Escape and Suspense!

Escape - The Young Man with Cream Tarts

Escape's "The Young Man with Cream Tarts" was adapted from the famous short story by Robert Louis Stevenson. First published in 1878, the story was one of a trilogy of fictional adventures about Prince Florizel of Bohemia and his companion, Major Geraldine. Together the three stories are titled The Suicide Club, although this story is often referred to by that title alone.

Set in Victorian London, Prince Florizel and Major Geraldine are dining at an oyster bar when they encounter an odd young man desperately giving away cream tarts. Seeking adventure, the prince and the major invite the young man to dinner but without revealing their true identities. The young man agrees to join them, and that evening, he explains his unusual behaviour and his present circumstances. The prince and the major lead the young man to believe that their circumstances are similar and that they have little hope for the future. So, the young man confides in them about "death's private door."

"The Young Man with Cream Tarts" was adapted for Escape by William N. Robson, who also produced and directed. Paul Frees played Prince Florizel and William Johnstone played Major Geraldine. Barton Yarborough played the young man. This episode aired on November 12, 1947.

. Download Escape_1947.11.12_Young Man with Cream Tarts.mp3

The story was presented on Suspense, the television show, on February 14, 1950, as "The Suicide Club." It is available on Disc 2 of Suspense: The Lost Episodes Collection 1.

(Image from "The Suicide Club" on Suspense. Copyright 2007 CBS Worldwide Inc.)

Escape - Jetsam

"Jetsam" was one of five short stories by John Russell that Escape dramatized for broadcast, and all five tales were taken from the now hard-to-find book The Red Mark: And Other Stories (1919). We've already covered the other four: "The Fourth Man," "The Red Mark," "The Adversary," and "The Price of the Head." So, with "Jetsam," we bring Escape's John Russell series to a close.

Junius Peabody is a man with a line of credit and love of drink. He had been in Australia since the end of the war, but with little to show for it except his drinking. When his father cables from England and cuts off his funds, Junius takes the credit he has left and travels around on an extended drunken spree.

One morning, he wakes up on a beach on the island of Fufuti with nothing to his name. On the beach with him is a beachcomber, who had been helping Junius enjoy his money, until it ran out. With nothing else to do, Junius takes a dip in the ocean for a morning bath. In the water he finds something remarkable, something that just may pay for his ticket off Fufuti, but the little beachcomber wants it, too.

"Jetsam" was directed and adapted for radio by Norman MacDonnell. Ben Wright starred as Junius Peabody. John Dehner played Bendemeer, Lawrence Dobkin played Sir John, and Charlie Lung played the Sydney Duck. Edgar Barrier narrated.

.  Download Escape_1953.02.08_Jetsam.mp3

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Escape - A Tooth for Paul Revere

Escape's "A Tooth for Paul Revere" tells the endearing story of a Massachusetts farmer who becomes involved with the events leading to the American Revolutionary War. This episode is based on the 1937 short story by Stephen Vincent Benet.

Lige Butterwick has a terrible toothache. His tooth has become so troublesome that it is necessary for him to leave his farm and ride into Lexington for help from the local barber. In Lexington, he finds that there is political unrest all around him, but his concern is his tooth. The barber refers him to a silversmith in Boston named Paul Revere who is known for making excellent artificial teeth. The barber swears that Revere is a wizard!

Lige travels to Boston to get his new tooth, but along the way, his experiences transform him from a farmer to an American revolutionary.

"A Tooth for Paul Revere" was written by Stephen Vincent Benet and adapted for radio by John Dunkel. Norman MacDonnell produced/directed. Harry Bartell played Lige Butterwick,  Parley Baer played Paul Revere, and Barry Kroeger was the narrator. This episode aired on July 4, 1948.

. Download Escape_1948.07.04_A Tooth for Paul Revere.mp3

(Image of Paul Revere by J.S. Copley from Wikimedia)

Escape - The King of Owanatu

Escape's "The King of Owanatu" is the story of a man who refuses to allow anyone to leave his island...ever.

As the episode opens, Mr. Remington and his first mate, Mr. Hacker, are sailing to an island in the  Coral Sea where they believe they will find black pearls. As they approach the island, they pass through an entranceway in the reef that has suddenly appeared. When they are clear of it, they find that the entranceway quickly closes behind them.

On the beach of the island is Jerome, the "resident" of Owanatu and its only government official. He welcomes them to his island, and appears gracious, but he is not fooled by his visitors. Jerome knows where they have come from and what they want. What Remington and Hacker don't know is that Jerome has his own plans for them.

"The King of Owanatu" was written by Robert Tallman and was produced/Directed by David Friedkin and Morton Fine. Anthony Barrett, Clayton Post, and Joseph Kearns starred.  This episode aired on August 28, 1954.

. Download Escape_1954. 08.24_The_King_of_Owanatu.mp3

(Image from Wikipedia)

Escape - The Man Who Could Work Miracles

Escape's "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" is a charming adaptation of the short story by H.G. Wells. If you are interested in reading the original work, published in 1898, it is available at Wikisource.

Mr. George McWhirter Fotheringay, a reasonable man, was busy having a respectable argument with the other patrons at the Long Dragon Bar when his troubles began. They were arguing about the existence of miracles, and Mr. Fotheringay had stated that such things just weren't possible because they were contrary to the laws of nature. In the course of arguing of his position, however, he caused a miracle!

After being thrown out of the Long Dragon for being a trouble-maker, Mr. Fotheringay realizes that he has suddenly gained the power to work miracles of all kinds. After turning his walking stick into a rose bush and then sending the local constable to Hades (...and then repeatedly to San Francisco), Mr. Fotheringay decides to get some help. He then visits the local reverend, Mr. Maydig, for advice about his unusual dilemna. That night, the two of them set out to use Mr. Fotheringay's amazing powers to solve all of the town's problems, but end up causing a world of trouble instead.

"The Man Who Could Work Miracles" was adapted for Escape by Les Crutchfield with editorial supervision by John Dunkel. Norman MacDonnell produced/directed and Ben Wright starred as George Fotheringay. John Dehner played Mr. Maydig. Also appearing were Wilms Herbert, Jeff Corey, Eleanor Audley, and Constance Cavendish. This episode aired on September 19, 1948.

.  Download Escape_1948.09.19_ManWhoCouldWorkMiracles.mp3

Escape presented this story again, with some improvements in the sound effects, on December 31, 1950. Norman MacDonnell produced/directed. Ben Wright again starred as George Fotheringay. Also appearing were John Dehner, Lou Krugman, Eileen Erskine and Wilms Herbert.

.  Download Escape_1950.12.31_ ManWhoCouldWorkMiracles.mp3

(Image of Tartarus Press 2006 edition)

Escape - Letter from Jason

Escape's "Letter from Jason" tells the story of an unusual bargain between an uncle and his nephew.

Jason has lost everything in life that has meaning. He left his wife and baby because he was no longer able to provide for them. He squandered his inheritance and now he is in debt. He has sunk lower than ever before because he can not stop drinking.

Alone in his cheap rooming house in a San Francisco slum, he tries to commit suicide, but fails at that, too. Shortly afterwards, his Uncle Jeff comes to visit him. His uncle offers him a deal that will pay off his debts and provide for his wife and child. What does he have to do? Travel to a South Seas island to perform a murderous act of revenge on his uncle's old enemy, Jake Finch.

"Letter from Jason" was adapted for radio by Seelig Lester, Merwin Gerard, and William N. Robson from the 1926 short story "Sunk" by George F. Worts. Frank Lovejoy appeared as Jason, Will Geer as Jeff, and Kay Brinker as Ellen. William N. Robson produced and directed. This episode aired on November 29, 1949.

. Download Escape_1949.11.29_Letter_From_Jason.mp3

* At the end of this episode, there is a short comedic sketch where Gracie Allen explains to Paul Frees why George Burns should appear on Escape. 

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Escape - A Bullet for Mr. Smith

In "A Bullet for Mr. Smith," an American agent in Europe searches for a mysterious spy.

Alan Rogers is an American freelance correspondent who has accepted a job working for the French Intelligence Office. His assignment is to recover stolen information about the development of new defensive rocket spaces in France. The government doesn't know who stole the information, but they think the spy goes under the name of Smith.

Rogers soon learns that no one knows exactly who Mr. Smith is. It is possible that he travels in the guise of a rich Englishman, or Mr. Smith may be more than one person.

