Perfect Specimen

Lux Redux: Hollywood's Timeless Theater

Perfect Specimen

Clean

Published on Apr 9, 2026, 4:00:00 AM
Total time: 01:00:56

Episode Description

Originally Aired: January 2, 1939

Lux Radio Theater #200, "Perfect Specimen," stars Errol Flynn as Gerald Ferrisford Wicks, a sheltered young heir kept virtually imprisoned on his grandmother's estate by the domineering Mrs. Wicks. Protected behind fences and guards, Gerald has been raised in isolation as the perfect gentleman, groomed to take over the family's Wix Utilities empire and marry the suitable Alicia. His regimented life consists of supervised outdoor activities and improving literature, all controlled by his overbearing grandmother. Everything changes when Gerald accidentally crashes through the estate fence and meets Mona, a spirited young woman played by Joan Blondell, who introduces him to the real world beyond his gilded cage.

As Gerald tastes freedom for the first time, attending dances and experiencing life outside the estate walls, he falls for the independent Mona. When grandmother discovers Gerald's escapades and his relationship with this unsuitable girl, tensions explode. Gerald must choose between his duty to his grandmother's plans, including marriage to Alicia, and his newfound love and independence. The conflict culminates as the domineering Mrs. Wicks faces off against both Gerald and Mona, leading to a confrontation that will determine whether Gerald remains a perfect specimen in his grandmother's control or breaks free to live his own life.

More about Lux Redux: Hollywood's Timeless Theater

Experience the glitz and glamour of Hollywood's Golden Age with "Lux Redux: Hollywood's Timeless Theater." This podcast brings you pristine rebroadcasts of the legendary Lux Radio Theater, the crown jewel of old-time radio drama. Each week, step back in time to hear Hollywood's biggest stars perform adaptations of their greatest films, exactly as audiences did decades ago. From Bogart and Bacall to Gable and Garbo, "Lux Redux" showcases the voices that shaped cinema history in their most captivating radio performances. Hosted by the incomparable Cecil B. DeMille and other Hollywood luminaries, each episode is a time capsule of entertainment, offering:Star-studded casts performing adaptations of classic filmsBehind-the-scenes insights into Hollywood's Golden AgeThe unique blend of storytelling and advertising that defined the eraWhether you're a classic film buff, a radio drama enthusiast, or simply curious about the entertainment of yesteryear, "Lux Redux" offers an authentic journey i...