Guest Star 47-11-16 (0034) Great Grandfather Of Liberty

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold’s Old Time Radio – "Guest Star" 47-11-16 (0034)

Episode Title: Great Grandfather Of Liberty
Original Air Date of Show: November 16, 1947
Podcast Release Date: October 19, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode highlights a classic "Guest Star" program from the post-war golden age of radio, featuring eminent British actor Sir Cedric Hardwick. The centerpiece is a dramatic sketch, "Great Grandfather of Liberty," exploring early themes of religious freedom and personal dignity in pre-revolutionary America. Listeners are transported to 17th-century England, following a tense encounter between a stowaway and a ship’s captain bound for the colonies. The story provides historical insight into the ideological seeds that would later blossom into American independence.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Series Context

• [00:26] Host Roger Pryor introduces "Guest Star" as a weekly series sponsored by the U.S. Savings Bonds Division and highlights its mission to promote bond sales as a public service.
• Pryor touts U.S. Savings Bonds as “the finest, safest investment in the world today,” setting a patriotic tone for the show.

2. Musical Interlude

• Savings Bonds Orchestra (directed by Harry Sosnik) performs "Pop Goes the Weasel," offering nostalgic, period-appropriate music that sets the scene for the story to follow.

3. "Great Grandfather of Liberty" – The Dramatic Sketch

• Setting: The port of Bristol, England, just before the American colonies gained independence—about a century before the Revolution.
• Characters:
  • Captain Caleb Swan: American sea captain preparing to sail for Virginia.
  • Stowaway (Unnamed): Well-dressed, on the run; passionate believer in religious liberty.

Dramatic Tension on the Docks

• [05:44] Captain Swan catches the stowaway and immediately suspects criminal intent, reflecting a climate of suspicion and unrest in Cromwellian England.

  • Quote [05:44], Captain Swan: “You there. Time to sneak aboard, eh? A stowaway. All right, out with it... Or is it throats you cut?”

• [05:59] The stowaway maintains his innocence, pleading for the captain’s help.

  • Quote [05:59], Stowaway: “I have committed no crime, Captain Swan. I came aboard this vessel in the hope that you would help.”

The Heart of the Matter: Faith and Freedom

• [06:27] The stowaway’s crime is revealed: advocating for religious liberty and personal conscience.

  • Quote [06:27], Stowaway: “My only crime is the belief in my heart that the individual should be allowed a measure of human dignity. That he should be allowed to choose his own God. He should be given the right to worship in his own way. I ask, d’you fer, is that a crime?”

• Captain Swan points out that Cromwell’s laws make such beliefs a criminal offense in England, while implying more tolerance in America.

  • Quote [07:00], Captain Swan: “Maybe, maybe not. So happens across the sea. In America, we take a different view of such things.”

A Plea for Passage to Freedom

• [07:07] The stowaway begs for passage to the new world, underscoring the colonies as a land of hope.

  • Quote [07:07], Stowaway: “Take me with you. To America, to Boston, to Plymouth, wherever you’re going. Please.”

• When pressed, the stowaway fiercely asserts his moral independence and willingness to fight for his beliefs.

  • Quote [07:21], Stowaway: “I will fight and I will die. But no man will tell me the things that I must treasure in my heart.”

• [07:48] With the provost guard closing in, Captain Swan chooses to set sail, welcoming the stowaway’s ideals and hinting at the spirit that would one day shape American identity.

  • Quote [07:48], Captain Swan: “Well, in the colonies, friend, we like that kind of talk... Step lively into the wind.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [06:27] Stowaway:
  “My only crime is the belief in my heart that the individual should be allowed a measure of human dignity. That he should be allowed to choose his own God. He should be given the right to worship in his own way. I ask, d’you fer, is that a crime?”
• [07:21] Stowaway:
  “I will fight and I will die. But no man will tell me the things that I must treasure in my heart.”
• [07:48] Captain Swan:
  “In the colonies, friend, we like that kind of talk. Cast out. Foreign aft. Lively there. Step lively into the wind.”

