The Irene Dunne Site
Irene Dunne on Radio - the 40s */**
1940
The Lux Radio Theatre "Love Affair"
04.01.40 CBS
Sixty-minute adaptation, William Powell took over Charles Boyer's role.
Hawaii Calls - 05.18.40 Mut
Irene was interviewed while on vacation in Hawaii.
The Lux Radio Theatre "Show Boat"
06.24.40 CBS
Irene, Charles Weininger and Allan Jones recreated their screen roles in this sixty-minutes adaptation of the film, musical director - Louis Silvers.
1941
The Gulf Screen Guild Theater "My Favorite Wife"
03.23.41 CBS
Half-hour adaptation, Irene recreated her screen role, Robert Montgomery took over Cary Grant's part.
Friendship Bridge - 05.20.41 NN
Program of the British-American Ambulance Corps featuring Irene, George Murphy and a group of British evacuees.
Your Happy Birthday - 05.23.41 NBC
Quiz show, Irene as guest.
United Service Organization Benefit
06.29.41 CBS
Part of the $10 million drive to raise money for entertainment and religious facilities for enlisted men. Program was broadcast from the Hollywood Bowl. Irene and Cary Grant appeared in a skit together.
The Lux Radio Theatre "Unfinished Business"
10.06.41 CBS
Irene recreated her screen role, this time teamed with Don Ameche.
The Gulf Screen Guild Theater "Penny Serenade"
11.16.41 CBS
Half-hour adaptation, Irene and Cary Grant recreated their screen roles.
The Calvacade Of America "Cimarron" - 12.01.41
Thirty-minute adaptation, Irene recreated her film role.
1942
Hollywood's "March Of Dimes" - 01.24.1942 NBC ** New
Star-studded variety show produced and written by Arch Oboler in honor of President Roosevelt's 60th birthday and in favor of the infantile paralysis fund drive.
Red Cross Show - ca. 05.42 NBC
Benefit for the Red Cross, among the appearing stars were Irene, Deanna Durbin, Bob Hope and Marlene Dietrich
The Lux Radio Theatre "Love Affair" - 07.06.1942
Irene and Charles Boyer recreated their screen roles.
Stagedoor Canteen - 09.03.1942 CBS
WW2 variety program hosted by Bert Lytell. The guests were Irene, Orson Welles, Martha Scott, James Melton and Lou Holtz. Irene sang "I left My Heart On The Stage Door Canteen" with Melton and the servicemen audience. Irene gave a plug for buying war bonds.
The Lux Radio Theatre "To Mary, With Love" - 11.16.42 CBS
sixty-minute adaptation of the film from 1936 which starred Myrna Loy and Warner Baxter. Irene teamed with Ray Milland and Otto Krueger.
1943
The Charlie McCarthy Show
04.25.43 NBC**
Variety show hosted by ventroloquist Edgar Bergen and his alter ego Charlie McCarthy. Together with Irene as guest they spoofed "Show Boat." Ray Noble and his orchestra and singer Anita Gordon provided the music for this show.
The Lady Esther Screen Guild Theatre "Theodora Goes Wild"
11.29.43 CBS **
Thirty-minute program with Cary Grant
Front Line Theatre "Theodora Goes Wild" - 11.29.43
Irene recreated her film role, Cary Grant in the part originated by Melvyn Douglas.
1944
Everything for the Boys "Lady Of The House" -01.25.44 NBC
Irene in an twenty minute adaptation of "Lady In The House"
The Goodyear Program "The Awful Truth" - 02.06.44 CBS
Thirty minute version with Walter Pidgeon in Cary Grant's part.
Original press text: "EVERYBODY'S HAPPY - Whatever script changes Irene Dunne has asked Walter Pidgeon to make in the radio adaptation of 'The Awful Truth' before putting it on CBS' The Star and the Story seem to be pretty agreeable to both of them. Miss Dunne, you remember played in the movie several years ago.
