Cavalcade of America

Ep 274

In A Continental Uniform, starring Basil Rathbone, the story of Benedict Arnold unfolds, revealing the internal struggle of a man who once fought valiantly for American independence. As he stands in Westminster Abbey, haunted by the memory of John Andre, Arnold confronts his own…

Ep 275

In In This Crisis, starring Claude Rains as Tom Paine, the play delves into the life of the revolutionary thinker during a moment of personal and national crisis. Set in 1809, the story unfolds in Paine's modest home, where he is visited by an old friend who prompts him to reflec…

Ep 277

In The Printer Was a Lady, Ann Royal, portrayed by Lynn Fontaine, is a pioneering woman printer who uses her voice to challenge the powerful United States Bank. Set against the backdrop of Andrew Jackson's presidency, Ann believes in the power of the press to inform the public an…

Ep 278

In A Tooth for Paul Revere, Lige Butterwick is a farmer in Lexington, Massachusetts, grappling with a severe toothache. As he prepares to ride into town for relief, he finds himself at a crossroads, contemplating whether to join the Minutemen amidst growing unrest. His visit to t…

Ep 279

In Remember the Day, a beloved school teacher, played by Claudette Colbert, reminisces about her time teaching a young boy named Dewey, who has now become an admiral. As she navigates the bustling lobby of a Washington D.C. hotel, she hopes to reconnect with Dewey, recalling the…

Ep 280

In the Cavalcade of America episode Young Tom Jefferson, Tyrone Power portrays a young Thomas Jefferson during a pivotal moment in American history. Set on July 4, 1776, Jefferson is tasked with writing the Declaration of Independence, a document that will define the future of a…

Ep 282

In The Colossus of Panama, Dr. William Crawford Gorgas, portrayed by Walter Houston, confronts a skeptical Senate in 1904 regarding the critical need for his work in controlling disease to facilitate the construction of the Panama Canal. Senator Morgan challenges Gorgas, question…

Ep 284

In The Battle of the Ovens, Christopher Ludwig, an elderly baker in Philadelphia, struggles with his feelings of helplessness as he witnesses the young soldiers heading off to fight in the American Revolution. He is proud of his apprentice, Jerry, who bakes for the army, but is h…

Ep 285

In Hymn from the Night, Julia Ward Howe, portrayed by Rosalind Russell, faces the harsh realities of the fugitive slave law in Boston, 1856. As the city erupts in violence over the enforcement of this law, Julia's peaceful life is shattered, prompting her to seek out the infamous…

Ep 286

In The Gentleman from the Islands, starring Alfred Lunt, the story unfolds on the night of June 17, 1804, as Alexander Hamilton receives a late-night visitor bearing a challenge from Aaron Burr. The tension between the two political figures escalates, revealing Hamilton's reflect…

Ep 288

In The Wild Young Man, starring Dean Jagger, the story unfolds during the early 1800s as Stephen Decatur faces the oppressive rule of the Bashar of Tripoli. With American sailors captured and war declared, Decatur embodies the spirit of resilience and determination against tyrann…

Ep 289

In Man of Design, Eli Whitney, portrayed by Carl Swenson, embodies the relentless spirit of invention and ambition. Set in 1796, Whitney grapples with the theft of his cotton gin, which threatens his financial stability and dreams. As he prepares to seek a loan from Pierpont Edwa…

Ep 290

In This Our Exile, Evangeline's serene life is shattered by the impending threat of war as her village faces evacuation. The story unfolds in a small Czechoslovakian town, where Evangeline and her beloved Gabriel are on the brink of marriage. However, the arrival of warships in t…

Ep 291

In this poignant episode of Cavalcade of America, titled I, Mary Washington, we explore the life of Mary Washington, the mother of George Washington, as she pens her last will and testament. Starring Madeline Carroll, the narrative unfolds in 18th century Virginia, where Mary ref…

Ep 293

In The Giant in the Meadow, Ralph Bellamy portrays Theobald Smith, a pioneering scientist dedicated to understanding and preventing diseases. Set in 1884, the story follows Smith as he grapples with the decision to forgo a prestigious medical education in Europe for a government…