Craven Street: Ben Franklin in London by Yuri Rasovsky

[Riklaa]

Craven Street: Ben Franklin in London by Yuri Rasovsky Blackstone Audio Duration: 4 hrs, 13 min 1-2 of 4 Bitrate: 48 kbps full cast Genre: Docudrama, historical dramatization Craven Street: Ben Franklin in London is a five-part radio play dramatizing Benjamin Franklin's career as a colonial lobbyist in London before the American Revolution. It starred Elizabeth Montgomery, George Grizzard and Sir Nigel Hawthorne. It was written, produced and directed by Yuri Rasovsky, under the aegis of Robert Foxworth's American Dialogues Foundation. Originally broadcast on public radio stations in 1993, this meticulously researched historical drama is being published by Blackstone to commemorate Benjamin Franklin’s 300th birthday, January 2006. It reveals the multi-faceted, complex Franklin’s little-known adventures in London before the Revolution. For fifteen years, he lived on Craven Street off the Thames, where he established a surrogate family, began his Autobiography and became America’s most famous citizen. As tensions heated up between the Mother Country and her colonies, Franklin became embroiled in intrigue, espionage and even a duel. The British government believed him “the head of all the rebels” and set out to have him hanged. He escaped only hours before arresting magistrates came banging on his Craven Street door. He was at sea sailing for home when “the shot heard ‘round the world” rang out at Lexington. Winner AudioFile Earphones Award Audiofile Review "In the years before the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin--America's most famous statesman--lived in a rooming house on London's Craven Street. Yuri Rasovsky's clever radio play portrays this period in Franklin's life, highlighting the complexities and personal contradictions of the brilliant writer, philosopher and constitutional signatory. George Grizzard is believable as Franklin, revealing sides of the man we rarely find in history books. The late Elizabeth Montgomery has a distinctive--and bewitching--role as narrator and Franklin's conscience. Craven Street is a moving, informative and beautifully produced radio play festooned with music and sounds of the time, and starring a full cast that includes Martin Sheen, David Warner, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., and Nigel Hawthorne." S.E.S. AudioFile magazine "Working with relatively obscure, but factually accurate, historical documents, including much of the correspondence between Franklin and his wife, Award-winning producer-director Yuri Rasovsky has woven an insightful, fast-paced, docudrama that is both interesting and informative." Frank Johnson, AudioDiversions

Craven_Street_Ben_Frankl Part 1 of 4.mp3

Craven_Street_Ben_Frankl Part 2 of 4.mp3

[Alyson D]

Two faves thrown together:  Ben Franklin and Elizabeth Montgomery!  Can't wait to hear this, thanks!

[Robert Flood]

Dear Rick -

Thanks.  Historical drama is what I enjoy so much and this will be something special for me to listen to.

Bob

[Lesa Williams]

Is this Part 1 actually the start of this piece ?  It seems as though there might be a part before this....

[Riklaa]

As far as I know this is the entire piece.  Yuri Rasovsky is an interesting writer, he tends to refer to other times in Franklin's life in the play since much of it is based on the letters between Franklin and his wife.  I know of no other parts to this play than the 4 parts posted here.  It is complete to the best of my knowledge.  Part one has a lengthy introduction to the play and is actually the first part of the 4 in the play  ---------------  R

[Lesa Williams]

This HAS to be good with THIS cast !!  Can't wait...Thanks !

[codepop]

Ben Franklin is my favorite historical figure.  Thank you.

[Mike Hobart]

Yes, this looks like it should be fascinating stuff.

[Riklaa]

Craven Street: Ben Franklin in London by Yuri Rasovsky

3-4 of 4

Craven_Street_Ben_Frankl Part 3 of 4.mp3

Craven_Street_Ben_Frankl Part 4 of 4.mp3

[abby]

Thanks, Rick...sounds really interesting!!