REDEMPTION OF LOTTIE MOON

June 13, 1950

The Cavalcade of America ran on NBC Radio from 1935 to 1953. It featured events from American history, usually dramatizing the positive aspects of the nation’s past. Additionally, the show attempted to end criticism of its sponsor, the Du Pont Company due to negative publicity from profiting by producing gunpowder during World War I. Throughout the years, actors and actresses from Broadway and Hollywood were featured. 

In 1952, the series was transferred to NBC television and lasted until 1957, nearly identical to the run of “I Love Lucy” on CBS. For six months the radio and television versions also overlapped.  Lucille Ball previously appeared on “Cavalcade” in “Skylark Song” on June 21, 1948.

Synopsis ~  In 1863, General Ambrose Burnside of the US Army has bitter memories of the the fascinating Lottie Moon, who is sought by the Union Army and Pinkerton Detectives.  He knew her well 18 years earlier when she was a headstrong, quick-tempered Southern belle. Now, through an astonishing coincidence, he has an ideal opportunity for his long-delayed revenge. 

Written by George Faulkner, based on “General Burnside’s Prisoner” by Walter Havighurst, and a portion of the book “The Ohio Story” by Frank Siedel

Directed by John Zoller

Music composed by Arden Cornwall, conducted by Donald Vorhees

The show was broadcast live from the Belasco Theatre in NYC and repeated later in the day.

Cynthia Charlotte “Lottie” Moon Clark (1828–1895) was best known for her role as Confederate spy during the Civil War. Along with her sister Ginnie, Lottie smuggled information and medicine from North to South. Moon performed in amateur plays, often using her skills as a ventriloquist. As a young woman, she was engaged to a young officer whom she left at the altar. Later, she was engaged to sixteen Confederate soldiers at once in an effort to allow them to at least die happily.

CAST

Lucille Ball (Lottie Moon) was just finishing her second season on radio as Liz Cooper on “My Favorite Husband”.  

Berry Kroeger (Ambrose E. Burnside) starred as Michael Waring, the title role in radio’s “The Falcon” (1943).  

Les Damon (Hanson) was one of five actors to star as Nick Charles on radio’s “The Thin Man”.

Staats Cogsworth (James Clark) was a classically-trained actor who frequently appeared on Broadway in Shakespeare. 

CREDITS

Lucille Ball will soon be seen in the Columbia Picture The Fuller Brush Girl. 

A ‘LOTTIE’ TRIVIA!

NBC casting directors knew what they were about when they tapped Lucille Ball for the role of Lottie Moon, the Confederate spy, on ‘Cavalcade of America’ at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The glamorous, red-headed Lucille – alternately known as fire-ball and screw-ball, will give the story what it takes as the fiery Tennessee lass who jilted a Yankee general at the altar, made herself at home in political Washington society and sent valuable military data to good old Gen. Lee and the Rebel forces.’

Burnside was also the name of the romantic southerner who marries Mame Dennis in the musical Mame (1974).  He was played on screen by Robert Preston.