Escape and Suspense!

Escape - The Birds

Long before Alfred Hitchcock chose to bring The Birds to theaters in 1963, Lux Radio Theater and Escape both presented it on the airwaves. Escape's adaptation was the one that remained the closest to the original story written by Daphne du Maurier.

"The Birds" explores a situation wherein creatures that would normally be harmless, suddenly group together and become frenzied and deadly. Escape had already presented this kind of nature horror story with great success in "Leiningin vs. the Ants" and "Three Skeleton Key."

The story is set in England on the Cornish coast sometime after WWII. The narrator is a man named Nat who lives in a farmhouse with his wife and two small children. One night he is awakened by a bird tapping on his bedroom window. He assumes that it is just trying to get in the house because it is confused, but soon there are more.

"The Birds" was adapted for radio by Robert Wright from the 1952 short story by Daphne du Maurier. It was directed by Norman MacDonnell and starred Ben Wright and Virginia Gregg. John Dehner, Ann Morrison, Ann Whitfield, and John Dodsworth also appeared. This episode aired on July 10, 1954.

.  Download Escape_1954.07.10_TheBirds.mp3

Lux Radio Theater had presented "The Birds" a year earlier on July 20, 1953. Their version was an hour-long episode that starred Herbert Marshall in the lead role. Their longer format made it possible to add more story details and a wider range of sound effects. In some ways, Lux's was the better version because it had the time to fully demonstrate the clausterphobic mood of the story.

.  Download Lux_1953.07.20_TheBirds.mp3

(Image from Amazon.com)

Quiet, Please - The Thing on the Fourble Board

Somehow, despite all of their successes, neither Escape nor Suspense was able to claim that they had produced "the scariest episode" from the golden age of American radio. That distinction belongs to the series Quiet, Please for their episode, "The Thing on the Fourble Board." It is still considered the best in radio horror.

Quiet, Please was an unusual fantasy/horror radio show that ran from 1947 to 1949 on ABC. The series was known for its masterful use of silence and for its unique style of story presentation. Like Escape, the show never had a regular sponsor and Quiet, Please bounced around in different time slots for most of its duration. The series lasted for 109 episodes and then disappeared. For many years only 12 recordings were known to exist among collectors, but that changed in the 1980's when more than 80 "lost" episodes became available to the public.

"The Thing on the Fourble Board" is an episode that will haunt you every time you see an oil derrick. The script for this episode, as well as every other episode of Quiet, Please, is available at www.quietplease.org.

"The Thing on the Fouble Board" was written and directed by Wyllis Cooper and featured Ernest Chappell. This episode aired on August 9, 1948.

.  Download qpls.1948.08.09_The_Thing_on_the_Fourbleboard.mp3

(Image of oil drilling rig from Wikimedia Commons)

The Tell-Tale Heart

Suspense never chose to present an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," but some other notable radio programs did, with good results.

The challenge of presenting "The Tell-Tale Heart" on radio is obvious. The original short story is so brief that there isn't enough material for a half hour show. Still, Inner Sanctum Mysteries, The Weird Circle and The Hall of Fantasy all took a crack at reworking Poes' masterpiece.

All three shows lengthened and changed the story, but retained the essential components of Poe's work. The result was three unique versions of "The Tell-Tale Heart." Each one oddly different from the other.

The original "The Tell-Tale Heart" is available at www.poestories.com and many other places on the Internet. A recording of Poe's story being read aloud, which takes about 18 minutes, is available at http://librivox.org. 

Read "The Tell-Tale Heart' again and then listen to these imaginitive radio adaptations:

Inner Sanctum's version strayed the farthest from the original story, but Boris Karloff's performance made it worthwhile. This episode aired on August 3, 1941. (Their version has the added entertainment, or distraction, of commercials for Carter's Little Liver Pills.)

.  Download isan.1941.08.03_Tell_Tale_Heart,_The.mp3

The Weird Circle's modernized version is tense and strange, but excellent. They presented "The Tell-Tale Heart" on January 30, 1944.

.  Download weir.1944.01.30_Tell_Tale_Heart.mp3

The Hall of Fantasy presented their version, a gripping one, on June 1, 1953. The story was adapted for radio by Richard Thorn.

