Escape and Suspense!

Noir City 8 - Bad Girls of Film Noir

On Monday night, as I entered the theatre and made my way up to the balcony seats, I encountered Miss Noir City 2010 slowly descending the stairs in tight skirt and high heels, with a photographer in tow. There was trepidation in her eyes as to how to successfully navigate the grand staircase, but she succeeded, and continued onwards toward the stage to make her one-night only appearance. She then unveiled to the audience the tattoo on her shoulder that landed her the job. (It says "Mom & Dad.")

The first movie of the evening was Suspense (1946), which has nothing to do with the CBS Radio series of the same name. It is primarily known as the most expensive film ever made by Monogram Studios and as vehicle for one-named ice-skating star Belita. According to Martin Grams*, in his book Suspense: Twenty Years of Thrills and Chills (1997): "Although there has been no real connection between the radio show and the Monogram film under the same name, the possibility of the advertising department at Monogram attempting to cash in on the radio program's success is strong."

If you feel that ice-skating noir is something that appeals to you --and you should--then you can purchase Suspense (1946) on DVD through Amazon.com.

If you want to see a noir film with a cast taken from the radio show Suspense, then check out the women's prison flick The Story of Molly X. It, however, is not yet out on DVD.

Suspense was the first film of Monday night's Belita double-feature. The second part of the program was The Gangster, which I had to skip.

I also had to skip Tuesday night's line-up of the The Postman Always Rings Twice and He Ran All the Way, but returned on Wednesday for "Bad Girls" night.

The first film on Wednesday evening was One Girl's Confession (1953) starring Cleo Moore and written directed by Hugo Haas. Although Cleo played a good girl who does just a little-bit-of-wrong, the audience enjoyed it thoroughly.

The second film of the evening was Women's Prison (1955) starring Ida Lupino as the warden and Howard Duff as the prison doctor. Cleo Moore also starred, as well as Jan Sterling, and Audrey Totter. The primary bad girl in this film was Ida Lupino as the "borderline psychotic" warden who followed her own rules. Eventually, she got too tough, and the inmates made a stand for what is right and rioted against her. Oh, and the women's prison was right next to a men's prison, ...and that is what set off all the trouble.

Both One Girl's Confession and Women's Prison are soon to be released on DVD from Sony Pictures. You can find them both on Bad Girls of Film Noir 2. This set also contains the bizarre film Night Editor, which was based on the radio series of the same name. 

*revised 1/31/10

The Endless Night...

On the opening night of Noir City 8, and a couple of times more over the weekend, this seven minute short tribute to film noir was shown.  It was created by a twenty year old Santa Rosa college student named Serena Bramble, and it is impressive. Enjoy it!

For more information, click here.

Noir City 8 - Good Stuff So Far...

Here at Escape and Suspense!we are taking a break from our normal programming to attend the annual San Francisco Film Noir Festival. All of the proceeds from the festival go towards restoration of noir films, so we like to support the cause. Many of these rarely-screened movies include performances by our favorite radio actors.

Another part of the fun is being able to watch these films at the Castro Theatre, a 1400 seat movie palace built in 1922. Although, parking around the Castro can be as desperate and hellish as anything seen in a noir film.

The festival opened on Friday to a huge crowd. Lots of folks arrived in 1940's attire, and "vending vixens" went up and down the aisles hawking souvenir programs. Outside, the weather was cold and rainy, but inside, folks were settling in for the first double-feature as a fine cloud of popcorn haze filled the interior of the theatre....and stayed there.

The festival started with an entertaining movie filled with one-liners and clever dialogue called Pitfall (1948). Dick Powell and Lizabeth Scott starred in this film about adultery, and Raymond Burr played the menacing bad guy who tries to ruin their lives.

After that, there was a movie called Larceny (1948) which was memorable primarily because of Shelly Winters' performance. I noticed several people around me, including myself, nodding off during that one.

The next day, things got off to a great start with an 86 minute gem of a film called Fly-By-Night (1942). This light-hearted noir moves quickly, goes in unexpected directions, and entertains you all along the way. It was a definite crowd-pleaser.

