Escape and Suspense!

Escape - Conquerer's Isle

Escape's "Conquerer's Isle" begins with a burst of organ music and then draws us into the story of a lost Navy bomber crew in the South China Sea during WWII. Their plane is damaged, lost in a typhoon, and then forced to make an emergency landing on a small uncharted island.

Not long after they land the three Navy flyers are greeted by one of the island's residents, Dr. Grove, who takes them to a mysterious elevator. They don't want to accompany him, but he insists. Dr. Grove then leads them down into a wondrous underground city that belongs to a civilization of advanced human beings. Their community is one of advanced learning and evolved understanding. It is populated by humans who have been drawn to the island by telepathy. They are "the next stage" of evolution and their underground realm is where they study, build, and prepare for the day when their numbers are large enough to take over the Earth. At that point, they will become the "friendly guardians" of the rest of humanity. The Navy flyers trapped in this world are now their pets.

"Conquerer's Isle" was written by Nelson Bond and adapted for radio by John Dunkel. It was produced and directed by Norman McDonald. Dr. Grove was played by Bill Johnstone. Lieutenant Brady was played by David Ellis and Dr. Gorham was played by Ted von Eltz. Special music was arranged and played by Ivan Ditmars. This episode aired on March 5, 1949.

.  Download Escape.1949.03.05.Conquerors_ Isle.mp3

(Image from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - A Passenger to Bali

Escape's "A Passenger to Bali" begins in a Shanghai harbor onboard a freighter named The Roundabout. The ship is about to depart when a man named Mr. Walkes convinces the captain to allow him to purchase passage to Bali. The Reverand Mr. Walkes is a Dutch missionary bound for Bali to distribute bibles and religion. Captain English allows him to travel on The Roundabout although technically, the freighter isn't supposed to take on passengers.

Soon afterwards, Captain English realizes he has made a horrible mistake. Manipulative, drunken, and murderous, Mr. Walkes slowly takes control of the ship by purposely inciting trouble between the British officers and the Kanaka crew. 

When the ship arrives in Bali they learn that Mr. Walkes is an anarchist, unwelcome in any port in Indonesia. Everywhere Mr. Walkes has gone, he has caused trouble. No port will allow him to land. Now The Roundabout is doomed to wander from port to port with an evil passenger who can never disembark.

"A Passenger to Bali" was based on the short novel by Ellis St. Joseph. It was adapted for Escape by Norman McDonald, who also directed this episode. John Dehner played Captain English and Lou Merrill played the Rev. Mr. Walkes. This episode aired on December 10, 1950.

. Download Escape.1950.12.10_A_Passenger_to_Bali.mp3

"A Passenger to Bali" had been performed years earlier as an hour long episode by The Mercury Theatre on the Air on November 13, 1938. Their version was produced and directed by Orson Welles, who also appeared in the role of the Rev. Mr. Walkes. The hour-long version delves deeper into the details of the story and it is an hour of radio theater that is definitely worth the time.

.  Download MT1938-11-13-APassengerToBali.mp3

(Image of Southeast Asia from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - The Untouchable

In Escape's "The Untouchable," a hypochondriac on a business trip in India becomes convinced that he has contracted leprosy. Like deadly snakes and poets, leprosy was a subject used more than once by Escape. This episode delves into the terror of the disease, a terror that has plagued humankind from our earliest history.

The story begins with Fred McGallister, an American construction engineer on assignment in India. With him in Delhi are Henry Rydell, a hypochondriacal chemical engineer from Ohio, and Henry's wife, Prudence.  Fred needs this job to be successful, and he pushes Henry to get over his fear of germs for the sake of their work. When they take a side trip to Bombay, Henry spirals out of control after a begging leper touches him on the arm. He refuses to believe that the disease is not highly contagious and that he is not infected. In the end, Henry's hysterical fear of leprosy is the real danger.

"The Untouchable" stars John Dehner as Fred, Parley Baer as Henry and Joan Danton as Prudence. The story was written by James Leal Henderson. This episode aired September 27, 1953.