When Rogers meets the Englishman whom he believes to be Mr. Smith, he also meets Mary Donnelly. She is an American, but she is accompanying Mr. Smith. Is she working for the enemy or is she just in over her head?

"A Bullet for Mr. Smith" was written by Antony Ellis and directed by Norman MacDonnell. John Dehner starred as Alan Rogers. Jean Bates played Mary and Ben Wright played Mr. Smith. This episode aired on January 14, 1951.

.  Download Escape.1951.01.14_A_Bullet_For_Mr_Smith.mp3

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Escape - Lilly and the Colonel

Escape's "Lilly and the Colonel" is the story of British colonists in East Africa and the unhappiness that engulfs them.

Lieutenant Charles Temple is in Kenya to help the military deal with the native unrest that threatens the colonists. It is there that he meets crusty Colonel Julian Abernathy and his wife, Lilly.

Lilly hates their life and all of the suffering around them, so she drowns her sorrows in a bottle. She only wants kindness from her husband, but he is unable to provide it to her or to the natives. She takes a liking to Temple and hopes that he will take her away, but that won't happen. His job is to prevent a native uprising, and it may already be too late.

"Lilly and the Colonel" was written for Escape by actor John Dehner and directed by Antony Ellis. Ben Wright played Lieutenant Charles Temple, Paula Winslowe played Lilly, and Ramsay Hill played the Colonel. This episode aired on May 3, 1953.

. Download Escape_1953.05.03_LillyandtheColonel.mp3

Antony Ellis also presented this story on Suspense on May 17, 1955. John Alderson, Ramsay Hill, and Paula Winslowe starred.

. Download Suspense_1955.05.17_LillyandtheColonel.mp3

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Escape - Flood on the Goodwins

In "Flood on the Goodwins," a fishing boat in the English Channel is hijacked by a desperate Nazi saboteur.

As the episode opens, Captain Mac and Mr. Dundas are on their fishing boat searching for the victims of a tanker destroyed by Nazi sabotage.

When Captain Mac and Mr. Dundas return home they are met by a strange man claiming to be a government agent. He wants to be taken to Belgium, but they find it suspicious that he wants to travel there in a fishing boat. When they refuse his offer, the man forces Captain Mac, Mr. Dundas, and Mrs. Dundas onto their boat at gunpoint and demands that they take him to Belgium. Soon they find out that he is a Nazi agent on his way back from a completed mission. Can they find a way to outsmart him before they reach the Goodwin Sands?

"Flood on the Goodwins" was adapted for Escape by James Poe from a story by David Divine. William N. Robson produced/directed. This episode aired on November 1, 1949. Jack Edwards played Dundas, Will Geer is perfect as Captain Mac, and Barton Yarborough played the Nazi. Also appearing were Betty Lou Gerson and Eric Snowden.

.  Download Escape.1949.11.01_FloodontheGoodwins.mp3

Escape presented this story again on July 24, 1954. Morton Fine and David Friedkin produced/directed. Vic Perrin, Ben Wright, Joseph Kearns, and Betty Harford were featured.

.  Download Escape.1954.07.24_FloodontheGoodwins.mp3

William N. Robson presented this story again on Suspense on July 14, 1957. Herbert Marshall starred as Dundas. Hans Conried, Ellen Morgan, and Richard Peel also appeared.

(Image from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - The Adversary

Escape's "The Adversary" takes place among the pearling fleet that once flourished on Thursday Island (Waiben), Queensland. It is based on the short story of the same name by John Russell, which is available in the book The Red Mark: And Other Stories (1919).

John Wetherbee, master of the lugger Fancy Free, arrives on Thursday Island and quickly takes offense at the local jest that the only honest man there...came by land. He challenges anyone to call him dishonest, and in no time, everyone accepts him as an exceedingly honest man. Though there are things about him and his crew that are questionable...

Captain Wetherbee appears to be a friend to all, but soon he runs into an old acquaintance who knows better. Mr.Selden, a former deacon, wants Wetherbee to include him in his latest "enterprise" and Wetherbee agrees. Soon however, the two are at odds over Wetherbee's plans to sink a ship carrying a fortune in pearls.

"The Adversary" was adapted for radio and directed by Norman MacDonnell. Lawrence Dobkin, John Dehner, and Ben Wright were featured. Also appearing were Alec Hartford, Charlie Lung, and Barney Phillips. Vic Perrin was the narrator. This episode aired on May 6, 1954.

. Download Escape_1954.05.06_The Adversary.mp3

(Image from Wikipedia)

Escape - Zero Hour

Escape's "Zero Hour" is an adaptation of a Ray Bradbury story about a peculiar game played by young children.

It is a typical day in the New York home of the Morris family, and Mrs. Morris is busy with her usual routine. Her daughter, Mink, as well as all of the other young children, are intensely occupied by new, mysterious game called "Invasion." Mrs. Morris isn't bothered by the game until she gets a call from her friend in Connecticut and finds out that all of the kids are playing it there as well. When she learns that the game's "zero hour" is to be at 5:00 p.m. that day, she does begin to wonder what the kids are really up to. None of the other parents are worried about it, but they should be. The children have learned the game from the Martians that are planning to take over the Earth.

Escape's "Zero Hour" was adapted for radio and directed by Anthony Ellis. Paula Winslowe played Mrs. Morris and Isa Ashdown played Mink. John Dehner narrated. This episode aired on October 4, 1953.

. Download Escape_1953.10.04_Zero Hour.mp3

According to Martin Grams in Suspense: Twenty Years of Thrills and Chills, "Zero Hour" disturbed many listeners when it aired on Escape and CBS received thousands of letters and phone calls in response. Suspense brought the story back to the airwaves two years later on April 5, 1955. Isha Ashdown and Paula Winslowe returned to play the same roles. John Dehner again appeared as the narrator. Antony Ellis again produced/directed.

.  Download Suspense_1955.04.05_Zero Hour.mp3

Suspense aired the story again on May 18, 1958. William N. Robson produced/directed. Evelyn Rudie played Mink and Lillian Buyeff played Mrs. Morris.

. Download Suspense_1958.05.18_ZeroHour.mp3

Suspense aired this story for the last time on January 3, 1960. Francie Meyers played Mink and Ginger Jones played Mrs. Morris. Stuart Metz was the narrator and Paul Roberts produced/directed.

. Download Suspense_1960.01.03_Zero Hour.mp3   

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Escape - Present Tense

Escape's "Present Tense" has similarities to "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" but takes the story in a more nightmarish direction. In the introduction to this episode, the story is billed as James Poe's "seething tale of violent death." That it is.

Vincent Price plays a poet turned ax murderer named Roger who escapes while being transported to prison. When he returns to his home, Roger finds his wife Mary and her lover. He thought he had murdered them, but clearly they had just tricked him into believing that he did! So, Roger grabs a cleaver and gets his revenge. Then, he is convicted again, sent to prison again, sentenced to death again, escapes again, returns home again...

"Present Tense" was written for Escape by screenwriter James Poe and was produced/directed by William N. Robson.  Vincent Price starred as Roger, the cleaver-wheeling poet. Also appearing were: Charles McGraw, Joan Banks, Harry Bartell, and Ben Wright. This episode aired on January 31, 1950.

. Download escape_1950.01.31_ PresentTense.mp3   

Seven years later, William N. Robson presented this radio-play again on Suspense. The peppy music that accompanies this episode is distracting and the pace of the story is much faster. Vincent Price again played the role of Roger. Also appearing were Daws Butler, Jack Kruschen, Peg La Centra, Ellen Morgan, Sam Pierce, Charles Lavalack, and Joe DiSantis. This episode aired on March 3, 1957.

. Download Suspense_1957.03.03_PresentTense.mp3

(Images from Wikimedia Commons and Morguefile)

Escape - Seeds of Greed

"Seeds of Greed" is a story about two men obsessed with retrieving a fortune in pearls from a sunken ship.

The story begins in a port city, off the coast of Borneo. There, Kenneth Brown is wasting his life in the bars on the waterfront. One day he meets Lee, a pearl merchant who wants to hire him to command a ship that he has just bought. Lee is particularly interested in Brown because he needs someone who can operate the sonar equipment.

Brown is in need of money, so he takes Lee up on his offer. A few days later they head off on an expedition to salvage a treasure of pearls at the bottom of the ocean. The only thing standing in the way of success is their mistrust of each other and their greed.

"Seeds of Greed" was written by Freud A. Nelson and produced/direct by William N. Robson. Gary Merrill played Brown and Ben Wright (the English character actor) played the role of Lee the Chinese pearl merchant. This episode aired on December 27, 1949.

.  Download Escape_1949.12.27_SeedsOfGreed.mp3

(Image from Morguefile)

Escape - The Price of the Head

Escape's "The Price of the Head" was loosely adapted from the short story of the same name by John Russell. It is available, along with several other stories that were adapted into Escape episodes, in a book called The Red Mark: And Other Stories (1919).

The episode opens in a place called Fufuti in the Solomon Islands. There, an alcoholic named Christopher Pellett has become a nuisance and embarrassment to all but his devoted friend Karaki. When Pellett kills a Chinese man named Moy Jack, Karaki convinces Pellett to return with him to his home island of Bougainville. Karaki assures Pellett that the authorities will never find him there.

Escape's version is somewhat better than the short story, which leaves you with an indefinite ending.

This tale was presented twice on Escape. The first time was on October 19, 1952, but a decent recording of that episode is hard to come by.

"The Price of the Head" was adapted for radio by John Meston. Suspense writers Morton Fine and David Friedkin produced/directed this episode. The narrator was Mary Jane Croft. Hans Conried, Ben Wright, Jack Kruschen were featured. This episode aired on August 7, 1954.

.  Download Escape.1954.08.07_Price_of_the_Head.mp3

(Image from Wikipedia)

 

Escape - Green Splotches

Escape's "Green Splotches" is about plant-men from Jupiter who visit the Andean jungle to collect radium. This episode was closely adapted from the 1920 short story "The Green Splotches" by T.S. Stribling, but lacks the humorous nuances. The short story can be found in The Pocket Book of Science Fiction (1943). T.S. Stribling (1881-1965) was a Pulitzer Prize winning author and literary maverick from the American South.

"Green Splotches" takes place in the Valley of the Infernal River, between Chile and Peru. The DeLong Geographical Expedition has been sent there to survey the area and chart it for the first time, but they receive little help from the locals.

Undeterred, the expedition goes into the large and forbidding valley.  There, they encounter Mr. Three, from a country called One.  He and his compatriots belong to an advanced civilization which is powered by radium and where all communication is telepathic. (They are also collecting specimens for their zoo, but because they don't understand mammals, they don't realize they need to collect two of everything. They just assume their specimens will sprout.)

Escape's adaptation could have been better, but this episode is worth listening to at least once.

"Green Splotches" was produced, directed, and adapted for radio by William N. Robson. William Conrad and Paul Frees starred. Also appearing were Ted De Corsia, Harry Bartell, Barton Yarborough and Jay Novello. This episode aired on March 31, 1950.

.  Download escape_1950.03.31_Green Splotches.mp3

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Escape - An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge

"An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge" tells the strange story of a Confederate civilian sentenced to be hanged by the Union army.  The short story by Ambrose Bierce was first published in 1890, and the text is available online from Wikisource.

In 1947, William N. Robson adapted this story for Escape, and though he took some liberties to fill the half-hour time slot, his dialogue and story enhancements were good. He added a scene with a deadly snake, presumably so we wouldn't forget what show we were listening to, and also added a scene with Jethro, a former slave. He presented his radio play once on Escape and then three times on Suspense. Though the script is the same in all four episodes, the lead role was played by four different actors. Most notably, by Joseph Cotten and Vincent Price.

"An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge" was produced, directed and adapted for Escape by William N. Robson. The role of Peyton Fahrquhar was played by Harry Bartell and Jethro was played by Luis Van Rooten. William Conrad and Bill Johnstone narrated. This episode aired on December 10, 1947.

. Download Escape_12.10.1947_OwlCreekBridge.mp3

Nine years later, the story was presented for the first time on Suspense. Victor Jory starred. This episode aired on December 9, 1956.

. Download suspense_1956.12.09_Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge.mp3

Suspense presented a slightly shorter version of the same radio-play on December 15, 1957. Joseph Cotten played Peyton Fahrquhar. Also appearing were Ellen Morgan, Harry Bartell, Jack Kruschen, Lou Merrill, and Roy Glenn.  William Conrad was the narrator. This episode aired on December 15, 1957.

. Download Suspense_1957.12.15_OccurenceatOwlCreekBridge.mp3   

Suspense presented this story for the last time on July 9, 1959, with Vincent Price in the lead role. Also appearing were Cathy Lewis, Barney Phillips, Sam Pierce, Roy Glenn, Norm Alden, and Sam Edwards.

. Download Suspense_1959.07.19_OccurrenceatOwlCreekBridge.mp3   

(Image of Ambrose Bierce from Wikipedia)

Escape - The Red Mark

Escape's "The Red Mark" was loosely adapted from a short story by John Russell about a French prison colony in New Caledonia. The original work is available in a book called The Red Mark: And Other Stories (1919), which also includes his better known tale about French convicts in New Caledonia, "The Fourth Man."

Escape turned "The Red Mark" into a love story, and though it is a good episode, it bears little resemblance to the original, which is a grim father and son tragedy. Earlier, in 1928, "The Red Mark" had been made into a silent movie, but with a different ending.

Escape's version centers on the relationship between a convict named Bijou (named Bibi-Ri in the original) and Zelie, the child-bride of Monsieur de Nou. Zelie's husband is a convict, but because he willingly took the job of executioner, Monsieur De Nou has special privileges and a higher rank in the colony. De Nou and his assistant, Bombiste, know that Bijou and Zelie want to be together and they have a plan to stop them.

"The Red Mark" was adapted for radio by Les Crutchfield and Manny Grotnik. Harry Bartell played Bijou and William Conrad played Dumail. Also appearing were: Will Geer (M. De Nou), Junius Matthews (Bombiste), Barbara Whiting (Zelie), and Paul Frees (The Commandant). This episode aired on February 21, 1950.

. Download Escape.1950.02.21_Red_Mark.mp3

(Image from Wikimedia Commons )

Escape - The Pistol

Escape's "The Pistol" takes place during the early days of the California gold rush and tells the story of one man's quest for revenge.

As the episode opens, Jonathan Storm is attending an auction in Sacramento. At stake is a six-shooter that he wants badly, but he is outbid by a lady. The next morning on the stage-coach to Rawhide Flats, Jonathan meets the same lady, and they strike up an acquaintance. He finds out that her name is Theresa Blake and that she is a singer at the Brass Nugget saloon. Things are friendly enough, until he mentions his brother, Dave Storm. On that subject Theresa has nothing to say.

Jonathan arrives in Rawhide Flats and goes out to the Boston Pocket claim to see his brother. When he gets there, he finds that his brother is no longer the owner of the mine and that no one wants to discuss how that change in ownership occurred.

"The Pistol" was written by Les Crutchfield and produced/directed by William N. Robson. Gerald Mohr played Jonathan Storm, Betty Lou Gerson played Theresa Blake, Charles McGraw played Bart Mallory, and Will Geer played Dan Rivers.This episode aired on January 3, 1950.

.  Download Escape.1950.01.03_The_Pistol.mp3

(Image of Sacramento in 1849 from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - Confession

"Confession" was adapted from the well-known short story by Algernon Blackwood, and although Escape made a few changes, it is one of their finer radio adaptations. If you are interested in reading the short story, it is available online at horrormasters.com.

O'Reilly has been recuperating from shell-shock in a London army hospital for several months. He has been disturbed by an inability to differentiate which beings are real and which are not, but his condition appears to have improved. On this day, O'Reilly has been invited for tea by a female friend, and his doctor feels confident in allowing him to make the trip. O'Reilly is nervous about following the directions to his friend's home because he gets confused easily and he doesn't like to be alone.

Everything goes well until he exits the underground station and walks out into a heavy London fog. O'Reilly tries to follow the directions, but quickly becomes lost and disoriented. As he walks farther and farther, he meets a woman who also appears to be lost. He follows the woman to her home in the hopes that she will help him, but instead, she is murdered.

"Confession" was adapted for radio by John Dunkel and produced/directed by William N. Robson. William Conrad played O'Reilly, Ramsay Hill played the doctor, and Peggy Webber played the woman in the fog. This episode aired on December 31, 1947.

.  Download Escape_12.31.1947_Confession.mp3

(Image from Morguefile.com)

Escape - Two if By Sea

In "Two if By Sea," Escape gives us a suspenseful love story about a husband who sneaks into Soviet Russia to rescue his wife.

