March 21, 2004 - 771118 - A Grain Of Salt

[vgarci]

This week's program is presented for your review by Steve.

Steve introduces the program with the following insight:
[quote:b26df58e77]A Grain of Salt was written by Sam Dann. I chose this tale because I think it's one of the best of the many stories about Ireland that RMT presented. Although Ian Martin seems to have churned out probably the most Irish stories, I think Dann has him beaten hands-down with this single radio play. It's a simple, humorous fable with a touch of magic, and more than a touch of the blarney about it. The moral of the story is simple too, and wise and gentle. I think one of the most difficult things to do is to write an engaging story with merely a simple plot and very few characters. Sam Dann does so very skillfully in A Grain of Salt. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. [/quote:b26df58e77]

For those who do not have the program, you can download it (with or without a Streamload account) at: www.streamload.com/vgarci (http://www.streamload.com/vgarci)

[UNTIL NEXT TIME]

It’s a nice story. No bloodshed, doom or ruination. Taken with a grain of salt it isn’t half bad……….Until Next Time

[Fizzlestix]

What a terrific choice for the St. Patrick's Day holiday! Was that a coincidence? smile.gif

While this episode did not appeal to my taste for the macabre, it certainly reached my fondness for Celtic folklore. Sam Dann created an excellent piece that remains true to the classics and offered it up in a more contemporary scenario (tho set in the late 1800's).

For those not aware of it, there is a book of very old bard-like tales called, The Mabinogion.

http://www.missgien.net/arthurian/mabinogion/

This book is filled with some of the most bizarre and alluring Celtic and Welsh tales of folklore that I've ever read. Being that it originates from the Gaelic period, some of the tales often leave you scratching your head, but most of them contain the same themes found in folklore from around the world. If interested, I recommend checking out the story of Pwyll, (pronounced Poo-ill).

I enjoyed this tale because of the fact that salt is the primary element in the tale. Salt is white, symbolizing purity; salt has healing properties; salt is a flavor enhancer; salt is a cleaning agent; etc, etc. "Salt of the Earth" represents the working class, which obviously our character's family was. And of course, our own physiology depends upon sodium chloride for us to live and breath.

http://www.saltworks.us/salt_info/si_SaltAndHumanHealth.asp

It was powerful in that the father figure tried to convince the Old Man in the Rock that he was not out for personal gain, though we all know he had his mind set to be rich. But when the honest twist of fate came upon him, he seemed to roll with it, understanding there was good fortune to be found despite not attaining any material wealth.

What a very beautiful and uplifting ending to the tale. And the fact that the daughter was so concerned that the salt-shaker was "very valuable" made it even more poignant.

This is a tale that can be taken both lightly and jovially and then forgotten, or which could be read into deeply to find honesty in humanity. The passion of the wife/mother over her concern that the old man be able to use the salt speaks very loudly about her personal character.

The performances were right on, especially in that actors had to be effective and believable in the character dialect. The production was very good, as is typical of Himan Brown. But the real kudos, in my opinion go to Sam Dann for writing such a humble yet stirring episode that I shall be happy to listen to again.

I gave it a 4.4 and thank you for a fine selection!

best wishes,

Fizz

[UNTIL NEXT TIME]

[quote:a3378f1b99="fizz"]I enjoyed this tale because of the fact that salt is the primary element in the tale. Salt is white, symbolizing purity; salt has healing properties; salt is a flavor enhancer; salt is a cleaning agent; etc, etc.[/quote:a3378f1b99]

........Very nicely put Fizz.............Until Next Time

[brian1984_2001]

I gave it a 4.

Nicely told tale that is well paced with well developed characters.

Both Raeburn and Keane were outstanding with their Irish accents.

I, too, tend to favor tales of the macabre. However, this was a nice diversion. It's lighthearted, whimsical nature reminds me of "The Frammis" which also stars Fred Gwynne.

[dnagle]

I've listened to this episode before and enjoyed it again the second time. My impressions this time were the same:
The beginning of Act 1 is the longest single take I've heard in a RMT show (it lasts almost ten minutes); what great repartee between Katie and the Sergeant (I mean, tell me they aren't going to hook up); I am more and more impressed with radio actors, when they can sustain accents like these for prolonged periods (especially Terri Keane, I didn't even realize it was her at first); Fred Gwynne is excellent as usual, but top billing could have gone to Lloyd Batista; a story is a good one when it is predictable and you still enjoy it; I like the touch of Sousa at the end; and finally, a great ending line, "would you like to go home with me and ... meet me mother?". If you like this show, check out one of my all-time favorites, A Very Dear Ghost Indeed (760920). I like hearing new shows on the SOTW but I'm also finding that when the SOTW is one I've heard before, I often gain things I missed the first time.

[Texas]

dnagle,

If I can "piggyback" on what you said:

- I ALWAYS love learning things, sayings, nuances, pronunciations, on the RMT. They were indeed some talented scriptwriters and actors. I had never heard the phrase "drawing a long bow" ( http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22drawing+a+long+bow%22&btnG=Google+Search) before this episode.

- I've said before I get kick out of when Lloyd Battista does his "hoarse Irish cop" routine. (I've heard it a couple of times, but the one I remember is from "I thought I saw a shadow"...a show I always enjoy playing.) Here he's just doing his "Irish cop" accent :wink: , but it's still enjoyable.

[Steve]

Fizz wrote: "[color=green:7d2f16062a]What a terrific choice for the St. Patrick's Day holiday! Was that a coincidence? smile.gif [/color:7d2f16062a]"

How funny! Actually, yes, it [i:7d2f16062a]was[/i:7d2f16062a] a coincidence! Huh! How cool is that? I'm glad you pointed it out. :D

Steve

PS: Glad everyone liked it!