretary to the colonial administrator of various colonies in Southern Africa, and eventually wrote propaganda for the British war effort in First World War. Once back in civilian life, Buchan was elected Member of Parliament for the Combined Scottish Universities, but spent most of his time on his writing career. He wrote The Thirty-Nine Steps and other adventure fiction. He was in 1935 appointed as governor general by George V, king of Canada, on the recommendation of Prime Minister of Canada Richard Bennett, to replace the Earl of Bessborough as viceroy, and occupied that post until his death in 1940. Buchan proved to be enthusiastic about literacy, as well as the evolution of Canadian culture, and he received a state funeral in Canada before his ashes were returned to the UK and interred at Elsfield, Oxfordshire. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From AudioFile

This enjoyable 1947 radio adaptation of John Buchan's 1916 thriller comes from the vaults of the CBC. More faithful to Buchan's novel than was Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 film adaptation, Charles Rittenhouse's script also makes fine use of the sound medium. Musical chords punctuate dramatic moments. A montage of train sounds and conversational snatches succinctly maps hero Richard Hannay's escape from London and the clutches of a spy ring. After he disguises himself in the garb of a cooperative milkman, Hannay's innocent whistling lets us trace his steps as he nonchalantly slips past the police. Two badly muffled passages turn up, as expected with historic radio transcriptions, but the play is fast-paced fun. G.H. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Scenario Productions; Abridged edition (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1894003195
• ISBN-13: 978-1894003193
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,748,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)