Escape and Suspense!

Escape - The Drums of the Fore and Aft

Escape's "The Drums of the Fore and Aft" was adapted from the 1888 short story by Rudyard Kipling. Some minor changes were made, but overall their adaptation and radio presentation of this tale is one of their best. Kipling's story is available online at The Internet Archive.

The episode begins with a narration by an English newspaper correspondent (Kipling) assigned to the north of India, and explains how he first came to know of Regiment 329A, the "Fore and Fit." He goes on to say that, behind their backs, the regiment was known by the more shameful term of the "Fore and Aft."

How did they tarnish their reputation? The story begins with two beastly fourteen year old boys, Piggy Lew and Jaken. Both were cherubic-faced orphans taken in by the regimental band at an early age but known by all for getting into perpetual trouble.

When their regiment is called to duty, Piggy Lew and Jaken are dismayed to learn that, because of their age, they will be left behind at camp. They ask the colonel to let them go to the front, and because of their brave attitude, the colonel agrees to let them go.

As the ill-prepared and inexperienced regiment makes its way to the front to face the Afghan soldiers, nothing goes well.  After a disastrous battle, Piggy Lew and Jaken are trapped on the front line but bravely pick up their drum and fife to help the regiment...

"The Drums of Fore and Aft" was adapted for radio by Les Crutchfield and produced/directed by Norman MacDonnell. Gil Stratton played Piggy Lew and Jimmy Ogg played Jaken.  Eric Rolf played Rudyard Kipling. Also appearing were Jeff Corey as the Colonel, Alec Harford as the seargent, Eric Snowden as the general, Peggy Webber as Cris, and Paul McVeigh as the highlander.

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Escape presented this story a second time on July 14, 1949. Norman MacDonnell produced and directed. Ben Wright played Rudyard Kipling. Hugh Thomas played Piggy Lew and Terry Kilburn played Jaken. Also appearing were Colleen Collins, Ramsay Hill, Alec Harford, Wilms Herbert, and Tudor Owen.

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These high quality episodes of Escape from Tennessee Bill's OTR. They are large audio files, so they may take longer to download.

(Image of Rudyard Kipling from Wikipedia)

Suspense - Mission Completed

In "Mission Completed," a paralyzed veteran regains his abilities when he is given the chance for revenge on his captor.

As the episode opens, Tom is lying in a veteran's hospital. He has been there for the four years since being liberated from Tokyo's Sagamo Prison on 1945. Tom lies in bed and stares at a square in the ceiling, where he envisions that his captor, Suki, look down at him from time to time.

One day, when the nurse takes Tom out in his wheelchair, he is stunned by the sight of his former captor, who is now working in the hospital flower shop. Tom then begins to fight his paralysis, to move his body, and to plan his revenge.

Can Tom overcome his physical problems and succeed in his plan to go after Suki?

"Mission Completed" was written by John R. Forrest. William Spier produced and Norman MacDonnell directed. Jimmy Stewart starred. This episode aired on December 1, 1949.

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(Image of Maj. Jimmy Stewart (1943) from Wikipedia )

Suspense - Murder of Aunt Delia

In "Murder of Aunt Delia," Van Heflin stars as a hitch hiker who tries to take over the identity of the driver who picks him up.

As the episode opens on  a hot August day, Dort Sharples is hitchhiking along highway 70 in Arizona. A black sedan stops and picks him up. The driver is going to Santa Barbara and offers to take Dort to Los Angeles if he will share the driving.

On the way to Southern California, Dort learns that his travelling companion, Glendon Brailey, is going to Santa Barbara to see his rich Aunt Delia for the first time in many years. Dort thinks that, given the circumstances, he could pass himself off as Brailey.

How hard could that be?

"Murder of Aunt Delia" was written by Lou Huston and directed by Norman MacDonnell. William Spier produced. Van Heflin starred. Also appearing were Verna Felton and Howard McNear. This episode aired on November 10, 1949.

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Escape - The Gladiator

Escape's "The Gladiator" was written by screenwriter Millard Kaufman, and while it isn't bad, it isn't particularly good either. It is a generic Escape episode that is easy to follow, but a let-down because there aren't any battles. There is only one gladiator in this episode and he gets knocked out in one blow. 

The story opens in London, where Joe Scoletti has just finished his last fight as a professional boxer. Afterward, in Joe's dressing room, two strangers enter to offer their congratulations, Julius Verinias and his niece, Lucretia. Joe and his manager are about to catch a plane for Rome, but Julius offers them passage on his ship. Joe accepts the offer because he is smitten with Lucretia.

Once onboard, Joe and his manager realize that the ship is not on its way to Rome but to North Africa. When they question Julius about the change in course, he tells them that he has other plans. They will be traveling to his ancestral Roman estate where Joe will prove himself in a fight to the death...

