Escape and Suspense!

Escape - Three Good Witnesses

Escape's "Three Good Witnesses" was based on the short story by Harold Lamb, which first appeared in the January 1945 issue of Blue Book. The story can also be found in Midnight Specials: An Anthology for Train Buffs and Suspense Aficionados (1977). Escape's adaptation is a good one and only small changes were made to lengthen it for radio.

As the episode opens, Humphrey Ward is on his way home to the United States from business in Turkey. He works for an oil company, but wishes that he could be a part of the war.

Ward is booked on the Taurus Express, which will take him from Istanbul to Cairo. As he boards the train, he is overwhelmed by Mary, who is desperate for help. Ward helps hide her from the police, and so does the conductor, Kevorkian. Then, Ward meets Tom Hatfield, a fellow American who is traveling on official government business.  Hatfield meets Mary when he finds her in his compartment.

As the train travels through the night, spies steal Hatfield's briefcase and Humphrey Ward takes it upon himself to get it back. The trouble that results can only be fixed by three good witnesses...Mary, Kevorkian, and Hatfield.

"Three Good Witnesses" was adapted for radio by John Dunkel, produced by William N. Robson, and directed by Norman MacDonnell. Morgan Farley played Humphrey Ward, Jack Webb played Tom Hatfield, Jeannette Nolan played Mary, and Harry Bartell played Kevorkian. Also appearing were Barton Yarborough and Jack Kruschen. This episode aired on January 28, 1948.

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Suspense - A Tale of Two Sisters/The Ten Years

In "A Tale of Two Sisters," a woman breaks a childhood pact with her irrational sister...and everyone suffers the consequences.

As the episode opens, Clara is in the hospital. The other patients around her are screaming, but Clara is content. She wants for nothing, but if only she had her sister, Adelle....

Clara thinks back to when the two of them were children and the night their mother died. She and Adelle had made a promise that they would always be together, and Clara had kept that promise. Adelle was abnormally clingy, but Clara didn't mind, she assumed that Adelle would grow out of it.

Then, Clara met Doug and fell in love. Adelle was furious! From then on, she refused to have anything to do with her sister. Clara tried to mend their relationship, but Adelle would not forgive her. 

Clara would later find out that her sister was not only hateful but...dangerous.

"A Tale of Two Sisters" was written by screenwriter Mel Dinelli and produced/directed by William Spier. Claire Trevor and Nancy Kelly starred. Also appearing were Patricia Hosley, Wally Maher, Walter Tetley, and Joseph Kearns. This episode aired on February 8, 1945.

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Suspense presented this episode a second time with Joan Crawford in the role of Clara and Lurene Tuttle in the role of Adelle. Both actresses are fantastic. This episode aired on June 6, 1949, under the title of "The Ten Years."

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Suspense - Shadow on the Wall

In "Shadow on the Wall," a man is haunted by a shadow that mysteriously appears in his bedroom.

As the episode opens, two brothers are arguing about their old family home. Roger wants to tear down it down when construction is finished on their new, modern house. Henry is horrified that his brother is so callous about the house they grew up in and all of the memories it holds. Roger tries to placate his sentimental brother, but to no avail. Henry resents Roger for being the favorite and for being a success. So, he whacks Roger with one of his mother's silver candlesticks.

Then, he has to figure out what to do. Henry comes up with a plan to hide the body and explain his brother's absence. Luck is in his favor, and his plan goes well. So well, that no one will ever know what happened. But then, a shadow on the wall appears that may just unravel everything...

"Shadow on the Wall" was written by Robert Juran and produced/directed by William N. Robson. Jackie Kelk starred as Henry. Also appearing were John Hoyt, Charles Lung, Frank MacDonald, and Jeannette Nolan. This episode aired on September 22, 1957.

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Escape - Elementals

Escape's "Elementals" was based on the short story by American author Stephen Vincent Benet, which was first published in Cosmpolitan magazine in 1925, and is currently available online through Google Books. This is a strange and depressing episode that makes more sense after reading the short story.

