Escape and Suspense!

Escape - Diary of a Madman

Escape's "Diary of a Madman" tells the story of German soldiers who decide to cross the Sahara Desert to follow their dream of becoming kings.

The episode opens in November of 1942, as the German army is retreating westward from advancing British forces in North Africa. Many of these soldiers flee southward into the desert, never to be heard of again...

The story then picks up with a group of ten German soldiers traveling into the Sahara under the leadership of General Hans Brach. They have agreed to take the risk of crossing the desert because Brach has convinced them that if they reach the "Empire of the Niger," they will become kings. Their plan is to travel along a string of oasis until they reach the Niger region. Then, they will seize control of the area from the French.

When a German plane, sent out to shoot military deserters, bombs their truck and leaves them with no supplies, they have to make a decision. If they turn back, they will all face a German firing squad. If they continue into the Sahara, they may be captured by Arabs or British soldiers, but they may also make it to freedom...

"Diary of a Madman" was written by Les Crutchfield and produced/directed by Norman MacDonnell. Ben Wright starred. Also appearing were Harry Bartell, Lawrence Dobkin, Paul Richards, Edgar Barrier, and Barney Phillips. This episode aired on January 25, 1953.

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Suspense - The Twist

In "The Twist," a radio comedy writer murders to keep his writing partner from leaving the business.

As the episode opens, Gus Green explains that twelve years earlier, he drove a cab for a living and spent his time day-dreaming. Then, he met radio gag writer Van Hauser. The tow of them hated each other right away, but Gus convinced Van to give him a chance as a "situation" writer. The two of them were a hit together but separately they bombed.

Gus was determined to stick with Van no matter what. Then, a problem developed. Van announced that he was going to marry a dancer named Julie Phelps. Gus knew that meant Van would leave the business...and then leave him with nothing! So, he came up with a situation that would rid them of Julie...

How did that work out for him? Not well.

"The Twist" was written by Faith Blau and produced/directed by William Spier. Sidney Miller and Michael O'Shea starred. This episode aired on September 11, 1947.

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Suspense - Make Mad the Guilty

In "Make Mad the Guilty," Hume Cronyn stars as an unemployed Shakespearian actor who stages a fake suicide in order to collect the insurance money.

As the episode opens, Burt Matthews and his wife, Elizabeth, are at the breakfast table. Burt looks through the newspaper for employment that would be suitable for an actor of his caliber. Elizabeth hits her limit.

She tells Burt that his career as an actor died a long time ago, whether or not he admits that to himself. Elizabeth is tired of supporting him, and she tells him to get a real job pronto. 

Burt reluctantly accepts his burden and shuffles off to the department store to apply for a job as a floorwalker.

One day, Burt comes home from his new job and finds that Elizabeth is leaving with their boarder, Mr. Longstreet. He tries to stop them, but then offers to leave himself. Burt explains that if they fake his death, he will gladly disappear. Then, they can cash in on his insurance policy. Will Elizabeth and Longstreet go for the deal?

"Make Mad the Guilty" was adapted by Irving Moore and Robert L. Richards from a story by writer/director Robert Rossen. William Spier produced and directed. Hume Cronyn starred. This episode aired on June 5, 1947.

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An Unexpected Schedule Change...

Hi Folks,

Normally, I post an Escape episode on Sunday evening, but I'm afraid I've come down with a bad cold. The Escape episode that I had planned for tonight will be posted next Sunday.

As I was looking for something Escape-related to entertain you in the meantime, I noticed that there are several new student-made "trailers" for an imagined movie of "Three Skeleton Key" on YouTube.

My favorite is below. It is a comedic trailer for "Three Skeleton Key" made by students who read the story in their English class. For more info about them click here. 

Suspense - Death Pitch

In "Death Pitch," Jack Carson stars as an ambitious circus employee who destroys the lives of everyone around him.

As the episode opens, Nick Arnold explains that he knows how to get what he wants just by saying the right words. What Nick wants is ownership of the circus, but there are two things in his way--the owners. One is his brother Duke, and the other is Lee Duncan, a drunken former lion-tamer. 

Tensions are running high between Lee and Duke, and added to that problem are Lee's lion-taming wife, Nora, and their teenage son, Robbie. Nick decides to get rid of them all. Then, he will be the owner of the circus! Nick is confident in his abilities, but will he be able to lure all of them into their own destruction?