.  Download hfan.1953.06.01_The_Tell-Tale_Heart.mp3

(Image of Edgar Allan Poe from Wikipedia)

Escape - Taboo

Escape's "Taboo" is a story about the ancient fears of werewolves among the people who dwell in the mountains and forests of eastern Hungary. The radioplay was based on the 1939 short story "Taboo" by British author Geoffrey Household (1900-1988).

Three tourists to a small village named Zweibergen in the Carpathian mountains become involved in a mystery. A few of the local men have disappeared in the forest and the villagers believe that they were killed by a prowling werewolf.

Escape's version of "Taboo" is a cross between a Hungarian werewolf tale and a British murder mystery. The radioplay was written by John Dunkel and though he did a good job of creating a script from the original work, you may feel that there is something missing. That is because the radioplay only makes subtle references to the reason why this episode is called "Taboo."

The short story is not really about werewolves. It is about coping with profound shock and the effect that shock can have on the mind and body. So why is this episode called "Taboo?" Cannibalism. (The meat everyone ate wasn't venison.) This is a story about the horror that results from breaking a taboo.

"Taboo" was produced/directed by William N. Robson. Paul Frees is excellent in the role of Dr. Shiravieff. Morgan Farley played Richard Vaughn. This episode aired on December 3, 1947.

. Download Escape.1947.12.3_Taboo.mp3

(Image from Wikimedia Commons )

Suspense - The House in Cypress Canyon

"The House in Cypress Canyon" has a reputation as one the superior horror episodes produced during the "Golden Age of Radio." What makes this story about werewolves interesting is that it was not a Halloween episode--it was Suspense's idea of a Christmas story. As such, it has to be one the most chilling Christmas tales ever told.

The story begins in the office of a Hollywood real estate agent named Jerry. He is about to put up a sign advertising a new home in Cypress Canyon, but he is having doubts about doing so. This property has one peculiarity that he can't explain. A shoebox containing a manuscript was found by construction workers inside the unfinished house. The mysterious manuscript detailed a disturbing story about what would happen to the future occupants. Not sure what to do, Jerry asks his friend Sam, a detective, for advice.

"The House in Cypress Canyon" was written by Robert L. Richards and was produced/directed by William Spier.  Robert Taylor starred as James A. Woods and Cathy Lewis played Ellen. Also appearing were Wally Maher, Paul Frees, Howard Duff, Jim Backus, and Hans Conried. This episode aired on December 5, 1946.

.  Download Suspense_1945.12.05_TheHouseInCypressCanyon.mp3

(Image from Wikimedia Commons)

Suspense - Donovan's Brain

"Donovan's Brain" was based on the classic 1943 novel by Curt Siodmak and starred Orson Welles in multiple roles. It was the first two-part episode of Suspense and their first venture into science fiction.

The story is set in Phoenix, Arizona where a doctor named Patrick Cory is working on an experiment to keep a brain alive. His project isn't going well, but things perk up when a plane accident happens near his laboratory. A famous Wall Street millionaire named William Horace Donovan is brought to him for an emergency operation, but Cory refuses to do it. Instead, he removes Donovan's brain and attaches it to an apparatus that will keep it alive and allow it to communicate.

Dr. Cory is determined to make his experiment work. So determined, that he doesn't notice when his wife, Janice, disappears. Is that because he is consumed by his work, or because the brain of Donovan is controlling his thoughts?

"Donovon's Brain" was produced and directed by William Spier. Featured in the cast were, Hans Conried, Jerry Hausner, John McIntire, and Jeannette Nolan. Part 1 aired on May 18, 1944, and Part 2 aired on May 25, 1944.

Download Suspense_1944.05.18_DonovansBrainPart1.mp3

Download Suspense_1944.05.25_DonovansBrainPart2.mp3

In 1981, a release of this episode on LP won a Grammy for best Best Spoken Word, Drama, or Documentary.

On February 7, 1948, Suspense aired "Donovan's Brain" again as one hour long episode. John McIntire starred as Dr. Cory. Also appearing were William Johnstone, Wally Maher, and Jeannette Nolan.

