"Tired of the everyday grind? Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure? Want to get away from it all?...We offer you....ESCAPE!"
No matter how many episodes of the radio series Escape that I listen to, its introduction still grabs me and pulls me in with the promise of a great story and high adventure. The radio series Suspense, introduced by the sounds of bells and "The Man in Black", really wasn't quite as catchy but it too made a promise. One that would keep you in....SUSPENSE!
This blog is dedicated to the pursuit of escape and suspense through vintage radio broadcasts. Aside from the two series mentioned in the title of this blog, this includes Quiet Please, Beyond Midnight and others.
Although I am not old enough to have personally experienced the "Golden Age of Radio", I often heard about these shows through my parents. When I was a kid my mother bought me a cassette tape of "golden moments" from the Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy shows that I listened to until it was worn out.
Many years later, I rediscovered old radio shows through my job. Looking for something to listen to in the afternoons, I subscribed to an Old Time Radio website. When I found Suspense, I was hooked. Fortunately, the ambience of my office lent itself to the eeriness of the broadcasts. Alone, in the back room of a law library, in an office that could be featured in a (corporate-style) remake of Hitchcock's Rear Window, these shows really came alive. (In fact, Mel Brooks' ode to Alfred Hitchcock, High Anxiety was filmed in the hotel across the street!)
I've kept notes on what I have listened to and this blog is the result of that. I've picked out the very best, the humorously awful and the most unusual episodes for comment. I don't consider myself an expert on every detail of the history and production of Old Time Radio. I am just a fan who has listened to way too many episodes of both Escape and Suspense.
This blog was created because I was interested in people's thoughts, opinions and memories of certain episodes. I also wanted to create a simple way to introduce these shows to people who are new to them.
The Internet has made it possible to enjoy these shows again in a group forum.
Enjoy!
My experiences mirror yours, though in Australia I came in on the very end of the radio era -- we got our first television set when I was ten years old and already had my list of favorite radio shows that I tuned in to on my little wooden valve wireless.
I applaud your idea of posting individual episodes for discussion. Lots of great episodes out there -- you'll NEVER run out of material.
Posted by: Mike Hobart | September 27, 2007 at 06:25 PM