.   Download Escape.1953.09.27_Untouchable.mp3

(Image of Medieval leper's bell from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - Crossing Paris

Escape's "Crossing Paris" takes place during the Nazi occupation of France. It isn't so much a war story as it is a suspense story about two men who have to cross Paris on an icy winter night without getting caught by the German police. Food rationing is in effect and they are carrying four suitcases containing a slaughtered pig that is worth a fortune on the black market. The main character, Martin, makes his living this way but not his new assistant, Grandgil, whom he had only met earlier that day. Out of the compassion felt during hard times, Martin had asked Grandgil to join him on this job to earn 450 francs, but as the night passes he soon regrets his goodwill. Grandgil is difficult, dishonorable, and condescending from the start. Martin is non-confrontational at first, but as the truth about Grandgil comes to light, their trek together takes a bleak turn.

Escape's radio-play was adapted by John Meston from the 1950 short story "Crossing Paris" by the French novelist Marcel Ayme (1902-1967.) Their version stays close to the original work but makes a few changes at the end. Ayme's story is available in English in the anthology Stories in the Modern Manner (1953). In 1956, the short story was the basis for the movie La Traversee de Paris, but the movie version was a comedy with a happy ending. In 1957 Escape's radio-play was performed again for an episode of Suspense.

"Crossing Paris" starred Jay Novello and William Conrad. It also featured Howard McNear, Barney Phillips, Edgar Barrier, Vivi Janiss and Paul Frees.  Unfortunately, none of the actors have convincing French accents. This episode aired on August 25, 1950.

Download Escape.8.25.1950_Crossing_Paris.mp3

Suspense's version made a few changes and has better French accents. It starred Hans Conried, John Dehner, Ted Di Corsia, Joe Di Santis, and Paul Dubov. This episode aired on June 2, 1957.

Download Suspense.06.02.1957.Crossing_Paris.mp3

(Image from Morguefile.com)

Escape - The Invader

"The Invader" is a simple science fiction tale from 1953, but it still holds up as one of Escape's best episodes. It shares some strong similarities to The Twilight Zone's 1961 episode "The Invaders" and to an X Minus One episode from 1956 called "Pictures Don't Lie" but neither has the wit of Escape's story.

"The Invader" begins with an atomic bomb test in the Nevada desert. The explosion is observed by a space ship on its way to visit the Earth carrying the advance guard of a more evolved race. These beings already know a few things about human beings and the Earth, and they seem irked that their superiors stuck them with an exploration mission to such a tedious and primitive planet.

We then meet Mr. Albert Tanner and his wife Martha. Mr. Tanner is a genius trapped in a lousy job teaching high school chemistry in La Mirada, California. He finally catches a break in life when he accidentally makes contact with the incoming space ship on his radio set. His wife then makes hysterical phone calls to the police and the army about the space men her husband talks to on his radio.

"The Invader" was directed by Antony Ellis and written by Michael Gray. It starred Howard McNear as Albert Tanner, Fay Baker as Martha, and Edgar Barrier as the Commander. Also appearing were Paul Frees, Peter Leeds, Bill Bissell and LeRoy Leonard.

.  Download Escape_1953.03.29_ The Invader.mp3 

Here also is X Minus One's similar story, "Pictures Don't Lie."

.   Download xmn1.1956.10.24_Pictures_Don't_Lie.mp3

(Image from Morguefile.com)

Escape - The Abominable Snowman

Escape's "Abominable Snowman" begins in Darjeeling, India as three men are about to embark on an expedition to capture one of the Yeti, the mysterious creatures reported by mountain climbing expeditions in the Himalayas since the early Twentieth Century. They hire a sherpa guide named Nasang who claims to have seen one. We learn from Nasang that the Yeti, also called the "Metoh-Kangmi", have evil faces. They sometimes leap and sometimes they run in great strides. He warns them that trying to capture one "will be a difficult thing."

The three Americans--Alan, Frank and Lane--are determined to capture a Yeti for their research into prehistoric animals. After four weeks of travel from Darjeeling, they arrive at the Rongbuk Monastery to interview with the lama. He grants them access on the condition that they do not kill anything on the mountain. Nasang informs them that he is unable to hire any porters for their expedition because the locals are afraid of upsetting the Yeti, who are cannibals. So, the four men start climbing Mt. Everest on their own. One by one, their small expedition faces the challenges of the mountain and an Abominable Snowman.

This episode was written and directed by Antony Ellis for Escape. It starred William Conrad as Lane, Anthony Berrett, Hy Averback, Jack Kruschen, and Edgar Barrier. Escape presented "The Abominable Snowman" on September 13, 1953. It is not to be confused with the 1957 British horror movie The Abominable Snowman.

