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From THE BILLBOARD September 20, 1952 THE JEFFERSONIAN HERITAGE (The Living Declaration) * RADIO—Re viewed at a special pre-broadcast hearing at WNYC, New York. Produced by the National Association of Educational Broadcasters. Producer-director, Frank Papp. Writers, Morton Wishengrad and Milton Geiger. Music, Wladimir Selinsky. Technical advisor. Professor Dumas Malone, Department of History, Columbia University, Cast: Claude Rains, others. _______ '.--- _— "The Jeffersonian Heritage 11 is a 13-week half-hour series dealing with the life, times, principles and philosophy of TSDmas Jefferson. However, its purpose is not biographical, but rather to show'how Jeffersonian ideals have guided generations of American statesmen up to the present day. In line with this aim, the initial, program ’’The Living Declaration,” reviewed, spotlighted Jefferson’s part in writing the Declaration of Independence. The entire series is based on the research, writing and advice of Professor Dumas Malone, of Columbia University, -who checked and rechecked every line of dialog to be sure it carried the proper Jeffersonian flavor. Producer-director Frank Papp, has showcased the professor’s material in laudable fashion, with Wladimir Selinsky’s majestic background music particularly impressive. However, major credit for the series’ success belongs to actor Claude Rains. Rains’ Job In an attempt to imbue the program with a genuine feeling of history in the .making, the script often subordinates dramatic action to Jefferson’s philosophy. Consequently Rains delivers lengthy first-person narratives .and completely dominates all of the dramatized segs. In most cases other cast members do little more than feed him lines. This one-man script treatment was undoubtedly necessary to the spirit of the series, but the fact remains that under such an arrangement the oasic quality of the series is 99 per cent dependent upon the stature of its leading performer. For¬ tunately, the NAEB realized this, and spent a sizable share of its Ford bankroll to snare the right man for the role—Claude Rains. The legit-flicker star’s flexible vocal range and quietly authoritative underplaying enables him to sustain audience interest thru-out solilqquies which would totally defeat many an able actor. Without Rains or someone of like stature, ’’Jeffersonian Heritage” would be talky and uninspired. His importance to the series was emphasized earlier by the IM NAEB itself > when the committee postponed production on the show for two months until Rains could fit it into his schedule. The first show in the series registered maximum audience impact, via Jeffer¬ son’ s vain attempt to have an anti-slavery clause written in the constitution and Rain’s convincing explanation of Jefferson’s tolerant religious views. The series Ttfill endeavor to relate Jeffersonian history with current world affairs iiiienever possible. Titles of forthcoming programs include: ’’The Democrat and the Commissar,” ’’Light and Liberty” and "What the Jeffersonian Heritage Keans Today.”