Escape and Suspense!

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

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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

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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

(Images from Morguefile.com and Stock.xchng)

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

(Image from Morguefile)

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

(Image from Wikimedia Commons)

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

(Image from Wikimedia Commons)

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