Escape and Suspense!

Suspense - The Brighton Strangler

Suspense's "The Brighton Strangler" was adapted from the RKO film of the same name, which was released in 1945. The adaptation is shorter and different from the screenplay, but follows the basic story. The two stars of the film, John Loder and June Duprez, also portray their roles in this radio broadcast.

As the episode opens, it is New Year's Eve and a man and a woman are alone on a balcony. They discuss the holiday--but the situation suddenly becomes violent! Then, the curtain closes and the audience applauds.

Reginald takes his bows and returns to his dressing room backstage. He is happy because tonight is his last performance in The Brighton Strangler. His manager then tries to convince him to continue playing the lead, but to no avail. Reginald has other plans.

However, before he can get to his train at Victoria Station, the air raid sirens go off and Reginald suffers a head injury while trying to find shelter. When he regains consciousness, he is confused and assumes the role of the character that he has been performing for so long...

"The Brighton Strangler" was adapted by Robert L. Richards and produced/directed by William Spier. John Loder and June Duprez starred. Also appearing were Wally Maher, Hebert Rawlinson, and Joseph Kearns. This episode aired on December 21, 1944.

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Fortunately, the RKO film The Brighton Strangler is currently available on youtube.com and it is well worth the time to watch.

(Image of John Loder)

Suspense - Arctic Rescue

At the center of Suspense's "Arctic Rescue" is the true story of the doomed British naval expedition led by Sir John Franklin in 1845. When the Franklin Expedition failed to return after several years, search parties were sent out by the British government to investigate the fate of his two lost ships, Erebus and Terror. Based upon their findings, the captain and the 128 member crew were officially determined as deceased in 1854.

The episode's introduction indicates the intent is to commemorate the 1852 search expedition led by Edward Belcher, but the story told appears to have been based on an 1857 expedition funded by Lady Franklin.

"Arctic Rescue" is a fictional story that does not represent the events of any of the search expeditions. Nor does it represent the current knowledge of the horrific fate of the Franklin Expedition. Nor, does it accurately explain the fate of the Erebus.

Instead, "Arctic Rescue" reminds us of the grueling conditions that nineteenth century explorers endured for the purpose of finding the Northwest Passage...and mixes that together with the magic of Christmas.

As the episode opens, two men are near death and lost in a world of ice and snow near the Arctic Circle. How did they get there?

It all began in June of 1852, on a New York waterfront when the ship Jessica set sail to investigate the mystery of the Franklin Expedition. Their plan was to survey the area and then return to Aberdeen in time for Christmas. Captain Blake and his first mate, Mister Stewart, assure Lady Franklin that everything will go smoothly, but that really depends on how well they navigate the Arctic Circle in the summer months...

"Arctic Rescue" was written by Gus C. Bayz and produced/directed by Elliott Lewis, Joseph Cotten starred as Mister Stewart. Also appearing were Joseph Kearns, Norma Varden, Lillian Buyeff, Frederic McKaye, Barney Phillips, Clayton Post, and Ben Wright.

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This episode was presented a second time on January 31, 1956. Antony Ellis produced and directed. John Stevenson starred. Also appearing were Herb Butterfield, Norma Varden, Lillian Buyeff, Richard Peel, George Walsh, John Dodsworth, and Clayton Post.

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(Image of the map of Map of the Franklin Expedition and the Erebus.

Suspense - Game Hunt

In "Game Hunt," Everette Sloane stars as a safari guide who teaches an inexperienced hunter a lesson about killing purely for sport.

As the episode opens, three men leave their base camp in Kenya and head into the savannah. They are led by Jeffrey Harcross, a professional white hunter who is hired to make tourists on safari believe they are invincible hunters.  He is travelling with his client, Howard Babson, and their native Maasai tracker, Charlie. 

They soon find what they are seeking, a male lion that would be a stunning addition to a trophy wall. Jeffrey tells Mr. Babson not to shoot until instructed, but he doesn't heed the warning. Mr. Babson shoots too soon and wounds the animal.

Now, the lion is hurt and dangerous. Moreover, it is against the law to leave an animal in that condition. So now, they must go into the tall grass after the lion...

Will they come out of it with their trophy?  

"Game Hunt" was written by Gil Doud and produced/directed by Willian N. Robson. Everett Sloane starred. Also appearing were Lawrence Dobkin and Roy Glenn. This episode aired on March 16, 1958.

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(Image of Everett Sloane)

Suspense - Bank Holiday

In "Bank Holiday," Bonita Granville stars as a young woman who learns a valuable lesson about finding "the right guy".

As the episode opens, Miss Jane Evans arrives early for work at the bank. She sneaks over to the office of the assistant manager, Mr. Harold Osborne, and then makes the mistake of addressing him as "Darling". 

Harold does not like that one bit, and he immediately reminds her of the policy of the bank! True, the two of them became engaged the night before, but nevertheless, the bank frowns on office romances. So, they have to keep things between them quiet until after they are married.

Jane doesn't care about the policy of the bank, and she is mad at Harold. But, she pulls herself together in order to begin the business of the day.

When her first customers of the day arrive, they turn out to be bank robbers. In the midst of the crisis, she blabs to them that she is the assistant manager's fiance. So, they decide to take her with them as a hostage...

Can Jane trust Harold to meet the demands of the robbers and ensure her safe return?

"Bank Holiday" was written by Robert L. Richards and produced/directed by William Spier. Bonita Granville starred. Also appearing were Elliott Lewis and Wendell Holmes. This episode aired July 19, 1945.

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(Image from Wikipedia)

Suspense - Marry for Murder

In "Marry for Murder," Lillian Gish stars in a three-character story about a suspicious marriage. 

As the episode opens, fog horns blow...and attorney Phillip Alden recalls the night he met Lettie Hawthorne...

He met her at a dinner party, and though they became friends, he wasn't interested in a romantic way. So, Lettie moved on to another man, Mark Taylor. Phillip didn't like him, but he didn't really have a say in the matter.

After Mark and Lettie got married, they came to Phillip for legal help. They asked him to draw up twin wills that would leave everything to the surviving spouse. 

So, which one survives?

"Marry for Murder" was written by Walter T. Field. Ted Bliss directed and William Spier produced. Lillian Gish starred. Also appearing were Ray Collins and Bramwell Fletcher.  This episode aired on September 9, 1943.

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(Image of Lillian Gish)