I was lucky enough to be raised by parents who enjoyed reading books to their children. Today I love, love, love listening to audio books because it drums up in me the same cozy, visceral experience.
Back in 1957, actor Franchot Tone recorded an entire album of readings ~ The Jazz Age of F. Scott Fitzgerald ~ which included selections from The Great Gatsby, This Side of Paradise and The Crack-Up. I can't think of another recording that has combined a better blend of voice and words.
Franchot had the perfect, velvety, lyrical voice for such projects. While I'm glad to own this marvelous LP, selfishly, I wish he had done more of them.
Astute film buffs will recognize a further connection between Franchot and F. Scott ~ the original story/script for MGM's 1938 film Three Comrades was penned by Fitzgerald (his only screenwriting credit) and starred FT, Robert Taylor, Robert Young and Margaret Sullavan.
Special thanks to UK filmmaker and writer ClarityInWonderland who created, and alerted me to, a wonderful excerpt from this rare recording for all to enjoy! (Part II now available as well, thanks Ami!)
Lisa, how sweet of you. My lovely parents did not read to me as a child, so this record more than makes up for it :)
Now to update my late blog as you were kind enough to mention it...
Posted by: Clarity | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 04:55 PM