"The Gladiator" was written by Millard Kaufman and produced/directed by Norman MacDonnell. William Conrad starred. Also appearing were Lillian Buyeff, Lou Krugman, Ted Osborne, Byron Kane. Paul Frees played Kriksus the gladiator. This episode aired on August 1, 1951.

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(Image from Wikipedia )

Suspense - Case Study of a Murderer

"Case Study of a Murderer" is one of Suspense's "taken from life" episodes. It is a sad, but good, story about a wife who mistakenly believes that her husband's psychiatric problems can be cured with love instead of medical care. She then discovers how wrong she is. Jeanne Crain stars as the enabling wife.

As the episode opens, Beth Lathrop tells the story of how the trouble with her husband, Hank, began. She thought that she understood the man she married, but after two years, she found out that he had a secret preoccupation. Hank was obsessed with news accounts of local murders.

Then, he lost his job. Hank's fascination with murder then became so consuming that he impulsively went to the police and confessed to crimes he didn't commit.

Mrs. Lathrop was told that she needed to come to terms with the real problem--her husband needed psychiatric care. Otherwise, his preoccupation with killers might lead him to become one. She thought otherwise. Was she right?

"Case Study of a Murderer" was written by Arthur Ross and produced/directed by Elliott Lewis. Jeanne Crain starred. William Conrad played Hank and Howard McNear played Dr. Broughton. This episode aired on October 1, 1951.

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(Image from Wikipedia)

Suspense - The Man Who Thought He was Edward G. Robinson

In "The Man Who Thought He was Edward G. Robinson," A hen-pecked husband takes inspiration from his screen idol and toughens up.

As the episode opens, Homer J. Hubbard is giving a statement. In it, he recounts the story of his marriage to his domineering wife, Ada.

The two of them had been married for many years, and though Homer had learned to cope with her insults, he was not happy. Then came the night that they went to see the film Little Caesar! Homer was enthralled by the character on the screen, and afterward, began to imagine himself as Edward G. Robinson.

Then, Ada caught him pretending to be his idol...and mocked him by suggesting he was better suited to imitate Shirley Temple.

It was then that Homer decided to end his marriage by bumping off Ada and making it look like a suicide. At least, that was his plan until his screen idol came to town. Can the real Edward G. Robinson help Homer with his plan?

"The Man Who Thought He Was Edward G. Robinson" was written by Leslie Raddis and produced and directed by William Spier. Edward G. Robinson starred as himself and Homer. Ada was played by Verna Felton. Also appearing were Jerry Hausner, Wally Maher, and Joseph Kearns. This episode aired on October 17, 1946.

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Below is the trailer from the 1931 classic Little Caesar.

Escape - Wild Jack Rhett

Escape's "Wild Jack Rhett" was adapted from the short story of the same name by Ernest Haycox, which was first published in Adventure (Sept. 1933). It can also be found in the book Rough Justice (1950), a collection of Haycox's short stories. Escape made almost no changes to the story in its adaptation.

As the episode opens, the townsfolk of Red Mesa are burying their sheriff in the local graveyard. Afterward, some of the local men gather to discuss hiring a new sheriff. The reformers want to hire a professional "town-tamer" named Jack Rhett, but the saloon owner, BeauHelen, wants to get a sheriff that won't scare people away. Matt Tavener, the U.S. Deputy Marshall for the district, also has concerns that hiring a professional killer will attract outlaws who want to challenge him.

Three weeks later, Jack Rhett comes to town and the mayor explains their problem. Red Mesa, close to the Chisholm Trail, wants its visitors to have a good time but not wreak havoc on the community. Rhett accepts the job and goes to work with the understanding that he has complete authority.

The biggest problem to his authority is an outlaw named Todd Mallon, the man who killed the previous sherriff. Matt Tavener wants to get him, but Rhett says that he will take care of the problem. 

Can Rhett stop Mallon and his men? Will his luck as a professional killer hold out?

"Wild Jack Rhett" was adapted for radio by John Meston and directed by Norman MacDonnell. John Dehner starred as Jack Rhett. Lawrence Dobkin played Matt Tavener and Lou Krugman played BeauHelen. Parley Baer was the narrator. Also appearing were Junius Matthews, Russell Simpson, Jeanne Bates, Paul Dubov, and Sam Edwards. This episode aired on December 17, 1950.

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Escape presented this story a second time on February 15, 1953. John Dehner starred, and Parley Baer was the narrator. Also appearing were Harry Bartell, Lawrence Dobkin, Georgia Ellis, Howard McNear, Herb Ellis, Peter Leeds, and Lou Krugman.

