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
Oh I haven't heard this episode, it sounds intriguing -- I'm a sucker for highway horror myself. Thanks!
Posted by: Leslie | March 21, 2010 at 09:59 AM