Escape and Suspense!

Suspense - Murder by an Expert

In "Murder by an Expert," Lynn Bari stars as a dancer who tries to frame her brother-in-law for the murder of her husband.

As the episode opens, it is late and Edith is about to set her plan in motion. She wakes her husband, Bob, and tells him that they are expected at an audition. Though he didn't hear the phone, he believes that their agent called and agrees to go.

Then Edith phones her brother-in-law, Jimmy. She tells him that she and Bob have been fighting and that they are likely to break-up. Jimmy tells her not to worry, he will be right over to help!

Next, Edith and Bob prepare to leave for their audition. As Bob is packing their costumes, she attacks him, and sets her plan in motion to get rid of Bob and marry their agent...

But, is her agent so hot to marry her? 

"Murder by an Expert" was written by John Shaw and produced/directed by William Spier. Lynn Bari starred. Also appearing were Hans Conried, Jerry Hausner, Wally Maher, Jack Webb, and Sidney Miller. This episode aired on July 24, 1947.  

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(Image of Lynn Bari)

 

Suspense - Beware the Quiet Man

In "Beware the Quiet Man," Ann Sothern stars as a woman who decides to change her ways...unless it is already too late.

As the episode opens, Margie arrives at a bar to meet her boyfriend, but instead, she is informed that he will be an hour late. So, she calls her husband and tells him a lie that will buy her more time.

However, there is another man at the bar who wants to buy her a drink, and after a little pushing from the bartender, she agrees.

That is how she meets Lem, a private investigator. He is working on a case that involves a wife cheating on her mousy, bank teller husband. As Lem tries to impress her with the danger of his job and the violent nature of his client...Margie becomes more and more concerned about the similarities between the case he is describing and her own mousy, bank teller husband.

Did Margie's husband hire him, or is it all just coincidence?

"Beware the Quiet Man" was written by Toby Hall and produced/directed by Anton M. Leader. Ann Sothern and William Conrad starred. The names of the other actors aren't given. This episode aired on August 12, 1948. 

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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. 

. Download Suspense_1943-08-10_The_Fountain_Plays_wEdmundGwenn UPGRADE-2-OTRR 2

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.

. Download Suspense_1944-11-23_TheFountainPlays_wCharlesLaughton UPGRADE-OTRR 2

(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:

Suspense - The Burning Court

Suspense's "The Burning Court" was the second episode of the series. It aired on June 17, 1942, two years after the pilot episode of the series began with "The Lodger."

"The Burning Court" was adapted from the controversial 1937 novel of the same name by John Dickson Carr, master of the "locked room mystery." What made the book controversial was the inclusion of supernatural elements. 

By picking this particular story and author, the producers of Suspense set the tone for the series. In the introduction to this episode, the announcer, Berry Kroeger, gives an overview of what could be expected from Suspense in the coming weeks. (Little did they know the show would go on for another twenty years.)

Their radio adaptation does not follow the book exactly, but it left in the supernatural element at the end.

As the episode opens,  the writer, Gaudan Cross, is a guest in the home of Mr. Despas. He finishes a glass of sherry and addresses the people assembled there. He claims that he knows who murdered the uncle of Mr. Despas!

What is he saying? How does he know? Mr. Cross tells them that it all began after he finished his book about famous poisoners. The manuscript was then given to Mr. Ted Stevens, who works for his publisher. Mr. Stevens began reading the manuscript and opened to the section about a 17th poisoner named Marie D'Aubray, and there he saw a picture...of his wife!

How could that be? Mr. Cross will explain...

"The Burning Court" was adapted for radio Harold Medford and produced directed by Charles Vanda. Charles Ruggles and Julie Haydon.  

. Download Suspense_1942-06-17_The_Burning_Court_

Suspense presented this story a second time on June 14, 1945, but with a number of changes to the details and story. The two versions are quite different. William Spier produced and directed. Clifton Webb starred.

. Download Suspense_1945-06-14_The_Burning_Court_wCliftonWebb

Suspense - The Embezzler (Re-created episode)

Suspense's "The Embezzler" aired on November 19, 1951, but no recording of that broadcast is known to exist at this time. It is, most likely, one of Suspense's permanently lost episodes.