"Elementals" is the story of a wealthy man, Mr. John Slake, who does not believe that love is more powerful than the "three prime movers" in the human soul--fear, hunger and hate. While having dinner with his scholarly friend, Sherwood Latimer, he discusses this belief. Slake points to the results of a cruel test done by the Renaissance Italian Prince Guiccardini in the sixteenth century. Guiccardini had tried to prove that love could not endure over hunger by performing an experiment in which two lovers went without food for ten days. At the end of the test, if their love endured over their pain, they would receive wealth and title. However, when the ten days ended,  they died in a fight over a crust of bread. Slake offers Latimer the chance to undergo the same test for seven days with a prize of $10,000 if he and his fiance succeed.  Latimer and his fiance do survive the test, and Slake accepts defeat in disgust.

In Escape's version, two men argue about the power of love, after seeing a play, and offer the experiment to their cab driver. Not being able to resist the money, the cab driver and his fiance, Cathy, agree to undergo seven days of starvation to prove the power of their love.

"Elementals" was originally adapted for radio by Meyer Dolinsky  and produced/directed by Antony Ellis. Tony Barrett starred as Latimer, William Conrad as John Slake, and Georgia Ellis as Catherine Vane. Also appearing were Ben Wright and Byron Kane. This episode aired on October 11, 1953.

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Suspense presented "Elementals" on June 12, 1960. Their version is much closer to the orginal story and the better of the two. (This episode also has a perky Fritos corn chips commercial right after the starvation scene --which helps break the tension.)  Phil Meader played Latimer, Santos Ortega played Slake and Ellen MacCrea played Cathy. Paul Roberts produced/directed.

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Suspense - The Long Wait

In "The Long Wait," Burt Lancaster stars as a man with an elaborate plan for revenge on the woman who betrayed his brother.

As the episode opens, Dan is walking through Grand Central Station. He has just been released from prison, and the police are concerned that he may be looking for trouble. Lieutenant Len Bush stops Dan to warn him that revenge on Lois Williams, the woman who ratted out his brother, isn't worth it.

Dan ignores him. He is consumed with a desire for revenge! He intends to kill Lois that very afternoon, but when he meets her, he finds that she wants to die. Her life has been a misery since she betrayed his brother, and now, she has nothing to live for. 

So, Dan changes his plan. He decides to give her everything she wants in life...and then take it away.

"The Long Wait" was written by Fred Freiberger, directed by Norman MacDonnell, and produced by William Spier. Burt Lancaster starred. Also appearing were Betty Lou Gerson, Wally Maher, Herb Butterfield, John Dehner, William Johnstone, Joseph Kearns, Sidney Miller, Lurene Tuttle, and Paul Frees. This episode aired on November 24, 1949.

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This story was later adapted for television (by Fred Freiberger and Richard Carr) for an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents under the title of "Salvage ." (Episode 6, Season 1- November 6, 1955.) The complete episode is available below and at Hulu.com.

(Image from Wikipedia )

Suspense - Slow Burn

In "Slow Burn," Dick Powell plays a boxer who scams a younger rival...until he realizes that he is the real patsy.

As the episode opens, Johnny Wilson is hiding in a hotel room and waiting for the clock to strike twelve. When it does, he will call the newspaper and tell them his side of the story. Tell them why he did it...

His problems all began three months earlier, when Johnny got involved in a scam to promote a younger boxer named Chuck Masters. The scam involved Johnny taking a break from his own career to promote the new fighter. Chuck was easier to publicize because he was a war hero, but Johnny was the one with the talent.

After a few months, the scam played out as it was supposed to--but not for Johnny. The only thing left to do was to end his rival's career...

"Slow Burn" was written by Fred Frieberger, directed by Norman MacDonnell, and produced by William Spier. Dick Powell starred. Also appearing were Wally Maher, Alan Reed, Joseph Kearns, Georgia Ellis. This episode aired on February 23, 1950.

