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She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Radio play / broadcast over CBS on March 12, 1951 John Wayne recreated his famous 1949 film role playing Captain Nathan Brittles, the aging cavalry officer on his last assignment before forced retirement in this radio play broadcast over Lux Radio Theater in Hollywood. Mel Ferrer co-stars as Flint Cohill, one of two young lieutenants in love with commanding officer Major Allshard's niece Olivia Dandridge (played by Mala Powers), who wears a yellow ribbon as someone's sweetheart, but keeps the two men guessing as to which one she prefers. Forced to take the two women from Fort Stark on his final mission, Brittles has to contend with warring Arapahos as well as his two battling lieutenants, but knowing Cohill to be his strongest officer, Nathan leaves him behind to man the rear as he leads the women to safety. Once back at Fort Stark, Nathan is ordered to accept his retirement and leave the rescue of Cohill in the hands of Lt. Ross Pennell - who by now knows Olivia has chosen his rival. But Captain Brittles has his own plan and sets out alone to rescue Cohill and the two divisions under his command. Discouraged and passed over too many times for promotion, Nathan leaves Flint in charge once the Arapahos are contained and departs the army without looking back. But Major Allshard sends a scout out to find Nathan and bring him back to award him his well deserved and long desired promotion to Lt. Colonel Brittles. Although the original movie script has been greatly cut back, the film's best moments are honestly honored, and the spirit of this Western classic is well delivered with strong performances from the entire cast. Wayne is appropriately gruff with just the right touch of tenderness, and it's oddly touching to have Nathan call Lt. Cohill by his first name as he sends him off to almost certain death. Mel Ferrer gives a nicely rounded performance as Flint, while Mala Powers is full of spunk as the saucy Olivia. The uncredited George Neise co-stars as Lt. Pennell. There is an easily accessible recording of this radio play that includes all the 1951 commercials and some slightly stilted but still amusing interviews with the stars at the end.
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