Escape - The Man Who Stole the Bible

Escape's "The Man Who Stole the Bible" is set in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. It is the story of a salesman on a business trip who accidentally becomes involved in a dangerous intrigue.

As the episode opens, Mr. Cummings is waiting in his hotel room for a call to come through from his boss. He can't take the risk of missing the call, but he has nothing to do while waiting. The only reading material he can find in his room is the Bible. After initially putting it off, he finds himself absorbed in the story of David.

Mr. Cummings is interrupted when the house detective comes to look for an item left behind by the previous occupant. He is interrupted a second time when the woman in the next room asks Mr. Cummings to help her open a window. Upon returning to his room, Mr. Cummings finds that someone has rifled through his things. When he complains about all of this at the front desk, they tell him that the house detective isn't on duty, and the woman in the room next to him has just checked out.

So, what were they looking for in his room?

"The Man Who Stole the Bible" was written by John and Gwen Bagni and produced/directed by William N. Robson. Rick Valent played Mr. Cumming. Also appearing were Nannette Boardman, Ben Wright, Will Geer, Lee Merrill, Mary Shipp, Harry Bartell, Peter Leeds, and Paul Frees. This episode aired on May 5, 1950.

.  Download Escape.1950.05.05_ManWhoStoleTheBible.mp3

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Comments

[Alan O'Brien]

This is a top-notch thriller very much in the Alfred Hitchcock style. What could be less inspiring than a bored salesman in a hotel room deciding to take a read of his Gideon's Bible? From that tiny event arise some huge complications - robbery, murder, arrests, impersonation, death - all done with the backdrop of the New Orleans Mardi Gras but without the nudity. Rick Valent is outstanding as Mr Cumming who never knows if he is coming or going. He has the right air of bafflement - he cannot figure out why all these odd things are happening to him. Well worth a listen!