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Escape - Roulette

Escape's "Roulette" is the story of a young man on holiday who becomes involved in a dangerous intrigue.

Richard Ferris was supposed to spend his summer bicycling through France, but when he tired of the scenery, he sold his bicycle in Avignon and spent the money at the roulette tables in Monte Carlo. In a short time, that left him with only enough money to get back to England.

Richard was content to go back home and start Trinity College the following week, but then he met...Tina.

She tells Richard that she saw him lose his money at the roulette table, and she wants to help. All he has to do is accompany her to Ankara, and she will give him 50,000 francs. Richard, overwhelmed by the beauty and spirit of Tina, agrees to the deal.

Now, they are on the train to Naples, in the hopes of crossing to Ankara by boat. Will they make it?

"Roulette" was written by Antony Ellis and produced/directed by Norman MacDonnell. Terry Kilburn starred as Richard. Also appearing were John Dehner, Alberto Morin, Georgia Ellis, Lou Krugman, and Edgar Barrier. This episode aired on October 8, 1950.

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Suspense - Community Property

In "Community Propery," Kirk Douglas stars as a husband who doesn't want to share his inheritance with his wife.

George and Lois Mason don't get along anymore. At the breakfast table, they can't say one civil word to each other. Lois wants a divorce, but she doesn't think that George will pay for the lawyers and her alimony. George tells her not to worry, he will gladly pay the expenses. (He thinks the only reason she has stayed with him is because of the money he may inherit from his uncle.)

So, finally, they agree to divorce.

As it turns out, George has been trying to get her to leave him for over a year. Under the community property laws of California, she might be able to claim half of everything that he has now...or may receive later.

That same day, when Uncle Burt suddenly dies, George realizes that a divorce isn't going to solve his problems. Lois can still claim half! So, he decides that the only option is to get Lois out of the way altogether. How smart is that?

"Community Property" was written by Robert L. Richards from a story by Arthur Julian and Howard Leeds. William Spier produced and directed. Kirk Douglas starred. Also appearing were Cathy Lewis, Paul Frees, Joseph Kearns, and Howard McNear. This episode aired on April 10, 1947.

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Suspense - Your Devoted Wife

In "Your Devoted Wife," a married couple explore their true problems while on a train trip.

The episode opens in a train station, where Mrs. Melissa Thornton is arranging for the porters to place her husband, Martin, onboard. He is unconscious, and she is taking him to a special clinic in Chicago.

Later, when the two are alone in their compartment, Martin wakes up and realizes that he is on a train. He isn't happy about her plans and tries to maneuver his way out of the situation, but without success. He may not be able to find a way out now, but he tells his wife that her scheme won't work.

Melissa is devoted and long-suffering, but finally, she is forced to warn the conductor that her husband is not physically ill, he is...insane.

"Your Devoted Wife" was written by David Gillespie and produced/directed by William Spier. June Duprez starred. Also appearing were William Johnstone, Wally Maher, and Joseph Kearns. This episode aired on June 20, 1946.

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Escape - Train from Oebisfelde

In Escape's "Train from Oebisfelde," a British agent must transport a nuclear physicist on a train that is rigged for destruction.

Lawton Herrick, a valuable nuclear scientist, has decided to return to the western world after selling his services behind the Iron Curtain. Agent Bruce Kellander now has to transport him by train to British Intelligence in Hanover, Germany.

Things seem to be going smoothly, but after the train makes its first stop, an enemy agent boards with a suitcase filled with explosives. British Intelligence is aware of the threat and sends an agent to help Bruce. The bomb is set to go off when the train reaches the Oker River Bridge--and they have an hour before that happens. If the train stops beforehand, the bomb will blow. Can they find the enemy agent and his suitcase in time?

"Train from Oebisfelde" was written by Ross Murray. William Conrad starred. The ending credits are cut off in this recording, so names of the other actors aren't given. This episode aired on September 6, 1953.

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Suspense - Final Payment

In "Final Payment," two army buddies plan to scam an insurance company by creating a fake accident.

