Radio Recap: One World Flight

One World Flight was a CBS program that aired as a sort of 13 episode mini-series from January 14 to April 8, 1947. It was created by Norman Corwin, who wrote, produced and narrated the series. The first 12 episodes focus on particular nations (such as England, Egypt, Australia and New Zealand) while the 13th sums up what was learned from the preceding episodes.

The series was inspired by the politician Wendell Willkie, who had died in 1944 but whose "one world" ideals would help found the United Nations. Corwin visited 16 different countries and interviewed people from all walks of life (government officials and passersby in the streets) to hear their thoughts about the state of the world and what they thought was needed to prevent another world war. It's a heavy subject but it's an interesting snapshot of attitudes around the world at the time.

There are certainly some disappointing reactions from various ignorant people - like one who goes off on an antisemitic tirade, blaming Jews for World War II. There's another who blames Black people for all the problems they've heard about the USA. But the most surprising ignorance is ignorance of world events; while in Egypt, Corwin spoke to a number of people who either did not know World War II had been over for more than a year, or who mistakenly thought Hitler had won the war!

Although a true believer in the greatness of his country, Corwin had the misfortune of being a left-wing patriot at a time where everyone in the left-wing was having their patriotism questioned. Corwin had been one of CBS' most prolific playwrights since his time on the Columbia Workshop, but One World Flight proved to be his swan song (so far as the Golden Age of Radio is concerned). One World Flight didn't really take a position on the USSR, with various people referring to it as a threat or optimistically hoping there might be a path to peace. It probably enraged those who simply wanted the USSR demonized; Corwin worked for the United Nations after leaving CBS but then wound up attacked by Red Channels and the House of Un-American Activities. But since he lived to be 101, Corwin had the pleasure of out-living his enemies.

One World Flight might not be your cup of tea if you're not interested in history or historical attitudes, but I found it an interesting glimpse at what people around the world thought after the war. Along with the ignorant remarks I mentioned above, there's plenty of sober thought from many of those whom Corwin recorded.

The book pictured above is available from Bloomsbury.

The Old Time Radio Researchers have the entire program in this YouTube playlist: