Escape and Suspense!

Escape - Confidential Agent

Escape's "Confidential Agent" was adapted from the 1939 novel The Confidential Agent: An Entertainment by Graham Greene. In this instance, they chose not to adapt the book as it was written, and so changed the story and characters that there is little resemblance between the radio version and the source work. The question is...why? The novel (which Greene wrote with the help of benzedrine) is the sort of desperate, gritty story that Escape normally didn't shy away from.

Was it because Greene's novel about a middle-aged, traumatized, war-weary, beaten-down agent who is relentlessly pursued by enemies and police--was just too depressing? Probably. Escape, instead, chose to punch up the excitement by making the agent younger, the story less perilous, and the romance standardized.

Escape's adaptation was written by a man named Kendall Foster Crossen (1910-1981). Crossen was a prolific radio script writer, pulp fiction writer and an editor of Detective Fiction Weekly. He wrote more than twenty novels featuring Milo March, an insurance investigator.

So, Escape's "Confidential Agent" is really a radio play by Kendall Foster Crossen within the basic framework of Greene's novel.

Confidential Agent was also made into a movie in 1945 by Warner Brothers. You can find a review of both the novel and the movie over at Mysteryfile.com.

As the episode opens, a boat has just arrived in Dover harbor. David, a secret government agent, has come to England on a mission to obtain industrial diamonds. He is suspicious of everyone, but when fellow passenger Rose Cullen offers him a ride from Dover Harbor to London, he accepts. Is she one of them? Will the two of them make it to London without trouble? If they can, will David be successful in his mission?

"Confidential Agent" was adapted for radio by Ken Crossen with editorial supervision by John Dunkel. Norman MacDonnell produced and directed. Berry Kroeger starred as D. Also appearing were Edgar Barrier, Constance Cavendish, Herb Butterfield, Parley Baer, Olive Deering, Ben Wright, Wilms Herbert and Alec Harford. This episode aired on April 2, 1949.

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(Image of Kendall Foster Crossen from Wikipedia)

A New Three Skeleton Key

Over Christmas, FinalRune Productions put out a new version of Escape's "Three Skeleton Key" with actors from the Mad Horse Theatre Company. Their version was recorded on location at Goat Island Lighthouse in Maine, which gives it a unique twist. "Three Skeleton Key" is a formidable story to take on in a studio, so recording it on location must have been a challenge.

For more information about this particular episode and to see the photos, you can visit their website at FinalRune.com.

It is nice to know that Escape is inspiring a new generation of storytellers and actors.

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Burke Brimmer played Jean, Craig Bowden played Louis, and Philip Hobby played Auguste. Fred Greenhalgh produced and directed.

Suspense - Stranger with my Face

In "Stranger with my Face," an amnesiac wakes to discover he has been living a completely different life for four years.

As the episode opens, a man has a close-call with an oncoming taxi while on his way to work. After he gets up and gets his senses back, he realizes that he is in Chicago...and not New York. He is in a strange city and it is four years later than he thinks. Nothing is familiar.

By going into a local tavern, he learns that his name is Charles Morris. It used to be Ed Walters. How did Ed lose his memory and everything familiar?

"Stranger with my Face" was written by Alan Sloane and produced/directed by Bruno Zirato, Jr. Bernard Grant starred. This episode aired on July 23, 1961.

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(Image from Stock.xchng)

Superman's Christmas Message

Here is a message that Superman gave about Christmas in 1945. I don't know what he has said about Christmas recently, but this post-war holiday message about peace and goodwill is still a good one.

Happy holidays!

Escape - Figure a Dame

Escape's "Figure a Dame" is based on the short story by Richard Sale, which was first published in 1937. It can be found in the Fireside Mystery Book by Lantern Press, Inc. (1947).

In their adaptation, Escape made a few changes to "Figure a Dame" and to the main character of Joe Harriman, who becomes more treacherous and condescending. In the original story, his actions come out as a surprise at the end.

The episode opens in a town called Raj Jehore in India. Mrs. Bankner has arrived to purchase a fabulous emerald called the "Star of Kilimanjo" from Mr. Semeri Dal.  To guard the emerald on the return trip to Paris, she has brought along Mr. Joe Harriman, a detective with the Magnum insurance Company.

After the purchase, they board a train to Calcutta, and Joe knows that they are being followed by more than one thief. Wiill they get to the emerald back to Paris without it being stolen from them?

"Figure a Dame" was adapted for radio by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. William N. Robson produced and directed. Frank Lovejoy played Joe, Joan Banks played Marian, Sara Selby played Mrs. Bankner, and Ben Wright played Rafferty. Also appearing were Paul Frees, Harry Bartell, and Gary Merrill. This episode aired on December 20, 1949.

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(Image from Morguefile)

Words of Wisdom from Elsa Maxwell

Elsa Maxwell (1883-1963) was a multi-talented, stout little woman from Keokuk, Iowa, who left school at age fourteen and eventually became world-renowned for her incredible skills as a hostess. Fans of Suspense know Elsa because she usually appeared in the first commercial break of episodes from the 1940's, when the show was sponsored by Roma wines.

As a wine company spokesperson, she delivered a "plain talk" sermon on gracious hospitality and how to make guests feel welcome by serving Roma wines.

So, it is enlightening to read her book How to Do It: or The Lively Art of Entertaining. In it, Elsa discusses how she really felt about alcohol consumption at parties.

First, Elsa Maxwell stated that: "except for an occasional glass of wine or beer, I do not drink."

Elsa became famous for introducing the scavenger hunt and the treasure hunt as adult party games. She did this at the height of the anything-goes 1920's because she wanted guests to be able to break out of their adult routines and enjoy themselves as freely as children. She also knew that playing games reduced the amount of drinking at her parties.

She pointed out that people should know their limit, but that parties can often be so stimulating that people don't realize when they have gone past theirs. To avoid that, Elsa recommended that people drink less at parties than they would at home.

Elsa also shared her tips on what to do when guests drink too much and get unruly.  She suggested that the host/hostess shouldn't let this happen, but if it did, they should immediately get tough with the excessive drinker because being polite and gentle doesn't work. If necessary, kick them out,  but make sure they get home safely.

If Elsa noticed a party guest drinking beyond his limit, she would take him aside and tell him to "lay off" because he was ruining the party for everyone else. She would then say, "You can have as much drink as you can hold, so long as you can hold it. But no more." That experience alone was enough to sober a guest.

If the excessive drinker was a woman, her method was "more direct and more painful." She would come up behind the woman "and give her pearls a twist." She claimed that this method worked most of the time, but if it didn't, she would follow it up with a talking-to.

So, if anyone gets drunk and unruly at one of your holiday parties, take 'em down, Elsa-style. She didn't get to the top of her game by putting up with guests who ruined the ambiance of her gracious hospitality!

And there you have it from the authority herself!

 
  
Image of Elsa Maxwell with William Rhinelander Stuart (left) and Cole Porter (right) in 1934 from Wikimedia Commons.

Suspense - Drury's Bones

In "Drury's Bones," Boris Karloff stars in a Christmas episode about an amnesiac turned police detective-- who suspects himself of murder!

The story began on December 28, 1910, when a man woke up injured and alone in a dark London alley. He stumbled through the streets until he found a lighted office building. There, they took him in and sent for a doctor. When they asked him his name...the man didn't know it! The doctor proclaimed that the man had amnesia.

So, they named him Terrence Drury and gave him a job...in the London office of Scotland Yard. Drury did so well that he eventually became a full fledged inspector, but twenty years passed without a clue to his own identity.

Then, Drury was assigned to a case where an old human skeleton was found in a man's backyard. He traveled to a small fishing village in Devon where the bones were found.  But those bones may have something to do with his own past...

"Drury's Bones" was written by Harold Swanton and produced/directed by William Spier. Boris Karloff starred. This episode aired on January 25, 1945. William Johnstone, Wally Maher, and Joseph Kearns also appeared. The names of the other members of the cast aren't given. (So, the actress who played Mrs. Tumbley is not getting the credit she deserves!)

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As an added bonus, Elsa Maxwell makes not just one but two appearances during the commercial breaks to knock her common sense approach to hospitality into our heads.

(Image from Wikipedia)

Suspense - Out for Christmas

In "Out for Christmas," Raymond Burr stars as an ex-con who wants revenge for the holidays.

