Campbell Playhouse - 04 - Mutiny on the Bounty

The fourth episode of The Campbell Playhouse, titled “Mutiny on the Bounty,” is a radio adaptation of the novel by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall. This episode originally aired on January 13, 1939, and features Orson Welles as Captain Bligh

The Campbell Playhouse was a radio drama series that aired on CBS from 1938 to 1941. Here's a breakdown of what made it interesting:

• Star Power: It was directed by and starred the legendary Orson Welles, known for his innovative use of sound effects and captivating voice.
• Classic Adaptations: During its first two seasons (1938-1940), the show focused on hour-long adaptations of classic plays, novels, and even some popular movies. Think "The Count of Monte Cristo" or "Rebecca" brought to life through radio.
• Shifting Format: After Welles left, the show continued for a season with a shorter format (30 minutes) and a focus on lighter fare, often featuring Hollywood actors.

Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio https://link.radioking.com/otradio
Listen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/
Entertainment Radio | Broadcasting Classic Radio Shows | Patreon

Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio

Episode Transcript

(00:22):
The makers of Campbell Soups present theCampbell Playhouse, Arson Wells, producer.

(00:43):
Good Evening Listeners. This is ErnestChapel speaking Tonight. The Campbell Playhouse presents
Arson Wells in his own radio versionof that great sea story Mutiny on the
Bounty. But first, a wordfrom our sponsor. Any day you look
on the lunch your dinner menu themost popular restaurant in town, you will,
like me, find that one dishfeatured is chicken. Ask the proprietor

(01:03):
about this, and he'll tell youthat chicken is a best seller, not
only with the regulars, but withpeople who are eating out in style.
And it's true. Wherever you go, chicken is usually first choice when the
meal is to be something specially fine. I mention this because it seems to
me the widespread liking for chicken isone reason Campbell's Chicken soup is enjoyed so

(01:25):
eagerly by families everywhere you see.This soup is chicken through and through,
so that as sure as you likechicken, you like Campbell's Chicken soup.
And the aroma that drifts up asthis soup is set before you, there's
an unmistakable promise of chicken. There'sdeep down chicken flavor and each spoonful as
you taste it, and tender piecesof chicken meat too. That's what makes

(01:46):
this such a grand soup, thelavish emphasis on chicken. Why don't you
surprise your family with Cambell's chicken soupfor some meal this weekend. Good evening,
missus orson Welles. On the twelfthof September seventeen ninety two, there

(02:08):
occurred in England the most remarkable courtmartial in maritime history. Seven naval officers
and men were on trial for theirlives before the Lord's Commissioner of the Admiralty
on charge of high treason. Revelationsat this trial of conditions prevailing on the
ships of the British Navy came finallyto exert a powerful influence in humanizing the
administration of the world's navies and makingmore tolerable life at sea. Li span

(02:46):
more. Not your bier midshipman here, Sir James Morrison, Pawson's maid,
Yes, William Pacell, ship's carpenterhere, Sir Thomas Burckett, Seamen,
Yes, Sir John Merrill, Seamenhere, Sir Honest ellison semen here.
Sir, you are here to betried by a special Court of Naval Inquiry

(03:08):
assembled aboard His Majesty's flagship Duke,on the Article nineteen of the Naval Articles
of War, which read as follows. If any person in or belonging to
the fleet shall make or endeavor tomake any mutinous assembly upon any pretense whatsoever,
every person offending herein, being convictedthereof by the sentence of the Court

(03:29):
martial, shall suffer death. Firstwitness to the Crown. Captain blye,
Captain bly yes, For Captain bly, have you any statement to make to
this court concerning the mutiny aboard hismagistrates Shift Bounty by lending your command in
the Great South Seas, I have, Sir. I have prepared a statement,

(03:51):
which I now make the Court's permissionto read. The Court will hear
your statement, Captain Bly, Irespectfully beg to submit to the Lord's Commissioner
of the Route the information that HisMajesty's armed vessel Bounte under my command was
taken from me by some of thesuperior officers and men on the twenty eighth
day of April seventeen eighty nine inthe following manner due to before sunrise,

(04:14):
Fletcher Christian, who was made ofthe ship and officer of the watch,
together with accused and certain others thecrewel came into my cabin and while I
was asleep, seized me in mybed, and with cutlasses and bayonets fixed
at my breast, threatened me withinstant death if I spoke or made the
least noise. I was hauled ondeck in my shirt and without a rag.
Else the bolton was ordered to hoistthe launch out, and the officers

(04:39):
and men who remained loyal were orderedinto the boat, who then veered astern
in all nineteen souls. The voatwas so lumbered and deep in the water
that it was believed we should neverreachhore size the votes twenty three feet from
stemdistein Rode six o's. After consideringour melancly situation, I was earnestly solicited
by all hands to take them towardhome. Therefore, after commending our souls

(05:01):
to God, I bore away fromNew Holland and to Moor across the sea,
but little known in a small boatladen with nineteen souls, without a
single map of any kind, andnothing but my own recollection and general knowledge
of the situation of places to directus after enduring dangers and privations he impossible
to describe. We sighted Timore onthe twelfth of June, and on the

(05:26):
morning of the fifteenth, before daylight, I anchored under the fort of the
Dutch settlement at Coupan. This voyagein an open boat I believed to be
unparalleled in the history of navigation.One thing I wish to add, but
on the night preceding the mutineer comingupon deck during the middle watch, according
to my custom, I discovered FletcherChristian, the ring leader of the mutineers,

(05:47):
in earnest conversation with Raja Bay andMitribn only accused. In the darkness
of the deck, I was notobserved by these men, who were standing
on the starboard side of the quarterdeck between the guns. Now had any
apprehension at that time that their conversationwas not innocince. But as I approached
unseen, I saw Roger Biam shakehands with Christian, and I distinctly heard

(06:10):
him say these words you can counton me, to which Christian replied,
good, that's settled. Then themoment they discovered me, they broke off
their talk. I have not theslightest doubt that this conversation concerned the forthcoming
mutiny. It is all I love, Roger Bium. Stampo Roger Bium.

