In "Fire Burn and Cauldren Bubble," the first night of a Shakespearean production is interrupted by a murder in the box seats.
As the episode opens, three actresses watch from behind the stage curtain as the opening night audience enters the theatre. Then, one of them spots Marcia Blair, a once-famous actress, in the box seats. She explains how Marcia Blair had been their director's leading lady, and that, after great success, she retired from the stage. Her glamour was tarnished slightly by her disappointing first husband, but after he died, she married her second husband, Howard White. He had always been devoted to her, and according to the newspaper, tonight was their one year anniversary.
Although their union appears idyllic, the truth is Marcia and Howard are worried. Lately, she has been receiving letters from her first husband! She is scared that he is still alive, but Howard tells her not to worry. Someone is playing a joke. He then leaves her at the theatre to enjoy the show while he attends to his business. How could anything happen to her in a theatre in full view of 3,000 people ?
"Fire Burn and Cauldren Bubble" was written by John Dickson Carr. John Dietz directed and William Spier produced. Paul Lukas starred. This episode aired on April 6, 1943.
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(Image of Paul Lukas from Wikipedia)
I really enjoyed this episode and all the others that were written by John Dickson Carr. This one was a great story with a surprise ending at least to me. Paul Lukas was interesting at the stage magician Ludiwig von Arnheim (whose character was featured in a few of Carr's written stories). Also the radio play's plot gimmick was used in a Dr. Fell short story. I would also like to mention for voice identification purposes the person who played Howard White was played by Alfred Shirley who played Dr. Watson on the 1947-1948 season of Sherlock Holmes and the one who played Myron Willard was Ted Osborne who also was the Man in Black for Suspense. Great episode.
Posted by: Cameron Estep | January 22, 2013 at 01:15 PM
Hi Cameron,
Thanks for the info! I'm glad to hear that you like John Dickson Carr because I'm currently working on "The Burning Court". Still finishing up the book, but that will be the next episode that I post. Thanks again! Best, Christine
Posted by: Christine A. Miller | January 22, 2013 at 01:37 PM
I heard the 1942 version of the novel with comic actor Charlie Ruggles who I thought was funny in Bringing Up Baby with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn but I haven't read the book yet I am going to read his novels soon. I also heard the 1945 version with the snide and cynical actor Clifton Webb (who I thought was great in the film Laura as Waldo Lydecker.
Posted by: Cameron Estep | January 22, 2013 at 01:51 PM