As the episode opens, it is a few days before Christmas, and Joe Watson has just been paroled. He isn't interested in the tacky decorations or the holiday cheer because he has only one desperate purpose--revenge on Mike Molloy, the man responsible for sending him to prison.

Joe's friend, Charlie, tries to talk him out of murder, but he won't listen. Joe has no other plans for his life but revenge.

Charlie then tries to explain to Joe that the situation is more complicated than he realizes. Molloy is now married...to Lucille, Joe's ex-girlfriend!

What! That doesn't go over well with Joe. In his mind, there is only one thing left for him to do...dress up as Santa and go over to their house with a gun.

Can the spirit of Christmas save Joe from needing that revenge?

"Out for Christmas" is was written, produced, and directed by William N. Robson. Raymond Burr starred. also appearing were Joan Banks, Lillian Buyeff, Dick Beals, Howard McNear, Charles Seel, and karl Swenson. This episode aired on December 21, 1958.

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(Image from Stock.xchng)

Escape - Sire de Maletroit's Door

Escape's "Sire de Maletroit's Door" was based on the short story by Robert Louis Stevenson, which was first published in 1877. The full text is available online at Wikisource.

Escape made minor changes to the beginning, and their presentation is nicely done, but "Sire de Maletroit's Door" is not well-suited for an adventure program. The drama consists of courtly dialogue between two people who must decide whether or not to get married. If you like the story, you will appreciate Escape's presentation. If you don't like the story, their version probably won't change your opinion.

The episode opens in Paris in 1429 on a dark night. Denis de Beaulieu is running from the soldiers on patrol and ducks into an open door to hide until they pass. When he tries to leave...he can't get out.

Denis finds a staircase that leads him to the Sire de Maletroit--who appears to have been waiting for him! He then tries to explain that there must be a misunderstanding, but the Sire de Maletroit doesn't think so. He believes that Denis is the young captain who has been pursuing his niece, Blanche. 

The Sire de Maletroit makes the situation clear to Denis: marry his niece or die.

"Sire de Maletroit's Door" was adapted for radio by Les Crutchfield and produced and directed by William N. Robson. Elliott Lewis played Denis de Beaulieu and Peggy Webber played Blanche. Ramsay Hill played the Sire de Maletroit. This episode aired on August 4, 1947.

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(Image from Robert Louis Stevenson from Wikipedia)

Suspense - The Silver Frame

In "The Silver Frame," an ex-con gets involved in a plan to frame the district attorney.

As the episode opens, Steve Gates has just been released from prison after serving over two years. He says he was framed, but no one believes him except Lestor, the newspaper reporter waiting outside for him. Lestor tells Steve that the D.A. has been framing a lot of people lately and offers him a chance to get even.

The plan is to set up a murder scene and have the D.A. make a fool of himself by pinning it on Steve. Then, the murder victim will suddenly reappear alive and well. For this, he earns a grand and lends credibility to his claim of innocence.

It's a plan that is sure to work. What could possibly go wrong?

"The Silver Frame" was written by William Spier and produced/directed by William N. Robson. Charles McGraw starred. Tracey Roberts  and Daws Butler also appeared. This episode aired on February 2, 1958.

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(Image from Charles McGraw: Biography of a Film Noir Tough Guy )

Suspense - Around the World

In "Around the World," four nations compete in a transcontinental automobile race from New York to Paris. This episode is based on the true events of an automobile competition held in 1908 and sponsored by the New York Times and the Parisian newspaper Le Matin.

The 1965 Blake Edwards' slapstick comedy, The Great Race, was very, very loosely based on the same event--and has a running time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. Suspense's adaptation is a more factual representation of the story and only takes about 29 minutes. (They did change some of the names.) There is also a recent historical documentary about the race that is available on DVD called The Greatest Auto Race on Earth.  

The episode opens in Madison Square Garden as the Great Race of 1908 is about to start. Six cars from four countries are waiting to begin the first automobile race around the world! The drama is narrated by the American driver of the Thomas Flyer, who introduces us to his fellow competitors and to his automobile. 

The race is supposed to follow a planned a route from New York to Paris by way of Siberia during the winter season, but with no highways, bad roads, limited gas supplies, and all the forces of nature....will the cars make it all the way to Paris?