"The Embezzler" was written by radio/television writer Kathleen Hite and produced/directed by Elliott Lewis. John Lund starred and the supporting cast included several Suspense regulars. So, from all of those details, we do have an idea of what the episode must have been like. 

However, we now hear the story in its full glory thanks to the American Radio Theater! Using the original script, they have given "The Embezzler" a new life.  (You may recall that the ART was also responsible for re-creating the lost Escape episode "One-Eighth Apache" in 2005, which is posted on this site.)

 

 

The ART has done a excellent job of capturing the Suspense experience, and we hope that they will continue to bring back more lost episodes. 

Their re-creation was directed by Mike Wheeler and produced by Joy Jackson. This episode was recorded in front of a studio audience at Pioneer Hall in Seattle, Washington.  

"The Embezzler" can be heard as a podcast on the American Radio Theater website - AmericanRadioTheater.org. When you visit their site, please consider making a donation to their organization as a gesture of thanks for recreating these lost episodes!

Suspense - One Way Ride to Nowhere

In "One Way Ride to Nowhere,"  Alan Ladd stars as a private detective who investigates a murder at a seaside amusement park.

As the episode opens, Tom Dwyer and his friend, Benny, buy tickets for the Ocean City roller coaster. Benny doesn't enjoy these kinds of things, but he goes along to humor his friend.

After the ride is over, Benny refuses to go around a second time. Then, he notices that one of the other passengers has passed out.

Upon closer examination, they realize that the passenger hasn't just keeled over. He is dead!

But, the dead guy didn't purchase a ticket and he didn't get into the roller coaster car before the ride started.

So, how and why did he end up in the roller coaster car?

"One Way Ride to Nowhere" was written by Robert L. Richards and produced/directed by William Spier. Alan Ladd starred. Also appearing were Joseph Kearns, Hans Conried, Harry Lang, Pat McGeehan,  John McIntire, and Lou Merrill. This episode aired on January 6, 1944.

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 (Image of Alan Ladd)

Suspense - Double Entry

In "Double Entry," two co-workers learn the value of friendship when the account books come up short.

As the episode opens, Eddie extolls the virtues of bookeeping and how keeping accounts has always fascinated him. But, he admits that in the sheltered world of the office, there are limitations to what a person can risk or achieve personally.

That changed when his coworker, Sam, admitted to Eddie that the new auditors would soon discover that he had been fixing the books...for the last nine years. Sam is a mess, and Eddie feels terrible about his situation.

When Sam goes into the boss's  office to face the auditors, Eddie takes a chance on a longshot to help his friend.

Will it work?

"Double Entry" was written by Robert Minton and produced/directed by William Spier. Keenan Wynn and Hume Cronyn starred. Also appearing were Wally Maher and Jerry Hausner. This episode aired on December 20, 1945.

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This story was broadcast a second time on December 29, 1949, with Eddie Cantor and Sidney Miller in the lead roles. In this version, the story was changed to make it more of a holiday tale, but the story and the humor doesn't seem as crisp. Announcer Paul Frees introduces this episode as "an unusual story of clerical crime at Christmas time."

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This story also appeared as an episode of the Suspense television show on February 13, 1951.

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.

.  Download Suspense_1944-12-21_The_Brighton_Strangler_

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)

Suspense - Night Ferry to Paris

In "Night Ferry to Paris," a man meets a lady traveler on his way to Paris, but he soon realizes that she isn't what she pretends to be.

As the episode opens, Tom Morris is in Waterloo Station in London to begin an overnight journey to Paris. Before he can pass through customs, he meets a beautiful woman named Susan who asks if she may accompany him. He agrees, but then is startled when she quickly begins referring to him as her husband.

On the train, Tom becomes more suspicious of Susan when her answers to his questions about her life don't seem quite accurate. 

Despite all that, he falls for Susan's charms in no time. Still, he knows something isn't right.

Will he figure it out on his own?

"Night Ferry to Paris" was written by William N. Robson and produced/directed by Paul Roberts. William Redfield and Elaine Rost starred. Also appearing were Robert Dryden, Guy Repp, Brett Morrison, and Frank Milano. This episode aired on August 14, 1960.

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(Image of William Redfield.)