Phillip Sutherland has been a Moscow reporter for the British press for three years, but now he is on his way back to London. Accompanying him is his new bride Marya, a prominent Russian ballerina. As Phillip and Marya await their plane, they are excited about their new life together but when they try to board, Russian officials refuse to let Marya leave the country. Phillip is forced to leave and his wife is forced to remain.

When Phillip returns to London, he is advised by government officials that the odds of being reunited with his wife are dismal. Undeterred, he devises a way to get back to Russia and rescue her. His plan is a tricky one that relies on the help of their friends and a small schooner named The Dawn to sail into the Gulf of Finland.

"Two if By Sea" was based on the 1949 novel Came the Dawn by Roger Bax. The story was adapted for radio by E. Jack Neuman and John Michael Hayes. William N. Robson produced/directed. John Dehner played Phillip, Barton Yarborough played Denny, Paul Frees played Steve Quillan, and Marta Mitrovich played Marya. Also appearing were: Inga Yolas, Jack Kruschen, William Conrad, and Paul Dubov.

.  Download Escape.1950.02.14_TwoIfbySea.mp3

(Image of the Gulf of Finland from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - The Derelict

Escape's "The Derelict" is a tale of four people adrift on a ghost ship in the Indian Ocean.

As the episode opens, Cora Moore describes her current situation. She explains that she was a dancer working in Singapore when she boarded a ship bound for Egypt. A few days into the journey, a monsoon ended their voyage, and now Cora is one of four shipwrecked survivors drifting in a life boat. Henry Von Keatman, Mike Bullman, and Lu Wah are her companions.

Soon they see a three-masted schooner sailing toward them. When they board it, however, they find the ship empty except for two skeletons and a fortune in gold. The four of them agree to split the gold when they reach civilization, but secretly, not everyone wants to keep that agreement.

"The Derelict" was adapted by Larry Roman from a story by Victor Schwarz.  Charlotte Lawrence played Cora.  Also appearing were Joseph Kearns, Ben Wright, and Charlie Lung. This episode aired on April 26, 1953.

. Download Escape.1953.04.26_The_Derelict.mp3

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Escape - The Open Boat

Escape's "The Open Boat" was adapted from a short story by Stephen Crane. The tale is a fictionalized account of Crane's own experience as the survivor of a shipwreck in 1897, while en route to Cuba. The full text of "The Open Boat" (1898) is available online from the Stephen Crane Society. Escape used modified passages from the original work to narrate this episode, and in doing so, preserved this story's message about the indifference of Nature towards mankind.

"When it occurs to a man that Nature does not regard him as important, and that she feels she would not maim the universe by disposing of him, he at first wishes to throw bricks at the temple, and he hates deeply the fact that there are no bricks and no temples..."

As the episode opens, four shipwrecked men are in a struggle to survive the rough ocean off the Florida coast in a small dinghy. Soon, the Mosquito Inlet Light is in sight and they assume that they will be rescued, but no one comes for them. To avoid crashing into the shore, they are forced to head back towards the open ocean. Later they drift close enough to shore to be seen by people on the beach, but no one helps them. Finally, they decide they can wait no longer, and they have to take the risk of heading the boat into the dangerous shoreline.

"The Open Boat" was adapted for radio by E. Jack Neuman. William Conrad was the narrator, TomTulley played the correspondent, Edgar Barrier played the captain, Bob Sweeny played the cook, and Dave Young played the Billy the oiler. This episode aired on July 19, 1953.

.  Download escape_07.19.1953_ TheOpenBoat.mp3

Escape also based an episode on Stephen Crane's story, "The Blue Hotel," but no recordings of that broadcast are known to exist at this time. "The Blue Hotel" aired on May 24, 1953. 

(Image of Mosquito Inlet Light (Now Ponce DeLeon Light) from Wikipedia.)

Escape - How Love Came to Professor Guildea

Escape's "How Love Came to Professor Guildea" is based on the short story of the same name by Robert S. Hichens. Although the radio-play is well adapted from the original work, this episode does have its moments of being silly instead of suspenseful. The original short story, which was published in 1900, is available online as a Gaslight e-text and is worth reading.

Professor Guildea is an important man of science. He lives in a comfortable London home with servants that he barely acknowledges and a pet parrot leftover from one of his experiments. Professor Guildea detests affection and mocks love. Yet, he does have one friend, Father Murchison, a man who could not be more different than Professor Guildea. Father Murchison is filled with love for mankind and empathy for others.

One night, Professor Guildea calls Father Murchison to his house because he is convinced that there is an entity inhabiting his home. He cannot see the entity, but he feels its presence. The invisible intruder holds a great affection for Professor Guildea, but the affection repulses him. Father Murchison believes his friend is going mad, but then Professor Guildea shows him that the parrot sees and mimics the invisible entity.

"How Love Came to Professor Guildea" was adapted for radio by Les Crutchfield. Luis Van Rooten played Professor Guildea and Parley Baer played Father Murchison. Paul Frees played the parrot. This episode aired on February 22, 1948.

. Download escape_1948.02.02_Professor Guildea.mp3   

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Escape -The Lost Special

How can a train disappear on an open track between two stations eight miles apart? That is the mystery at the center of the short story "The Lost Special" (1908) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Escape's version of the "The Lost Special" makes a few changes to the story, but it is a well-executed radio adaptation. If you are interested in reading the orginal work, it is available online as a Gaslight e-text.

The story begins at the railway station in Liverpool where a man named Monsieur Caratel, recently arrived from Central America and on his way to France, has asked to hire a special train to London.  The station agent, Mr. Bland, makes the arrangments and soon Caratel and his bodyguard are on their way.

Reports from the railway stations along the route indicate that everything is running smoothly, but somewhere between the stations at Kenyon Junction and Barton Moss, the train disappears.

Inspector Collins, an agent from Scotland Yard, is called in by Mr. Bland to determine what happened to the missing train and why.

"The Lost Special" was adapted for radio by Les Crutchfield with editorial supervision by John Dunkel. Norman MacDonnell produced/ directed and Ben Wright starred as Inspector Collins. Also appearing were Parley Baer, John Dehner, Edgar Barrier, Lawrence Dobkin, and Paul Frees. This episode aired on February 12, 1949.

. Download escape_1949.02.12_The Lost Special.mp3

Suspense presented "The Lost Special " starring Orson Welles on September 30, 1943. For more information about their version and this formerly lost episode visit Rand's Esoteric OTR.

(Image from Morguefile.com)

(Rev. 10/17/08)

Escape - The Man Who Stole the Bible

Escape's "The Man Who Stole the Bible" is set in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. It is the story of a salesman on a business trip who accidentally becomes involved in a dangerous intrigue.

As the episode opens, Mr. Cummings is waiting in his hotel room for a call to come through from his boss. He can't take the risk of missing the call, but he has nothing to do while waiting. The only reading material he can find in his room is the Bible. After initially putting it off, he finds himself absorbed in the story of David.

Mr. Cummings is interrupted when the house detective comes to look for an item left behind by the previous occupant. He is interrupted a second time when the woman in the next room asks Mr. Cummings to help her open a window. Upon returning to his room, Mr. Cummings finds that someone has rifled through his things. When he complains about all of this at the front desk, they tell him that the house detective isn't on duty, and the woman in the room next to him has just checked out.

So, what were they looking for in his room?

"The Man Who Stole the Bible" was written by John and Gwen Bagni and produced/directed by William N. Robson. Rick Valent played Mr. Cumming. Also appearing were Nannette Boardman, Ben Wright, Will Geer, Lee Merrill, Mary Shipp, Harry Bartell, Peter Leeds, and Paul Frees. This episode aired on May 5, 1950.

.  Download Escape.1950.05.05_ManWhoStoleTheBible.mp3

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Escape - Finger of Doom

Escape only presented two episodes based on Cornell Woolrich stories, the horror-voodoo classic "Papa Benjamin" and the thriller "Finger of Doom." Although Escape was an adventure series, the show was adept at handling Woolrich's noir material on radio. "Finger of Doom" was first published in Detective Fiction Weekly (June 22,1940).

As the episode opens, somewhere in New York City, we meet Kenny and Steffie. They are engaged, and their wedding is only thirteen days away. On this night, Kenny is picking Steffie up from work. They are on their way for an evening on the town, but first, Steffie has to run an errand. Her boss has asked her to drop off a package, and she convinces Kenny that it will just be a brief interruption in their plans. When they arrive at an old brownstone, Steffie goes upstairs to drop off the package but never returns. Kenny waits but then realizes that something has gone horribly wrong.