The second part of the matinee was Deported (1950) starring Jeff Chandler and Marta Toren. I didn't love this movie, but I was interested in it. However, the ticking clock in this noir was the parking meter outside. I had to leave the film twice to go out to the street and feed the meter. My copy editor watched the whole thing, but was overly annoyed by Jeff Chandler's inability to manufacture more than one or two facial expressions. So, I don't know what to tell you about Deported.

Before the evening double-feature, we found a more cooperative parking spot.

The evening double-feature opened with the newly restored version of Cry Danger (1951). Proceeds from last year's festival helped fund the restoration, which was undertaken by the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Dick Powell and Rhonda Fleming starred in this story about an ex-con out for revenge on the men who framed him. William Conrad co-starred as the bad guy, and he received a nice round of applause from the audience when he appeared on the screen. Another familiar performer from Escape in this film was Joan Banks, who got the biggest laughs of the evening for her seductive glances towards Dick Powell. Hy Averback showed up briefly as Harry the bookie. Before the film, Eddie Mueller read a letter of support from Rhonda Fleming, and afterward, actor Richard Erdman was interviewed on stage.

After that, Broderick Crawford starred in The Mob(1951), an excellent film about an undercover cop investigating the Los Angeles waterfront. Escape actor Lawrence Dobkin turns up in a bit part as a doctor, and Paul Dubov appears in an even tinier bit part.

The next day was a Marilyn Monroe double-feature starting with Niagara. Having only seen this movie on a 19" tv, all I can say is that it was much more impressive on the big screen. It is a film meant for the theatre. Suspense's Lurene Tuttle pops up in this film as Mrs. Kettering.

The second movie of the day was The Asphalt Jungle, but having just seen that very recently, we decided not to stay.

So, that is all for now. Next up, Suspense (1946)!

Suspense - The Easy Victim

In "The Easy Victim" a man marries a woman he doesn't love in order to pay off his gambling debts.

As the episode opens, Mr. Arthur Ames is visited by a representative of his bookie, Big Tony. The man informs him that the I.O.U. for his losses at the dice tables are now due. Big Tony wants his money.

Mr. Ames explains that he doesn't have it because business has been bad, his house is mortgaged, etc. etc., etc. The representative sympathizes but states that he still must pay. Then he suggests a way for Mr. Ames to do just that--marry for money. Mr. Ames is an eligible bachelor, and if he just went about things the right way, he could marry a rich widow.

With no other options, Mr. Ames marries a rich widow. When Big Tony's rep comes around again to collect, Mr. Ames decides to bump off his new wife to get the insurance money. Will his plan work?

"The Easy Victim" was written by Harold Huber (who died a month before this episode aired) and produced/directed by Paul Roberts. Paul McGrath starred. Elspeth Eric played Ella Jason. Also appearing were Leon Janney and Robert Readick. This episode aired on October 25, 1959.

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Noir City 8

Here at Escape and Suspense!, the end of January is the time for noir-- that dark and rainy time of year when we switch our focus from vintage radio to big screen. The San Francisco Film Noir Festival arrives at the Castro Theater for ten days starting on January 22.

Well, we don't really take our attention off radio. Our purpose in attending the festival is to catch those rarely-screened noirs that include radio performers and writers from both Suspense and Escape. As usual, we will be reporting back on what we liked.

This year the festival really means business because they have put a hitchhiker on their advertising. As Suspense fans know, a "stranger on the road" is the ultimate symbol of danger.

So, what kind of trouble is Miss Noir City 2010 trying to lure us into? The theme for this year's program is lust and larceny. Each night two films are paired into a double-feature that represents these two motivators.

The program guide is available online at the Noir City website.

If you live in Seattle, keep in mind that a short version of the Noir City 8 line-up will be hosted by SIFF Cinema from February 19 - 25th. For more information visit  SIFF Cinema.