.  Download Escape.1953.09.13.Abominable_ Snowman.mp3

The World Adventurer's Club was an early radio program from the 1930's that presented the adventure stories of its members, a seasoned group of daredevil gentleman and cosmopolites.

Sometimes these tales are pretty fantastic, but the episode "Hairy Wild Man" is just absurd. It begins as a Yeti story, but then becomes a story about a crazed Darwinist who kidnaps two missionaries in Mongolia to mate them with monkeys. Instead of looking for the "missing link," he wants to create one.

None of this rattles the sophisticates of the World Adventurer's Club one bit. After the story, they resume their brandy and cigars while their club quartet sings another hymnal.

"Hairy Wild Man" aired on December 20, 1932.   

.  Download wadv.1932.ep020_Hairy_Wild_Man_20.mp3

(Image of Mount Everest and the Rongbuk Monastery from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - The Return

"The Return" demonstrates the necessity of struggle and the value of imperfection. It may remind you of the Twilight Zone episode "Number 12 Looks Just Like You" (1/24/1964) but without the emphasis on physical beauty. If you disliked the outcome of that episode, then you will like "The Return" which took the opposite route. The story begins with a freighter arriving at an Arab port. On board is a passenger named Mr. Reecer, a world-weary man seeking an escape from the troubles of mankind. He doesn't really believe there is a place where there is no struggle, doubt, fear, or greed but he asks, rhetorically, "show me the place."

Reecer gets what he asks for by way of a mysterious blind beggar who takes him through a wall to a world of perfection. Upon his arrival he meets the guide who will help him prepare for "The Processing" that will make Reecer a permanent resident of this beautiful community. He meets Angela, his perfect love and then Lar, his perfect best friend. As Reecer soon finds out, struggle has its worth and perfection can be "insidious."

"The Return" was written by screenwriter Kathleen Hite, a writer on the television series Gunsmoke as well as on numerous other shows. It was produced by Norman MacDonnell who was one of the creators of the radio series Gunsmoke. Escape aired this story first on November 9, 1952, and again on April 1, 1954, both with Lawrence Dobkin in the lead role. Here is the first presentation which starred Lawrence Dobkin, Edgar Barrier, Jeanne Bates, Paul Dubov, Tom McKee, and Paul Frees.

Download Escape.1952.11.09.The_Return.mp3

(Image from MorgueFile)

Escape - The Game

Escape's "The Game" involves two young men, a bottle of whisky and a game of Russian roulette. It appears to be a cautionary tale based on some unnamed true story or urban legend. We don't find out what or who inspired this episode but that doesn't diminish the impact. Escape presented this episode in 1953, but apparently the lure of the game continues.

In "The Game" one of the young men reads about Russian roulette and taunts the other into playing it. Today, there is a contemporary urban legend about the movie The Deer Hunter that warns that the movie is responsible for inspiring a number of "unplanned suicides" from Russian roulette. But that urban legend is based on fact. One step beyond that is the true story of the guy who didn't realize that Russian roulette has to be played with a revolver and not with a semi-automatic pistol.

"The Game" was an unusual choice for Escape. This story, written by Antony Ellis, was better suited for Suspense. It lacks the high adventure and exotic locations that Escape was supposed to deliver to its audience. Instead, it is set in Anytown, U.S.A. and the story drives home a message about guns and alcohol. The entire episode is a tense dialogue between the two young men, and listening to this story will probably make you wince and remember all of the dumb things you did when you were young.

Although different from their usual fare, this episode lived up to Escape's standards for story-telling. Two years later, this radio-play was presented on Suspense with minor differences, but both versions are good.

Escape's version of "The Game" aired on August 30, 1953. The ending of the broadcast is clipped so the names of the two actors and narrator aren't given.

Download Escape.1953.08.30.The_ Game.mp3

Suspense's version of "The Game" stars Gil Stratton and Sam Edwards. John Dehner was the narrator. It aired on March 15, 1955.

Download suspense.1955.03.15. The_ Game.mp3

(Images from Morguefile.com and Amazon.com)

Escape - The Running Man

Escape's "The Running Man" is a tale about a Caribbean plantation owner named Owen who likes to gamble and live fast. He is indebted to the local casino owner through gambling losses but wants to keep playing. He is involved with Selena, the local voodoo priestess, although everyone has warned him to stay away.

