Classic Radio - Who owns the rights?

[NarrowRoad]

I often listen to classic radio programs and recently heard an episode of "Suspense" from the early 40's (1942, I think) that I think would make a great film but I can't figure out who would own the rights to these stories and how I would go about seeking permission to adapt for the screen.


Any ideas?

[Fortean]

Altho many older radio programs may be in the public domain, (as dramatic performances), their source material may still be copyrighted.

The radio program "Suspense" lasted about twenty years and spawned a television program that lasted from 1949 to 1954. That's over nine hundred radio shows and two hundred and sixty television episodes.

Some of the original stories come from authors, whose works are in the public domain, (such as Poe and Dickens), but many others were adapted from short stories which are still copyrighted by their authors, (such as Faulkner and Gore Vidal).

Listen to the credits, as the author is usually identified along with the name of the story; then, you need to do a bit of research. CBS would have owned the rights to their radio adaptations; but, the film rights could be owned by the author, a purchasing magazine, or a studio, (with many of these stories already adapted into screenplays and films, for example, their old favourite, Lucille Fletcher's SORRY, WRONG NUMBER).

[The Road Warrior]

Originally Posted by NarrowRoad

I often listen to classic radio programs and recently heard an episode of "Suspense" from the early 40's (1942, I think) that I think would make a great film but I can't figure out who would own the rights to these stories and how I would go about seeking permission to adapt for the screen.


Any ideas?

It's sometimes tricky as the original c/right is restored, I understand, by the version at hand which has refined, adapted the underlying material, you know, like where a book has been brushed up and represented. It's rare that you'll see an orig. copy.

I'd write to a major radio station, and they'll point you in the direction of the people who deal with it. Rights Clearance folks.