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Suspense - Beirut by Sunrise

Suspense's "Beirut by Sunrise" tells the story of an elementary school teacher who accidentally becomes involved in a dangerous intrigue.

At first, this episode may appear to be an old Escape story that was Suspensified, but the radio play was originally written for the anthology  series On Stage (1953-1954), which starred Cathy and Elliott Lewis. Neither appears in Suspense's version, but the episode stars Mary Jane Croft, Elliott Lewis' second wife. Ben Wright is the only actor to appear in both versions.

As the episode opens, Mildred Guideon is writing a letter to her sister about her experiences on a Mediterranean cruise. She details how her trip began as a disappointment, but became more interesting the night the ship docked in Beirut. She woke early to watch the sun rise over the city, but while she was enjoying the view, she noticed an injured man on the docks.

Mildred went down to help him, but he merely mumbled some strange words before dying. That was when her trip suddenly became more interesting...

"Beirut by Sunrise" was written by Richard Chandlee and produced/directed by Antony Ellis. Mary Jane Croft starred. Also appearing were Hy Averback, Don Diamond, Jack Kruschen, and Ben Wright.  This episode aired on May 31, 1955. 

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Here also is On Stage's version, starring Cathy and Elliott Lewis. This episode aired on January 14, 1953.

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(Illustration of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (1870's ed.) from Wikipedia )

Suspense - The Marvelous Barastro

In "The Marvelous Barastro," Orson Welles stars as a magician, who is driven mad by an evil magician determined to take over his identity. Of course, Welles plays both roles.

As the episode opens, Suspense producer/director William Spier recounts an incident that happened three weeks ealier. It was just a typical day at the office...when a stranger suddenly appeared! The man claimed to be Barastro, the greatest magician alive. He had come to tell Spier his story, and when he was done, he would leave for Mexico City to hunt down his evil rival. 

His story began twenty years earlier when Barastro was traveling with a carnival around southern Europe. It was then that he first met the woman who would become his wife, Anna. She had asked him to read her palm, but he saw sorrow in her future. So, he lied and promised her happiness.

Barastro married Anna in the hopes of saving her from the cruel fate he foresaw. Soon afterward however, he discovered that he was only fulfilling her destiny...

"The Marvelous Barastro" was written by Ben Hecht and adapted for Suspense by Jack Finke. William Spier produced and directed. Orson Welles starred. This episode aired on April 13, 1944.

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(Image from Wikipedia)

Escape - The Great Impersonation

Escape's "The Great Impersonation" was adapted from the popular novel by E. Phillips Oppenheim, which was first published in 1920. The original work is available online through Google Books, but there are also numerous copies of inexpensive older editions of this book on the market. The Great Impersonation was adapted for the screen in 1921, 1935, and 1942.

Escape's presentation of this story is different from the book, not only because they shortened it, but because the time period was changed. The book is set during the years before World War I, but in Escape's version it is set before the start of World War II.

The episode opens in Africa in 1939, as Dr. Schmidt and the Baron Leopold von Ragastein are arguing about a man who has suddenly appeared in their camp, Sir Everard Dominey.  Baron von Ragastein explains that he went to school with Dominey in England years ago and knows him well. There is an incredible similarity in their appearance, but Dominey is well known to be a drunk. Von Ragastein explains that he can help the German cause by impersonating Dominey and taking his place in English society. Dr. Schmidt agrees to the plan.

A month later, Von Ragastein arrives in England as Sir Everard Dominey. He presents himself as a changed man who has made a fortune in Africa and is now ready to return to his place in society. In order to do so, he has to contend with the numerous problems that the drunken Dominey left behind on his estate and in his personal life. 

Can Von Ragastein convince everyone that he is really Dominey? Will he be successful in his plans to help the German cause?

"The Great Impersonation" was adapted for radio by Walter Newman. Norman MacDonnell produced and directed. Ben Wright starred as Von Ragastein/Dominey. Also appearing were Jeanne Bates, John Dehner, Gabrielle Windsor, Theodore von Eltz, Edgar Barrier, Ann Morrison, Parley Baer, and Ramsay Hill. This episode aired on April 23, 1949.

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This is an HQ episode of Escape from Tennesse Bill's OTR. It is a large file, so it may take longer to download.

(Image from the 1943 Pocket Books edition.)

Suspense - A Terribly Strange Bed

In "A Terribly Strange Bed," Peter Lawford stars as a young man who finds himself in a pressing situation after winning too much in a disreputable Parisian gambling house. This episode was adapted from "The Traveler's Story of a Terribly Strange Bed" (1852) by Wilkie Collins. The original work is available online at Wikisource.

The episode opens in Paris as two young Englishmen, Henry and Gerald, are searching for night life that will entertain them. Henry is looking for an establishment with genuine character and no false pretenses. Gerald just wants to continue drinking.

