The Lives of Harry Lime Radio · Towers & Greene

Harry Lime - Every Frame Has Silver Lining

·28 min·2 clips

Orson Welles introduces Harry Lime's death in a Vienna sewer, then reveals he had many lives before that.

The episode opens with Orson Welles presenting as the Third Man character Harry Lime from 'The Lives of Harry Lime' radio series. It references the original motion picture 'The Third Man' and its zither music by Anton Karas. The narrator states that Harry Lime was shot and died in a sewer beneath Vienna, an event familiar to those who saw the film. However, this death was not the beginning of Harry's story. He had many lives before this event. Harry Lime himself narrates that he can tell about all these lives because his name is Harry. Someone once told Harry he was a poet, but he disagrees with this assessment. Harry defines poets as those who sing about daffodils, brooks, skylarks, and faithful women, comparing this to a merry widow waltz. In contrast, Harry says if he sang at all, he would sing about money and the women he has known. His singing would be in an offbeat rhythm rather than traditional poetic meters. The episode establishes Harry as an antihero with a cynical, materialistic worldview. It sets up the premise for exploring his various adventures and conundrums before his cinematic death. The tone is vintage film noir with suspenseful narration. The structure introduces the character and his perspective before likely delving into specific stories. The music and references create a classic radio drama atmosphere. Harry's self-awareness as a narrator adds depth to the storytelling. The contrast between poetic idealism and Harry's reality establishes central themes. The episode serves as both introduction and character study for the series.

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