Suspense's "Goodnight Mrs. Russell" stars Bette Davis in a story about a woman who becomes the victim of a crazed short-order cook. It is an episode that will make you think twice about eating alone at night in an empty restaurant.
Bette Davis plays Mrs. Russell, an office worker who often spends her lunch hours with her co-workers at the cafe near their office. Henry, the young cook behind the counter, seems uncomfortable around the younger women, but likes Mrs. Russell. Although he never smiles, and stops to listen to sounds that only he can hear, she likes him, too.
One night, after working late, she drops in at the cafe for dinner. She becomes uneasy about being alone with Henry and leaves without finishing her food. Afraid that she has hurt Henry's feelings, she returns to have dinner again several weeks later.
Henry doesn't accept her show of interest in his food as a compliment. He knows, from the voices in his head, that she is really one of the many enemies out to get him.
"Goodnight Mrs. Russell" was written by Ben S. Hunter and it was Bette Davis' only appearance on Suspense. At the time, she was promoting the movie Beyond the Forest. Elliott Reid played Henry. This episode aired on October 20, 1949.
. Download suspense_1949.10.20_GoodNightMrs Russell.MP3
Suspense presented this radioplay again on August 3, 1954. Virginia Gregg played Mrs. Russell and Victor Perrin played Henry.
. Download Suspense_1954.08.03_GoodnightMrsRussell.mp3
(Image of Bette Davis from Wikimedia Commons)
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