Soon, they come across a place that intrigues them, a gambling house with an almost tragic air to it. Henry plays roulette and then begins a winning streak that breaks the bank.

Afterward, Henry and Gerald have a celebratory toast of champagne with an old soldier named Fabian. Gerald gets drunk but Henry demands coffee. The proprietress, Millie Prudhomme, then brings him some very special hot, black coffee.

Henry knows something is wrong, but he becomes too woozy to leave. It isn't safe to be out late at night with such a large amount of money, so he and Gerald decide they must stay at Millie's rooming house until morning.

Will Gerald, Henry and the money survive the night in their peculiar surroundings? 

"A Terribly Strange Bed" was adapted for radio by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. Elliott Lewis produced and directed. Peter Lawford starred. Also appearing were Joseph Kearns, Victor Perrin, Paula Winslowe, and Ben Wright. This episode aired on June 7, 1954.

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(Image of Peter Lawford from Wikipedia )

Suspense - The Search for Isabel

In "The Search for Isabel," a man tracks down the previous owner of his telephone number and finds the woman of his dreams.

As the episode opens, Mr. Richard Brown has just had a telephone installed in his new apartment. When the phone rings, he is happy to get his first call...but it isn't for him. The caller wants to talk to Isabel LaRue. Mr. Brown explains that he doesn't know her but that she must be the previous owner of his phone number. 

As the days go by, the calls for Isabel continue and most of them are from men. In his mind, he envisions her as the perfect woman. Why else would she have so many gentlemen callers?

Mr. Brown becomes obsessed, but it isn't until Isabel gets a threatening phone call that Mr. Brown finally decides to find her.

When he does, will Isabel be everything that he has envisioned?

"The Search for Isabel" was written by Richard Bodra. This story was first presented on The Clock on April 22, 1948, but that episode is not available. William Spier produced and Norman MacDonnnell directed. Red Skelton starred. Also appearing were Joseph Kearns, Cathy Lewis, Edwin Max, Sidney Miller, Alan Reed, and William Conrad. This episode aired on November 3, 1949.

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(Image of Red Skelton)

Escape - Night in Havana

Escape's "Night in Havana" was adapted fom the short story by Burnham Carter, which was first published in the Saturday Evening Post (May 6, 1939). Their adaptation kept the basics intact, but some changes were made to the original story.

The episode opens on a quiet street in Havana as Tio encounters his friend, the Dutch smuggler, Maru.  Soon, they realize the stillness around them has been caused by the police. Two officers stop and search Tio because he is a well known thief, but finding nothing, they move on.

Tio then leaves Maru to go to the Cafe Mosca to see his fiance, Amelia. She tells him that a lieutenant visited earlier because the police are searching for a valuable emerald that was lost by an American tourist. She warns him to stay out of trouble because they are soon to get married. Tio tells her not to worry, and that he will stay within the law.

Tio takes the lieutenant's business card and goes off to visit the owner of the lost emerald. If the reward for finding the lost jewel is large enough, it just may be worth the risk of breaking the law. Then, he would be able to start married life without having to rely on Amelia's income.

Will Tio take the risk of getting caught? Or, is he clever enough to find a way to profit from the lost emerald?

"Night in Havana" was adapted for radio by Walter Brown Newman. William N. Robson produced and directed. Tony Barrett, Alan Reed, Jeannette Nolan were featured. Also appearing were William Conrad,  Ted Von Eltz , Jeff Corey, and Jack Webb . This episode aired on October 22, 1949.

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(Image of Havana from Wikipedia)

Suspense - The Operation

In "The Operation," a man regains his self respect when he is mistaken for a doctor and then must pretend to operate.

As the episode opens, two gunmen are committing a robbery. Before they can get away, one of them is shot by the shop owner.

Meanwhile, a man named Mr. Carter arrives at his doctor's office at closing time. He tells the nurse that he left his medicine behind and has come back to get it. She tells him that he has to wait an hour for the doctor to return, but he then pulls a gun on her and reveals his true reason for returning. He wants money.  She tells him to get a job.

Mr. Carter soon realizes that robbing the doctor's office won't be as easy as he thought. Aside from a determined nurse, he must contend with the arrival of the two gunmen. The wounded one is in terrible pain, and the other is convinced that Mr. Carter is lying about not being a doctor.

Can Mr. Carter find a way out of this mess?

"The Operation" was written by Charles Jacobs and produced/directed by Antony Ellis. Mary Jane Croft and Hy Averback starred. Also appearing were Sam Edwards , Herb Ellis , John Fell,  Bill Justine, and John Stevenson. This episode aired on January 27, 1955.

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(Image from Wikipedia )