The Essay

Comedian and author Viv Groskop explores five forgotten feminist futures; from the book that predicted the internet, to the world where men have been wiped out in a gender-specific plague. Episode 1/5: Three Hundred Years Hence, by Mary Griffith, often described as the first utopian novel written by a woman, fifty years before the first female suffrage amendment.

Sarah Churchwell celebrates various leading men of the silver screen from the 1930s and 1940s.She says, "the truth is, I would have done five essays on Cary Grant, but my producer wouldn't let me... Grant embodied the unimaginable." He was also excellent at romantic comedy and drama, and this is now examined. Cherished even.Producer: Duncan Minshull

Sarah Churchwell celebrates various leading men of the silver screen, from the 1930s and 1940s.Joel McCrea starred in westerns and crime capers and refused some movies if the characters did not possess moral fibre. So he turned down The Postman Always Rings Twice with Lana Turner. He said he wanted to be the regular guy who 'rode off into the sunset'. But was this his real appeal?Producer: Duncan Minshull

Sarah Churchwell celebrates various leading men of the silver screen, from the 1930s and 1940s.Charles Boyer played killers and gigolos, conmen and psychopaths. He was good at romantic comedy and his Frenchness made him debonair and suave. But it was the voice that was the giveaway - 'deep and purring, with a heavy French accent'. It encouraged this writer's early penchant for escapism.Producer: Duncan Minshull

Sarah Churchwell celebrates various leading men of the silver screen from the 1930s and 1940s.Frederic March had an amazing range, playing a lot of different types, and he should be admired for this. Off set, however, he comes under a different sort of scrutiny - "everything was harder in real life than on the effortless silver screen."Reader: Duncan Minshull

Sarah Churchwell celebrates various leading men of the silver screen, from the 1930s and 1940s:First off is Clark Gable and Gone with the Wind of course. And countless other films where this classic star could exercise his physical presence. And, according to the writer, his appeal lay as an 'object fought over by women'. Is this his only talent?Producer: Duncan Minshull

Writer and broadcaster AL Kennedy concludes her exploration of voice. Today, make some noise before it's too late.Written and read by AL Kennedy. Producer: Justine Willett

Writer and broadcaster AL Kennedy continues her exploration of voice. Today, she compares the soothing radio voices of her childhood with the angry voices of today's media.Written and read by AL Kennedy. Producer: Justine Willett

Acclaimed writer AL Kennedy continues her exploration of voice. Today, she looks at the voice on the page - and the importance of telling our stories.Written and read by AL Kennedy. Producer: Justine Willett

Acclaimed writer and broadcaster AL Kennedy continues her exploration of voice. Today, she looks at the importance of conversation and of being heard.Written and read by AL Kennedy. Producer: Justine Willett