
"I am so excited to to find 'The Layton Story' on your site under the Artransa listing for 1950. I have been searching for recordings or transcripts of this radio serial for years. My Nan started me on the search. She heard this story in Sri Lanka and named my aunty Sheridan after one of the characters. Is this it? Have you got any leads on where I could obtain even a book of this story somewhere?
In anticipation,
JL
Sydney Australia."
I was able to get back to JL within a couple of days and told her that Craig Nugent had an episode and was happy to share it.
I haven't found any information that the story was based on a book, but I do know the following about the serial.
The scriptwriter was Kay Keavney with a cast that included Lyndall Barbour, John Saul, Alan White, Lynne Murphy, Frank Bennett, Allan Trevor, Rita Pauncefort, Jerold Wells, Moray Powell, Charles Macallum, John Cazabon, John Crane, Carol Lansbury with Lawrence H. Cecil Producer.
It was a Maquarie Production and commenced broadcast on 6th November 1950 on 2WL, 3AW, 5DN with Cadbury's as sponsor and replacing Dick Barton Special Agent.
The story is about a legal family with the head of the household, John Layton a member of local firm Layton & Hanson, having a lifetime of legal practice behind him. The family members also include Paul the reckless son, Josephine the irrepressible and Marion the so called maiden aunt who mothers the lot of them. The descriptions I have read promise, joy, sorrow and adventure as we follow the story of the Layton Family.
With such a top line cast this must have been quite a serial. I have finally worked out that there were 208 episodes.
Sorry JL no mention of your Aunt's namesake at this stage to confirm your family story. Maybe some more episodes will turn up.
In the meantime, enjoy episode 115 with many thanks to collector Craig Nugent for the opportunity.
Ian Grieve