"Finger of Doom" was adapted for radio by John Brussell and produced/directed by Norman MacDonnell.  Harry Bartell played Kenny and Ed Begley played Gilman. Also appearing were Joy Terry, Edgar Barrier, Louise Arthur, Peter Prauss, and Kay Miller. This episode aired on March 19, 1949.

.  Download Escape_1949.03.19_FingerofDoom.mp3   

Suspense had presented an adaptation of "Finger of Doom" under the title "I Won't Take a Minute" five years earlier. Their adaptation is a little different but just as good overall. Lee Bowman starred as Kenny. Also appearing were Cathy Lewis, Wally Maher, and William Johnstone. This episode aired on December 6, 1945.

.  Download Suspense_1945.12.06_IWontTakeAMinute.mp3

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Escape - The Fourth Man

Escape presented several episodes based on short stories by John Russell, and among these, "The Fourth Man" was the most popular.

"The Fourth Man" is the story of three French convicts who have just escaped from a prison in Noumea, New Caledonia. The leader of the group, Dr. Dubosc, has made all of the arrangements. First they will be ferried out to sea in a raft and then, when they are safely away from the coast, they will be met by a ship.

At the helm of the raft is a Kanak tribesman who was given the job of taking them out to meet the ship. As the three Frenchmen wait on the raft under the blazing sun, their water supply dwindles and they become increasingly hostile. What they can't understand is why the Kanak who is steering their raft is not troubled by the elements or the lack of water. As "civilized" men they consider themselves to be superior to the Kanak in every way, but their actions prove otherwise.

The full text of "The Fourth Man" (1917) is available online at Gaslight and Horrormasters.com. The script of the 1947 Escape broadcast is available online from the Generic Radio Workshop.

Escape first presented the radio adaptation of "The Fourth Man" by screenwriter Irving Ravetch on August 18, 1947. This episode was produced/directed by William N. Robson and featured Paul Frees, Joseph Kearns, and Nestor Paiva. William Johnstone was the narrator.

. Download Escape.1947.08.18_The_Fourth_Man.mp3

The second presentation aired on April 25, 1948. This episode was produced/directed by Norman MacDonnell and featured Berry Kroeger, Joseph Kearns, and Jay Novello. Eric Rolf was the narrator.

. Download Escape.1948.04.25_The_Fourth_Man.mp3

The third presentation aired on July 7, 1949. This episode was produced/directed by Norman MacDonnell and featured Joseph Kearns, Ben Wright, and Barney Phillips. Lawrence Dobkin was the narrator.

. Download Escape.1949.07.07_The_Fourth_Man.mp3

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Escape - Serenade for a Cobra

Deadly snakes pop up again in an Escape story, this time in "Serenade for a Cobra."

The episode begins with a crabby, frog-voiced pilot named Monk Slavin narrating the story of how he came to be in Calcutta. He is out of work and down on his luck, yet he refuses an offer of employment made to him by Mr. Grant, the owner of a small freight company. The job involves flying between Kathmandu and Calcutta on a regular basis but, Slavin wants to make money in a faster, less ethical way.

Later, Slavin realizes that he can make money on the side using Grant's plane, so he accepts Grant's offer. The only other employee of Grant's is a mechanic named Jafar, who has a habit of serenading his pet cobra with a pungi. Slavin takes a dislike to Jafar and his music, and that dislike intensifies when Jafar questions Slavin's true motives for taking the job.

When Slavin makes his next routine flight, he also makes a profitable side deal with another employer to pick up cargo in China. All goes well until he tries to fly back to Calcutta from China and realizes that Jafar foresaw the possiblity of unscheduled flights and took precautions.

"Serenade for a Cobra" was written by Joel Murcott and produced/directed by William N. Robson. Charles McGraw starred as Slavin, Ramsey Hill as Grant, and Jay Novello as Jafar. Also appearing were Lucille Meredith, Joseph Kearns, and Paul Frees. This episode aired on June 16, 1950.

.  Download Escape.1950.06.16_SerenadeforaCobra.mp3

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Escape - Border Town

Escape's "Border Town" is the story of a man who finds a wad of money that gets him into all sorts of trouble.

The story begins with Evan, a struggling actor on a cross-country bus trip to Hollywood. At a bus depot in Texas, the man who had been seated next to him, is taken into custody as a counterfeiter.  Afterwards, Evan decides to make an overnight stop in El Paso and pick up the next bus in the morning.

At the hotel, when he reaches into his overcoat pocket, Evan finds a package of bills that the counterfeiter stashed there before he was taken away. His first thought is to call the FBI, but then he decides that getting involved isn't worth the trouble. Instead, Evan crosses over the American/Mexican border into the town of Juarez. He realizes that there is an opporunity to sell the counterfeit money there, but is the money really counterfeit?

"Border Town" was written by John and Gwen Bagni and produced/directed by William N. Robson. Jack Webb starred as Evan. (It is worth noting that the main character is never actually called by the name of Evan in this episode; however, that is the name given in the credits.) Also appearing were William Conrad as Jake, Ben Wright as O'Toole, Tony Barrett as Rice, and Jeanette Nolan as Nieves.  This episode aired on December 13, 1949.

. Download Escape_1949.12.13_ Border_Town.mp3

(Image of Ciudad Juarez from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - The Time Machine

Escape's adaptation of The Time Machine takes liberties with H.G. Wells' famous story, but it is still a good adventure tale.

Unlike the original story, which only had one time traveller, Escape's version has two, Dudley and Fowler. Dudley is the inventor of the time machine, and he invites the skeptical Fowler to take a trip with him. They travel from the year 1948 to the year 100,080.

When they arrive in the future they find themselves in an unfamiliar, pastoral world populated by a child-like race of humans called the Eloi. The travellers are welcomed, and everything seems pleasant until they realize that their time machine is missing.

Soon they discover that the Eloi are not the only race of humans in the future. The Morlocks, an underground race of humans who live in darkness, are the true masters of this world.

If you want to read the original text, The Time Machine (1895) by H.G. Wells, it is available online at Wikisource. The chapter that was excluded from the book and later published under the title "The Grey Man" is also available.

Escape first presented "The Time Machine" on May 9, 1948. The story was adapted for radio by Academy-award nominated screenwriter Irving Ravetch and was produced/directed by Norman MacDonnell. Eric Rolf starred as Fowler, Jeff Corey played Dudley and Kay Brinker played Weena.

. Download Escape.1948.05.09_The_Time_Machine.mp3

Escape's second presentation of this radioplay is better than the first. John Dehner played the role of Fowler, Lawrence Dobkin played Dudley, and Georgia Ellis appeared as Weena. This episode aired on October 22, 1950.

.  Download Escape.1950.10.22_The_Time_Machine.mp3

(Image of the first edition cover of The Time Machine from Wikipedia)

Escape - The Cave

Escape's "The Cave" is a Christmas fantasy tale about two young boys on a strange adventure. One of the boys, Dan, has just received a flashlight for Christmas and is eager to try it out. He and his friend, George, decide to test it in the large cave down by the seashore. They know that it is dangerous in the cave and that they could get lost -- but they do it anyway.  Once inside, they decide to look for treasure left behind by pirates.

As Dan and George are exploring the tunnels inside the cave, they come across a stream. There is a delicate hankerchief floating along in the stream, and they decide to track where it came from. They follow the stream until the walls of the cave disappear and stars appear overhead. Yet, they know they are still in the cave because of the echo.

Soon they realize that there are other people in the cave as well,... pirates!

"The Cave" was written by Antony Ellis and produced/directed by Norman MacDonnell. John Dehner was the voice of Dan, the narrator of the story. Also featured were: Georgia Ellis, Peggy Webber, Jay Novello, Charlie Lung, Lou Krugman, Wilms Herbert, and Eileen Erskine. This episode aired on December 24, 1950.

. Download Escape.1950.12.24_The_Cave.mp3

Five years later, Antony Ellis produced/directed his radioplay for Suspense with improvements in the music, dialogue, and presentation. Richard Beals and Billy Chapin starred. Also appearing were Hans Conried, Lawrence Dobkin, Ben Wright, Raymond Lawrence, and Ellen Morgan. John Dehner again played Dan as an adult.  This episode aired on December 20, 1955.