(06:38):
You have been accused with others ofmutinism, piratical seizure of his megastis on
Mesal Bounty. You have heard theCrown's witness, Roger Biam. Do you
be guilty or not guilty? MyLord and gentlemen, I declare before God
and the members of this court thatI am innocent, that I have never
been guilty, either in thought orindeed, of the crime of which I'm

(07:00):
charged. Card your biom. TheCorp is now ready to receive whatever you
may have to say in your owndefense. My lords, I joined His
Majesty's on Transport Bounty as a midshipmenton the twenty first of December seventeen eighty
seven. We were off Spithead,lying two for stores and crews to come

(07:20):
aboard. I remember my first sideof the bounty. The crew crowded in
the after deck around the huddled formof a man lashed the captain spy.
Captain bly reading from an Admiralty order, if any person in or belonging to
his Majesty's breed shall strike randevor tostrike an officer, you shall be clogged

(07:45):
and turn on board every ship ofthe fleet. Master dance, Yes,
sir, I'm any lashes of duefor marship. Two dozen sir, farewell,
mister Morrison. Yes, Captain Black, two dozen leshes moment, Captain
Yes, Surgeon the prisoner is dead, Sir, lucky devil. We were
only the fifth ship man, misterMorrison, what are you waiting for?

(08:05):
But the man is dead? Sir, yes, I heard the surgeon's report.
God, my dinner's getting cold.Who don't lashes, mister Morrison?
Two dozen lashes, dead or alive? Two dozen. It is on the

(08:31):
morning of the twenty third of December, with forty five officers and crew aboard,
and as the guns of the fleetfired a farewell salute, the bounty
set sail for Tahiti and the GreatSouth Seas. Your turn, Christian I,
Captain Lie take schart raising ankles aboutfriar Topton, I said, stink

(08:54):
clve, Sir certain Haggan, asyour service, Sir certain Huggin, you'll
moderate both your voice and your rum. Rations had to post to Morrison were
ready, Sir I, sir,oh hands hold a down here pass and
carry who oh short? Then thoseare tottoes? Are you asleep? From

(09:24):
the photons? The main toppler off, the arny alive you crown cannafler way
I come and you oh you howthe bottom ho ho hody ho ho ho

(09:50):
not the main tack Cali play hoChristmas Land's end and the bounty headed away

(10:11):
to see what doctor had said.She was a small ship, as you
know, of little more than twohundred tons, and the great cabin at
was raked as a garden with atransportation of breadfruit trees from the island of
Zahiti to the West Indian plantations.Thus the ship's quarters were more than usually
traveled, the circumstance, which undoubtedlyaffected the temper of its company. The

(10:35):
officers messed in a screened off spaceon the lower deck after the main hash.
At the captain's table sat mister Friar, the ship's navigator, an elderly
man long in the service of hisMajesty's native, and mister Christian the mate,
a man of only twenty four,of fine presence from a good English

(10:56):
Fani. You talk to me aboutseamen, mister Christian. I know the
middle than you, custom and lazyand competent, a lot of scoundals,
and knows the captain has trials enoughwith such cruel dregs of public houses.
They're are know a sheet from attackMan't you to differ with your captain,
Bly, I should call Ellison andMills first class seemen. Even Burgett he

(11:18):
maybe willfully. Burkett's an insolent town. I have my eye on him.
The slightest report of missus condract,I'll have him seized up and flogged,
if I may express an opinion,Captain Bly, Yes, mister Christian,
Burgett's Amanda tame with kindness rather thanwith blows. Bloody dum, mister Christian,
on my word, you should applyfor places master and a young ladies

(11:39):
similarly kindness. Indeed, I find, Captain, you'll make us a ridiculous
notions. O. Seemen understand kindnessis what as the understand Greek fears what
they do understand. Without fear,mutiny and piracy would be rife on the
high seat. I there's some twosin that, so I can't agree.
Seemen don't differ from other Englishmen,there are some. The best of them

(12:00):
will follow a fair and kind officerto the ends of the earth. Right
that custom is the end of theyard. If you have to talk such
nonsense, mister Christian, will doit in my mess where I have to
listen to you very well, misterBlank, the future I shall die,
and where my opinions are more acceptable. From that day on and for the

(12:28):
rest of the voyage. Captain Blytook his meals by himself from his cabin
in latitude thirty nine degrees north,just off the coast of Teneriff. We
ran into heavy weather. A hugewave stove in three of our longboats,
carried away our cases of beef andspoiled a large part of our stock of
bread. We laid into Santa Cruzfor fresh supplies of water and beef.