The story is set in the port of Tela, Honduras. Owen's friend, Mr. Loomis, works for the fruit company that ships bananas from the local plantations. He lends Owen money and tries to convince him to change, but Owen doesn't listen.

When Mr. Loomis introduces Owen to a new arrival named Betty, he falls for her in a snap. Owen agrees to stop gambling when Betty asks him to, but his circumstances soon change. At home he finds Selena in his living room hovering over seven candles, three ripped-up chickens and a lots of blood. She has bestowed upon him the "Curse of Fortune" and now he can't lose.

As it turns out, Selena's curse isn't as damaging as his own greed.

The radio-play was written by Herb Purdham and stars Vic Perrin. Also appearing are Michael Ann Barrett, Jeanne Bates, Ralph Moody, Don Diamond, Barney Philips, and Byron Kane. This episode aired on November 2, 1952.

The fictional "American Fruit Company" appears to be based on the monopolistic United Fruit Company. Its subsidiary, the Tela Railroad Company, built the railroads to the port and controlled the banana plantations for many years.

Download escape.11.02.1952. The Running Man.mp3

(Image from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - The Thirteenth Truck

"The Thirteenth Truck" is a suspenseful World War II story set in North Africa and it rates as one of Escape's all around best episodes.

The story is narrated by Captain Paul Brown, the only American in an Allied group of six desert commandos who specialize in sabotage. His job is to lead them on a mission across Nazi lines to find and then destroy a hidden airbase.

They start out from their headquarters at El Kabrit, Libya, circle Tobruk and head into Nazi territory with a truckfull of dynamite. Their plan is to wait for a convoy of Nazi trucks to come along so they can join in and follow them into the hidden airbase.

"The Thirteenth Truck" was adapted for radio by Gus Bayz, from the story of Captain Douglas M. Smith, as told to Cecil Carnes. A story called "We Dynamite a Nazi Airfield" by Smith appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1943, and he is the author of American Guerilla Fighting Behind Enemy Lines (1943). Smith is also one of the authors listed in the book Combat: European Theater, World War II (1958). This broadcast starred Hy Averback as Captain Brown and Richard Peel as the seargent. Alistair Duncan, Charlie Lung, Alec Harford and Jack Kruschen also appeared.

Escape presented this episode on August 16, 1953.

Download Escape.53.08.16_The_Thirteenth_Truck.mp3

Escape - Something for Nothing

Escape's "Something for Nothing" is a story about a "handsome, ruthless gambler" named Gil Devon who witnesses a murder and then blackmails his way into bigger and better things. The point of the story is that it isn't possible to get something for nothing. In one way or another, you have to pay.

"Something for Nothing" is based on a 1950 novel by H. Vernor Dixon and was adapted for radio by screenwriter Silvia Richards. The book and the radio version aren't exactly the same because the story had to be abbreviated for a half hour show. As a result, Escape's version of the story has aged better than the book.

The story is set in the fictional town of Bayside, California, which seems similar to a number of wealthy communities along the coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles. People there are either rich or trying to get rich, and everyone drinks too many highballs.  Belle Gassner is the mousy but murderous housewife that Gil blackmails and then becomes involved with. In the book, Gil is involved with three women, but on radio they only had enough time for two. The alcoholic teenage girl he hooks up with is left out, as well as the homosexual backstory on Belle's murdered husband.

This episode aired on April 28, 1950 and starred William Conrad as Gil, Ann Morrison as Belle, Frances Chaney as Miss Price.

As it advises on the back cover of the book, "Take a deep breath - then start it."

Download Escape.1950.04.28_Something_for_Nothing.mp3   

Escape - A Shipment of Mute Fate

Escape loved stories that involved deadly snakes, and "A Shipment of Mute Fate" was one of their favorites. This radioplay was broadcast four times, each with a different cast. In this story, a South American Bushmaster is accidentally let loose on a passenger ship traveling from Caracas, Venezuela to New York City. The passengers panic and the crew desperately tries to find the killer snake, but in the end, a mother's love saves everyone from danger. Depending on how sensitive you are, this story may have you in tears.

