OPERATION DEMOCRACY, Inc.
369 Lexington Avenue
New York 17, N. Y.
Telephone MUrray Hill 6-4986

Executive Secretary
CHARLES L. TODD

Executive Assistant
MARGARETH B. SIMS


Dear Velma,

I think that of all the rewarding experiences I have had in town affiliation, the peak was reached night before last when Clare, Bob and I went over to the home of Mr. Franc (Of World Wide Broadcasting Co) and heard the records of Feves' answer to Morganville. It is the damnedest, most wonderful thing I ever heard in my life.

The program was put together by Radio Nancy with an expert cast, including Torlotting and many others from Feves, a thrilling musical background, the singing of those Feves kids, a town band that is so French it hurts, magnificent speeches by the Prefect and several other notables ... and all in completely understandable English. Before telling you about that, however, I must tell you of the difficulties you will face.

The French have worked out an incredible recording system thoroughly designed to resist any American attempts to play the records back. There are about fifteen small discs, each one of which ends abruptly in the middle of a sentence. There is no spiral in the center, so that unless you stand ready to snatch up the needle, it trails back across the records and digs a deep gash. Therefore, if we sent these to you as they are, no local radio station would have the vaguest notion of what to do next. Accordingly, Mr. Franc and I are working out a deal with the French Radio people here to transcribe the records on to a single tape - editing as we go along. This can be done so that the breaks are not noticeable, and you will have an excellent finished product. Also, since the French never worry about time, the program goes on for some 40 minutes. If that is too much for Kansas Radio stations, they can do some tape-cutting themselves - although we will send you the whole thing. Personally, I think you might want to cut some of the early papal history of Feves - though it is really wonderful stuff.

Now, you will certainly know what to do with the program, but I would suggest that you call in an expert for an audition first. You might audition it in the Church for the local people, before putting it on the air - but you will have to have a tape machine. I certainly think that a wide audience should be found for the show, and lots of publicity given to it. That is why I suggested to Torlotting that you would probably try to put it out over the Topeka station.

I think that, in addition to the tape, we can also get a copy made on regular 16 inch discs - which will be sent to you. The one problem is that poor Mr. Franc has already paid out about fifteen dollars to customs officials etc. and will probably have to spend another ten on supplies for the re-recording job, unless the French radio people here will take care of it. Anyway, we will see that Mr. Franc is reimbursed - and let you know the details.

The program begins with a girl's voice (the voice of Feves) telling of the ancient history of the little town, against a musical background. The story goes right up to the liberation, and the first contact with Morganville. Then it switches to the ceremony itself, with speeches by Feves citizens, the band, the children singing etc. Each speech in French fades expertly into an English translation. The ending is unbelievable.

Well, someday I would like to take the two broadcasts from Morganville and Feves and let the networks hear them. To my mind, Norman Corwin never even approached anything like them.

O.D. is hanging on by the skin of its teeth. We will keep things going somehow, though possibly not on a full time basis. Locust Valley sent us a hundred the other day, and small checks have been coming in from other sources, so there should be enough to pay postage and phone bills for some time. If we continue to get encouragement like that, I think Mrs. King will put a little in the kitty from time to time - although she has gone way beyond her limit already.

I'll let you know about the records as soon as possible. Meanwhile, forgive the haste and confusion of this letter.

Yours,

(signed) Lafe