. Download Suspense_1948-02-07__Donovans_Brain_

There have been numerous other adaptations of this story for film and television. The image above is from the 1953 film Donovan's Brain.

Suspense Television

Come join us!

The time has come to explore the smoky, murky, kinescopic world of Suspense--on television. The companion site to Escape and Suspense! is now open.

The name? Suspense Television: Murder, Mystery and Spark Plugs.

Visit us at: www.suspensetelevision.com

While I work out the kinks and figure out the posting schedule, feel free to browse.

Cheers,

Christine

Escape - Ancient Sorceries

Escape's "Ancient Sorceries" is based on the short story of the same name by Algernon Blackwood, a writer who was famous for his tales of horror and the supernatural. The story was adapated for radio by Les Crutchfield, who changed and abbreviated it considerably to fit within a half-hour program. In the radio version, the main character's name is changed to Arthur Llewellyn, and the setting is a remote part of Wales, rather than France. Escape's version is good, but it is worth the time to read the short story. The text of "Ancient Sorceries" can be found on the Algernon Blackwood page at www.HorrorMasters.com.

As the episode opens, Mr. Llewellyn is on a train on his way to London. He impulsively decides to get off and spend the night in a small, Welsh village named Malton, despite the warning from his fellow passenger. He takes a room at the local inn, and to his surprise, they seem to have been expecting him. Mr. Llewellyn soon becomes involved with innkeeper's daughter, Ilse, and discovers the strange world of the townspeople and what they do in their secret lives.

"Ancient Sorceries" starred Paul Frees as Arthur Llewellyn, Kay Brinker as Ilse, Ann Morrison as Madame, and William Conrad as the Doctor and the announcer. This episode was produced by William N. Robson and directed by Norman MacDonnell. It aired on February 15, 1948.

.  Download escape.1948.2.15_ Ancient Sorceries.mp3

(Image from Morguefile.com)

Suspense - The Sin Eater

Suspense's "The Sin Eater" is a creepy episode about city people and hillbillies. The story is centered upon the Welsh custom of sin-eating, but it takes place in an unspecified, remote part of the Appalachian Region. Sin-eating involves ritual drinking of ale and eating bread to absorb the sins of a deceased person. Welsh/English immigrants brought the ancient custom to Appalachia in the 18th century.

The story begins near a town named Pierre, in the home of the last of the local sin-eaters. Although the old man is on his deathbed and in agony, he has resisted succumbing to death because there is no one to eat his sins. The mother tells her husband and son to fetch someone who can perform the ritual so grandpa can die in peace.

They soon find someone. Mr. Reed, a specialist in folk music/ballads, and his young wife are driving through the area hoping to find undiscovered songs from the region. A policeman stops them to give them a warning about driving through this isolated, dangerous area. He suggests they drive through to Pierre as quickly as possibly, but they don't listen. Instead, the father and son, who overheard the conversation with the officer, lure the couple back to their house on the pretense of hearing local folk ballads.

"The Sin Eater" was written for Suspense by Bob Corcoran. It starred Jim Boles, Herbert Duncan, Ethel Everett, Ivor Francis, Rita Lloyd, Doug Parkhurst and Guy Repp. This episode was produced and directed by Fred Hendrickson and aired on July 8, 1962.

.  Download Suspense_1962.07.08_SinEater.mp3

(Image of Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina from Wikimedia Commons)

Suspense - Sold to Satan

Suspense's "Sold to Satan" asks the question, "Can the devil really take posession of the mind of man?" In this case, Satan is an urbane sophisticate with an impish sense of humor.

The devil introduces us to the Figurette Company and their many problems. One of the two partners, Harry Feeney, is being blackmailed by a company model named Dianne Rodel. She has pictures to prove their dalliance and Dianne wants money, or else. Mr. Feeney can't come up with all of the money Dianne wants, so he turns to his business partner, Frank Wineglass, for help. Mr. Wineglass, however, has his own problems. He just learned that Dianne is engaged to his son. Now Satan is nudging Mr. Wineglass to commit the murder that will resolve all of this.

