Escape and Suspense!

Suspense - A Strange Day in May

In "A Strange Day in May," an astronaut rockets into space for what he mistakenly believes will be a routine exploratory flight.

As the episode opens, Major Thomas Manning of the U.S. Air Force is about to board the experimental craft that will take him into outer space. His assignment is to investigate what may have happened to two astronauts who went up before him and disappeared.

His wife, Mary, is upset. She is afraid he will never come back, but Major Manning tells her that he will be back before she knows it.

As it turns out, Mary was right to be worried....

"A Strange Day in May" was written by Michael Healy and produced/directed by Fred Hendrickson. William Mason starred. Also appearing were Toni Darnay, Herbert Duncan, Bill Lipton, Reynold Osborne, Bill Smith, and Maurice Tarplin. This episode aired on September 9, 1962.

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Suspense - Re-Entry

In Suspense's "Re-Entry," a first-time astronaut doesn't want to return to Earth because outer space is so alluring.

As the episode opens, Howard and his wife, Erin, are having an early morning breakfast. She tries to chat, but his mind is occupied. Today he has to fly the X-15, an experimental rocket ship, above the Earth's atmosphere and back. Erin is worried, but Howard (Pappy) tells her everything will be fine. Technically, the X-15 has tested perfectly, so there is no reason to believe that anything will go wrong.

The truth is, Pappy has fears about flying to the edge of space and back. What will it be like? Soon, he will know...

"Re-Entry" was written by George Bamber and produced/directed by Paul Roberts. Lyle Sudrow starred. Also appearing were Margaret Draper, Les Damon, Bob Readick, Frank Thomas, Jr., Robert Donley, Mason Adams, Jim Boles, Frank Butler, and Whitfield Connor. This episode aired on November 1, 1959.

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(Image of Lyle Sudrow)

The Definitive Escape! Radio Log

Hi Folks,

Dennis over at the Digital Deli Online sent me the link to their new Escape radio guide! 

They have compiled a comprehensive episode log and history of the show that is certain to impress any Escape fan.

Click below and check it out! 

Digital Deli - Escape Radio Log

 

Suspense - Black Death

 In "Black Death," Edgar Barrier stars as a doctor who must stop an outbreak of plague before it starts.

As the episode opens, the director of The Biological Institute remembers that springtime Saturday...when black death was accidentally let loose on the city. He blames himself, of course. 

Yet, how could he have known that the Institute's pet cat, Jerry, had become infected. No one had a clue...until one of the lab assistants suddenly became ill and dropped dead from plague.

After that, the director and the police worked tirelessly to track down the little lost cat who had scratched the lab assistant...

 "Black Death" was written by television scriptwriter Lawrence Goldman and produced/directed by Antony Ellis. Edgar Barrier starred. Also appearing were William Conrad, Mary McGovern, Gil Frye, Jack Edwards, Jim Nusser, Joe Cranston, and Barney Phillips. This episode aired on August 2, 1955.

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(Image of Edgar Barrier)

Suspense - The Defense Rests

In "The Defense Rests," Alan Ladd stars as an ex-con charged with the murder of the attorney who sent him to prison.

As the episode opens, court is in session and attorney Max Krieger proclaims his fatherly feelings fro the defendant, Robert Tasca. Mr. Krieger has done everything for him! Nevertheless, Robert now stands trial for the murder of Mr. Krieger's law partner.

How did that happen? When Robert was released from prison, Mr. Krieger gave him a job as a clerk in his office. Although his law partner, Arthur Hines, was the man who convicted Robert and sent him to prison...Mr. Krieger was sure they would get along fine.

They didn't.

So, when Mr. Hines was found murdered in his office...

"The Defense Rests" was written by filmmaker and screenwriter Rowland Brown and adapted by Robert L. Richards. William Spier produced and directed.  Alan Ladd starred. Also appearing were Hans Conried, John McIntire, and Will Wright. This episode aired on March 9, 1944.

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Suspense presented this story a second time on October 6, 1949. William Spier produced and Norman MacDonnell directed. Van Johnson starred.

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To learn more about the unusual career of Rowland Brown, read his bio  at Allrovi.com.  

Suspense - An Honest Man

In "An Honest Man," Charles Laughton stars as a grocery worker who steals money from his employer to cover a bet.

As the episode opens, Freddie's mother has just died...and he is glad. For most of his forty-four years, his mother has been the center of his life. Now, she is gone!

The next day, he returns to his job at the sandwich counter in Mr. Kelsey's grocery store. Freddie has been at his job for twenty-six years and his boss trusts him completely. That evening, as he and his coworker, Dora, close up the store, Freddie asks to walk her home.

He is interested in Dora, but she admits that she can't get serious about a guy unless he has a little nest egg put away. Freddie doesn't have a nest egg, but he wants Dora, so he tries to figure out how to get one.

The next day, Tom Bass, the local bookie, drops by the store. He provides Freddie with an opportunity to raise money quickly, and all he has to do is borrow a bit from the cash register...

"An Honest Man" was written by Robert L. Richards and produced/directed by Anton M. Leader. Charles Laughton starred. This episode aired on August 5, 1948.

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(Image of Charles Laughton from Wikipedia)

Crime Does Not Pay - The Second Hand Pistols

In "The Second Hand Pistols," Nancy Coleman stars as a mother who turns to crime in order to escape crushing poverty.

Lucy Minden was born and raised in a West Virginia coal mining shanty. She was married at fifteen and became a mother at sixteen. Eight years later, with no husband, she moved away to take a job in the city. All she had was her young son, Dodie.

She soon met Jeff, and the two of them tried to start a life together, but no matter what, fate seemed to work against them.

Finally, they decided to pawn their coats and buy guns. From that point on Lucy, Jeff, and Dodie became criminals on the run...

"The Second Hand Pistols" was written by Ira Marion and directed by Marx B. Loeb. Nancy Coleman starred. This episode aired on May 22, 1950.

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(Image of Nancy Coleman from Wikipedia)

Suspense - Analytical Hour

In "Analytical Hour" Jack Carson stars as a patient who creates an elaborate scenario to kill his wife and her lover at the same time.

As the episode opens, Mr. Nelson arrives unexpectedly at the office of his psychoanalyst.  He announces that he has cured himself of all of his problems. How? Mr. Nelson has killed his wife.

The doctor is not impressed and doubts the story is true. He believes his patient has made it all up in his mind.

Has he? The doctor is about to find out...

 "Analytical Hour" was written by Allan Botzer and produced by William N. Robson. Jack Carson starred. Also appearing were John Hoyt and Sam Pierce. This episode aired on June 28, 1959.

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