The NBC University of the Air

NBC University Theater was a radio program that aired on NBC from 1948 to 1951. The show was created in partnership with the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) and the University of Chicago. The program was designed to bring classical literature to a wider audience through dramatized readings of famous works.

This unusual series that focused on reenacting novels by great authors for college classes. Many accredited American universities such as Washington State College, University of Louisville, and University of Tulsa, used this dramatic series as a supplement to correspondent college courses.

Each episode of NBC University Theater would feature an adaptation of a classic book, play, or short story. The program used a rotating cast of well-known actors, including such stars as Vincent Price, James Stewart, and Gene Kelly. The program's scripts were written by a team of talented writers, including such luminaries as Arthur Miller, Robert E. Sherwood, and Aldous Huxley.

The show was broadcast live from NBC's studios in Hollywood and was produced by William Conrad. NBC University Theater quickly gained a reputation as one of the best-produced and most highly-regarded programs on radio. The show's adaptations were praised for their faithfulness to the original works and for their high production values.

Some of the most notable episodes of NBC University Theater included adaptations of such works as "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas, and "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad. The program also featured adaptations of classic plays, including works by Shakespeare, Moliere, and Ibsen.

Overall, NBC University Theater was a highly successful and influential radio program that brought classic literature to a wider audience through high-quality dramatizations.