Escape - The Ambassador of Poker

Escape's "The Ambassador of Poker" was based on the short story of the same name by Achmed Abdullah, which was first published in Stories for Men: An Anthology(1944). Achmed Abdullah was the pen name of Alexander Nicholayevitch Romanoff, a Russian writer, playwright, and screenwriter. He was also the son of a second cousin of Czar Nicholas Romanoff.

Escape's adaptation is different from Abdullah's story, but it isn't bad. They just added a dangerous female character and a notorious Chinese general, making this episode vaguely reminiscent of the 1949 episode "The General Died at Dawn."

As the episode opens, Randolph C. Fairborn of Virginia is being thrown off a ship in Hong Kong for being too good at poker. He says that he can't help winning, but the captain still doesn't want him on board. Fairborn leaves the ship and, with no other way to earn money, goes looking for a poker game on the waterfront.

He finds one, and after getting in a fight over his winnings, he encounters businessman Sheng Pao, who offers Fairborn a job because he believes him to be a fighting man. Sheng Pao wants him to recover the great seal of Yin Dynasty, which is the property of his company, Jones & Sheng Pao. The seal was confiscated from his late business partner by a general. It is worth a fortune and Sheng Pao wants the seal back...any way Fairborn can get it.

"The Ambassador of Poker" was adapted for radio by John Dunkel. William N. Robson produced and directed. Elliott Reedplayed Randolph C. Fairborn and Lucille Meredith played Susan Jones. Also appearing were Ben Wright, Benson Fong, Richard Loo, John Dehner, Ramsay Hill, William Conrad, and Rick Valens. This episode aired on April 7, 1950.

. Download Escape_1950.04.07_Ambassador of Poker

(Image of Achmed Abdullah from Wikisource.)

Suspense - Quiet Desperation

In "Quiet Desperation," an employee in a rut takes a chance on stealing his way into a better life.

As the episode opens, Homer Bigelow decides to change his situation. His existence has become an endless routine, and he wants to break free to live a life of adventure. His opportunity comes at work, when he overhears the bank manager describing the plans of his friend, Mr. Vale.  He intends to dodge the currency control laws in England by sending his daughter to America to sell negotiables. 

Homer had planned to spend the next week on vacation, but when he gets the opportunity to meet Hester Vale and intercept the assets, he takes it. His vacation arrangements make it easier to hide what he is really up to.

Can Homer get away with his plan to steal the negotiables, fake his own death, and move out West? Or will his own desperation get the better of him?

"Quiet Desperation" was written by George and Gertrude Fass. William Spier produced and directed. Walter Abel starred as Homer. Also appearing were Cathy Lewis, Wally Maher, William Johnstone, and Joseph Kearns. This episode aired on August 7, 1947.

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(Image of Walter Abel from Wikipedia)

Suspense - The Legend of Robbie

In "The Legend of Robbie," an underpaid supermarket assistant manager must decide if he will go along with his friend's plan to rob the store.

As the episode opens, Robbie and his friends are playing poker. Afterwards, one of his friends, Dutch, brings up an idea that Robbie had joked about during the game--stealing a lump of cash from the store. Robbie is apalled that Dutch would take him seriously, much less, instantly come up with a plan for how to do it. Dutch tells him to stop being a chump. Why not live it up before he is too old?

Robbie is conflicted because his boss, Mr. Harris, trusts him. On the other hand, he would like to have enough money to date Sandra, one of the cashiers. Will he go along with Dutch's plan, or is he being set up?

"The Legend of Robbie" was written by Walter Black and produced/directed by Paul Roberts. Larry Robinson played Robbie, George Matthews played Dutch, Joan Lorring played Sandra, and Eric Dressler played Mr. Harris. This episode aired on May 8, 1960.

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Escape - Journey Into Fear

Escape's "Journey Into Fear" was adapted from the 1940 novel by Eric Ambler, which tells of a British engineer attempting to flee German enemy agents who want to kill him. The novel is too long for a half hour radio show, so parts of the story were cut. In the book, the main character becomes involved in an ongoing flirtation with a beautiful but scheming cabaret dancer named Josette. She and her petulant husband/business partner, Jose, take up a good portion of the novel, but aren't included in Escape's version. Other changes were made to the story as well.