The Latin name of the South American Bushmaster is Lachesis Muta (also Lachesis Mutus), which translates to "mute fate." Lachesis was the name of the Greek fate who assigned the length of a man's life and Muta was the Roman goddess of silence. The designation of muteness is in reference to the snake's tail, which rattles like a rattlesnake but makes no noise.

"A Shipment of Mute Fate" was written by Martin Storm and appeared in an Esquire anthology of short stories in 1940. It was later adapted for Escape by Les Crutchfield. Of their four presentations of this episode, here is the third. It aired on March 13, 1949, and stars John Lund, Barry Kroeger, and Lois Corbett.

Download Escape.1949.03.13_A_Shipment_of_Mute_Fate.mp3

Suspense later presented Escape's radioplay of this story in 1957 and 1960. The sound effects are a little bit better in the later versions but the story is shorter.  Here is Suspense's presentation from January 6, 1957 starring Jack Kelly.

Download Suspense.1957.01.06.ShipmentOfMuteFate.mp3

(Photo of Lachesis Muta from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - North of Polaris

Polaris, also known as the North Star or Pole Star, is always visible in the night sky and aids navigation. "North of Polaris" is an episode of Escape about a group of astronauts who travel twenty million miles to visit a post-apocalyptic planet. A small surveying crew has to spend 48 hours there, but this is a place where armies of rats have become the masters and humans are the scavengers. Their challenge is to stay alive in this dead world until their ship comes back to get them.

"North of Polaris" has a lot to say about atomic warfare and the arrogance of mankind. It was written for Escape by Charles Smith and stars William Conrad, Hy Averback, Eddie Firestone, Vivi Janiss, Ralph Moody and Frank Gerstle.  Suspense did a similar but shorter episode called "Report from a Dead Planet" in 1960.

"North of Polaris" aired on May 17, 1953.

Download Escape.1953.05.17_North_of_Polaris.mp3

(Photo of Polaris by NASA and the Hubble Space Telescope.)

Escape - Maracas

Escape's "Maracas" is the story of someone who is double-crossed not just once but twice. In this episode, a man named Doyle takes a job as mate on a freighter leaving San Diego, California. The cargo is supposed to be farm equipment and a couple of passengers, but Doyle finds out that something illegal is going on - and he wants in on it.  From there, trouble ensues. This is a busy episode where quite a bit happens.

"Maracas" was written by John and Gwen Bagni and was performed by William Conrad, Joan Banks, Ted de Corsia and Paul Frees. The character of General Topaz was played by Juano Hernandez, one of the first Afro-Latin American character actors to star in American films and television.  The same year that he appeared on this episode of Escape, he was also the recipient of a Golden Globe Award for "New Star of the Year" for his role in the film Intruder in the Dust.

This episode's big flaw is that it isn't clear where this story is set. The ship sets out from San Diego but from there none of the destinations mentioned are actual places. Given the sombreros, tequila, cervezas, and Spanish speaking residents, it appears that this story is taking place in Mexico.

This episode aired on November 22, 1949.

Download Escape.1949.11.22_Maracas.mp3

 

Escape-Leiningen Versus the Ants

"Leiningen vs. the Ants", a short story by Carl Stephenson published in Esquire magazine in 1938, was presented by Escape, Suspense, Mystery in the Air, and Lux Radio Theater. The story depicts the battle between the owner of a plantation in the Brazilian jungle and an attacking army of soldier ants.

You may already be familiar with this story from the movie version. In 1954 "Leiningen vs. the Ants" became The Naked Jungle starring Charleton Heston. In the film Leiningen has a love interest, a mail order bride played by the seductive Eleanor Parker. Leiningen spends the first half of the film grumbling because the new bride he ordered isn't a virgin - and he is. Then, in the second half, the ants come marching along to provide tension for the love story. William Conrad, who had previously played Leiningen on Escape, stars as the district commissioner. The movie went in a different direction but the radio versions stayed true to the original work.

The adaptation of this story for radio by Robert Ryf aired three times on Escape and twice on Suspense. For Escape, William Conrad played Leiningen on January 14, 1948 and May 23,1948. Tudor Owen played the role for Escape on August 4, 1949. William Conrad starred as Leiningen for Suspense on August 25, 1957. Luis Van Rooten played the role for Suspense on November 29, 1959.

