Escape - Present Tense

Escape's "Present Tense" has similarities to "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" but takes the story in a more nightmarish direction. In the introduction to this episode, the story is billed as James Poe's "seething tale of violent death." That it is.

Vincent Price plays a poet turned ax murderer named Roger who escapes while being transported to prison. When he returns to his home, Roger finds his wife Mary and her lover. He thought he had murdered them, but clearly they had just tricked him into believing that he did! So, Roger grabs a cleaver and gets his revenge. Then, he is convicted again, sent to prison again, sentenced to death again, escapes again, returns home again...

"Present Tense" was written for Escape by screenwriter James Poe and was produced/directed by William N. Robson.  Vincent Price starred as Roger, the cleaver-wheeling poet. Also appearing were: Charles McGraw, Joan Banks, Harry Bartell, and Ben Wright. This episode aired on January 31, 1950.

. Download escape_1950.01.31_ PresentTense.mp3   

Seven years later, William N. Robson presented this radio-play again on Suspense. The peppy music that accompanies this episode is distracting and the pace of the story is much faster. Vincent Price again played the role of Roger. Also appearing were Daws Butler, Jack Kruschen, Peg La Centra, Ellen Morgan, Sam Pierce, Charles Lavalack, and Joe DiSantis. This episode aired on March 3, 1957.

. Download Suspense_1957.03.03_PresentTense.mp3

(Images from Wikimedia Commons and Morguefile)

Comments

[Grigs]

I listened to the Suspense version. It was a really good story, but Vincent Price just took it up to the next level. I've never heard this mentioned in discussions of great Suspense episodes, but it desrves to be, based on Price's performance.

[cmillinsf]

I agree. All of the episodes of Suspense (and Escape) that were written by James Poe and which starred Vincent Price are among their very best. Vincent Price just had that special magic in his voice that could make a story come alive! - Christine