Escape and Suspense!

Suspense - The Fountain Plays

Suspense's "The Fountain Plays" was adapted from the 1933 short story by Dorothy L. Sayers. The original text can be found in Hangman's Holiday (1933) or Dorothy L. Sayers: The Complete Stories (2003). The radio adaptation added a few things to flesh out this short story for a half hour program. Nevertheless, the overall adaptation and dramatization are interesting.

As the episode opens, Mr. Archie Spiller is hosting a small party at his home. He stands in front of the new water fountain in his garden with Mr. Gooch, one of his guests. Mr. Spiller is enchanted with ornamental water, but Mr. Gooch thinks it is a waste of money. Mr. Gooch wants to discuss other things, but soon, the other guests arrive and interrupt their discussion.

As the evening progresses, Mr. Gooch drinks heavily and becomes even more disagreeable. Mr. Spiller's daughter can't understand why he puts up with being treated so badly by his own guest. No matter how unpleasant Mr. Gooch is, Mr. Spiller brushes it off.

At the end of the night, after everyone else has gone to bed, Mr. Gooch becomes even more unpleasant and demanding. This time, Mr. Spiller reacts differently, and the problem of Mr. Gooch...is suddenly gone.

He is, however, soon replaced by an entirely new problem.

"The Fountain Plays" was adapted for radio by Robert L. Richards, directed by Ted Bliss, and produced by William Spier. Edmund Gwenn starred. Also appearing were Dennis Hoey, Wendy Barrie, and Ian Wolfe. This episode aired on August 10, 1943. 

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Suspense presented this story a second time on November 23, 1944. Charles Laughton starred as Mr. Spiller. Dennis Hoey again played Mr. Gooch. Also appearing were Norma Varden and Ian Wolfe.  William Spier produced and directed.

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(Image of first edition of Hangman's Holiday from Wikipedia)

Suspense - The Cave of Ali Baba

Suspense's "The Cave of Ali Baba," was closely adapted from the short story of the same name by Dorothy L. Sayers. You can find the original text in the book, Dorothy L. Sayers-The Complete Stories (2002), or Lord Peter: The Complete Lord Peter Wimsey Stories (1986).

This episode relates one adventure in the life of Lord Peter Wimsey, the fictional crime-solving character of Sayers'  novels and short stories. The time of this particular case, in which Lord Peter comes back from the dead to infiltrate a secret organization, is December, 1927. 

As the episode opens, Joseph Rogers is eating kippers and reading the paper on a Saturday afternoon. Suddenly, a noise at the door gets his attention. When he investigates, he finds that an envelope has been left on the hatstand of his hallway. It contains an invitation and a password to a general meeting that evening--one that he must attend... 

Mr. Rogers then begins meticulous preparations for his evening out. Why would he need to go to so much trouble?

"The Cave of Ali Baba" was adapted for radio by Peter Lyon, directed by Robert Lewis Shayon, and produced by William Spier. Bernard Herrmann did the score. Berry Kroeger was the announcer.

Stage actor/director/writer/producer Romney Brent starred as Peter Wimsey, and also appearing, was an unusual group of actors that did not normally appear on Suspense. Perhaps they were chosen by Brent for this performance. They are a collection of Broadway stage actors and silent/early film performers: William Malten, Ara Gerald, Cathleen Cordell, Victor Beecroft, Roland Bottomley, J.W. Austin, William Podmoor, and Ian Martin. This episode aired August 19, 1942.

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Romney Brent later appeared in a couple of episodes of the Suspense television series, The Cask of Amontillado (1949) and All Hallows Eve (1952). Like Brent, some of the other actors in this episode went on to work in early television: