TimesPastOTR TimesPastOTR https://huffduffer.com/ https://huffduffer.com/images/podcast.jpg en https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR noTimesPastOTR https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716780 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716780 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 09:56:44 GMT This Pulitzer prize winning novel is Hemingway's masterpiece; set in Cuba on the Gulf Stream, this is the thrilling and tantalising story of an epic battle between an old, experienced fisherman and a large marlin. Santiago, has gone 84 days without catching a fish, and is considered unlucky; his only friend is young Manolin, the boy whom he's taught how to fish. When on the 85th day, Santiago sets sail again, his luck seems to change when he catches the biggest fish of his life. But the biggest battle of his life is about to commence. Produced and Directed by Pauline Harris Further Information Cited by the Nobel Committee as contributing to Hemingway's Nobel Prize in Literature, the novel is a seemingly simple tale, full of emotion and drama. It's the story of the struggle of life - a meditation on life and death, and old age. It's about the challenge of survival and the pitting of one man's ageing body and ageing mind against nature. It's about an ancient culture about to come to an end, and a practice as old as time itself. It's a final act, and the boy is there to remind us that life moves on, and a new generation steps forward. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716758 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716758 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 23:20:43 GMT This Pulitzer prize winning novel is Hemingway's masterpiece; set in Cuba on the Gulf Stream, this is the thrilling and tantalising story of an epic battle between an old, experienced fisherman and a large marlin. Santiago, has gone 84 days without catching a fish, and is considered unlucky; his only friend is young Manolin, the boy whom he's taught how to fish. When on the 85th day, Santiago sets sail again, his luck seems to change when he catches the biggest fish of his life. But the biggest battle of his life is about to commence. Produced and Directed by Pauline Harris Further Information Cited by the Nobel Committee as contributing to Hemingway's Nobel Prize in Literature, the novel is a seemingly simple tale, full of emotion and drama. It's the story of the struggle of life - a meditation on life and death, and old age. It's about the challenge of survival and the pitting of one man's ageing body and ageing mind against nature. It's about an ancient culture about to come to an end, and a practice as old as time itself. It's a final act, and the boy is there to remind us that life moves on, and a new generation steps forward.This Pulitzer prize winning novel is Hemingway's masterpiece; set in Cuba on the Gulf Stream, this is the thrilling and tantalising story of an epic battle between an old, experienced fisherman and a large marlin. Santiago, has gone 84 days without catching a fish, and is considered unlucky; his only friend is young Manolin, the boy whom he's taught how to fish. When on the 85th day, Santiago sets sail again, his luck seems to change when he catches the biggest fish of his life. But the biggest battle of his life is about to commence. Produced and Directed by Pauline Harris Further Information Cited by the Nobel Committee as contributing to Hemingway's Nobel Prize in Literature, the novel is a seemingly simple tale, full of emotion and drama. It's the story of the struggle of life - a meditation on life and death, and old age. It's about the challenge of survival and the pitting of one man's ageing body and ageing mind against nature. It's about an ancient culture about to come to an end, and a practice as old as time itself. It's a final act, and the boy is there to remind us that life moves on, and a new generation steps forward. "Seattle Blues" is a critical milestone episode of The Adventures of Harry Nile, a hard-boiled private-eye radio drama created by writer-producer Jim French. First broadcast on December 2, 1976, the story serves as a prequel to the main timeline. It details Harry Nile's very first visit to Seattle, occurring a full decade before he leaves the Chicago police force to permanently settle down in the Pacific Northwest. In this case, Harry works to help a young woman recover money from a crooked gambler. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716666 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716666 Wed, 8 Jul 2026 00:23:34 GMT "Seattle Blues" is a critical milestone episode of The Adventures of Harry Nile, a hard-boiled private-eye radio drama created by writer-producer Jim French. First broadcast on December 2, 1976, the story serves as a prequel to the main timeline. It details Harry Nile's very first visit to Seattle, occurring a full decade before he leaves the Chicago police force to permanently settle down in the Pacific Northwest. In this case, Harry works to help a young woman recover money from a crooked gambler."Seattle Blues" is a critical milestone episode of The Adventures of Harry Nile, a hard-boiled private-eye radio drama created by writer-producer Jim French. First broadcast on December 2, 1976, the story serves as a prequel to the main timeline. It details Harry Nile's very first visit to Seattle, occurring a full decade before he leaves the Chicago police force to permanently settle down in the Pacific Northwest. In this case, Harry works to help a young woman recover money from a crooked gambler. "West for My Health" is the very first episode of the long-running audio radio drama series, The Adventures of Harry Nile. Written and produced by Jim French, this foundational story introduces listeners to the hard-luck private investigator and sets up his entire narrative timeline. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716665 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716665 Wed, 8 Jul 2026 00:20:16 GMT "West for My Health" is the very first episode of the long-running audio radio drama series, The Adventures of Harry Nile. Written and produced by Jim French, this foundational story introduces listeners to the hard-luck private investigator and sets up his entire narrative timeline."West for My Health" is the very first episode of the long-running audio radio drama series, The Adventures of Harry Nile. Written and produced by Jim French, this foundational story introduces listeners to the hard-luck private investigator and sets up his entire narrative timeline. Freder is an underworked "captain" in a high level position in the futuristic consumer society of the mega-city named Metropolis. Feeling suicidal, but unable to understand why, Freder switches identities with a low level "product insertion" - a kind of telemarketing. Failing at that, Freder soon finds himself working for Maria, an imperfect beauty with all the answers. Maria plunges Freder into the depths of her underground conspiracy to disrupt the workings of society. Thea von Harbou's 1925 novel became husband Fritz Lang's 1927 silent movie classic. Its terrifying vision of the future was born in an age of booming heavy industry. Peter Straughan's new version finds its hero, caught up in a nightmarish world all too recognisably drawn from the one we find ourselves in today. Freddy ....... Edward Hogg Maria ....... Tracy Wiles Josaphat ....... Damian Lynch Schmale ....... Peter Marinker With: Kim Wall Elizabeth Bell Anthony Glennon Liz Sutherland Jacqueline Cloake Thomas Wheatley Director: Toby Swift First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2006. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716616 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716616 Sun, 5 Jul 2026 11:41:23 GMT Freder is an underworked "captain" in a high level position in the futuristic consumer society of the mega-city named Metropolis. Feeling suicidal, but unable to understand why, Freder switches identities with a low level "product insertion" - a kind of telemarketing. Failing at that, Freder soon finds himself working for Maria, an imperfect beauty with all the answers. Maria plunges Freder into the depths of her underground conspiracy to disrupt the workings of society. Thea von Harbou's 1925 novel became husband Fritz Lang's 1927 silent movie classic. Its terrifying vision of the future was born in an age of booming heavy industry. Peter Straughan's new version finds its hero, caught up in a nightmarish world all too recognisably drawn from the one we find ourselves in today. Freddy ....... Edward Hogg Maria ....... Tracy Wiles Josaphat ....... Damian Lynch Schmale ....... Peter Marinker With: Kim Wall Elizabeth Bell Anthony Glennon Liz Sutherland Jacqueline Cloake Thomas Wheatley Director: Toby Swift First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2006.Freder is an underworked "captain" in a high level position in the futuristic consumer society of the mega-city named Metropolis. Feeling suicidal, but unable to understand why, Freder switches identities with a low level "product insertion" - a kind of telemarketing. Failing at that, Freder soon finds himself working for Maria, an imperfect beauty with all the answers. Maria plunges Freder into the depths of her underground conspiracy to disrupt the workings of society. Thea von Harbou's 1925 novel became husband