 

Suspense - The Dunwich Horror

Suspense's "The Dunwich Horror" is based on the short story of the same name by H.P. Lovecraft, which was first published in Weird Tales in 1929. (The full text of the story can be found online at Wikisource.) Suspense's adaptation was one of the earliest, but there have since been numerous adaptations of this story for film, audio theater and most recently, the stage. "The Dunwich Horror" is part of the Cthulhu Mythos, which is a shared fictional universe based on the works on Lovecraft.

As the episode opens, it is the eve of All-Hallows and Henry Armitage, the librarian of Miskatonic University is in his laboratory near Centennal Hill in Dunwich, Massachussetts. Professor Warren Rice is with him. They are 100 yards from the stone altar at the summit of the hill, a place of prehistoric worship.

Armitage begins to tell the story of the birth of Wilbur Whately, who was born to the strange and deformed Lavinia Whately. No one knew who the father was, but the child's grandfather, "Wizard" Whately, told them that someday they would hear the child calling out its father's name on the top of Centennal Hill. They noticed many strange things going on at the Whately household in the following years and the abnormally rapid development of the child.

When Wilbur is killed by dogs while attempting to steal an ancient text from the library, Armitage and Rice discover that he is not entirely human. Soon after, they realize that there is something in the Whately farmhouse that was waiting for Wilbur to come back and feed it...

Now, Armitage and Rice must find a formula to deal with the terrifying creature that has busted out of the Whately farmhouse...

"The Dunwich Horror" was adapted by William Spier, who also produced and directed. Ronald Colman starred. Also appearing were William Johnstone, Joseph Kearns, and Elliott Lewis. This episode aired on November 1, 1945.

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(Image of Ronald Colman)

Suspense - The Bet

In "The Bet", Lee J. Cobb stars as an artist who gets involved with a woman who wants him to kill her husband.

As the episode opens, Scott Turner tells us that he is a haunted man. A man who almost fell into the darkness a year ago..or maybe he is in the darkness now. He's not sure. These sorts of things don't usually happen to people like him. 

His problems began the day he arrived in Port of Spain,Trinidad. He first met Mrs. Ada Barton in an antiquities shop when she came to collect her purchase, a statue of the Shiva, Hindu god of destruction. She told him that she likes destruction. She told him, "That's the kind of woman I am".

He should have known better than to get involved...

"The Bet" was written James Nelson and Donald S. Ryeson. William Spier produced and directed. Lee J. Cobb starred. Also appearing were Cathy Lewis, Wally Maher, and Elliot Lewis. This episode aired on November 8, 1945.

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(Image of Lee J. Cobb)

Suspense - Wet Saturday

Suspense's "Wet Saturday" is based on the short story of the same name by John Collier, which was first published in The New Yorker in 1938. The story can also be found in the book, Fancies and Goodnights, a collection of Collier's short stories that also includes "Back for Christmas" and "Evening Primrose," which were adapted for radio by Escape. 

Suspense first presented "Wet Saturday" in 1942 as episode #2 of the series. They ultimately presented this story three times using the same radio play, which has a modified ending from the original story.

"Wet Saturday" was also adapted for television by Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1956) and the British television series Tales of the Unexpected (1984).

As the episode opens, the members of the Princey family explain what they might have been doing on this particular Saturday...if the curate had not stopped at their home. But he did stop there, and now he lies dead on their sun porch. 

Millicent Princey killed the curate because he wasn't interested in marrying her. Frederick Princey, her father, doesn't want any of the other bother this murder could cause.

So, the way around that is to get rid of the body...and put the blame on someone else.

"Wet Saturday" was adapted for radio by Harold Medford. Charles Vanda produced and directed. Music by Bernard Herrman. Clarence Derwent starred.  

. Download Suspense_1942-06-24_Wet_Saturday_

Suspense presented this story a second time on December 16, 1943. William Spier produced and directed. Charles Laughton starred. Also appearing wer Hans Conried and Dennis Hoey.

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On March 20, 1948, this story was presented as a combined weather-related episode with "August Heat" during an hour-long broacast. Robert Montgomery produced and Anton M. Leader directed. Dennis Hoey starred.

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Suspense - No Hiding Place (1958)

In "No Hiding Place," Jim Ameche stars as a husband terrorized by his wife's first husband. (This title was used for two different episodes, in 1958 and 1961.)