Information Please #28 - 04.29.44 AFRS
Quiz moderated by Clifton Feddiman, Irene and Deems Taylor as guests.
The Lux Radio Theatre "Penny Serenade" - 05.08.44 CBS
Sixty-minute version, this time starring Joseph Cotten in the part originated on screen by Cary Grant.
Command Performance #152 - 12.02.44 AFRS **
This war-time variety program was hosted by Irene. The illustre guest list included Jimmy McHugh, Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen and Jerome Kern. Each of them was presented with one song, with Irene taking over the Jerome Kern song and performing "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes." The other songwriters were supported by Connie Haines, the Hoosier Hot-Shots and the Pied Pipers.
Canada War Bonds Show - 1944
Irene recited Alice Duerr Miller's poem "The White Cliffs", the basis for Irene's film "The White Cliffs Of Dover"
1945
America's Town Meeting Of The Air - 03.45 ABC
Sixty-minute forum moderated by George Denny. Irene, Eddie Cantor, and Dr.Smith as guests.
The Calvacade Of America "Doctora In Mexico"
04.16.45 NBC
Irene in a half-hour drama about Dr.Katherine Dale
America's Town Meeting Of The Air - 09.45 ABC
Irene introduced as guest in the audience
1946
The Lady Esther Screen Guild Theatre "Over 21"
02.18.46 CBS
Half-hour adaptation with Irene and Alexander Knox repeating their screen roles.
Academy Award "White Cliffs Of Dover" - 09.18.46 CBS
Half-hour adaptation of the film
The Lux Radio Theatre "Together Again" - 12.09.46 CBS
Irene reprising her film role with the support of Walter Pidgeon in the Charles Boyer role.
The Charlie McCarthy Show - 12.22.46 NBC
Irene as guest on the variety program.
1947
The Lux Radio Theatre "Anna And The King Of Siam"
01.20.47 CBS
Irene and Rex Harrison recreated their film roles.
"Bob Elsen on the Century" - 01.24.1947 - MUT ** New
For this radio show Bob Elsen interviewed travelers on the famous railroad train "Twentieth Century Limited." Irene and Harry Wisner as guests.
The Family Theatre "J. Smith And Wife" - 02.27.47 Mut
Thirty-minute drama starring Irene, Bing Crosby and Dana Andrews. Irene was a regular guest on this program and hosted it occasionally.
The World's Greatest Mother - 05.11.47 Mut
Thirty minute program honoring the Virgin Mary - with Irene,Loretta Young, Ethel Barrymore, Ruth Hussey, Rosalind Russell, Charles Boyer, George Murphy, Pat O'Brien, Margaret O'Brien, Don Ameche, Bing Crosby and Meredith Willson's Orchestra.The program was broadcast on Mother's Day.
The Family Theatre "Our Lady's Juggler" - 12.25.47 Mut
Irene hosted this thirty-minute program which starred John Nesbit and John Charles Thomas.
1948
The Camel Screen Guild Players "Brief Encounter"
01.26.48 CBS
Thirty-minute adaptation of Noel Coward's play "Still Life", starring Irene, Herbert Marshall and Tom Conway.
No introduction, Irene is teamed with Herbert Marshal
The Louella Parsons Show - 03.07.48 ABC
Interview
The Calvacade Of America "Queen Of Heartbreak Trail"
05.17.48 NBC
Half-hour story about Alaska
The Theatre Guild On The Air "Reflected Glory" **
05.30.48 ABC
Irene starred with Roger Pryor and Audrey Christie in George Kelly's comedy.
Cal York's - 06.48
Irene as guest while in New York
The Lux Radio Theatre "I Remember Mama"
08.10.48 CBS
Irene, Barbara Bel Geddes and Oscar Homolka recreated their film roles - sixty-minutes adaptation.
The first minute of the broadcast is lacking.
Hallmark Playhouse "Cimarron" - 09.09.48 CBS
Thirty-minute adaptation
The Family Theatre "Gramps" - 09.30.48 Mut **
Irene hosted this broadcast with Una Merkel, Victor Moore and Henry Blair.
