Mercury Theatre - Hamlet, Part 2 November 14, 1936

Episode Summary: Mercury Theatre - Hamlet, Part 2 (November 14, 1936)
Hamlet, Part 2 continues Shakespeare’s tragedy, picking up from the cliffhanger of Part 1 (September 19, 1936). The episode likely focuses on Hamlet’s escalating plot for revenge against Claudius, who murdered his father. Key scenes include Hamlet’s confrontation with Ophelia (“Get thee to a nunnery”), the play-within-a-play to “catch the conscience of the king,” and the unraveling of Polonius, Ophelia, and others caught in Hamlet’s schemes. Welles’ adaptation emphasizes psychological depth and dramatic tension, with sound effects like clashing swords or mournful music enhancing the radio experience. The episode likely ends with the tragic climax—Hamlet’s duel with Laertes, the deaths of major characters, and Fortinbras’ arrival—condensed for radio. Welles’ bold delivery and innovative staging bring a modern edge to the Elizabethan text. (No recording survives, so the summary is based on Hamlet’s narrative and Welles’ directorial style.)

Actors and Roles
Specific casting details for Orson Welles’ Mercury Theatre radio production of Hamlet, Part 2 (November 14, 1936) are not well-documented, typical of radio broadcasts from the era with sparse records. Produced under the Federal Theatre Project, the Mercury Theatre ensemble likely featured:
Orson Welles as Hamlet and possibly the director or narrator. Welles, then 21, was the driving force of the production, delivering the tormented Danish prince with his signature intensity.

Supporting roles (e.g., Claudius, Gertrude, Ophelia, Laertes, or Polonius) were likely played by Mercury Theatre regulars such as Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, Ray Collins, Everett Sloane, or George Coulouris. These actors frequently collaborated with Welles, though exact roles for this episode are unconfirmed due to missing documentation.

Additional minor characters (e.g., Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, or gravediggers) were likely voiced by other ensemble members or Federal Theatre Project actors.

National News in the USA: Week of November 14, 1936
Roosevelt’s Landslide Victory: The 1936 presidential election (November 3) saw Franklin D. Roosevelt re-elected in a historic landslide over Alf Landon, winning 523-8 in the Electoral College. News focused on Roosevelt’s mandate to expand New Deal policies and address the Great Depression, with unemployment still around 17%.

Economic Recovery Efforts: The New Deal’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) and other programs were in the spotlight, with reports on infrastructure projects and job creation, though economic challenges persisted.

Spanish Civil War: The escalating conflict in Spain, with Nationalists (supported by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy) battling Republicans, dominated international news. U.S. papers covered debates over American neutrality and the involvement of American volunteers in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade.

Labor and Social Issues: Strikes and labor disputes, particularly in the auto and steel industries, were ongoing. The week also saw discussions about Social Security, recently enacted, as a cornerstone of New Deal reforms.