.  Download Suspense_1955.12.20_TheCave.MP3

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Escape - A Study in Wax

Escape's "A Study in Wax" takes place in a snowbound cabin in the northern Canadian wilderness. The story is set at Christmas-time, but it isn't a typical Christmas tale. This is a story about two coworkers, alone in the Arctic, who must endure each other's company for seven months.

As the story opens in late October, the two men watch a government supply boat depart. They have been left behind to work on a Canadian geodetic survey, and now, they are on their own until the spring. Adding to their isolation is the accidental loss of their radio transmitter. With no connection to the outside world, one of them slowly goes mad.

"A Study in Wax" was written/produced/directed by Antony Ellis. William Conrad, played Jack and Stacy Harris played Larry Kovel. This episode aired on February 1, 1953.

.  Download Escape_02.01.1953_AStudyinWax.mp3

Two years later, Antony Ellis presented this story again on Suspense. William Conrad and Stacy Harris again appeared as Jack and Larry. This episode aired on August 16, 1955.

.  Download Suspense_1955.08.16_AStudyInWax.mp3

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Escape - Back for Christmas

Escape's "Back for Christmas" was adapted from the short story of the same name by John Collier. Both Escape and Suspense presented this tale but without the gruesome elements of the original work. The radio dramatizations also added extra scenes to fill the half-hour format.

The story begins in England, inside the house of a professor of botany named Herbert Carpenter. He and his wife, Hermione, are soon to leave for an extended trip to America, where he will be lecturing.

Hermione is a shrew who keeps her husband under her constant control. She has planned every detail of their trip with precision and, to her annoyance, Herbert is not conforming with her plan. Instead, he is wasting time on a botanical project in their cellar. He is also lingering too long at the bookshop to chat with the bookseller, Miss Markham.

Hermione has promised all of their friends that they will be back for Christmas, but if Herbert has his way -- she won't be.

"Back for Christmas" was adapted for radio by Robert Tallman. Paul Frees played Herbert and Hermione was played by Eleanor Audley. As a matter of trivia, both Frees and Audley provided voices for Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. Frees was the voice of the "Ghost Host" and Audley was the voice of Madame Leota. Eleanor Audley also provided the voices for two of Disney's most famous villainesses, the wicked stepmother, Lady Tremaine, in Cinderella and the evil fairy, Maleficent, in Sleeping Beauty. This episode aired on December 24, 1947.

.  Download Escape_1947.12.24_BackforChristmas.mp3

The radioplay performed on Escape had originally aired on Suspense on December 23, 1943. Peter Lorre played the role of the professor and his rendition of the hen-pecked husband gone mad is classic. The name of the actress who played Hermione is not given, but it was probably Jeanette Nolan.

. Download Suspense_1943.12.23_BackForChristmas.mp3

Suspense presented this story for the second time on December 23, 1948. Herbert Marshall starred as the professor. Again, the name of the actress playing Hermione isn't given, but it was probably Jeanette Nolan. Betty Lou Gerson, who played the bookseller in this episode, provided the voice for another famous Disney villainess. She was the original Cruella Da Ville in One Hundred and One Dalmations.

. Download Suspense_1948.12.23_BackForChristmas.mp3

Suspense presented "Back for Christmas" for the third time on December 23, 1956. For this presentation, the script was reworked. Herbert Marshall  again starred as the professor. Also appearing were Ellen Morgan, Jack Moyles, Irene Tedrow, Paula Winslowe and Ben Wright.

.  Download Suspense_1956.12.23_BackforChristmas.mp3

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Escape - The Voyages of Sinbad

Escape's "The Voyages of Sinbad" is an abbreviated version of the tales of "The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor" taken from The Book of One Thousand and One Nights. More specifically, it is taken from the 1885 English translation, The Book of Thousand Nights and a Night: A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights Entertainments by Sir Richard F. Burton. Volume 6 of Burton's 10 volume work covers the Sinbad stories. If you are interested, the text is available online at www.wollamshram.ca.

Escape's version retains most of the original introduction to the story, although the woman narrating isn't identified as Scheherazade. The story is set in Baghdad, where a poor man named Sinbad the Porter stops to admire the stately home of Sinbad the Sailor. He is invited inside, and Sinbad the Sailor then tells his guest of his adventures at sea. Escape's version dramatizes Sinbad's fourth voyage, wherein he is buried alive, and adds part of of his fifth voyage, wherein he is enslaved by the Old Man of the Sea.

The end differs from the original in that Sinbad the Sailor generously gives the less fortunate Sinbad a place in his home and relieves his burden of poverty.

"The Voyages of Sinbad" was adapted and directed by Antony Ellis. Ben Wright starred as Sinbad the Sailor and Parley Baer played Sinbad the Porter. This episode aired on June 7, 1953.

. Download Escape.1953.06.07_TheVoyagesofSinbad.mp3 

The sound quality of this recording makes it difficult to hear some of the dialogue.

(Image of Scheherazade from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - Incident in Quito

Escape's "Incident in Quito" is a harsh but amusing story about what can happen when you give the wrong gift.

In the wilds of an Ecuadorian jungle, an explorer named Frank Harvey is struggling to find something extraordinary to bring back from his expedition. When he learns that one of the local tribes has a special knack for shrinking the heads of their enemies, he is determined to obtain a few examples of their work. Frank's wife, Edith, is the one paying for this expedition, and she is an unpleasant, demanding woman. Tired of the jungle, she demands that they leave. Edith expects her husband to follow through on her orders, but he disobeys her. Frank wants those shrunken heads -- more than he wants her.

"Incident in Quito" was written by writer and Suspense sound effects technician Ross Murray. Antony Ellis produced/directed and Larry Thor starred as Frank Harvey. Also appearing were: Jeanne Bates, Edgar Barrier, Don Diamond, Fay Baker, Jack Kruschen, and Tony Barrett. This episode aired on December 7, 1952.

.  Download Escape__1952.12.07_IncidentinQuito.mp3

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Escape - Log of the Evening Star

Escape's "Log of the Evening Star" is an excellent radio adaptation of a story by the English poet Alfred Noyes. This tale of a doomed ship was originally published in the book Walking Shadows; Sea Tales and Others in 1918. The short story is available online at R.U.R.itania Muglug.

The events that occurred on the South Seas schooner Evening Star are narrated to us by Mr. Harper, the first mate. As the episode opens, we are listening to his written account of the voyage, but it isn't the ship's official log. Harper has left his own log behind.

Mr. Harper explains that the Evening Star was set to sail on a routine voyage from San Francisco to Tahiti with 12 persons aboard. Captain Dayrell, the previous captain of the Evening Star, had died onboard three months earlier and the former first mate, Mr. Burgess, was the new captain. When Captain Burgess arrived with his new bride, the crew was stunned to see that he had married Mrs. Dayrell, the wife of their former captain. The new Mrs. Burgess, who had sailed with them before, would be accompanying them on this trip as well.

Three weeks into the voyage, the ghost of Captain Dayrell appears onboard and begins to murder his former crew.

"Log of the Evening Star" was adapted for radio by Les Crutchfield and produced/directed by William N. Robson. Jack Webb of Dragnet fame, appeared as Harper. Alan Reed, the familiar voice of cartoon character Fred Flinstone, played Captain Burgess. Gail Page played Mrs. Burgess and ethnic character actor Luis Van Rooten played Kato and the cat.

.  Download escape_1948.03.14_Log of Evening Star.mp3

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Escape - The Man Who Won the War

"The Man Who Won the War" was adapted from the classic short story written by Robert Buckner. This World War I tale about a British officer first appeared in the Atlantic Monthly in February of 1936. It was reprinted shortly afterwards in Reader's Digest (April 1936) and was also included in the anthology book, The Best American Short Stories of 1937. Robert Buckner later went on to become a screenwriter for movies and television. He was nominated for an Academy Award for the film Yankee Doodle Dandy in 1942.

According to Buckner's entry in the Dictionary of Literary Biography, "The Man Who Won the War" was based on an event in the life of a man named Cecil Brandon, whom Buckner met while in Europe. The story recounts a pivotal moment in World War I that supposedly took place on a beach in Belgium in October of 1914.

"The Man Who Won the War" was adapted for Escape by producer/director William N. Robson. The radio-play isn't an exact retelling of the original work but it is a worthy dramatization. It is an episode about patriotism and destiny. This Escape presentation also features an unusually large cast. Ben Wright starred as Commander Bradman. Also appearing were: John Dehner, Terry Kilbern, Joseph Kearns, Barton Yarborough, Jeff Corey, Ian Wolfe, Paul Frees, Charlie Lung, and John Hoyt.