The Calvacade Of America "Bryant's Station" - 10.25.48 NBC
Thirty-minute drama
Dewey-Warren Bandwagon Show - 11.01.48 CBS,NBC
Irene made a speech, sang and appeared in a playlet in this a hour long political program. The all-star cast included Robert Montgomery, Lionell Barrymore, Jeanette MacDonald, Frank Morgan, Bud Abbott and Lou Castello, Ray Milland, Zasu Pitts and others. At the end of the program Republican Presidential candidate Thomas E.Dewey gave a five-minute speech.
1949
The Louella Parsons Show - 01.02.49 ABC
Irene was interviewed and sang the lullaby from "I Remember Mama"
We, The People - 01.18.49 CBS
Irene gave "We, the People" speech about American intolerance as she was honored by the National Conference Of Christians And Jews.
The Theatre Guild On The Air "The Late Christopher Bean"
01.30.49 ABC
Drama starring Irene and Thomas Mitchell.
The Screen Director's Playhouse "Magnificent Obsession"
02.13.49 NBC
Thirty-minute adaptation of the film from 1935, broadcast in favor of the Heart Association, a day before nationwide started the "National Heart Week". Irene was women's chairman of the Heart Association around that time and spoke shortly in behalf of it.
The Calvacade Of America "Citizen Mama" - 04.04.49 NBC **
Half-hour broadcast with Irene recreating her character Martha Hanson from "I Remember Mama". At last "Mama" and "Papa" apply for American citizenship!
The Triumphant Hour "A Special Rosary" - 04.17.49 Mut
Easter program with the participation of Irene, Ether Barrymore, Dan Dailey, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, Rosalind Russell, Loretta Young, Robert Ryan, Lizabeth Scott, Dean Stockwell, Father Patrick Peyton and others.
Family Theatre "Tommy Malone Comes Home" - 04.25.1949 **
Irene as hostess for this broadcast starring James Cagney and his sister Jean.
Community Bond Drive Show - 05.16.49 all networks
All-star program launching the Treasury Department's Opportunity Bond.
Stars included Irene, Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, Al Jolson, Lionell Barrymore, Jo Stafford, Edward Arnold, Edward G.Robinson, Esther Williams, Gene Kelly, Alan Ladd, Red Skelton, Frank Sinatra and others.
The Lux Radio Theatre "Anna And The King Of Siam"
30.05.49 CBS
Sixty-minute adaptation - James Mason played the part orginated by Rex Harrison.
The Screen Guild Players "Together Again"
06.16.1949 ** New
Irene in a radio adaptation of her film from 1944, and once again teamed with Walter Pidgeon in the role orginated by Charles Boyer.
Family Theatre "Robert Of Sicily" - 08.24.1949 Mut **
Irene as hostess and narrator for this program starring Raymond Burr.
Fibber McGee and Molly - 09.13.49 NBC **
One hour program celebrating the 15th anniversary of the show, Irene as guest. Other guests included Alice Faye, Robert Young, Perry Como, Bob Hope.
The Prudential Family Hour Of Stars "Love Affair"
10.02.49 CBS **
Half-hour adaptation, first show of the '49 season; Irene was announced as one of the six rotating stars of the show.
The Lux Radio Theatre "Mr.Blanding Builds His Dream House"
10.10.49 CBS
Sixty-minute adaptation, Cary Grant recreated his screen role, Irene took over Myrna Loy's part.
Hallmark Playhouse "Bride Of Fortune" - 11.10.49 CBS
Half-hour broadcast
The Prudential Family Hour Of Stars "The Barrets Of Wimpole Street"
11.27.49 CBS
Thirty-minute drama, adaptation of the film from 1934 starring Norma Shearer and Frederic March.
*all info from "Irene Dunne - A Bio-Biobliography" by Margie Schultz
**added and/or edited entries