In Escape's "The Untouchable," a hypochondriac on a business trip in India becomes convinced that he has contracted leprosy. Like deadly snakes and poets, leprosy was a subject used more than once by Escape. This episode delves into the terror of the disease, a terror that has plagued humankind from our earliest history.
The story begins with Fred McGallister, an American construction engineer on assignment in India. With him in Delhi are Henry Rydell, a hypochondriacal chemical engineer from Ohio, and Henry's wife, Prudence. Fred needs this job to be successful, and he pushes Henry to get over his fear of germs for the sake of their work. When they take a side trip to Bombay, Henry spirals out of control after a begging leper touches him on the arm. He refuses to believe that the disease is not highly contagious and that he is not infected. In the end, Henry's hysterical fear of leprosy is the real danger.
"The Untouchable" stars John Dehner as Fred, Parley Baer as Henry and Joan Danton as Prudence. The story was written by James Leal Henderson. This episode aired September 27, 1953.
. Download Escape.1953.09.27_Untouchable.mp3
(Image of Medieval leper's bell from Wikimedia Commons)
This is a classy blog. I'm very impressed and intend to listen to all of these shows. Right now I am enjoying the writeups and the photos. Excellent.
Betsy C
California
Posted by: Betsy C. | July 23, 2007 at 12:05 PM
I've always been a bit of a hypochondriac myself (Hypochondriac's Epitaph: "I told you I was sick!"). So this episode has always had a bit of an extra kick for me. Highly recommended!
Posted by: Nervous Nellie | July 15, 2009 at 09:50 AM
This episode is one of my favorites. Parley Baer was perfect for this one. - Christine
Posted by: cmillinsf | July 20, 2009 at 12:54 PM