Suspense - Last Night

In "Last Night" Margo stars in a Cornell Woolrich story about a wife who is suspicious that her husband has murdered their wealthy guest.

This episode was adapted from the short story "The Red Tide" (Detective Story, September 1940), which was later expanded into a novelette called "Last Night". There is some confusion about this episode because the name of the person who adapted the story for radio isn't given, only Woolrich is named as the author. This uncertainty in mentioned by Francis M. Nevans in his 1988 biography Cornell Woolrich: First You Dream, Then You Die. He states that: "Whether or not Woolrich wrote the Suspense script himself, he seems to have fallen in love with the changes in the radio version, for that same year, when he revised "The Red Tide" for inclusion in his first story collection, I Wouldn't Be in Your Shoes, he took over both the radio play's title and its toned-down though still quite suspenseful plot."

As the episode opens, it is morning, and Jackie Blaine and her husband, Gil, discuss their guest, Mr. Burroughs. They invited him to their Hudson Valley dude ranch with the hope that he would lend them money to keep their enterprise going, but he didn't seem cooperative. To Jackie's surprise, Gil tells her that, last night, Mr. Burroughs did give them the money they need. Then, he mysteriously took the early morning milk train back to the city.

Jackie is confused about his leaving so suddenly, without luggage, and without his secretary?

Is Gil telling Jackie the truth? She thinks something very strange must have happened...

"Last Night" was directed by Ted Bliss and produced by William Spier. Margo and Kent Smith starred. The names of the supporting actors aren't given. This episode aired on June 15, 1943.

. Download Suspense_1943-06-15_Last_Night

(Image of Margo from Wikipedia )

Comments

[Michael Hoskin]

Chris Lembesis & Randy Eidemiller's book identifies William Spier as the adaptor.

[Cmillinsf]

Thanks, that's good to know. Martin Grams' book on Suspense identifies Spiers as well. Woolrich, most likely, did not do it himself, but I do think it is interesting that he liked Suspense's version so much! --Christine