Escape - The Price of the Head

Escape's "The Price of the Head" was loosely adapted from the short story of the same name by John Russell. It is available, along with several other stories that were adapted into Escape episodes, in a book called The Red Mark: And Other Stories (1919).

The episode opens in a place called Fufuti in the Solomon Islands. There, an alcoholic named Christopher Pellett has become a nuisance and embarrassment to all but his devoted friend Karaki. When Pellett kills a Chinese man named Moy Jack, Karaki convinces Pellett to return with him to his home island of Bougainville. Karaki assures Pellett that the authorities will never find him there.

Escape's version is somewhat better than the short story, which leaves you with an indefinite ending.

This tale was presented twice on Escape. The first time was on October 19, 1952, but a decent recording of that episode is hard to come by.

"The Price of the Head" was adapted for radio by John Meston. Suspense writers Morton Fine and David Friedkin produced/directed this episode. The narrator was Mary Jane Croft. Hans Conried, Ben Wright, Jack Kruschen were featured. This episode aired on August 7, 1954.

.  Download Escape.1954.08.07_Price_of_the_Head.mp3

(Image from Wikipedia)