(12:52):
The meat was taken on ship wasso tainted the men through most of it
overboard. Captain Bly kept the menat work repairing the ship's boat from morning
till night. Captain Bly, yes, miss, men are asking when they
can start, surely, sir,so they can get drunk in the taverns
as food. Then see nearly eightweeks maybe eight months before they set foot

(13:13):
in land and matters were get usedto it. Oh, surely is mister
friar. Hi, Sir. Weleft Santa Cruz at the end of February.
We carried no person. Blive builtthe office himself, assisted by Samuel

(13:35):
as Clerk, a smug, tightlipped litten man who was believed to be
the Captain's spy. On Monday ofevery week, he and Captain Bly opened
up the casks and checked over thesupplies. On the story eighteen pounds sulie,
eighteen pounds. It's wrong with thatcake book is It seems like it's

(13:56):
been opened there, So it ismister Fryar at once the friar Captain Blake
calling yourself, well, these cursedhas been opened and two cheeses are missing.
They may have been short weighted whenwe were provisions, they were not,
mister Friar, I checked them.These cheeses were stolen. Well,
perhaps you recollect, sir, thatwhile we were at Spithead, a cask
was opened by your order and thecheeses carried ashore. Heard your tongue burket

(14:20):
voterous manned by a packet thief.Surely, Captain, you don't think against
the officers and men. But I'lltame you by heaven, I will.
I'll make you wat grass before I'mdone with you. Yes, sir,
is the alarms of cheese stopped andthe officer's too mind gentle inefficient has made
good? Yes, captain, andburk it. If I hear another word

(14:41):
out of your have you seized upand plocked in the ball? Tam You're
you block the storeroom and the keysto my captain. So help me.
I ordered those two cheeses taken outof spithead. I can beg your lair

(15:03):
pocket. I carry them myself.Two cheeses the cask of vinegar a liar's
house. So that's the game,is it? Learning his pockets by starving
us versus blood. I'll be hangedif I do any more work on this
ship. If he puts back ourcheese, ride with your lads. No
more work by any in this mess. I'll give the word to quintals mess

(15:24):
and he'll pass it on. Nomore work, no more work, no
more work, no more work,no more work all n captain lie,
here's miss Christian. If officer ofthe deck say I feel it my duty

(15:46):
to make a report, well,what is it grumbling in the forecastle,
Sir? It's becoming serious, isit? What are the scoundrels grumbling about
now? Anything, sir? Chieflythe food? And they're not satisfied with
the Russians. I certainly better makeup their minds to be satisfied. Captain
Blie, a second officer, Iam, in a measure responsible for their

(16:07):
conduct. If I may suggest,Sir, I think it would be wise
to listen to that grievances. Maykeep your suggestions to yourself, Mister Christian,
think it only right that you shouldhere with them. I am the
only judger what's right and wrong onthe ship. I'm tired of their bloody
complaints. Since you seem to bethe advocate, mister Christian, you can
tell this. The first man tocomplain from none replaced in shades. About

(16:37):
one hundred leagues off the coast ofBrazil. The wind shopped around to north
northwest, and the bounty lay becalmed. Here. Another incident occurred to
aggravate the resentment of the men.We've been at sea six months and for
ten weeks now. Outside of theofficer's mess, there had been no fresh
food of any sort on board thebounty. Taking advantage of the calm,

(16:59):
the crew employed themselves with fishing forshark, with pieces of rotten pork for
bait. The god look right underthe bouth. Give him the bait there,
slick alive, hot murker, halffire. Heaven, he's on cock.

(17:21):
How can you come any boys?An slicing up man, Carola mills
that cutlass? What for your cutting? Shark meats good eat, It's better
than dried dog's meat. Any day. Someone's coming. It's Samuel, Samuel,

(17:41):
captain spy. He doesn't get ascrap of a shark's meat, you
hear, men, not a scrapa fine catch, amen, I say,
it's a fine catch of fish yougot there. I must have a
slice. So you must have aslice, mister Samuel, I must have
a last of grog and a sipone tool if you eat shot today.

(18:03):
Come come, my good man.You have enough fish there for a dozen.
You have enough grog stole away fora thousand, By heaven, it's
for the captain's table. I wantedto catch them a shot yourself. This
is mine. He gets the bestof the bread and the pick up the
junk cast because it is I gotyourself breck it. Come give me a
slice, that large one, andI'll say nothing trouble with you. You

(18:25):
take your slice right, and you'resneaking. Faith Burkert spent the night on
irons. His messmates saved in theirentire allowance of grog to fortify him against
the flogging they knew to be inevitable. At six bells, mister Blake came

(18:45):
on deck Christian as captain Bye,all all handsome, dictor wit and stonished
Yessa, All men all aftack cashimamister christ all hands on deck? Oh
hend sir, Oh what all menon that top of life? Very good,

(19:06):
mister Christian. Break the gratings.Must first off gratings by Thomas Birkett,
step forward being said, no,sir, scrip Norton sees him up.
See stop, Sir Thomas Burkett,for mutinous conduct. I sentence you

(19:27):
to three dozen lashes Morrison. Yes, sir, mister Morrison, see that
you lay on with a will fortto meet breakfast when you're done. Yes,
sir dark Did you see birk Thenthey cut him down, black in

(20:07):
the face. He was the ballshowing sort of flesh. And now the
old devil's got per selling, Isay, mister Fryar and ply ain't speaking
no more? Freddie pas Then fora ship, what's got half the world?
But wh a a way do weget back? And it will be
a day of wrecking for fly ayand maybe before we get back for what
are you saying those we gotta getback to England a week. We could

(20:30):
get back without Bly if we hadto, as a man that can take
the body home. I and abetter man than Bly. Christian you mean
Christian? Yeah, that's right,mister Christian, mister Christian. Fortunately for

(20:52):
Captain Bly, a gale blew upthat night, and all hands were kept
busy keeping the ship from being swamped. Day after day we scuddered before strong
westerly the southwesterly winds, carrying onlythe forcelin close reefed main topsail. At
last, on the twentieth of November, we rounded Cape Horn. Five weeks
later we sighted the first coral reefsand saw the great mountains of the island

