Railroad Hour 53 11 09 (267) Roberta

# The Railroad Hour: Roberta

Step aboard for an enchanting evening as The Railroad Hour presents Jerome Kern's luminous operetta *Roberta*. Picture yourself in a plush Pullman car as the orchestra strikes up those unforgettable melodies—you'll hear the soaring romance of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," the charming cascade of "Yesterdays," and the spirited energy of "The Touch of Your Hand." This November 1949 broadcast brings to life the tale of a young American football player who inherits a Paris fashion house and discovers love amidst haute couture and European sophistication. With rich orchestration swelling through your radio speaker and the stellar cast bringing every emotion to vivid life, you'll find yourself transported from your living room to the glittering salons of 1930s Paris, all while the rhythmic clickety-clack of the rails provides a gentle backdrop to this timeless romance.

The Railroad Hour was ABC's answer to radio's golden age of musical drama, a program that understood Americans craved both sophisticated entertainment and the escapism of Kern and Gershwin's finest compositions. By adapting beloved operettas and Broadway musicals into hour-long broadcasts, the show demonstrated radio's unique power to democratize the concert hall, bringing Broadway magic to millions who could never afford a theater ticket. *Roberta* represents the show at its apex—a perfect marriage of stellar musicianship, compelling storytelling, and production values that rivaled any theatrical presentation. This episode survives as a testament to radio's golden era, when entertainment meant artistry.

Don't miss this glorious presentation of *Roberta*. Tune in and let the music transport you across time and distance—it's the journey of a lifetime, all from the comfort of your favorite chair.