History of Notable Productions on the Broadway Stage
In the dimly lit screening room of CBS News in March 1954, Edward R. Murrow and his team were on edge. They were preparing to air an episode of "See It Now" that would take a direct swipe at Senator Joe McCarthy, a man who had whipped up anti-communist hysteria across America. The climate was tense, and the team was anxious about airing such a damning broadcast.
Murrow addressed the team, stating, "The fear resides right here in this room. No one man can terrorize an entire nation unless we all serve as his accomplices." On March 9, 1954, Murrow and his fellow journalists made history. In the final monologue of their program, Murrow spoke directly into the camera, proclaiming, "We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we delve deep into our past and recall that we are not the descendants of the fearful."
The theatrical adaptation of "Good Night, and Good Luck," written and directed by George Clooney, features Clooney as Murrow, tackling the fascinating saga between Murrow and McCarthy. Clooney claimed that the film was inspired by events surrounding the Iraq War and the need for a free press to question those in power. According to Clooney, "I felt like the Fourth Estate was abdicating much of its duty of questioning, especially in the lead-up to the War."
Clooney highlighted the relevance of the themes depicted in the film, the play, and the historic events that inspired them, pointing out that "we are seeing this idea of using government to scare, or fine, or use corporations to make journalists smaller." He asserted that Murrow’s words, "the terror is right in this room," still ring painfully true today.
In the Broadway production, a talented cast of actors portrays the real-life journalists who worked on "See It Now," including Fred Friendly, Don Hewitt, Joseph Wershba, and his wife, Shirley. Friendly, the co-producer of "See It Now," served as Murrow’s right-hand man during their confrontations with McCarthy. When corporate sponsors threatened to drop the show due to their critical coverage of McCarthy, Murrow defended their work, declaring their stories to be essential for public accountability.
Together, Murrow and Friendly pursued a story about Lieutenant Milo Radulovich of the Air Force Reserves. Radulovich had been discharged, with the Air Force claiming that his father and sister were communist sympathizers, making him a "security risk." Radulovich was asked to denounce his family, but he refused. "See It Now" sent a crew to Michigan, where they interviewed Radulovich, eventually airing a story that exposed the insufficient evidence in his case and ultimately leading to his reinstatement. Friendly later called the broadcast the first time they appreciated the power of television, enlightening them to the impact they could have on viewers.
For the Broadway play, Clooney took on the role of Edward R. Murrow, a decision he explained by stating, "Murrow had a gravitas to him that at 42 years old I wasn't able to pull off as a director… as a director, I wouldn't have hired me to play that part." In the Broadway play, the journalists of "See It Now" are brought to life, setting a high standard for journalistic responsibility and shaping the foundations of 60 Minutes. Their unwavering commitment to truth and their fearless pursuit of justice continue to inspire journalists today, reminding us that we must not walk in fear, one of another.
Theatrical entertainment, such as the movie "Good Night, and Good Luck," depicts the importance of news and education, as it sheds light on the critical events involving Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joe McCarthy. In the Broadway production, the many facets of entertainment and journalism are highlighted, with the journalists of "See It Now" serving as a model for current journalists to not let fear hinder their pursuit of truth and justice.
