February 7: Happy Birthday, Charles Dickens

February 7: Happy Birthday, Charles Dickens

We salute the author of A Tale of Two Cities, Bleak House, David Copperfield, and many other classics because so many of his works were adapted into radio plays.

If you can recall sitting on the floor with the fire crackling nearby, your mom sorting her coupons at the coffee table, and radio actors giving voice to great Dickens dramas, here's what you're remembering, specifically:

• A Tale of Two Cities on Lux Radio Theatre, 1942, 1945, and 1946
• Great Expectations on Theatre Guild, 1953
• David Copperfield on Theatre Guild, 1950
• A Christmas Carol on Campbell Playhouse, 1939
• Dickens' work was also presented on Suspense, Richard Diamond, Escape and Lights Out.

Imagine turning on commercial radio today and hearing classic literature instead of gossip about Miley Cyrus or the latest hit song by Justin Bieber.

April 24, 1949: Richard "Dick" Ewing Powell plays lead detective in "Richard Diamond"

April 24, 1949: Dick Powell played the lead in detective drama ‘Richard Diamond, Private Detective’ on NBC. The drama lasted on radio for four years.

In the 1950's  Powell began to produce his own movies. He also became a well-known actor, singer and studio boss. He died from lymphoma in his fifties.