As the episode opens, Eddie and Sue Marshall are at dinner, happily celebrating his promotion and their second week of marriage.

Suddenly, Sue becomes terribly upset and drops her coffee. A man, over at the bar, could it be...Carl?

When Sue goes to the powder room, Eddie finds out that it is Carl, Sue's first husband. Moreover, Carl is a hostile man who blames Eddie for breaking up his marriage. Carl also makes it clear that he is going to kill him.

Eddie doesn't take the threat seriously, but Sue is worried because Carl has made these threats before. He terrorizes every man who tries to get involved with her. When Eddie goes asking for help from the law, he finds there isn't any.

Will Carl succeed in scaring Eddie away...or will he succeed in killing him?

"No Hiding Place" was written by Maurice Lee Green and William Walker. William N. Robson produced and directed. Jim Ameche starred. Also appearing were Shirley Mitchell, Barney Phillips, Wendell Holmes, Jack Kruschen, and Lawrence Dobkin. This episode aired on September 21, 1958.

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(Image of Jim Ameche)

Suspense - The Swift Rise of Eddie Albright

In "The Swift Rise of Eddie Albright," Phil Silvers stars as an elevator operator who gets to the top in an unusual way.

As the episode opens, Eddie explains that he is moving up in the world and that he won't be working as an elevator operator much longer.

Why is that? Well, it all started when he went down to the Elite Barber Shop to get a manicure from Milly. Normally, he went in for three or four manicures a week in an attempt to impress her, but this time was different. This time, he went too far and made the mistake of telling her that he held a higher position that he actually did. Later, when Milly found out that he was a phony, she gave him the brush-off.

When Eddie went back to work, he soon found himself embroiled in another drama. Two men brought a rolled-up carpet onto his elevator...a carpet that had feet sticking out at the bottom...

So, how does it all work out for Eddie?

"The Swift Rise of Eddie Albright" was written by Roy Grandy and Robert L. Richards. William Spier produced and directed. Phil Silvers starred. Cathy Lewis played Milly. Also appearing were Jerry Hausner, Frank Lovejoy, Wally Maher, and Joseph Kearns. This episode aired on April 3, 1947.

. Download Suspense_1947-04-03_The_Swift_Rise_of_Eddie_Albright_

(Image of Phil Silvers)

Suspense - Reprieve

In "Reprieve," John Garfield stars as a career criminal who is lured into a life of honest work.

As the episode opens, Steve Hannibal defines the word "reprieve". Why does it apply to him? He is in prison for murder and awaiting his execution. How did he get there? It wasn't his life of crime, it was the year he spent trying to live a straight life...

His problems started after successfully pulling off a payroll job in Chicago. Steve and his two accomplices, Murphy and Joe, took the money and decided to escape by riding the rails. While hiding in a boxcar, a fight broke out and Murphy shot Joe.

When the train stopped, Steve was arrested for the murder of Joe and hauled off to the police station. He wasn't too worried because he knew that he could get the charges lowered, Murphy had gotten away, and that his money would be waiting for him when he was released.

Then, help arrived in the form of a lady reporter who believed that he was innocent. She succeeded in getting him out of jail and into a new life.

But, Murphy was still out there, and eventually the crusading lady reporter ran afoul of him...

"Reprieve" was written, produced and directed by William Spier . John Garfield starred. Also appearing were Cathy Lewis, Wally Maher, Joseph Kearns, and John McIntire. This episode aired on May 10, 1945.

. Download Suspense_1945-05-10_Reprieve_

(Image of John Garfield)

 

 

Suspense - One Way Street

In "One Way Street" Roddy McDowall plays a young man who struggles against his uncle's bad influence.

As the episode opens, Georgie Williams is returning to his old neighborhood after serving time. He is going to his Uncle Burt's place, but only because he has nowhere else to go. His own parents were killed in the war, and his crooked Uncle Burt is his only family. 

But, when he arrives, Georgie gets a surprise--a new aunt. His uncle has recently married, and he even seems happy to see Georgie, too.

Although he likes his new Aunt Edna, Georgie knows that his uncle has an angle. He wouldn't marry for love--only for her money.