"Sold to Satan" was adapted for radio by Joseph Cochran and based on a short story by Jules Archer. (Another example of Archer's work is the Escape episode "Two Came Back.") Kermit Murdoch starred as Mr. Wineglass and as Satan, Elizabeth Lawrence as Dianne Rodel, and Robert Dryden as Harry Feeney.

This episode was produced and directed by Bruno Zirato Jr. and aired on August 27, 1961.

.  Download Suspense_1961.08.27_SoldToSatan.mp3

(Image of devil from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - I Saw Myself Running

Escape's "I Saw Myself Running" is a spellbinding episode about a woman named Susan who is plagued by a recurring nightmare. At first she knows that she is dreaming, but later the line between dream and reality becomes blurred.

In her nightmare, Susan meets a child-like woman who lives in constant terror. This woman has to live within Susan's dreams night after night and experience all of Susan's fears. Susan can wake up to escape all of the frightening things in her dreamworld, but this woman is trapped. When the other woman gets the chance to be the one to wake up, she takes it.

"I Saw Myself Running" was written and directed by Antony Ellis and starred Georgia Ellis as Susan and Sammy Hill as Sue. John Stevenson and Edgar Barrier also appeared. This episode aired on February 22, 1953.

.  Download Escape.1953.02.22_I_Saw_Myself_Running.mp3

The same radioplay was also performed on Suspense with almost all of the same actors appearing in the same roles. The only difference was that Charlotte Lawrence played the role of Susan. Suspense's version was also produced and directed by Antony Ellis. It aired on May 24, 1955.

.  Download Suspense.1955.05.24_ISawMyselfRunning.mp3

(Image of The Nightmare (1802) by Johann Heinrich Fussli from Wikimedia Commons)

Suspense - The Kettler Method

"The Kettler Method" is one of Suspense's classic early episodes. So classic, that it borders on parody.

The story begins in an isolated sanitarium located in upstate New York. It is night, and there is a dramatic rainstorm outside. All of the patients are restless but one, named Kettler, seems particularly upset.  Dr. Kettler, once a famous brain surgeon, had to be institutionalized after performing an unsuccessful operation. He is convinced that the patient he operated on is still alive and that, in truth, the operation was a success. It is his reasoning that the other doctors locked him away because of their jealousy of his innovative technique, the "Kettler Method."

The radioplay was written for Suspense by Peter Barry. Roger DeKoven starred as Dr. Kettler and John Gibson as Leslie Winton. Actress and painter Gloria Stuart, who is best known for her role in the 1997 movie Titanic, played Claire Winton. Also appearing were Guy Repp, Martha Falkner, Winifield Hoeny, and Ralph Smiley. The episode was produced by William Spier and directed by John Dietz. The music was composed and conducted by Bernard Herrmann. Berry Kroeger was the announcer. This episode aired September 16, 1942.

.  Download Suspense_1942.09.16_The_Kettler_Method.mp3

(Image from Morguefile.com)

Suspense - Fugue in C Minor

"Fugue in C Minor" is the kind of radio horror that only Lucille Fletcher could write. As the Suspense announcer tells us at the beginning, this is a story of "brooding anxiety and sharpening suspicion, played against the severe and forbidding background of the late Victorian era." In this episode, two small children believe that their father, an organist, has killed their mother and hidden her body within the pipes of the organ in their home.

The story begins in April of 1900 in an east coast town called Pilotsville. Amanda Peabody is introduced by her sister to a handsome widower named Mr. Theodore Evans. He and his two children live in a home that was built around a colossal pipe organ. Amanda and Theodore's mutual love of classical music brings them together, but his strange, little children stand in the way of their happiness.

"Fugue in C Minor" was written by Lucille Fletcher and was produced/directed by William Spier. The title refers to the musical composition for organ by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is interesting to note that Suspense actor and announcer Joseph Kearns, "The Man in Black," really did have a home that was built around a Wurlitzer pipe organ. He unfortunately doesn't appear in this episode.

Vincent Price starred as Theodore Evans and Ida Lupino as Amanda Peabody. Bea Benaderet also appeared. This episode aired on June 1, 1944.

.  Download Suspense.1944.06.01_Fugue_In_C_Minor.mp3

(Image of the Passacaglia from Fugue in C Minor from Wikipedia)