"Around the World" was written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. Elliott Lewis produced and directed. Van Johnson starred. Also appearing were Cameron Andrews, Larry Haines, Alan Hewitt, Dan Ocko, Ted Osborne, and Steve Roberts. This episode aired on April 6, 1953.

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(Image of opening day ceremonies from the 1908 race from Wikimedia Commons )

Escape - Funeral Fires

In "Funeral Fires," an American doctor in Malaya must solve the mystery of who has stolen his supply of plague serum.

The episode opens in the British colony of Malaya, where funeral fires are burning in a river town, and the Malays are mourning those who have died from plague. A World Health Organization doctor, Mark Donovan has just arrived with a case of plague serum, and he is met by the local lieutenant. He also meets Mr. Oscar Forbes, a loud and arrogant plantation owner, who is upset that his workers are taking time off to mourn.

Next, Dr. Donovan finds Miss Randall, the nurse who has been caring for the sick because the town doctor is a drunk. He asks her to help him set up a serum station, and then goes out to find Dr. Grimes and sober him up.

After all of that, he returns to his room to find...the serum is missing! Who would have a reason to steal it?

The sound quality of this episode dips in a few places, particularly during the part where Dr. Donovan injects his suspects with plague to ferret out which one has stolen the serum.

This episode stars actor/director/producer Lamont Johnson, who started his career on radio, but went on to work in film, television, and on the stage. He also went on to win a number of prestigious awards as a television director. You can read about Lamont Johnson's remarkable career on the website of the Museum of Broadcast Communications. His radio credits include Suspense, Lux Radio Theatre, Let's Pretend, Tarzan, and others. 

"Funeral Fires" was written by Charles Israel and produced/directed by Norman MacDonnell. Georgia Ellis played Miss Randall. Also appearing were Don Diamond, Ben Wright, Wilms Herbert, and television actor Leon Lontoc. This episode aired on November 26, 1950.

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(Image from Stock.xchng)

Suspense - Winner Lose All

In "Winner Lose All," a gambler makes a deal with a casino owner, but his luck changes when he gets too greedy.

The story begins in Las Vegas, where a gambler named Bob Richards walks into the office of casino owner Walter Carlin. Mr. Richards proclaims that he has a winning system for roulette, and that he can give Mr. Carlin the publicity and excitement that his casino desperately needs.

Mr. Carlin agrees to the plan. He will allow Mr. Richards to win $200,000 at the tables on the condition that the house holds the money and that, in the end, Mr. Richards will only receive $50,000.

For the next month, everything goes as planned. The casino's profits go up and the deal is paying off. That is, until Mr. Richard's winnings reach $179,00, and he decides to leave--with all of it.

Can Mr. Richards escape with the money?

"Winner Lose All" is one of those 1950's Suspense episodes that tries to be an Escape episode. The characters are typical of Suspense, but the story seems more like Escape, particulary the ending, wherein the gambler is forced to keep playing and playing against his will... (but Escape would have ratcheted up the desperation to make us FEEL it.) The production also has one of Escape's directors and a couple of its regular actors...even the music at the end is similar.

"Winner Lose All" was written by Ross Murray and produced/directed by William N. Robson. John Lund starred. Also appearing were Rita Lynn, Lou Merrill, Eddie Marr, Jack Kruschen, and Sam Pierce. This episode aired on April 27, 1958.

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(Photo of John Lund from nndb.com)

Suspense - Smiley

In "Smiley," Donald O'Connor stars as a man who has a grudge against all women after being falsely convicted of a crime.

Harold Smythe was a happy guy that everyone called "Smiley." He had a job as a dishwasher and never caused any trouble. Sure, people thought it was strange that he was obsessed with his pretty hands, but they only teased him about it.

As Smiley was walking home one night, his life changed forever. A woman accused him of following and accosting her. Smiley told the court he was innocent, but they didn't believe him.

Now, after two years in prison, Smiley returns to his old job as a dishwasher. His hands have been roughened by hard labor, and he has a grudge against all women. Smiley decides that the only way he can have justice is to commit the crime for which he has already served time.

Will Smiley carry out his creepy plan?

"Smiley" was written by Charles Glenn and produced/directed by William Spier. Donald O'Connor starred as Smiley. Sidney Miller, who also wrote and performed with O'Connor in his stage shows, played Curly.  Lurene Tuttle played Cookie. This episode aired on August 14, 1947.

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