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Important Timestamps

• [00:26] Guest Star introduction and sponsor message
• [05:44] Start of the "Great Grandfather of Liberty" dramatic sketch
• [06:27] Discussion of religious freedom and dignity
• [07:00] Contrasts between England and America on liberty
• [07:48] Captain decides to help the stowaway; ship sets sail

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Conclusion

This episode is an exemplary piece of post-war American radio drama, skillfully weaving historical themes of religious freedom, dignity, and self-determination. Through Sir Cedric Hardwick’s performance, listeners are encouraged to reflect on the foundational values of America and their ongoing relevance. The episode also serves as a window into both the ideals and anxieties of its original 1947 audience, underscoring the timeless power of well-crafted radio storytelling.

Transcript

[Narrator/Captain Swann]

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[Narrator/Captain Swann]

Fascinating.

[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Narrator/Captain Swann]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us?

[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty. Liberty.

[Narrator/Captain Swann]

Liberty. Liberty Savings.

[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

Very unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts. The United States Savings Bonds Division presents Guest Star. How do you do, ladies and gentlemen? This is Roger Pryor introducing another in the weekly series of transcribed feature programs known as Guest Star, brought to you by this station and the United States Savings Bonds. As a public service, it comes to you at this time each week to remind you that the finest, safest investment in the world today is the United States Savings Bond. Buy bonds regularly through the Payroll savings plan where you work and through the Bond a Month plan where you bank. Today's guest is Sir Cedric Hardwick, the renowned star of stage and screen. However, before we introduce Sidric to you, here's the Savings Bonds Orchestra, directed by Harry Sosnik. In one of Mr. Sosnick's own arrangements, the perennial favorite, Pop Goes the Weasel. And now, our special guest, Sir Cedric Hardwick. He brings us a new adventure in American history in a sketch entitled Great Grandfather of Liberty, taken from a recent broadcast of the radio program the Big Break. It seems strange that we should have lost the exact date of one of the most important events in American history. All we know is that roughly, it was about a hundred years before the American Revolution. The story took place in England in the port city of Bristol. The scene is a dock, alongside of which is the brig Sophie of Boston, all sails up and ready to cast off with a cargo of crockery, ironware and trade goods for the colony of Virginia. Suddenly, we hear the voice of Captain Caleb Swann as he shouts.

[Narrator/Captain Swann]

He threw you. You there. Time to sneak aboard, eh? A stowaway. All right, out with it. The Baileys are after you, no doubt. A cut purse, I'm sure. Or is it throats you cut?

[Dignified Stowaway]

I have committed no crime, Captain Swan. I came aboard this vessel in the hope that you would help.

[Narrator/Captain Swann]

No crime, eh? Then why would a man dressed as gentry try to stow away on a vessel bound for the colonies? I suppose you'll tell me the guards aren't looking for you.

[Dignified Stowaway]

No, Captain Swan, I won't tell you that. The provost guard is looking for me.

[Narrator/Captain Swann]

Ah, as I thought. But you've committed no crime. Come, fellow. I'm an American Bumpkin. But I'm not daft on me honor, sir.

[Dignified Stowaway]

My only crime is the belief in my heart that the individual should be allowed a measure of human dignity, that he should be allowed to choose his own God. He should be given the right to worship in his own way. I ask du fer, is that a crime?

[Narrator/Captain Swann]

Cromwell's law says it's a crime. So does a provost.

[Dignified Stowaway]

I ask you, Captain Swann, I ask you as a man, is that a crime? Well, is it? I ask you, is that a crime?

[Narrator/Captain Swann]

Maybe, maybe not. So happens across the sea. In America, we take a different view of such things.

[Dignified Stowaway]

Take me with you to America, to Boston, to Plymouth, wherever, Wherever you're going. Please.

[Narrator/Captain Swann]

Well, it happens. My manifest reach for Virginia. But I don't say I'll take you there. For all I know, you're one of the protector spies sent to sound me out.

[Dignified Stowaway]

Then let me pledge you this. I stood with King Charles till the blade bit through his neck. I'd fight Charles himself. I'll fight Cromwell, or any man who scorns me for my fate. I will fight and I will die. But no man will tell me the things that I must treasure in my heart. Listen. That's the provost guard. Your sails are up and set, captain.

[Narrator/Captain Swann]

Well, in the colonies, friend, we like that kind of talk. Cast out. Foreign aft. Lively there. Step lively into the wind.

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