As the episode opens, a courtroom suddenly goes into recess. The defendent, Joe, can't understand what has gone wrong. They couldn't possibly know the truth. Could they?

Joe thinks back to the day it all started...that day in Chicago when he and Sam had met for coffee. It was then, that they first became involved in a plan to raise a quick $100,000. All that was required was for Joe to move his family to a smaller town, buy a car, get a new job, take out an insurance policy, and then increase it. Sometime later that year, they would arrange for an "accident" that would net them both of lot of money from the insurance company.

Both men followed their plan to the letter, but now something has gone wrong...

"Final Payment" was written by Phillip Cole and Richard George Pedicini. Antony Ellis produced and directed. Harry Bartell and Peter Leeds starred. Also appearing were Vivi Janiss, Barney Phillips, Victor Rodman, Byron Kane, and John John Larch. This episode aired on January 13, 1955.

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Suspense - The Sure Thing

In "The Sure Thing," a man bets everything on a fixed horse race...and then regrets it.

As the episode opens, Phil comes to collect his winnings from his bookie, Marty. Phil has been winning regularly, and the syndicate has noticed. They want him to come to work for them, but Phil refuses. He doesn't need their help. He claims that he wins regularly because he knows the horses. Phil tells Marty that when he wins enough money, he'll buy his way into the syndicate.

Not long afterward, Phil gets a chance to accelerate that plan. When he learns about a fixed race, he puts his money on the horse he knows will be a "sure thing." But, is it? 

"The Sure Thing" was written by Ross Murray and produced/directed by Norman MacDonnell. Hy Averback starred. Also appearing were Clayton Post, Julie Bennett, Jerry Hausner, Jan Arvan, Lou Krugman, Charlotte Lawrence, and Peter Leeds. This episode aired on November 11, 1954.

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Suspense - Man Trap

In "Man Trap," a construction boss is haunted by the worker that he accidentally blew up.

As the episode opens, Brig Delaney explains that he is the head of a construction crew responsible for building a highway through the mountains. Artie Finch is second-in-charge, and the two have problems. Although they have worked together many times before, Artie has become convinced that Brig is after his wife, Lola. He believes that all of the men on the crew are after Lola.

So, Artie insists on laying down dynamite himself, rather than trusting anyone else. Brig allows it because he can't convince Artie otherwise. Then, an accident with the dynamite occurs--and Artie is blown to bits!

When the police investigate, Lola puts the finger on Brig as the man responsible. She tells them that Brig is obsessed with her, and when he saw his chance to get rid of Artie, he took it. Brig doesn't know what she is talking about, but she is so convincing, he starts to wonder...

Did Brig really blow up Artie on purpose?

"Man Trap" was written by John Robert and produced/directed by Bruno Zirato, Jr.  Don MacLaughlin starred. Also appearing were Joseph Julian, Teri Keane, Ralph Bell, Lawson Zerbe, and Ralph Camargo. This episode aired on November 29, 1961.

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Back from Noir City

OK, we're back from Noir City, and we will resume our normal programming this week. Of the twenty-four films shown at the festival, we went to eighteen. That's a lot of movies in ten days!

Here are trailers from some of our favorites films from the festival.

Cry Danger

Niagara

Beginning scene from Women's Prison

Pitfall

Suspense - Crank Letter

In "Crank Letter," a doctor is terrorized by a mysterious stranger who sends him threatening letters.

As the episode opens, Dr. Donald Fraser is disturbed by a letter that he has just received. When his patient, Lieutenant Nieman, comes in for an annual physical, the doctor asks him for help.

Lieutenant Nieman reads the letter and then asks the doctor some questions. He thinks it is just a crank letter, but in the days that follow, the doctor receives more menacing messages. Can the lieutenant track down who is sending the letters before it is too late?

"Crank Letter" was written by Walter Black and produced/directed by Paul Roberts. Lyle Sudrow starred. Also appearing were Les Damon, Phil Meader, and Larry Haines. This episode aired on February 21, 1960.

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