Long before he became the legendary Rick Blaine or Sam Spade, Humphrey Bogart stepped before a CBS microphone to tackle one of Shakespeare’s most unforgettable characters—Sir Henry “Hotspur” Percy.
This extraordinary 1937 adaptation of Henry IV, produced as part of The Columbia Shakespearean Cycle, also stars the magnificent Walter Huston as King Henry IV and Brian Aherne as Prince Hal. Together they bring Shakespeare’s timeless drama of kings, rebels, honor, friendship, and redemption to life in a thrilling hour of Golden Age radio. The broadcast originally aired on August 23, 1937, when CBS assembled an impressive roster of Hollywood and stage talent to introduce Shakespeare to radio audiences across America.
In this companion deep-dive podcast, we explore:
• Why “Bogart Does Shakespeare” is one of old-time radio’s greatest surprises
• Humphrey Bogart’s career before The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca
• Walter Huston’s commanding performance as King Henry IV
• Brian Aherne’s thoughtful Prince Hal and the making of England’s future Henry V
• Falstaff—one of Shakespeare’s greatest comic creations
• Honor, loyalty, kingship, and the burden of leadership
• How CBS transformed Shakespeare into compelling radio drama
• The remarkable Columbia Shakespearean Cycle and its place in broadcasting history
Whether you’re a lifelong Shakespeare enthusiast, a Humphrey Bogart fan, or simply love discovering forgotten treasures from the Golden Age of Radio, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of broadcasting’s most ambitious literary productions.
▶ Listen to the complete original broadcast
🎙 Henry IV (1937 CBS) — Walter Huston • Humphrey Bogart • Brian Aherne
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