As it turns out, his new aunt has a heart condition, and his uncle keeps her medicine in the kitchen cupboard..right next to the rat poison.

Will Georgie cash in with his uncle's latest plan, or will he break away from what he knows is wrong?

"One Way Street" was written by Robert L. Richards and Stan Schlessinger. William Spier produced and directed.  Roddy McDowell starred. Also appearing were Raymond Lawrence, Jeannette Nolan, and Wally Maher. This episode aired on January 23, 1947.

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(Image of Roddy McDowell)

Suspense - Time on My Hands

In "Time on My Hands" a married couple travel backwards in time to try to prevent World War II by killing Adolph Hitler.

This radio play was originally written by Walter Black for series The Mysterious Traveler. It was performed on August 20, 1944, but no recordings of that broadcast are known to exist.

As the episode opens, Justin and Emily are finishing their dinner. When Justin turns on the radio, the news is grim. Europe is on the eve of war.

Justin and Emily can't comprehend how Adolph Hitler could have ever risen to such power. Why hadn't someone stopped him sooner? Back when in 1908, when they were on their honeymoon, they had encountered a young Hitler in a beer garden in Austria. Back then, he was just a revolutionary crank trying to sell his artwork to American tourists, but even they could tell he was trouble.

The next day, Justin's friend Orrin appears with big news of his latest invention. Justin is unimpressed, but Orrin swears that he has broken through the fourth dimension and invented a time machine! 

When Orrin finally convinces Justin that time travel is possible with his machine. Justin then decides to change history by going back in time to assasinate Adolph Hitler before he ever has a chance to ascend to power.

But, if given the chance to go back in time, would Justin handle the situation any differently? The kind of person you are dictates how you handle situations, even if you do get a second chance...

"Time on My Hands" was written by Walter Black and produced/directed by Paul Roberts. Vera Allen, Santos Ortega, Marian Russell, Bill Lipton, Ted Osborne, and Bob Dryden. This episode aired on September 25, 1960.

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(Image of Santos Ortega)

 

Suspense - Will You Make a Bet With Death?

In "Will You Make a Bet with Death" a young man bets his life against the $25,000 his uncle promises him if he can escape being murdered.

The episode opens on a summer day on Coney Island where Betty Andrews, having already been on all the other rides, buys a ticket for the haunted mill ride. She doesn't believe it will deliver the thrill the barker promises, but as it turns out, she is wrong.

After she gets into the boat, she is suddenly joined by someone else! His name is Bob Pendrall, and he informs her that he is being followed by a man who wants to kill him. Well, Betty doesn't like that--but she doesn't want to let him go, either.

So, Bob and Betty sneak out of the boat and into one of the darkened displays inside of the haunted mill. There, he explains how he made a bet with his uncle that could cost him his life or earn him twenty five thousand dollars. With only five hours left to go, he will soon know how the bet turns out...

"Will You Make a Bet with Death" was written by John Dickson Carr, produced by William Spier, and directed Marx Loeb. Michael Fitzmaurice played Bob Pendrall, Leslie Woods played Betty, and Nicholas Joy played John Destri. Also appearing were Ted de Corsia and Charles Slattery.

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(Image of Michael Fitzmaurice)

Suspense - The Devil in the Summer House

"The Devil in the Summer House" was written by "locked-room" mystery author John Dickson Carr and originally aired as an hour long program on BBC radio on October 14, 1940. (There does not appear to be a recording of that broadcast available.) Carr re-wrote the story as a half-hour program for Suspense but excluded the character of Dr. Gideon Fell, a sleuth who appears in many of Carr's novels. The short story of the version that aired on Suspense can be found in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September 1946. 

As the episode opens, two men meet on the grounds of an uninhabited home on a dark and stormy night. Twenty-five years earlier, the summer house behind the garden was the scene of a death. Now, it is all grown over...

Joe Parker, an attorney, and Captain Burke of the homicide squad, enter the old house. Mr. Parker was the attorney for the family that lived here, and he has come back now because he recently received a letter from someone...who must surely now be dead.

But, why would a dead person send him a letter?

"The Devil in the Summer House" was directed by John Dietz and produced by William Spier. Martin Gabel starred. This episode aired on November 3, 1942.

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 (Image of Martin Gabel)