(21:15):
of Tahiti, the sto land tothe stubborn Christian, taken sounding Nils by
the market, by the deep sevenwater showing pair anchor, Yes, Morison,

(21:42):
All into the station, All intothe station, well it is,
mister Christian, the Isle of Tahiti, long hard voyage they hidden there it
is at last looks like a beautifulisling. It is Captain Cook, under

(22:07):
whom I say these waters loved itand the next ingland. Well, I
an old man, and my workdone. I should ask nothing better than
in my days. And it's bestto Christian. Yes, air sounding else
by the deep five one half lessfive serve and showing fast away are away

(22:30):
there it's coming, aboy said orthe lie I sir, it's Christian.
Set a watch, see that thosesleeping yellow devils don't steal anything when they

(22:51):
come aboard. The next day thecrew went ashore. The danger of the
mutiny seemed past. The hardships ofthe voyage were soon forgotten. We lived

(23:12):
on the fat of the land amongstaffectionate native friends. Those were the happiest
weeks I ever spent. Our hostwas the chief of the island. He
had two daughters, Hinah and tohoney. Mister Christian and I used to
visit the morten. The four ofus would go swimming, sporting. And

(23:33):
the breakers are lying on the whitesand of the coral beach. Heenah,
Yes, the tide is high.Swim with me out to the reef underwater.
How about a Christian? Oh bye, you're not lazy enough for this
out seth a stay here, good, Honey, ready heena, ready,

(23:55):
come, I'll show you Christian.Yes, are you a chief in your
own land? A small one perhaps, Danny? I knew you must be,

(24:21):
and have you no? Why?None? I have no husband,
Donny? Why do you stop?Dohney is listening. When the ship sails,
Donny, I must go with it. But it will be two moons
before the ship sail. Two moonsare soon past, Danny. We have

(24:44):
a legend, Christian he a Tahitithat time is a long lizard that sleeps
with its tail in its mouth.And do those who keep their hearts within
its circle? No harm can come, No harm will come? Donny?
What are you doing with those flowers? Did honey, make a wreath to
go around your neck? White flower? Long stem? What do you call

(25:08):
it? This one? The tofanolooks like the lotus? My country.
We have legends too, Tawny,my country. They say a sailor who
once tastes the lotus ever goes home. You are listening to the campbell Playhouse

(25:44):
presentation of Mutiny on the Bounty.We pause now for station identification. This
is the Columbia Broadcasting System. Thisis Ernest Chappell, welcoming you back to

(26:17):
the Campbell Playhouse. In a minuteor two, we will resume our presentation
of Mutiny on the Bounty, starringArson Wells. Meanwhile, may I say
a word or two about mutiny inanother form. Over many years, modern
genius has been showing women the wayto give their families better food with less
kitchen time. And call it mutinyor call it evolution. Women have been

(26:38):
quick to take full advantage of thesebenefits for their families and themselves. No
longer does the good housewife feel shemust spend long hours each week making her
own bread and churning her own butterto give her family their favorite dishes.
It is no longer necessary to spendso many hours in her kitchen. Her
household shelves are laden with many ofthese foods, ready prepared for her,

(27:03):
and of a quality equal to herown, good homemade kind. Among these
fine foods are soups, Campbell soups. If you have never tried them,
I invite you to try a canof Campbell's Chicken Soup tomorrow. I cannot
think of a finer way to introduceyou to Cambell's soups than that. Once
you've tasted Campbell's chicken soup, Ifeel certain you'll be convinced that soup making

(27:26):
at home is a task you canwell turn over to Campbell's chefs. And
now back to the Campbell Playhouse presentationof Mutiny on the Bounty, starring Orson
Wells. If the pampa er,if I am the chipper, Yessa James

(27:52):
Morrison, Bosn's me yesa William Possello, ship's carpenter, you, Sir,
I must backet Seamen, Sir nonmill Sealm here, sir amos Ellison,
see them here, sir o goodbye'em. Have you anything further to say in
your defense? I have, mylord. Towards the end of March,

(28:14):
it became evident to all hands thatthe Bounty would soon sail more than a
thousand young bread fruit trees and potsand tubs, and be taken on board.
The relaxation of discipline now came toan end. Captain Bly ordered Samuel
to seize all the gifts which thefriendly natives had given the men with abundance

(28:37):
around them. The crew were againput on slender rations. Two of them,
deserted to the hills, were caughtand severely plogged. On our last
visitor shore, mister Christian was morethan usually silent. Christianne, you are
going to sail? Is that notso? Yes? To honey? When

(29:00):
tomorrow sunrise? Oh? Where willyou be, Doney? When we sail
here on the shore waiting my hands? I'll watch for you, Christian.
Will you think of to honey?Sometimes in your own land? Will not
stay in my own land? Ishall come back to Honey. Here,

(29:22):
Christiane, these are for you blackcurls to honey. Where did you get
thieves? I swim very deep onemorning off coral reef. All people say,
tur'll take man. Never forget hereare people say? Right to honey?
And I shall wait, Christiane.I shall wait for you to come

(29:45):
back. And every moon I shallwatch for your ship. Make kilo o'
hoo hoo. Holy Christiana, Hm, make kal o' hoo hoo. Only

(30:11):
mister Christian, mister, I amyou're late. Oh I'm sorry so I
didn't realize that. No, definitelytime for our return. Captain sure to
be back by four bells. Yougot there, mister Christian. Some gifts
there from our friends on shore,mister Samuel. Yes, Captain, you
take charge of these Indian curiosities,which may be useful for trading in other

(30:34):
islands. Yes, one moment saythese things were given me as gifts for
members of my family in England toSamuel, who heard my orders. You
bundle, mister Christian captain's orders verywell. Then take it. Mister Christian,
you still have something in your hand. Government to see what it is,
hm, hm, tair of tossame tear to be remarkably fine stones.