Of the five different presentations of this same radio play, here are:

Tudor Owen as Leiningen:  Download Escape.1949.08.04_Leiningen_vs_the_Ants.mp3

William Conrad as Leiningen:  Download Suspense.08.25.1957.Leiningen vs the Ants.mp3

"Leiningen vs. the Ants" was also the inspiration for an episode called "Trumbo's World" on the ABC television show MacGyver.

See also: "Three Skeleton Key"

Escape - The Dark Wall

Escape's "The Dark Wall" is a cautionary tale about European car trips and the dangers of marrying someone you haven't known long. This drama about a schizophrenic honeymooner begins on a mountain road in the Pyrenees somewhere between northeastern Spain and the principality of Andorra. "The Dark Wall" may not be the best advertisement for tourism in Andorra but it does peak one's curiousity.

This episode was written by Kathleen Hite and stars Joyce McClosky and John Dehner, who later played Paladin on the CBS radio show Have Gun Will Travel.

This episode aired on July 1, 1954.

Download Escape.The Dark Wall.7-1-1954.mp3

Escape-The Vanishing Lady

"The Vanishing Lady" is an old urban legend about an international conspiracy at a World's Fair. It is also known as "The Vanishing Hotel Room."

The setting is the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris.  In this urban legend, an Englishwoman and her daughter stop in Paris on their way from India to England. The mother becomes ill shortly after they arrive and the hotel doctor sends the daughter out for medicine. When she returns, her mother has vanished!

Escape dramatized this Victorian horror legend with only a few changes. Their version is taken from the story published by author/critic Alexander Woollcott in his book While Rome Burns in 1934. Woollcott was himself a bit of a horror legend for dying onstage during a radio show, but he is best remembered as the inspiration for the character of Sheridan Whiteside from the play and movie The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942).

In the urban legend the daughter goes insane as a result of the conspiracy and ends up in a British mental hospital, but Escape's version has an odd ending that leaves you wondering what happens next.

"The Vanishing Lady" was also done for an episode of the television show Alfred Hitchcock Presents under the title "Into Thin Air". It has also appeared in novels and movies.

This episode stars Joan Banks and Hy Averback in the lead roles. It was broadcast on February 1, 1948, and repeated on January 10, 1950.

Download Escape.1948.02.01_Vanishing_Lady.mp3

Suspense only presented the original legend of "The Vanishing Lady" once. They recycled the same radio-play that Escape had used in 1948 but shortened it considerably. Instead of playing the story out, the announcer talks us through the history of the legend. Alexander Woollcott's thoughts on the subject are also discussed. The radio-play was based on Woolcott's 1934 short story and adapted for Suspense by William N. Robson. On the whole, Escape's was the better presentation.

Suspense's "The Vanishing Lady" starred Edgar Barrier, Diana Bourbon, Vanessa Brown and John Dehner. it aired on April 7, 1957.

Download suspense.1957.04.07.The_ Vanishing_ Lady.mp3

(Rev. 11/27/07)

Escape -Dead of Night

Sixty years ago Escape broadcast its first episode,"Dead of Night," on March 21, 1947.  A month earlier the story had been broadcast on the CBS series Out of this World with the same actors in the lead roles. When listening to Escape's original opening sequence, you will notice a similarity to the opening words of The Twilight Zone which came along about a decade later, also on CBS.

Escape's premier episode was based on one of the stories from the classic British horror film Dead of Night (1945).  The movie is a collection of supernatural tales, including the urban legend of "The Phantom Coachman." Its most famous segment is about a ventriloquist named Maxwell Frere, played by Michael Redgrave, and Hugo, his dummy (pictured left). Dead of Night was also one of the inspirations for the famous Twilight Zone episode "The Dummy" in 1962. Richard Attenborough's 1978 film Magic also borrowed a little from this story.

Escape's "Dead of Night" stars Barry Kroeger as the ventriloquist and Art Carney as the dummy.

Download escape.1947.03.21_Dead_Of_Night_(Audition).mp3

The radio versions of this story aren't as good as the movie!

To view a video clip of Dead of Night see: Escape - Dead of Night (First Episode)

(Rev. 02/18/08)

Escape-The Most Dangerous Game

The new movie Zodiac, the dramatization of the hunt for the killer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area during the 1970’s, includes references to the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell (1924). It is available at classicshorts.com and many other sites.