In 1943, Journey Into Fear was made into a film by Orson Welles which starred Joseph Cotton. Edgar Barrier appeared in both the film and Escape's 1950 adaptation.

The episode opens in Instanbul as Graham enters his hotel room. Suddenly, someone shoots at him! The intruder crawls out of the window and Graham is relieved to discover that his only injury is to his hand. He calls his business associate, Kopeiken, and explains what has happened. Kopeiken takes him to Colonel Haki of the Turkish secret police. Graham thinks that it is all of lot of fuss over a burglar, but Haki warns him that the man was not just a thief. He was sent there to murder him!

Colonel Haki explains to Graham that his work in Instanbul is important to Turkish military efforts and there are enemy agents who want to see that work stopped or delayed. The only way to leave Instanbul without danger is to sail on the cargo ship Sestri Levante. Graham agrees to the plan, but he soon realizes that the boat isn't as safe as Haki said it was.  

"Journey Into Fear" was adapted for Escape by Antony Ellis. Norman MacDonnell produced and directed. Ben Wright starred as Graham. Also appearing were Wilms Herbert, Edgar Barrier, Rolfe Sedan, Ann Morrison, Jack Kruschen, Lou Krugman, and Shimen Ruskin. This episode aired on November 19, 1950.

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(Image of first edition cover from Wikipedia) 

Rev. 1/11/10

Suspense - Pearls are a Nuisance

In "Pearls are a Nuisance," William Bendix, and later Ray Milland, star in a satirical Suspense play adapted from a short story by crime fiction novelist Raymond Chandler. "Pearls are a Nuisance" was first published in Dime Detective in April, 1939, and it is available online. Suspense's adaptation is more humorous than the original story, which involves two guys trying to find a lost necklace while guzzling tremendous amounts of whisky.

As the episode opens, Walter Gage is in his office when he receives a telephone call on his private line. The call is from Miss Ellen Macintosh, his lady-love and private nurse to Mrs. Penruddock. She wants Walter to find Mrs. Penruddock's stolen string of pink pearls. The trouble is that the pearls are copies. Mrs. Penruddock sold the real pearls, and she doesn't want anyone to know. So, Ellen wants Walter to find the stolen strand. She believes that the former chauffeur, Henry Eichelberger, took them. 

Walter travels to a seedy hotel to find Henry, a guy who looks like "a taxi going down the street with both doors open."  However, Walter quickly comes to the conclusion that he isn't the culprit. Instead, he asks Henry to help him find the thief. Henry agrees, and the two of them set off to recover the pearls.

"Pearls Are A Nuisance" was written by Raymond Chandler and adapted for radio by prominent screenwriter Ranald MacDougall. William Spier produced and directed. William Bendix and Allan Joslyn starred. Also appearing were Lurene Tuttle, Wally Maher, and Hans Conried. This episode aired on April 19, 1945.

. Download Suspense_1945-04-19_Pearls Are ANuisance

Suspense presented this story a second time on April 20, 1950, with good results. Ray Milland starred as Walter Gage, and Hal March played Henry Eichelberger. Also appearing were Edwin Max and Howard McNear. Norman MacDonnell produced and directed.

 . Download Suspense_1950-04-20_Pearls Are A Nuisance

(Image of Ray Milland from Wikipedia)

Suspense - Murder in G-Flat

In "Murder in G-Flat," Jack Benny stars as a piano tuner who accidentally gets involved with stolen money...and the robbers who want it back.

As the episode opens, Hercules Remington is in the police station explaining his predicament to the lieutenant. His problems started the day before on the subway. The man sitting next to him accidentally picked up Hercules' bag and left behind his own. When Hercules looked in the bag, expecting to find his piano tuning tools, he found that it was full of money.

Hercules brought the money home and discussed the situation with his wife and uncle. He was going to keep the money, until he got a call from the owner of the bag and agreed to meet him.  But the exchange didn't go as planned...