Fritz Lang's 1927 silent movie classic. Its terrifying vision of the future was born in an age of booming heavy industry. Peter Straughan's new version finds its hero, caught up in a nightmarish world all too recognisably drawn from the one we find ourselves in today. Freddy ....... Edward Hogg Maria ....... Tracy Wiles Josaphat ....... Damian Lynch Schmale ....... Peter Marinker With: Kim Wall Elizabeth Bell Anthony Glennon Liz Sutherland Jacqueline Cloake Thomas Wheatley Director: Toby Swift First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2006. The Prince of Africa is an acclaimed 1987 BBC Radio drama written by the renowned Kittitian-British author Caryl Phillips. First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in March 1987, the play follows an English sea captain who, while new to the slave trade, finds himself in command of an overcrowded slave ship bound for the Americas. It employs an experimental and fluid narrative style that moves seamlessly across time and space, exploring the overarching themes of the African diaspora, dislocation, and the history of slavery. The original broadcast starred actors Trevor Laird as the African and Geoffrey Collins as Captain John Winston, and was directed by Ian Cotterell. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716615 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716615 Sun, 5 Jul 2026 10:47:07 GMT The Prince of Africa is an acclaimed 1987 BBC Radio drama written by the renowned Kittitian-British author Caryl Phillips. First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in March 1987, the play follows an English sea captain who, while new to the slave trade, finds himself in command of an overcrowded slave ship bound for the Americas. It employs an experimental and fluid narrative style that moves seamlessly across time and space, exploring the overarching themes of the African diaspora, dislocation, and the history of slavery. The original broadcast starred actors Trevor Laird as the African and Geoffrey Collins as Captain John Winston, and was directed by Ian Cotterell.The Prince of Africa is an acclaimed 1987 BBC Radio drama written by the renowned Kittitian-British author Caryl Phillips. First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in March 1987, the play follows an English sea captain who, while new to the slave trade, finds himself in command of an overcrowded slave ship bound for the Americas. It employs an experimental and fluid narrative style that moves seamlessly across time and space, exploring the overarching themes of the African diaspora, dislocation, and the history of slavery. The original broadcast starred actors Trevor Laird as the African and Geoffrey Collins as Captain John Winston, and was directed by Ian Cotterell. The famous "Army Hour" radio interview with Audie Murphy was recorded on August 16, 1960, while the legendary World War II hero and Hollywood actor was on location in Western Germany. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716576 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716576 Wed, 1 Jul 2026 10:45:17 GMT The famous "Army Hour" radio interview with Audie Murphy was recorded on August 16, 1960, while the legendary World War II hero and Hollywood actor was on location in Western Germany.The famous "Army Hour" radio interview with Audie Murphy was recorded on August 16, 1960, while the legendary World War II hero and Hollywood actor was on location in Western Germany. By phone from his home in Southern California, this beloved man of many talents and voices was a live guest on Radio Classics program on WBBM, Chicago. Listeners had an opportunity to call in and talk with him about his career on radio and cartoons and his book, “That’s Not All Folks!” He was born on May 30, 1908 and was 80 at the time of this broadcast. He died just ten months later, at age 81 on July 10, 1989. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716575 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716575 Wed, 1 Jul 2026 10:32:39 GMT By phone from his home in Southern California, this beloved man of many talents and voices was a live guest on Radio Classics program on WBBM, Chicago. Listeners had an opportunity to call in and talk with him about his career on radio and cartoons and his book, “That’s Not All Folks!” He was born on May 30, 1908 and was 80 at the time of this broadcast. He died just ten months later, at age 81 on July 10, 1989.By phone from his home in Southern California, this beloved man of many talents and voices was a live guest on Radio Classics program on WBBM, Chicago. Listeners had an opportunity to call in and talk with him about his career on radio and cartoons and his book, “That’s Not All Folks!” He was born on May 30, 1908 and was 80 at the time of this broadcast. He died just ten months later, at age 81 on July 10, 1989. A chance encounter in a random phone-call may prove good fortune or bad luck for Jess and Lydia. A sweet romance about taking control of destiny. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716455 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716455 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:51:16 GMT A chance encounter in a random phone-call may prove good fortune or bad luck for Jess and Lydia. A sweet romance about taking control of destiny.A chance encounter in a random phone-call may prove good fortune or bad luck for Jess and Lydia. A sweet romance about taking control of destiny. A young composer arrives in Northumberland, looking for an old man reputed to have written a hauntingly beautiful love song. The old man only sang it once - after his wife left him - and says he'll it sing it no more. The composer embarks on a cold-hearted campaign to make the old man's daughter fall in love with him. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716454 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716454 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:41:16 GMT A young composer arrives in Northumberland, looking for an old man reputed to have written a hauntingly beautiful love song. The old man only sang it once - after his wife left him - and says he'll it sing it no more. The composer embarks on a cold-hearted campaign to make the old man's daughter fall in love with him.A young composer arrives in Northumberland, looking for an old man reputed to have written a hauntingly beautiful love song. The old man only sang it once - after his wife left him - and says he'll it sing it no more. The composer embarks on a cold-hearted campaign to make the old man's daughter fall in love with him. A harrowing tunnel search in Vietnam where the platoon deals with an explosive underground bunker https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716453 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716453 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:22:47 GMT A harrowing tunnel search in Vietnam where the platoon deals with an explosive underground bunkerA harrowing tunnel search in Vietnam where the platoon deals with an explosive underground bunker A moving Civil War story of a young man plagued by doubts of cowardice in battle. An interesting look at the thoughts of a common foot soldier of the day. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716452 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716452 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:10:35 GMT A moving Civil War story of a young man plagued by doubts of cowardice in battle. An interesting look at the thoughts of a common foot soldier of the day.A moving Civil War story of a young man plagued by doubts of cowardice in battle. An interesting look at the thoughts of a common foot soldier of the day. Tim Krabbe's cult novella dramatised by Oliver Emanuel. Rex and Saskia stop at a petrol station. Saskia goes in to buy drinks and is never seen again. Eight years later, Rex is so haunted by her disappearance that he sets out to discover what happened to her, regardless of the cost. A chilling love story that takes us to the heart of the perfect crime. Cast: Rex ... Samuel West Saskia ... Melody Grove Lieneke ... Ruth Gemmell Lemorne ... Liam Brennan Denise...Natasha Watson Cashier/Woman ... Claire Knight Jean-Pierre Gallo/Manager ... Robin Laing https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716450 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716450 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:03:04 GMT Tim Krabbe's cult novella dramatised by Oliver Emanuel. Rex and Saskia stop at a petrol station. Saskia goes in to buy drinks and is never seen again. Eight years later, Rex is so haunted by her disappearance that he sets out to discover what happened to her, regardless of the cost. A chilling love story that takes us to the heart of the perfect crime. Cast: Rex ... Samuel West Saskia ... Melody Grove Lieneke ... Ruth Gemmell Lemorne ... Liam Brennan Denise...Natasha Watson Cashier/Woman ... Claire Knight Jean-Pierre Gallo/Manager ... Robin LaingTim Krabbe's cult novella dramatised by Oliver Emanuel. Rex and Saskia stop at a petrol station. Saskia goes in to buy drinks and is never seen again. Eight years later, Rex is so haunted by her disappearance that he sets out to discover what happened to her, regardless of the cost. A chilling love story that takes us to the heart of the perfect crime. Cast: Rex ... Samuel West Saskia ... Melody Grove Lieneke ... Ruth