(30:59):
Yes, sir, give them tomister Samuel. Preese black pearls are
highly prized in the friendly islands wherewe should do some trading. Surely,
Sir, you won't take these.They were given to me by I a
very close friends. And the moment, mister Samuel Captain, Bly, I've
obeyed every order you've given me,and some of them with the utmost distaste,
but this I refuse. I intendto keep this gifts there as long

(31:22):
as I live very well. MisterChristian, accept your refusal and I shall
remember it. On the fourth ofApril seventeen eighty eight, the bounty,
with her cargo of bread fruit trees, set sail from Tahiti. All went

(31:47):
quietly enough until the evening of Aprilfourteenth. That morning, we left the
island of Lumukai in the Friendly Archipelago, where we did our usual trading with
the natives. A great many coconutsbeen brought board and piled up on the
quarterdeck between the guns under the captain'seye. At about noon, some of
the coconuts were found to be missing. Mister Morrison, I, sir,

(32:14):
all the officers assembled on deck.I, sir, gentlemen, attention,
I regret to inform you that severalcoconuts have been stolen. I expect you
to help me find the culprits.Well, speak up, speaker, s

(32:37):
you must know the guilty party.Mister Christian stepped forward. Please, I
wish to know the exact number ofcoconuts you purchased for your own use.
Mister Christian, I really don't know, sir, Oh you don't. I
hope you don't thank me so meanas to steal yours. Yes, I
do think so. You must havestolen some of mine. You'll be able
to give a better account of yourown. You may be officers, but

(32:59):
your rascals and thieves out of you, I'll break the spirit of a man.
Of you. You'll wish you'd neverseen me before we reached the industry.
Yes, sir, you'll stop theofficers crowging for further orders, and
instead of a pound of the answerman, you will issue half a pound
all the message understand, Yes sir, and by Heaven now reduced you to
a quarter of a pound. IfI find anything else fissing, make your

(33:21):
crawl on your perish for that.It was feverish hot below deck that night,
and there was an uneasy stirring inthe folks. I couldn't sleep and
went up on deck. It wasthen about one o'clock, and with the
exception of the watch, there wasno one on deck but Tinkler, curled

(33:44):
up asleep under one of the guns. Mister Norton, the Watch, was
standing at the rail on the oppositeside of the deck. I could make
out his form standing in starlight.Someone appeared at the after lad away.
Who's that? Oh at you buyhim? Oh? Hello, mister Christian.
Have you seen Captain blind Knight?Did you know that he invited me

(34:04):
to sup with him. Why canyou tell me that after spitting at me,
wiping his feet on me, sentSamuel to ask me to his table.
He didn't go After what happened,I should say not. Maybe he's
got a conscience, Christian. Hisinvitation might have been a way of letting
you know you were sorry. Imight have believed that once, but not
now. By him, we're inhis power, offices and men alike.

(34:25):
He considers us so many dogs tobe kicked or findal as he pleases.
There can be no relief, none, not till we reach England. Heaven
knows man that'll be. Heaven knowsif I can stand it till then.
Heaven knows if the men can standit. I am yes, Christian.
Something I wish you'd do for me. On a voyage like this, one

(34:45):
never knows what may happen if forany reason I should fail to reach home.
I'd like you to see my peoplein Cumberland. That'd be too much
trouble for you, Not at all, mister Christian. Just before I joined
the ship, my father as said, I make such an arrangement with someone
on board in case anything should happen. He said that it would be a

(35:07):
comfort to him to talk with oneof my friends. You can count on
Racer. Good. That's settled in. Well, it's Christian. You're up
late, yes, sir you misterply him. Can't you sleep? It's
very warm? Blow sa I've noticedit. A true sailor can sleep in

(35:28):
an oven if the case requires,or on a cake of ice. Good
night, mister Plier, Good night, mister Christian Smith. Wake up.

(35:58):
It's three bells? O. Where'sthe other lads? Thompson's gone to the
arms chest? Come with me inthe quick about it? An that and
I will Coleman Coleman, huh whatdo you want? Thompson? Keet to
the gunknocker? Hurry man, it'shanging above the hat. Thompson? Is
that you five? Burke it?What did you get? Men? Ten
muskets and a brace of pistols?That's him around, mate Smith, I'll

(36:20):
take one, Quina Hi, giveme one with a band Allison. Thanks,
Churchill, I'm with you. What'sthe rest of the lad's broke it?
And the abjeck they see mister ChrisJay We need Christian, we do.
He's the man that'll rid us ofthat swine. Christian, Yes,

(36:49):
yes, put on your float,so don't talk about it. What is
it? Have we been attacked,We've been tackled. We're taking a ship
up and buy us a person.What are you mad? If you have
any idea what you're doing. Weknow what we're doing. I got all
this on himself. Now, byHeaven, we'll make him suffer. Try
to shoot the dog. Don't youtie any of your young gentleman's ideas?
Honest? And will murder some moreof him. He's a bumper. That's
not the bigs. Oh your tongue, mind the gun locker? Come telling

(37:09):
them hurrying new clothes? A quit? Yes, stand fast for that door
there, No one is to comeforward out my orders understanding? Away on
deck with him, Captain Bly stepis a little loyal man. Will you
hold your tongue, mister Bly?Or shall I shove this damnad into your

(37:31):
ribs? Go ahead, Christian murderme, God ahead. I'm master of
this ship. Now, mister,I'll stand no more of your trainer.
See you, I have your prows. Turn your dead? Doesn't it that
dogs wrote? Let him have it? QUI quiet a lot of you.