This episode aired on February 28, 1950.

.  Download Escape.1950.02.28_TheManWhoWonTheWar.mp3

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Escape - Danger at Matecumbe

Escape's "Danger at Matecumbe" begins at the Miami city limits. There we meet a guy named Joe, who has just been politely escorted to the edge of town by the police. He is a bit down-on-his-luck and the police would like him to go elsewhere. As Joe is hitching his way north of Miami, he has a chance encounter with a famous author named William Res. Suddenly, his luck changes. Mr. Res offers Joe a job making personal appearances for him, but it requires returning to Miami. Joe accepts because he needs the money and because he is fascinated by Mr. Res' girlfriend, Henda.

Not long after he starts his new job, Joe realizes he hasn't just taken on all of the author's perks, but all of his problems as well.

"Danger at Matecumbe" was written for Escape by the husband and wife writing team of John and Gwen Bagni. Frank Lovejoy starred as Joe, Marie Windsor as Henda, and Ted de Corsia as Mr. Res.

This episode aired on March 24, 1950.

.  Download Escape_1950.03.24_DangeratMatecumbe.mp3

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Escape - The Birds

Long before Alfred Hitchcock chose to bring The Birds to theaters in 1963, Lux Radio Theater and Escape both presented it on the airwaves. Escape's adaptation was the one that remained the closest to the original story written by Daphne du Maurier.

"The Birds" explores a situation wherein creatures that would normally be harmless, suddenly group together and become frenzied and deadly. Escape had already presented this kind of nature horror story with great success in "Leiningin vs. the Ants" and "Three Skeleton Key."

The story is set in England on the Cornish coast sometime after WWII. The narrator is a man named Nat who lives in a farmhouse with his wife and two small children. One night he is awakened by a bird tapping on his bedroom window. He assumes that it is just trying to get in the house because it is confused, but soon there are more.

"The Birds" was adapted for radio by Robert Wright from the 1952 short story by Daphne du Maurier. It was directed by Norman MacDonnell and starred Ben Wright and Virginia Gregg. John Dehner, Ann Morrison, Ann Whitfield, and John Dodsworth also appeared. This episode aired on July 10, 1954.

.  Download Escape_1954.07.10_TheBirds.mp3

Lux Radio Theater had presented "The Birds" a year earlier on July 20, 1953. Their version was an hour-long episode that starred Herbert Marshall in the lead role. Their longer format made it possible to add more story details and a wider range of sound effects. In some ways, Lux's was the better version because it had the time to fully demonstrate the clausterphobic mood of the story.

.  Download Lux_1953.07.20_TheBirds.mp3

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Escape - Taboo

Escape's "Taboo" is a story about the ancient fears of werewolves among the people who dwell in the mountains and forests of eastern Hungary. The radioplay was based on the 1939 short story "Taboo" by British author Geoffrey Household (1900-1988).

Three tourists to a small village named Zweibergen in the Carpathian mountains become involved in a mystery. A few of the local men have disappeared in the forest and the villagers believe that they were killed by a prowling werewolf.

Escape's version of "Taboo" is a cross between a Hungarian werewolf tale and a British murder mystery. The radioplay was written by John Dunkel and though he did a good job of creating a script from the original work, you may feel that there is something missing. That is because the radioplay only makes subtle references to the reason why this episode is called "Taboo."

The short story is not really about werewolves. It is about coping with profound shock and the effect that shock can have on the mind and body. So why is this episode called "Taboo?" Cannibalism. (The meat everyone ate wasn't venison.) This is a story about the horror that results from breaking a taboo.

"Taboo" was produced/directed by William N. Robson. Paul Frees is excellent in the role of Dr. Shiravieff. Morgan Farley played Richard Vaughn. This episode aired on December 3, 1947.

. Download Escape.1947.12.3_Taboo.mp3

(Image from Wikimedia Commons )

Escape - Ancient Sorceries

Escape's "Ancient Sorceries" is based on the short story of the same name by Algernon Blackwood, a writer who was famous for his tales of horror and the supernatural. The story was adapated for radio by Les Crutchfield, who changed and abbreviated it considerably to fit within a half-hour program. In the radio version, the main character's name is changed to Arthur Llewellyn, and the setting is a remote part of Wales, rather than France. Escape's version is good, but it is worth the time to read the short story. The text of "Ancient Sorceries" can be found on the Algernon Blackwood page at www.HorrorMasters.com.

As the episode opens, Mr. Llewellyn is on a train on his way to London. He impulsively decides to get off and spend the night in a small, Welsh village named Malton, despite the warning from his fellow passenger. He takes a room at the local inn, and to his surprise, they seem to have been expecting him. Mr. Llewellyn soon becomes involved with innkeeper's daughter, Ilse, and discovers the strange world of the townspeople and what they do in their secret lives.

"Ancient Sorceries" starred Paul Frees as Arthur Llewellyn, Kay Brinker as Ilse, Ann Morrison as Madame, and William Conrad as the Doctor and the announcer. This episode was produced by William N. Robson and directed by Norman MacDonnell. It aired on February 15, 1948.

.  Download escape.1948.2.15_ Ancient Sorceries.mp3

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Escape - I Saw Myself Running

Escape's "I Saw Myself Running" is a spellbinding episode about a woman named Susan who is plagued by a recurring nightmare. At first she knows that she is dreaming, but later the line between dream and reality becomes blurred.

In her nightmare, Susan meets a child-like woman who lives in constant terror. This woman has to live within Susan's dreams night after night and experience all of Susan's fears. Susan can wake up to escape all of the frightening things in her dreamworld, but this woman is trapped. When the other woman gets the chance to be the one to wake up, she takes it.

"I Saw Myself Running" was written and directed by Antony Ellis and starred Georgia Ellis as Susan and Sammy Hill as Sue. John Stevenson and Edgar Barrier also appeared. This episode aired on February 22, 1953.

.  Download Escape.1953.02.22_I_Saw_Myself_Running.mp3

The same radioplay was also performed on Suspense with almost all of the same actors appearing in the same roles. The only difference was that Charlotte Lawrence played the role of Susan. Suspense's version was also produced and directed by Antony Ellis. It aired on May 24, 1955.

.  Download Suspense.1955.05.24_ISawMyselfRunning.mp3

(Image of The Nightmare (1802) by Johann Heinrich Fussli from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - The Red Forest

"The Red Forest" is one of Escape's better tales of epic adventure.The story begins on a mountain road in the Idaho wilderness where Wally Pindell is driving towards Montana. Along the way he picks up a female hitch-hiker named Jan. They notice an ominous glow in the distance, but they don't know what it is until they reach a road block. A ranger explains to them that a forest fire is burning out of control and it isn't possible to go any farther. Wally and Jan are then pressed into service to help fight the fire. Somehow, they have to escape the deadly forest and make their way to safety.

"The Red Forest" was written by Antony Ellis and produced/directed by William N. Robson. This story was presented twice with William Conrad in the role of Wally and Georgia Ellis as Jan. The casting of the support roles in the two versions includes many of Escape's regular performers. The story aired the first time on August 11, 1950, with Paul Frees, Ben Wright, Jay Novello, and Will Geer.

.  Download Escape.1950.08.11_Red_Forest.mp3

Escape presented this story again with Parley Baer, John Dehner, Jay Novello and Tom Tully on August 2, 1953.

.  Download Escape.1953.08.02_The_Red_Forest.mp3

(Image from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - The Sure Thing

John and Gwen Bagni wrote some of Escape's better episodes and if you like their style of dangerous adventure stories, then you will like "The Sure Thing." In this story a ship's doctor from a fancy cruise boat responds to a call for help from a schooner off the coast of Cuba. What he finds onboard is an "accident victim" with a terrible leg injury. The doctor can see that the man was shot but the other people on the boat aren't being honest about what happened. The doctor realizes he is in trouble when he discovers that the schooner is not headed to Havana but to some other location. What does the wounded man have that is so valuable? It doesn't take long for this doctor to figure it out and make the most of it.

"The Sure Thing" was produced and directed by William N. Robson. John Hoyt starred as the doctor. Also featured were William Conrad, Fay Baker, and Ian Wolfe.  This episode aired on October 15, 1949.

.  Download Escape.1949.10.15_Sure_Thing,_The.mp3

This story was performed a second time on January 17, 1950. The second version was also produced and directed by William N. Robson. This version starred Anthony Ross as the doctor. Also featured were Jeff Corey, Fay Baker and Ian Wolfe.

