regshoe

Looking into adaptations is so interesting! It's so cool that you have been able to identify so many for Kidnapped. I can only imagine how tricky it would be to track down all the stage adaptations over the years ...

Further investigation of Nollen's sources might be in order, although there don't seem to be very comprehensive citations in the relevant bit.

Re: Nollen's list of CBC adaptations, it looks like he got a bit mixed up here.

From your webpage:
The first TV adaptation of Kidnapped was made by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1949, adapted by Andrew Allan (Nollen, 1994).
The CBC returned to the book in 1951, with an abridged production made as part of the ‘Fun with Books’ programme (Nollen, 1994).

CBC Television didn’t start broadcasting until 1952, so I believe the CBC productions in 1949 and 1951 must have been CBC Radio adaptations. (Andrew Allan is known as a "golden age" radio drama producer, so this would seem to align.)

I know from past frustrating experience that CBC does not have easily accessible public-facing archives of their radio (or TV) programs. But I tried a few resources I know of, and found confirmation that these adaptations were both CBC Radio productions (not CBC TV).

Concordia University’s Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism Studies (CCBJS) has a CBC Radio Drama archive of radio play scripts and other materials (sadly not digitized, as far as I know). Linked on the archive webpage is a PDF of a bibliography compiled by Howard Fink, which lists an adaptation of Kidnapped (60 minutes, with a 53 page script), broadcast Nov 27, 1949 as part of the CBC Stage series, and produced by Andrew Allan. It also lists a rebroadcast on Nov 28, 1954.

For sound recordings, I found that there are copies held in Library and Archives Canada (LAC, our national archive in Ottawa) of the adaptations in 1949 and in 1951. The 1951 “Fun with Books” version was apparently only 15 minutes, a "Dramatized adaptation of the early chapters" of the book, broadcast Oct 22, 1951. CBC Stage also produced Catriona on Dec 4, 1949.

Kidnapped (1949)
Catriona (1949)
Kidnapped, Fun with Books (1951)

I found these through this higher level fonds (collection) of CBC Radio dramas in LAC.

If you're hoping to read / listen to any of the productions:
- I don’t know if CCBJS are willing to make copies of the play scripts, or if you can only access the materials if you travel to visit the archives in Montreal. Their contact information is on the webpage if you decide to reach out.
- You can order some materials from Library & Archives Canada for a fee, though I have no idea how expensive that might be: https://reproduction.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng
- CBC has a procedure to submit a request for past radio programs, also for a fee:
https://cbchelp.cbc.ca/hc/en-ca/articles/360038390353-How-can-I-get-a-copy-of-CBC-current-and-or-archival-material-

Phew! Sorry for the long screed, but I hope that is helpful sourcing / corrections for you!