(37:52):
I'll give the orders on this ship. I could get the other officers on
deck catching him up. Sir Christian, it's a Christian thing. What you
do? Release me, stay insideyour arms. Let's be friends again,
mister Christian. Mister Christian, Igive you my word that nothing more should
be said of this metal. Theword is of no value. Captain Bly,
what do you mean to do withme? Shoot your swine? Heasim

(38:13):
up at the greetings. Mister Christians, give us a chance. We will
give you a justice, mister Bly, just more than you've ever given us.
What's your plan, mister christned aboutThompson. I'm master of this ship.
That's what you are, Christian order. Maybe that'll teach you to hold

(38:37):
your tongue. Missa, think whatyou're doing Christians. This is my affair.
I'm on that side of the deckwith Biom and Marrison. Mister Christian,
are you in this yes, misterFry, I've taken the ship.
None of you will be hurt unlessyou resist. What are you going to
do with Captain Bly? Kill me? That's what I'm going to do.

(38:57):
No, no, I'm not goingto kill you. Going to put you
a drift in the long bow meloosen that rot little boat? Will you?
Three thousand miles from land. Whatare you sec giving you a chance,
mister Blind It's more than you'd giveme. Mister Mills him mister Christian,
of the launch and delive me.Hi, I Sir Alison Ques give
me your hand. My gentlemen,you have your choice. The rest of

(39:22):
the men who haven't joined us,you stay on ship with me. There
you go with fly, I'll giveyou one. Come with me and I'll
see your hungue. I'll stay.I'm with you, mister Christians. Then
on the side, I'm going withthe captain. Love me over here,
then, mister mister Christian, listento re time. Mister Fry answer my

(39:43):
question. I've sympathy for you thewrongs you've suffered, but none one ever
fort you're doing now. I havenot asked for your sympathy, mister Fryar,
mister Byam, what's your decision?Mister Byam. I shall go with
Captain Blyth very well over here.Then on that side, Priselle, no
matter what I think of mister Blye, I know my duty is an office.

(40:06):
I shall remember that all that aregoing. Mister Blye ready to man
the launch. She's ready to law, sir in the boat man first,
mister Bly, I'll never leave myship of my free will very well carry
him. Man. It's the longadw jerneys and back and back. Gentlemen,
packet, keep your musket ready ifanyone makes a move that said into

(40:27):
the boat man. Well, therest of you fry apacel Nelson, all
of you that are going, keepmoving. Allison w the supply and you
get We can't take it any more, Christian, We can't take it anymore.
Don't change it anymore. No lordlyChristian, No lordy was swamped.
No more. Men, don't swampto men. I see the justice has
done you very well. Back therest of you. I am get back

(40:51):
this mister christ far away man myselfmore away well Christian world more chants to
surrender us. Too late for thatdoms to fly. You'll pay for this,
every one of you. You'll payversof cutlasses at least christing some maps,

(41:13):
pronouns, charts and heeds only arms. You'll give a silk, get
a felly for the light until lastwaddle down head, give him a whippogram
that moment with that gun. Quittleoff with your lad cast off dad,
long this tunnels murderous treats I'll havevengeance on you. I'll see you swinging

(41:38):
on them before two years of tots. If I have to fall to the
ends of the earth, he'll getyou. The lunch was soon one hundred
yards from the ship, the flyand eighteen men out of the board.

(42:00):
There was no chance of my joiningroom norris. Breeze freshened and the bounty
began to get away. Under Christian'scommand, we put back to Tahiti.
There we parted. It was hisintention to turn us back forever on civilization,
who settled in some remote island inthe South Seas. The rest of

(42:22):
us well determined to return to Englandwith him. Aboard the bounty went eight
members of the crew, eight nativewomen, and to Honey, his wife.
The last I saw of the bounty, she was standing off the shore
of Tahiti with all sails set,heading north into uncharted waters, where the

(42:46):
light easterly breeze had beam. Prisonersstand for Roger Lamb Here, Sir James
Morrison, yes, Sir William Muspratt, Yes, Sir, Honors Burkitt yes,

(43:06):
Sir John Mills yes, Sir onUs Ellison, yes, Sir.
Do any of the accused have anythingfurther to say in your defense, norm
Lord, no melod, no myLord, no my Lord, nor my
Lord. Having heard the evidence producedin support of the charges made against you,

(43:29):
and having maturely deliberately weighed the wholeof the evidence, this court is
of the opinion that the charges havebeen proved against you. It does therefore
judge that you shall suffer death bybeing hanged by the neck on board any
of His Majesty's ships of war,not later than one month from this theme,

(43:50):
and at such a time and sucha police as the Commissioners for executing
the office of Lord High Admiral ofGreat Britain and Ireland shall in right under
their heads direct. Our story toNight is the true account of an adventure

(44:21):
at sea. It is not fiction. It is history, and history seldom
accommodates us with a happy ending.The boundaries of fact reach farther than the
boundaries of romance, And even whenthe last of the principles of any action
have died, it cannot surely besaid that any human event has ended in