"The Most Dangerous Game" was made into a movie in 1932 and many different versions were later done for radio and television. Both Escape and Suspense broadcast episodes based on this story but Escape's version was better because they excelled at exotic jungle tales like this one. Their version stays true to the original short story, the actors are convincing in their roles and they all have the appropriate accents.

Escape broadcast this episode on October 1, 1947.

Download Escape.1947.10.01_Dangerous_Game.mp3

Suspense's version of "The Most Dangerous Game", which takes a few liberties from the short story, stars Orson Welles as General Zaroff. Welles' drawn-out performance pulls a lot of attention away from the story and onto himself and there is also the baffling addition of a loud pet bird named Zhu-Zhu that Welles interacts with - a lot.

Still, it does have Orson Welles.

Download Suspense.1943.09.23_The_Most_Dangerous_Game.mp3

(P.S. In response to the comments posted about episode, it is true that Paul Frees and Orson Welles sound very similar! For clarity, Paul Frees starred as Sanger Rainsford in Escape's version of The Most Dangerous Game along with Hans Conried as Zaroff. Orson Welles starred as General Zaroff in Suspense's version along with Keenan Wynn as Rainsford. )

Escape - Papa Benjamin

Escape's episode "Papa Benjamin" is based on the short story by William Irish (aka Cornell Woolrich). It is set in the French Quarter of New Orleans where a struggling bandleader named Eddie uses a sacred voodoo chant as a gimmick to help save his failing nightclub act. Unfortunately, Eddie doesn't take the threat of a voodoo curse too seriously.

This is an interesting story that will keep your attention. There is a moral here about what can go wrong when an artist steals a sacred work from its creators. In this case, Eddie steals then exploits a sacred voodoo chant that he does not fully understand and can not control. In the end, it all kind of backfires on Eddie.

The sound effects are good and the music is more impressive than the average episode of Escape. There do not seem to be any actual African-Americans performing in this episode but that is typical of the era in which it was made. This show was broadcast on January 24, 1948.

"Papa Benjamin" was also an episode of the television series Thriller in 1961. The short story also appears under the titles "Dark Melody of Madness" and "Music from the Dark". The 1965 horror movie anthology Dr. Terror's House of Horrors used this story as well.

Download Escape.1948.01.24_Papa_Benjamin.mp3

(Image from Morguefile.com)

Escape - Treasure Inc.

Last week I posted an episode about a doll with "a gadget" where all goes horribly wrong. This week's episode of Escape is about an island resort with "a gimmick" where all goes horribly wrong.  More than that, it is a story about greed and the consequences of arrogance.

The title of the episode is "Treasure Incorporated" and in it we travel to a lush tropical island in the Caribbean where a promoter named Eddy Gillespie decides to build a resort. The problem is Clive, the only other white man on the island. Clive warns Eddy not to go against the natural forces of the island, but of course, Eddy doesn't listen...

This episode was broadcast on January 24, 1950. As is the case with most of the episodes written by John & Gwen Bagni, it has held up well over time. Frank Lovejoy starred as Eddy and John Hoyt starred as Clive.

Download escape.1950.01.24_Treasure_Incorporated.mp3

Escape - Three Skeleton Key

If there is one thing that the two namesakes of this blog have in common it is "Three Skeleton Key," a classic horror tale about rats narrated by Vincent Price. First made famous by Escape, this radio-play was then broadcast two more times on Suspense after Escape went off the air. Based on a 1937 Esquire magazine short story by the French writer George Toudouze, the story was adapted for Escape in 1949 by James Poe.

"Three Skeleton Key" is set on the coast of French Guiana in South America.  This is a coastline that is also famous for its penal colony on Devil's Island.

Quite a bit of information about "Three Skeleton Key" is available on the Internet. You can read more about it at the One Act Virtual Museum.  The One Act Players have posted Toudouze's original short story, and there is also a detailed article by B.A. Peterson at horror-wood.com.

Rats, Vincent Price, and a lonely lighthouse...this episode is a classic of vintage radio. 

The performance of this radio-play considered to be the best was one that Escape presented on March 17, 1950. They also performed this story on November 15, 1949, and August 9, 1953, but with different casts both times. Suspense brought back this radio-play with Vincent Price in the lead role on November 11, 1956, and October 19, 1958.

Here is Escape's "Three Skeleton Key" from March 17, 1950.

Download three_skeleton_key.mp3

Rev. 7/27/07