"Death Pitch" was written by Walter Newman and produced/directed by Elliott Lewis. Jack Carson starred. Also appearing were Ed Max,  Francis Chaney, Georgia Ellis,  Richard Crenna, Herb Butterfield, Joseph Kearns, Eddie Marr, and Byron Kane.

This episode aired on March 29, 1951.

. Download Suspense_1951-03-29_Death_Pitch

(Image from Wikipedia)

Suspense - Ivy is a Lovely Name

In "Ivy is a Lovely Name," a man must try to get help for his pregnant wife when their car breaks down on the Hollywood Freeway.

Suspense's tribute to the horrors of this freeway are still valid fifty-one years later. In the introduction to this 1959 episode, producer William N. Robson refers to it as the "most heavily travelled road in the world." Today, in 2010, the Hollywood Freeway is number one on the list of "Worst Commutes in America."

As the episode opens, Tom and his wife, Linda, are at home. Linda is expecting to go into labor soon and she is nervous about what can go wrong. Tom tells her not to worry because they have planned their trip to the hospital down to the last detail.

Tom then goes out to the backyard to have a fatherly talk with their eight-year old son, Bobby. He tells him to stop climbing around on their ivy-covered garage because it's causing him mom to worry. Bobby mildly agrees to cooperate.

When they get back inside the house, Linda announces that the time has come! Tom flies into action, but one thing after another goes wrong. Instead of leaving Bobby at home with his aunt, they must take him with. Instead of clear weather, it is raining. Instead of getting to the hospital in time, their car breaks down on the center median of the freeway. Can Tom get help before the baby arrives?

"Ivy is a Lovely Name" was written by Sam Pierce and produced/directed by William N. Robson. Frank Lovejoy and Joan Banks starred. This episode aired on June 21, 1959.

. Download Suspense_1959-06-21_Ivy Is A Lovely Name

Suspense presented this episode again on October 2, 1960, featuring Phil Meader, Jane Husack, Carl Frank, and George Walsh. Paul Roberts produced/directed. 

. Download Suspense_1960-10-02_Ivy Is A Lovely Name For A Girl

Escape - This Side of Nowhere

Escape's "This Side of Nowhere" tells the story of a pilot who accepts an offer to fly a dangerous woman across the border to Mexico. It isn't one of Escape's best, but it isn't one of the worst. It lands just somewhere in the middle..and that seems to fit the mood and ending of this episode.

The story opens in Willing, Kansas, as a pilot named Gannett lands his plane in an empty field. He has come to town to sell short rides to the locals but soon gets an offer from Phyllis, a hotel guest, to make a trip to Wichita.  Phyllis doesn't want to wait around for the bus. 

Gannett accepts her offer, but when they are on en route to Wichita, Phyllis then asks him to take her to Mexico. Gannett refuses, but she uses a gun to change his mind. She needs to get to Torreon, and Phyllis is determined to make Gannet take her there. He warns her that they will be traveling over some rough country, but she isn't concerned.

As it turns out, she should have listened to Gannett's warning. While flying over that rough country, their plane runs into trouble and they land...somewhere in Coahuila, Mexico.

"This Side of Nowhere" was written by Antony Ellis and directed by Norman MacDonnell. William Conrad starred as Gannett and Virginia Gregg as Phyllis. Don Diamond played Esteban. Also appearing were Lou Krugman and Ralph Moody. This episode aired on December 3, 1950.

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(Image of Virginia Gregg from Wikipedia )

Suspense - A World of Darkness

In "A World of Darkness," Paul Lukas stars as a blind man who describes the events surrounding a murder.

As the episode opens, police cars are being called to a theatrical rooming house where a young woman has been murdered.

The detective in charge assembles the bickering occupants of the house to question them about the stabbing of Nancy Collins. Then, he realizes that not all of the tenants are present.

Anton Rejak, a blind man, then joins the group. He was a friend of Nancy's, and he tells the detective that he knows exactly what happened to her. He heard every sound. 

Was it the crazy handman who killed Nancy? Her overbearing mother? Her jealous rival? Or, was it Nancy's fiance? Only Anton knows...

"A World of Darkness" was written by Robert L. Richards and produced/directed by William Spier. Paul Lukas starred. The names of the supporting cast aren't given. This episode aired on January 20, 1944.

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(Image from Wikipedia)

Suspense - The Rose Garden

In "The Rose Garden," Miriam Hopkins stars as a woman who is terrorized by her housemate.

As the episode opens, a police officer and a doctor are trying to determine what happened in the house of Mrs. Amy Hansen. Effie Trimble, one of three residents, lies dead. Mrs. Hansen says it was murder, and she hands the policeman Effie's diary. The policeman begins to read...

It all started when Effie came to live with Mrs. Hansen. Effie's husband had died shortly before, and it seemed like an ideal situation. However, Mrs. Hansen's boarder, Miss Bowen, didn't agree. She didn't like the intrusion and enjoyed making things difficult for Effie. When Mrs. Hansen had to leave the two alone while she went on a short trip, she didn't think she would come back to find...

"The Rose Garden" was based on a story by novelist Sumner Locke Elliot and adapted for radio by Anthony Ellis. Elliott Lewis produced and directed. Miriam Hopkins starred. Also appearing were Jeannette Nolan, and  Paula Winslowe. This episode aired on October 5, 1950.

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  (Image of Miriam Hopkins from Wikipedia)

Escape - Conquest

Escape's "Conquest" was adapted from the short story by Leonard Lee, which was published in the Saturday Evening Post (November 9, 1935). It can also be found in the anthology Post Stories of 1935. Escape made a few changes and additions to pump up the action and lengthen "Conquest" for radio but  kept the point of the story intact.

As the episode opens, Chase Hamilton describes the conditions and perils of climbing Mount Everest. He then describes the experience of watching  George Mallory and Andrew Irvine leave to make their ascent to the top of Everest during a British expedition in June 1924. As it turned out, it would be the last time Mallory and Irvine would be seen alive.

From that moment, Hamilton became obsessed with climbing to the summit of Mount Everest. He worked hard to obtain the financing and to gather a qualified team to make his own expedition. Now, they are about to make their ascent. Will his determination conquer the numerous obstacles in his path? In the end, will he finally be able to say he was the first man to reach the summit of Everest?

"Conquest" was adapted for radio by David Ellis and produced/directed by Norman MacDonnell. William Conrad starred as Hamilton. Also appearing were Lawrence Dobkin, Ramsay Hill, Lou Krugman, Jack Kruschen, Larry Thor, and Ben Wright. This episode aired on January 7, 1951.

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(Image of George Mallory from Wikipedia )

Suspense - Too Many Smiths

In "Too Many Smiths," Hume Cronym is a man desperate to steal a large cash prize from the winner of a toothpaste slogan contest.

As the episode opens, Charles Richard Wallingford is under arrest for murder, but he is so hysterical, that the police have brought him to the hospital. As the doctor tries to calm him down, Wallingford rambles on about how "she made a fool of me." 

It all began when Wallingford, a porter in an office building, found a memo in an executive's office about the winner of the Century toothpaste slogan contest. The memo announced Pat Smith to be the lucky recipient of the $25,000 prize. Wallingford then realized that he knew that Smith had won--but Smith didn't! That gave Wallingford the inspiration to get to Smith before the winner was announced.

What goes wrong with Wallingford's inspiration, and how does end up hysterical?

"Too Many Smiths" was written by Arthur L. Gray and produced/directed by William Spier. Hume Cronyn starred. Also appearing were Cathy Lewis, William Johnstone, Elliott Lewis, Wally Maher, and Joseph Kearns. This episode aired on June 13, 1946.

. Download Suspense_1946-06-13_Too_Many_Smiths

(Image from Wikipedia)

Sorry, Wrong Number: An International Favorite

Most of the adaptations of "Sorry, Wrong Number" that we've found and posted here are from the United States, but we've also come across ones from Canada, the Phillipines and the United Arab Emirates. Now, we have a stage adaptation from Spain.

According to their website, the Madrid Players are an amateur English-language theater group that was founded in Madrid forty years ago.  Here they are performing "Sorry, Wrong Number" on a tiny stage with a  group of black-clad operators and a British Mrs. Stevenson. Good stuff!

One More Wrong Number...

We've posted student stage plays, short films, and trailers of "Sorry, Wrong Number," but haven't yet seen a remake for television...until now!

According to the person who posted these videos on Youtube, the actress playing Mrs. Stevenson, Sonya McAdam, was a production assistant, who saved this class project by taking over the role when the original actress was fired.

She did a pretty good job!

For more info, click here.

Part 1

and Part 2