(44:46):
the sense that a story ends.If our hero tonight was Captain Bligh,
then our story concludes with the fulfillmentof his promise for Captain Bly, sailing
without charts or instruments, against thirstand hunger, against heat and cold.
After forty one perilous days on theopen sea, brought the launch of the

(45:07):
Bounty with its crew of nineteen souls, into the Dutch port of Timour,
three thousand, six hundred and eighteenmiles from where they had been set adrift.
He kept his word, returned toEngland, brought seven of the mutineers
to trial, and saw them convictedto treason and condemned to death. If

(45:30):
our hero was Roger Bayam, thenthe story still has a happy ending,
for in spite of Captain Bly andquite in keeping were the best traditions of
melodrama. He was reprieved from hangingat the eleventh hour and lived to marry
a girl and to become a captainin the British Navy. As to mister
Christian, the end of his storyhas not been written. It has been

(45:55):
told that with his wife to Haney, and a few of the mutineers,
he sailed the bounty far off thetrade lanes to an island they called Pitkirn.
They may not have lived happily everafter, but for almost one hundred
and fifty years, the descendants havecontinued in existence free from the bondage and

(46:15):
misery against which Fletcher Christian rebuilled.In a moment or so, Orson Wells
will return to the microphone with hisguest of the evening, Missus Dorothy Hall,
a person who has had direct contactwith the descendants of the mutineers,

(46:36):
and who has been recently and dramaticallyassociated with life on Pitcairn Island. While
we are waiting for them, letme remind you of something I was talking
about a little while ago, ofthe lavish emphasis on chicken in Campbell's chicken
soup. Actually, all the goodmeat of fine government certified chickens goes into
the making. The broth bubbles slowlyand softly in shining kettles until it takes

(47:00):
on a golden glint, and theflavor of chicken is rich in every drop.
Pieces of chicken meat cook deliciously tender, go into the soup too,
along with snowy rice. Every womanknows that the merit of a chicken soup
depends on the amount of chicken usedin making it. And since that is
so, then as surely as youlike chicken you like Campbell's chicken soup.

(47:22):
You like it for lunch, forsupper, for family meals. Whenever the
idea of chicken sounds good, whynot put Campbell's chicken soup on tomorrow shopping
list and have it this very weekendand now orson, welles, ladies and
gentlemen. The last, or atleast the latest chapter in the strange story

(47:45):
of the Mutiny on the Bounty.We're going to tell you to night before
this broadcast is over. It waswritten only last summer and only a few
miles from the studio. Hack isa taxicab. It is also what you

(48:12):
call a writer if you're mad athim. Quack is what Donald Duck says,
and what you should never call adoctor. Ham is the most distinguished
reference you can make to an amateurradio operator. But there are two kinds
of hams and smile. When youcall a radioactor a ham, say ham
to missus Dorothy Hall, however,and she'll just smile. I'd like to

(48:34):
make this quite clear before I goon. When you say radio ham to
me, it is either dramatic criticismor fighting words, depending on how big
you are. But okay around missusHall, because ham is just a pleasant
reminder and the queer vernacular of herown people. But she has passed tests
A and B of the Federal CommunicationsCommission and belongs to the elect among amateur
radio operators the world. Missus Hall'skind of ham pioneered radio. Missus Hall's

(49:00):
kind of ham stays up late andgets up early, eats irregularly, rescues
flood victims, and talks like anE. Phillips Oppenheim spy into an HG.
Wells machine, thinking nothing of suchphrases as QR, M, QC,
qRT and q s L, theexact meaning of which I am not
entirely certain. Eighty eight, however, means love and kisses. This I

(49:23):
have committed to memory in several languages. Eighty eight Why one five kg is
what missus Hall assures me. Shecalls his royal hound, Highness Crown Prince
facial gossiple of Iraq, I said, Crown Prince facial gossiple of Iraq.
And there are a lot of otherhams missus Hall's kind. I mean.
There is W five d e W, for example, who is married the

(49:45):
dewdrop of Texas and the mother offour children. There is Howard Hughes.
There is Wilma Allison, the tennisstar. There is doctor James Hard the
John D. Rockefeller of Mexico who'sinvested undred fifty thousand dollars an amateur radio.
This is the son of herber AtHoover too, and Andy Sanella,
the band leader in about eighty fivethousand others, including Amos of our own

(50:06):
Campbell Soups, Amos and Andy.I don't know what makes a ham,
Missus Hall's kind I mean, butI do know that it's very lucky for
an awful lot of people that hamsdo exist. And two hundred and fourteen
of those lucky people are especially luckyand especially grateful to Missus Hall. They
are the two hundred and fourteen greatgrandchildren and great great grandchildren and great great

(50:28):
great grandchildren are the crew of theHMS Bounty. Remember the headlines Pitcairn Islanders
face starvation, Bounty survivors isolated bytyphoid rumor Queen's Woman rallies British to eight
survivors. Radio amateur acts to savestarving inhabitants. Well, it was only
last summer, and only last summer. It was that the rumors of a
dangerous epidemic forced the little island intoa tragic quarantine that threatened to erase all

(50:52):
life from pit can That same pitCairn, that same paradise that mister Christian
and the rest of them found didone hundred and fifty years ago. In
Tonight's story, what happened was this. Stories of a contagious disease on Pitcairn
Island spread faster than any disease throughthe islands, from Panama to Tahiti,

(51:13):
from Samoa to New Zealand, andboats, all of them, from the
biggest traders to the littlest tramps,kept off. The harbor was closed.
Pitcairn Islanders watched them. Boats withfood and most vital with medical supplies,
sailed past them, almost within shoutingdistance, and away into the sky.
So it was that slow death anddeath by torture, face to community,

