Sunday Night Playhouse - The Age of Innocence (Edith Wharton)

This Sunday, "Sunday Night Playhouse" on Vintage Classic Radio brings you a special episode of *Theatre Guild on the Air* featuring *The Age of Innocence*, adapted from the novel by Edith Wharton. Originally broadcast on April 20th, 1952, this episode presents a powerful tale of love, tradition, and societal expectations in 1870s New York. The story follows Newland Archer, a young lawyer engaged to the sweet and conventional May Welland, whose world is turned upside down when he falls in love with May’s cousin, the unconventional and mysterious Countess Ellen Olenska. As Newland grapples with his feelings, he is torn between following his heart and adhering to the strict social codes of the time. The episode stars Claudette Colbert as Ellen Olenska, Robert Sterling as Newland Archer, and Mildred Natwick as May Welland, with additional supporting roles performed by talented radio actors. This adaptation beautifully captures the tension and emotional complexity of Wharton's classic novel, offering listeners a window into the struggles of individuals caught in the confines of rigid societal norms.