.  Download Escape_1950.01.17_TheSureThing.mp3

(Map of Cuba from Wikimedia Commons )

Escape - Two Came Back

"Two Came Back" is one of Escape's better jungle adventure stories because of the dinstictive dialogue and well-crafted radioplay. This is a story about two army veterans and a "treacherous woman" who must trek through a jungle in New Guinea to retrieve a fortune in gold.

The story begins with a man named John Walker explaining how he came to be involved with his two traveling companions, Gabe and Lily. John had saved Gabe's life when they were fighting the Japanese in New Guinea during WWII. Now, years later, Gabe has contacted John, asking him to return to New Guinea and split the profit of a gold mine. John has no reason not to trust Gabe, but there is a problem with Gabe's wife, Lily. She appears to have scant interest in her husband but a significant interest in John. She makes this known to him with a lot of moaning and "bad girl" talk. John realizes that he is in a tricky situation and against his better judgment, he accepts Gabe's offer. The three of them travel to the Sepik River region of New Guinea and follow the river into the mountains. Only two return.

"Two Came Back" was written by political writer Jules Archer and adapted for radio by Savage Dollar. This episode was produced and directed by William N. Robson. Paul Frees played Gabe, the versatile Joan Banks played Lily, and Stacy Harris played John.

This episode aired on August 4, 1950.

.  Download Escape.1950.08.04_Two_Came_Back.mp3

*As was pointed out in the comment section, Suspense also presented an adaptation of this story on June 5, 1960. The radioplay was written for Suspense by Joseph Cochran and Ronald Dawson.

Robert Readick, Connie Lempke, and Richard Donley starred.

.  Download Suspense_1960.06.05_TwoCameBack.mp3

(Image of head tray from Papua New Guinea from Wikimedia Commons)

Revised 9/19/07

Escape - Judgement Day at Cripple Deer

"Judgement Day at Cripple Deer" is one of several stories presented by Escape wherein the characters, for one reason or another, are outside the normal realm of the law. In this story, a small group of people stuck in a trading post in the far north believe that one among them is a murderer. Out of a mixture of mistrust and necessity, they take the law into their own hands.

The story is set in Cripple Deer Crossing, a place somewhere in the wilds of Canada's Yukon Territory. At the trading post, McClair, Indian Joe, Belle, and Higgins are awaiting the arrriving of Blakey and Marco. The two have been working up at their gold mine but they are expected to return before the oncoming blizzard sets in. When only Blakey arrives, the other four are suspicious about the fate of Marco. In their minds, the evidence against Blakey doesn't look good. If he did kill Marco, they want to put him on trial now, rather than wait until the spring thaw brings the local Mountie.

"Judgement Day at Cripple Deer" was written by Les Crutchfield and directed by Norman MacDonnell. It starred Lawrence Dobkin and Harry Bartell. Also appearing were Lou Krugman, Georgia Ellis, and James Clayton Post. This episode aired on June 24, 1954.

.  Download Escape_1954.06.24_Judgement_Day.mp3

(Image from Morgue File)

Escape - Bloodbath

In Escape's "Bloodbath" a business partnership unravels into a deadly competition.

Five Americans travel deep into the Andes mountains of Peru to search for a vein of uranium ore. As they had hoped, they do find a fortune in uranium. Their plan was to divide the claim five ways, but greed swiftly takes over. Soon they are in a race to return to civilization and claim the land, but the tricky part is getting out of the jungle alive.

Mosquitos, pium flies, bloodsucking carapato ticks, snakes, vampire bats, and piranhas are some of the dangers they have to survive. Vincent Price narrates most of the story and listening to him describe the critters of the Peruvian jungle is entertainment in itself.

"Bloodbath" was written by Academy award winning screenwriter James Poe and starred Vincent Price. The combination of the two was an effective one. Suspense's "Rave Notice" and Escape's "Three Skeleton Key" also featured Vincent Price in a James Poe story. Wally Maher, Ted de Corsia, Paul Frees, and Tony Barrett also appeared. This episode was produced and directed by William N. Robson and aired on June 30, 1950.

.  Download Escape.1950.06.30_Bloodbath.mp3

(Image of vampire bat and Peruvian mountains from Wikimedia Commons)

Escape - The Target

Escape's "The Target" is the story of a hunt through South America for a criminal. The story opens in Tolten, Chile, where an insurance investigator named Vic Kennedy is looking for a fellow American named Arthur Madson. His search has not gone well. Is Vic really trying to find Madson or was he paid off not to find him? There are suspicions because Arthur Madson had been in Vic's custody when he disappeared with $100,000 of his bank's money. The insurance company that Vic works for has received a new tip that Madson is hiding on an island 300 miles off the coast of Santiago. They give him one last chance to find Arthur Madson.

Vic sets off for Santiago and along the way becomes involved with a beautiful woman. As it turns out, she knows more about Madson and the stolen bank money than she lets on.

"The Target" was written by Tony Barrett, who later wrote scripts for a number of television shows including The Untouchables, Peter Gunn and The Mod Squad. It was produced by David Friedkin and Morton Fine who later went on to write and produce many television programs including The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, I Spy and Kojak. This episode starred Whitfield Connor and Mary Jane Croft and aired on September 18, 1954. The sound quality of this recording isn't the best. 

.  Download Escape_1954.09.18.The_Target.mp3

It is interesting to note that the town of Tolten in which this story begins, no longer exists. It disappeared in 1960 during the Great Chilean Earthquake. The town of Nueva Tolten (New Tolten) was founded afterwards.

(Image of Chile from Wikimedia Commons) 

Escape - Classified Secret

Escape's "Classified Secret" begins with two spies on a park bench in North Hollywood, California. They can't agree on a price for their information exchange, so they go their separate ways. One of them, a man named Charlie Raider, then gets on a bus traveling east across the country. He strikes up an acquaintance with the young woman sitting next to him, Julie Spalding, who is on her way to New York.

The bus is filled with the usual sorts of passengers on their way across the country. Things are going well for Charlie but he soon finds out that his business associates have followed him onto the bus. From that point on, Charlie has to figure out how to kill them before they kill him. When they stop for breakfast at a diner in New Mexico, he asks Julie for help. The problem is, she doesn't believe him.

This is an intriguing episode that takes place primarily on the bus and the stops along its route. The sound effects for this episode are particularly realistic, especially those of the noisy five year old kid on the bus.

"Classified Secret" was written and directed by Antony Ellis. Parley Baer starred as Charlie. Also featured were Charlotte Lawrence, Peter Leeds, Miriam Kruschen, Tim Graham, Leroy Lennart, and Georgia Ellis.

This episode aired on April 12, 1953.

.  Download Escape_1953.04.12_Classified_Secret.mp3

Two years later, the same radioplay was performed on Suspense. Parley Baer again appeared as Charlie. Suspense's version was also directed by Antony Ellis. This episode aired on November 22, 1955.

.  Download Suspense_1955.11.22_ClassifiedSecret.mp3

(Image of Route 66 in Arizona from Wikimedia Commons)

Revised 9/20/07

Escape - The Match

Escape's "The Match" is the story of a Canadian Mountie and the fugitive that he is determined to bring to justice.

The story begins in a logging camp on the southern border of Canada where one of the employees, Billy Loring, has a problem. Billy's wife, Jeannie, has admitted to him that his brutish boss harasses her. When Billy confronts him about it, the boss pulls a knife. Billy knocks him down and in doing so, accidentally kills him. Convinced that no one will believe it was an accident, he escapes into the backwoods of Canada to hide.

Seargent Brokaw of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is assigned to bring Billy back to hang for murder. The story between the two plays out in the frozen wilderness where Billy has been hiding, waiting for the chance to return to his wife and child.

"The Match" was based on the short story by James Oliver Curwood (1879-1927) of Michigan. The short story is available online at the Short Story Archive.  During the 1920's, Curwood's wilderness adventure stories, often set in Canada, made him one of the most popular novelists in North America. Many of his works were adapted for film and television after his death. Curwood was also an early wilderness conservationist who served on the Michigan Conservation Commission.

"The Match" was adapted for Escape by Les Crutchfield. It was produced and directed by Norman McDonald. Frank Lovejoy played Billy and Sergeant Brokaw was played by Wilm Herbert. Sam Waxman was the narrator. This episode aired on May 16, 1948.

.  Download Escape.1948.05.16_Match_The.mp3

(Image from MorgueFile.com)