Gemmell Lemorne ... Liam Brennan Denise...Natasha Watson Cashier/Woman ... Claire Knight Jean-Pierre Gallo/Manager ... Robin Laing The riddle of Sherlock Holmes' disappearance after the Reichenbach Falls is at last solved. And the real reason for Professor Moriarty's power is revealed... Starring Simon Callow, Ian Hogg and Karl Johnson. Nicholas Meyer's Gold and Silver Dagger Award-winning novel, first published in 1974. Dramatised by Denny Martin Flinn. Sherlock Holmes .... Simon Callow Dr Watson .... Ian Hogg Sigmund Freud .... Karl Johnson https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716367 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716367 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 02:46:06 GMT The riddle of Sherlock Holmes' disappearance after the Reichenbach Falls is at last solved. And the real reason for Professor Moriarty's power is revealed... Starring Simon Callow, Ian Hogg and Karl Johnson. Nicholas Meyer's Gold and Silver Dagger Award-winning novel, first published in 1974. Dramatised by Denny Martin Flinn. Sherlock Holmes .... Simon Callow Dr Watson .... Ian Hogg Sigmund Freud .... Karl JohnsonThe riddle of Sherlock Holmes' disappearance after the Reichenbach Falls is at last solved. And the real reason for Professor Moriarty's power is revealed... Starring Simon Callow, Ian Hogg and Karl Johnson. Nicholas Meyer's Gold and Silver Dagger Award-winning novel, first published in 1974. Dramatised by Denny Martin Flinn. Sherlock Holmes .... Simon Callow Dr Watson .... Ian Hogg Sigmund Freud .... Karl Johnson A Prairie Home Companion was a long-running live radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor, airing from 1974 to 2016. It also inspired a 2006 film directed by Robert Altman, set behind the scenes during a fictional final broadcast of the show. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716155 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716155 Sun, 31 May 2026 19:18:55 GMT A Prairie Home Companion was a long-running live radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor, airing from 1974 to 2016. It also inspired a 2006 film directed by Robert Altman, set behind the scenes during a fictional final broadcast of the show.A Prairie Home Companion was a long-running live radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor, airing from 1974 to 2016. It also inspired a 2006 film directed by Robert Altman, set behind the scenes during a fictional final broadcast of the show. "The Cowboy and the Lady" aired on Hollywood Radio Theater starring Gene Autry and Merle Oberon. Poor Mary Smith can't go night-clubbing or have any other fun because any hint of scandal could damage her father's political career. She decides to rebel and convinces her two maids to let her go along with them on a blind date with some rodeo performers. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716152 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/716152 Sun, 31 May 2026 12:10:49 GMT "The Cowboy and the Lady" aired on Hollywood Radio Theater starring Gene Autry and Merle Oberon. Poor Mary Smith can't go night-clubbing or have any other fun because any hint of scandal could damage her father's political career. She decides to rebel and convinces her two maids to let her go along with them on a blind date with some rodeo performers."The Cowboy and the Lady" aired on Hollywood Radio Theater starring Gene Autry and Merle Oberon. Poor Mary Smith can't go night-clubbing or have any other fun because any hint of scandal could damage her father's political career. She decides to rebel and convinces her two maids to let her go along with them on a blind date with some rodeo performers. Indiana Jones and the Bridge to Yesterday is an epic, feature-length fan-made audio drama released by the IndyCast in 2019. Developed by Raiders Radio over five years, it features high-quality voice acting, original music, and cinematic sound effects. The story follows Indy into the Devil's Triangle as he attempts to right past wrongs. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/715486 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/715486 Wed, 20 May 2026 01:25:36 GMT Indiana Jones and the Bridge to Yesterday is an epic, feature-length fan-made audio drama released by the IndyCast in 2019. Developed by Raiders Radio over five years, it features high-quality voice acting, original music, and cinematic sound effects. The story follows Indy into the Devil's Triangle as he attempts to right past wrongs.Indiana Jones and the Bridge to Yesterday is an epic, feature-length fan-made audio drama released by the IndyCast in 2019. Developed by Raiders Radio over five years, it features high-quality voice acting, original music, and cinematic sound effects. The story follows Indy into the Devil's Triangle as he attempts to right past wrongs. It's 1948. Sleuth Easy Rawlings is drawn into a web of murder and corruption. Walter Mosley's thriller, read by Paul Winfield https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/715475 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/715475 Tue, 19 May 2026 03:23:31 GMT It's 1948. Sleuth Easy Rawlings is drawn into a web of murder and corruption. Walter Mosley's thriller, read by Paul WinfieldIt's 1948. Sleuth Easy Rawlings is drawn into a web of murder and corruption. Walter Mosley's thriller, read by Paul Winfield A BBC radio full-cast dramatization of this much-loved classic adventure about a dog named Buck. In Yukon, Canada during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush, strong sled dogs were in high demand. Buck is stolen from his comfortable home in California and sold into service as a sled dog in Alaska. He becomes progressively feral in the harsh environment, where he is forced to fight to survive and dominate other dogs. Sold to a group of inexperienced gold hunters, he is eventually saved by John Thornton, with whom he forms a deep bond. Exciting and action-packed, The Call of the Wild explores the timeless relationship between man and dog, and the draw of primitive instincts that pull Buck away from humanity towards the wilderness. Starring Robert Jack, Finn Den Hertog, Robin Lane, Nick Underwood and Melody Grove. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/715473 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/715473 Tue, 19 May 2026 02:36:52 GMT A BBC radio full-cast dramatization of this much-loved classic adventure about a dog named Buck. In Yukon, Canada during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush, strong sled dogs were in high demand. Buck is stolen from his comfortable home in California and sold into service as a sled dog in Alaska. He becomes progressively feral in the harsh environment, where he is forced to fight to survive and dominate other dogs. Sold to a group of inexperienced gold hunters, he is eventually saved by John Thornton, with whom he forms a deep bond. Exciting and action-packed, The Call of the Wild explores the timeless relationship between man and dog, and the draw of primitive instincts that pull Buck away from humanity towards the wilderness. Starring Robert Jack, Finn Den Hertog, Robin Lane, Nick Underwood and Melody Grove.A BBC radio full-cast dramatization of this much-loved classic adventure about a dog named Buck. In Yukon, Canada during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush, strong sled dogs were in high demand. Buck is stolen from his comfortable home in California and sold into service as a sled dog in Alaska. He becomes progressively feral in the harsh environment, where he is forced to fight to survive and dominate other dogs. Sold to a group of inexperienced gold hunters, he is eventually saved by John Thornton, with whom he forms a deep bond. Exciting and action-packed, The Call of the Wild explores the timeless relationship between man and dog, and the draw of primitive instincts that pull Buck away from humanity towards the wilderness. Starring Robert Jack, Finn Den Hertog, Robin Lane, Nick Underwood and Melody Grove. Sea Change Drama on 3 By John Fletcher. This is the story of the battle between appeasers and anti-appeasers in the period before - and just after - the start of the Second World War, and the formation of a coalition which, like the election of 2010, abruptly ruptured all previous political alignments. New political alliances and social organizations - which had first arisen in the Bridgwater by-election of 1938, but which had been ignored by the London-based political and media establishments - united in their fight against appeasement. Suddenly and dramatically, in May of that year, this new united front rose against the government and, in the space of only three days, overthrew it. Somewhat surprisingly, the magnificent story behind this overthrow is little known. It is a story of ferocious loyalty and betrayal, outrageous media manipulation, blackmail, prejudice - and not a little courage. The appeasers are principally represented by Neville Chamberlain and his ruthless, over-protective spin doctor Joseph Ball - a man who would have eaten Alistair Campbell for breakfast. The anti-appeasers, battling through various foreign policy crises, are a disparate group: an Australian, Rex Leeper, the Foreign Office's press officer, constantly - and largely unsuccessfully - countering Ball's pro-appeasement spin from Number 10; Harold Nicolson MP, bravely opposing appeasement amid the