In "The Last Letter of Dr. Bronson," a doctor tries to convince people to murder him in order to test a theory.
As the episode opens, Dr. Bronson is writing a letter to his friend, an account of his recent actions and an explanation of his fascination with death and murder.
He reminds his friend of a conversation they had a year earlier about the five basic checks that keep one man from murdering another. Dr. Bronson had tried to convince his friend that he was right...and that he intended to prove his theory through experimentation. His friend then tried to caution him, but Dr. Bronson was determined! His intention was to find five different people and test each one to see if his theory was valid. Dr. Bronson believed that there wasn't any danger.
Now, he realizes what a foolish undertaking it was...
"The Last Letter of Dr. Bronson" was written by Richard Kreyke and adapted for radio by Leonard St. Clair. William Spier produced and Robert Lewis Shayon directed. Laird Cregar starred. Also appearing were George Colouris, Harold Huber, Walter Kingsford, Helen Vinson, Theodore Von Eltz and Ian Wolfe. This episode aired on July 27, 1943.
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Suspense presented this story a second time on August 15, 1946. William Spier produced and directed. Henry Daniell starred. Also appearing were Herb Butterfield, Cathy Lewis, Elliott Lewis, Wally Maher, and William Johnstone.
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Suspense presented this story a third time on November 4, 1954. Norman MacDonnell produced and directed. John Dehner starred. Also appearing were Parley Baer, Howard Culver, Virgina Gregg, James Nusser, and Paul Richards.
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(Image of Laird Cregar from Hangover Square)
This story was a good and important tale that should fall under the cautionary tales category because when one experimemts with murder it can have dangerous consequences like the cynical Dr. Bronson found out. While I like the 1943 version with Laird Cregar who was in the 20th Century Fox film the Lodger and also in the Black Swan with Tyrone Power, Heaven Can Wait with Don Ameche, and Hangover Square with Linda Darnell I really like the 1946 version because it featured the screen villian Henry Daniell who was perfect for this part like his other cold-hearted performances like Moriarty in the Woman in Green (with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce) Mr. Brocklehurst in Jane Eyre (with Joan Fontaine) Dr. MacFarlene in and the Body Snatcher (with Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. The story was great one to listen to.
Posted by: Cameron Estep | January 22, 2013 at 01:47 PM