"Murder in G-Flat" was written by Richard George Pedicini and produced/directed by Elliott Lewis. Jack Benny starred as Hercules. Joseph Kearns played Uncle Herman. Also appearing were Bea Benaderet,  Jack Kruschen, Clayton Post, Larry Thor, and Paul Frees. This episode aired on April 5, 1951.

. Download Suspense_1951-04-05_Murder_In_G_Flat

Rev. 1/1//10

Escape - Command

Escape's "Command" was adapted from the short story by James Warner Bellah, which first appeared in The Saturday Evening Post on June 8, 1946. You can find it in The Saturday Evening Post Stories (1946), and it is also available online through Google Books.

William N. Robson adapted "Command" for Escape and also produced and directed this episode. He made a few changes to the story, but his adaptation and added dialogue are admirable. Several years later, Robson also presented "Command" on Suspense.

The episode opens somewhere on the Great Plains as Captain Brittles and his men come across the remains of the cavalry unit they have been sent to find. Lt. Flintridge Cohill, second in command, doesn't agree with the way Captain Brittles handles the situation. He thinks that the old man is dodging the real action and wasting time following strict cavalry procedures. Cohill believes that he knows better. Does he? Captain Brittles doesn't think so, and he does his best to correct Cohill's thinking.

"Command" was first presented on December 26, 1949, but attempts to locate that broadcast were unsuccessful. It appears to be among their lost episodes.

Fortunately, Escape presented this story a second time on May 26, 1950. Harry Bartell played Lt. Cohill, John Hoyt played Capt. Brittles, Wally Maher played Sgt. Utterback, and Paul Frees played Sarver. Also appearing were David Ellis, Walter Burke, and Hugh Thomas.

. Download Escape_1950.05.26_Command

"Command" was also presented on Suspense on September 14, 1958. The audio quality isn't as good, but the performances are. The script is the same, but Suspense's version is different from Escape's. Television actor Richard Anderson starred. Also appearing were William Conrad, Joe De Santis, Alan Manson, Sam Edwards, Bill Quinn, and Chestor Stratton.  

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(Image from Wikipedia)

Suspense: Fragile - Contents Death

In "Fragile-Contents Death," a postmaster receives an anonymous call informing of a deadly delivery.

Postmaster Jordan arrived at work expecting an average day around the post office. Suddenly, he receives a phone call. The man on the phone won't give his name, but he tells Jordan that a time bomb has been sent though the mail. The bomb was meant to go off after it was delivered, but the sender made a mistake and set the wrong time. That means that the bomb will probably go off while it is in the hands of the postal service.

They have five hours until the bomb goes off. Can they find the package in time?

"Fragile-Contents Death" was written by John F. Suitor and produced/directed by Elliott Lewis. Paul Douglas starred. Also appearing were Lou Merrill, Howard McNear, and Joseph Kearns. This episode aired on February 1, 1951.

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(Image of Paul Douglas from Wikipedia)

Suspense - The Flame

In "The Flame," Cornell Wilde plays a pyromaniac who tries to help a friend. This is one of Suspense's "taken from life" stories.

As the episode opens, a building is burning and Andy is watching. He is also sketching a picture of the fire in his notebook. 

When he returns home, his sister, Mary Lee, is waiting for him. She asks Andy if he would be willing to help in their friend's store. Andy doesn't have many friends and he does have a lot of free time...so he agrees. Their friend's wife is in the hospital and her condition is serious.

Later, when Andy really thinks the situation through, he realizes that it would be even more helpful if he set a fire. That way, his friend could collect the insurance money.

Will Andy's plan work? Is he clever enough to get away with it?

"The Flame" was written by Richard Pedicini and produced/directed by Elliott Lewis. Cornell Wilde starred. Also appearing Cathy Lewis, Sidney Miller, Joseph Kearns, Harry Bartell, Charles Calvert, and Bert Holland. This episode aired on October 15, 1951.

. Download Suspense_1951-10-15_The_Flame

Suspense presented this story a second time on May 29, 1956. Antony Barrett starred and Antony Ellis produced and directed.

. Download Suspense_1956-05-29_The_Flame

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