innuendos of fellow backbenchers and Ball's press smears; Vernon Bartlett, a radical foreign correspondent for the News Chronicle, who is asked to stand as the anti-appeasement candidate in the Bridgwater by-election; and Guy Burgess, anti-appeasement patriot, communist and BBC political producer, who is blackmailed over his homosexuality by Ball into couriering secret messages between Chamberlain and the dictators. The fascinating and little known story of the struggle to establish the coalition government of 1940 - a story of idealism, blackmail, and political skulduggery. Based on real events. https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/715471 https://huffduffer.com/TimesPastOTR/715471 Tue, 19 May 2026 02:13:59 GMT Sea Change Drama on 3 By John Fletcher. This is the story of the battle between appeasers and anti-appeasers in the period before - and just after - the start of the Second World War, and the formation of a coalition which, like the election of 2010, abruptly ruptured all previous political alignments. New political alliances and social organizations - which had first arisen in the Bridgwater by-election of 1938, but which had been ignored by the London-based political and media establishments - united in their fight against appeasement. Suddenly and dramatically, in May of that year, this new united front rose against the government and, in the space of only three days, overthrew it. Somewhat surprisingly, the magnificent story behind this overthrow is little known. It is a story of ferocious loyalty and betrayal, outrageous media manipulation, blackmail, prejudice - and not a little courage. The appeasers are principally represented by Neville Chamberlain and his ruthless, over-protective spin doctor Joseph Ball - a man who would have eaten Alistair Campbell for breakfast. The anti-appeasers, battling through various foreign policy crises, are a disparate group: an Australian, Rex Leeper, the Foreign Office's press officer, constantly - and largely unsuccessfully - countering Ball's pro-appeasement spin from Number 10; Harold Nicolson MP, bravely opposing appeasement amid the innuendos of fellow backbenchers and Ball's press smears; Vernon Bartlett, a radical foreign correspondent for the News Chronicle, who is asked to stand as the anti-appeasement candidate in the Bridgwater by-election; and Guy Burgess, anti-appeasement patriot, communist and BBC political producer, who is blackmailed over his homosexuality by Ball into couriering secret messages between Chamberlain and the dictators. The fascinating and little known story of the struggle to establish the coalition government of 1940 - a story of idealism, blackmail, and political skulduggery. Based on real events.Sea Change Drama on 3 By John Fletcher. This is the story of the battle between appeasers and anti-appeasers in the period before - and just after - the start of the Second World War, and the formation of a coalition which, like the election of 2010, abruptly ruptured all previous political alignments. New political alliances and social organizations - which had first arisen in the Bridgwater by-election of 1938, but which had been ignored by the London-based political and media establishments - united in their fight against appeasement. Suddenly and dramatically, in May of that year, this new united front rose against the government and, in the space of only three days, overthrew it. Somewhat surprisingly, the magnificent story behind this overthrow is little known. It is a story of ferocious loyalty and betrayal, outrageous media manipulation, blackmail, prejudice - and not a little courage. The appeasers are principally represented by Neville Chamberlain and his ruthless, over-protective spin doctor Joseph Ball - a man who would have eaten Alistair Campbell for breakfast. The anti-appeasers, battling through various foreign policy crises, are a disparate group: an Australian, Rex Leeper, the Foreign Office's press officer, constantly - and largely unsuccessfully - countering Ball's pro-appeasement spin from Number 10; Harold Nicolson MP, bravely opposing appeasement amid the innuendos of fellow backbenchers and Ball's press smears; Vernon Bartlett, a radical foreign correspondent for the News Chronicle, who is asked to stand as the anti-appeasement candidate in the Bridgwater by-election; and Guy Burgess, anti-appeasement patriot, communist and BBC political producer, who is blackmailed over his homosexuality by Ball into couriering secret messages between Chamberlain and the dictators. The fascinating and little known story of the struggle to establish the coalition government of 1940 - a story of idealism, blackmail, and political skulduggery. Based on real events.