An American in England
Step back into the smoldering landscape of World War II with An American in England, a remarkable dramatic-documentary series from 1942. Crafted by the legendary Norman Corwin and produced by Edward R. Murrow, this collection offers a rare, ground-level portrait of wartime Britain. Instead of official dispatches or political handouts, the series captures the voices of everyday citizens—factory workers, housewives, and soldiers—as they endure the Blitz and navigate a world at war. Narrated by Joseph Julian, these six episodes (totaling nearly three hours) transport listeners to a time when resilience and humor coexisted with rationing and air raids. For collectors of vintage radio and WWII history, this is an intimate, unfiltered window into a nation’s soul under siege.
Collection Highlights
- Citizen-Focused Storytelling: Instead of generals and politicians, Corwin’s scripts put the British public front and center—from the determined housewives of “Woman of Britain” to the quiet resolve of a coastal town in “Cromer.”
- Iconic Creative Team: The collaboration between Norman Corwin (writing), Edward R. Murrow (producing), and Joseph Julian (narration) represents the golden age of radio journalism and dramatic documentary.
- Rare Slice of Life: Episodes like “The Yanks Are Here” and “An Anglo-American Angle” capture the cultural collision of American GIs and British civilians, while “Clipper Home” offers a poignant farewell to England.
- A Lost Era Preserved: This six-episode series, originally broadcast in late 1942, has been carefully restored and is a cornerstone for any enthusiast seeking authentic, human WWII audio.
Track Listing
Show all 12 tracks (2 hours, 55 min)
- AmEngland 420824 (04) Woman of Britain
- AmEngland 420831 (05) The Yanks are Here
- AmEngland 420907 (06) An Anglo-American Angle
- AmEngland 421201 (07) Cromer
- AmEngland 421208 (08) Home is Where You Hang Your Helmet
- AmEngland 421222 (10) Clipper Home
- AmEngland 420824 (04) Woman of Britain
- AmEngland 420831 (05) The Yanks are Here
- AmEngland 420907 (06) An Anglo-American Angle
- AmEngland 421201 (07) Cromer
- AmEngland 421208 (08) Home is Where You Hang Your Helmet
- AmEngland 421222 (10) Clipper Home