(51:35):
in the very presence of civilization,face to people whose ancestors had known this
torment and this kind of death.And here's how Another chapter was written in
the Saga of the Bounty Andrew Young, descendant of Midshipman Edward Young. Latitude
twenty five minutes for second south,longitude hundred thirty minutes six seconds west,

(51:57):
fighting time, fighting the ebbing parof his radio transmit, found an old
friend in the ether, whom heknew well and whom he had never seen.
Seven thousand, seven hundred and fortymiles away a colleague in the great
good Fellowship of Radio Hemns found andgave the word to Missus Dorothy Hall.
One eight six one eight Williamson Avenue, Springfield Gardens, Queen's Long Island,

(52:21):
New York. And here she isMissus Dorothy Hall, who picked up the
message and gave it to the world. I'd like you to meet Missus Hall.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.Missus Hall, will you please read
the entry which you made in yourlog on July nineteenth of last year.
Certainly, mister Wells here it isfour thirty eight a m. While in
contact with v R six A Yhe requested that I contact the British Council

(52:45):
that no ships had stopped for tradingsince May twenty fifth, and they needed
food and medical supplies. Missus Hall, when did help finally reach the islanders
just nine days after I received themessage? It must be tremendously grateful for
what you've done for them. Well, they're very nice people. I think
you are understating the situation, MissusHall. I must tell you that since

(53:07):
Missus Hall rescued Pitcairn Island, Ifound out from other sources she's become what
amounts to its unofficial consul, general, purchasing agent, advisor and guardian.
Angel Well, mister Wells, that'squite a title. Tell us, Missus
Hall, what do you think isthe outlook for the islanders. I'm afraid
not so very encouraging. They areentirely cut off from regular professional medical attention,

(53:30):
whereas they recovered from this epidemic,which incidentally has never been diagnosed.
It is more than possible, particularlywith the threat of cholera, that someday
a ship will pull into the harborand find no one alive. Missus Hall.
Certainly something should be done about this. The people at Pitcairn Island need

(53:51):
a doctor. They need someone totell them what they've got when they're sick,
and someone to cure them when they'vegot it. They need at least
the simplest medical supplies. I don'tknow what can be done, but maybe
somebody somewhere who's listening to this willknow the answer. Let's hope so,
and now before wishing you good night, Missus Hall, and thanking you for
visiting us at the Campbell Playhouse,I'd like our listeners to hear what I
found in your log when I visitedyour home the other day. It's your

(54:14):
most recent entry regarding the island.It's just a sentence, but I think
it's very eloquent from the Chief Magistrateof Pitcairn Island to missus Dorothy Hall.
Quote, you do what is forour good. It's okay with me,
Signed Richard Edward Christian. And nowladies and gentlemen, just before I lose

(54:45):
my voice, and just before wesay good night, just a minute of
next week's story. A preview iswhat the movies call it music, if
you please, Professor Herman. Whenmister Phippany took the mules out of the

(55:07):
traces to lead them down to thestream to drink, he noticed that his
wife continued sitting on the spring seatstaring ahead of her, and that Addie,
now ten years old, remained inthe wagon under the canvas. When
he came back, they were asbefore h Jones been. Are you feeling
all right fine? Don't you likethis camping place? As well as any

(55:30):
camping place. Well what about supper? I don't plan to cook any more
suppers in this fine free out ofdoors. Well, how come tomorrow,
Addie and I was going back tosome town to live or die, some
town like Natchez, and leave me, we too are going back to that

(55:52):
town to live or die. Perhapsmister Fippany's poker playing, in spite of
his wife's frequent corrosive remarks about it, had given him some helpful training.
At any rate, mister Fippany leaneddown and began pulling at brick Stell's long
eared We don't want to go totown. We do. We're we're ashamed

(56:12):
of the old wagon who we anyhow, while while we're the chicken wagon family,
it ain't got no home except yes, we can't be chicken wagon people
no more. It's it's disgraceful.We're a shame. We're going to town.
We're fix stilling. Hey, we'regoing to town, and by dogs,
we're going to the biggest downtown inthe world. We're on our way

(56:37):
to New York City. Missus Fippanyscreaming, ladies and gentlemen, what you've
just heard comes about at the beginningof next week's broadcast. And the voice

(56:58):
you heard telling you the story becausehe happened to visit the Campbell Playhouse in
this studio tonight, and because hewas nice enough to do this for us,
was the voice of America's finest actor, mister Burgess Meredith, who is
the star of Next Friday story whichis a queer story, a funny story,
a very very good story, anda very very human story called the

(57:22):
Chicken Wagon Family. Until then,tell the Chicken Wagon Family, Burgess Meredith,
who is next week's star, mysponsor, and I and all of
us on the Campbell Playhouse remain obedientlyyours. In tonight's broadcast of Mutiny on

(58:10):
the Bounty, Captain Bly was playedby Orson Welles. Roger Bim was played
by Carl Frank Joseph Cotton was Fletcher. Christen Thomas Burkett was played by Ray
Collins, Mister Friar by Frank Reddick, Morrison by Myron McCormick. Edgar Barrier
was Purcell, Richard Wilson was Thompson, William Allen was Samuel, and Memo

(58:31):
Hot was to Honey, don't failto listen. In Next Friday night when
Orson Wells brings to the Camber PlayhouseBurgess Meredith in that lovable, laughable bestseller
of a dozen years ago, TheChicken Wagon Family, missus Ernest Chappele saying

(59:00):
good night on behalf of the makersof Campbell's suits. This is the Columbia
Broadcasting System.