Escape and Suspense!

Suspense - Give Me Liberty

"Give Me Liberty" sounds patriotic, but this Suspense episode is a harsh tale about an escaped criminal unable to free himself of his handcuffs.

Mr. Earl French embezzeled $250,000, was caught, and then sentenced to seven years in prison. None of this bothers him because it was all according to his plan. He never disclosed to the authorities where the stolen money was, and after he completes his prison term, he plans to spend it.

On route to the penitentiary, Mr. French is smug while chatting with the police officer accompanying him. His plan, however, takes a sudden new direction when the train crashes. In the aftermath, he murders the police officer, switches their wallets, and escapes.

Now, the only obstacles to his freedom are the handcuffs that he can't remove. Mr. French can't get the tools he needs to break them, and no one will help him. His smugness turns to desperation as his circumstances become worse, and he meets up with a cruel female hobo.

"Give Me Liberty"  was written by Herb Meadow and starred William Powell. Ann Morrison played the hobo.  This episode aired for the first time on October 21, 1948.

.  Download Suspense_1948.10.21_GiveMeLiberty.mp3

Suspense presented this story again on March 29, 1955 with good results. Television actor/writer Tony Barrett played Mr. French. Also appearing were Michael Ann Barrett, Dick Beals, Helen Kleeb, and Lou Merrill.

.  Download Suspense_1955.03.29.GiveMeLiberty.mp3

(Image from Wikimedia Commons)

Suspense - The Lovebirds

Suspense's "The Lovebirds" stars Joan Fontaine in a story about a resentful woman trapped in an unhappy marriage to a needy man.

As the episode opens, Martha explains how she has played nursemaid to her husband, Sam, for seven years. Throughout that time she has been waiting for him to die from one of his many ailments, but Sam has proven to be spunkier than his doctor predicted. Martha is tired of taking care of a husband she hates, but no one suspects her real feelings. Sam and Martha appear to be so devoted to each other that people call them "the lovebirds."

One night, Martha decides to take matters into her own hands by giving Sam an overdose of sleeping pills. When Sam survives the overdose, she tries again. What Martha doesn't know is that Sam has caught on to what she is up to, and he has his own plans for her.

"The Lovebirds" was written by Cheryl Hendricks and adapted for Suspense by Harold Swanton.  This was Joan Fontaine's only appearance on Suspense. At the time, she was promoting the film, You Gotta Stay Happy (1948). Also appearing were Jerry Hausner, William Johnstone, and Lestor Schott. This episode aired on March 3, 1949.

.  Download Suspense_1949.03.03_Lovebirds.mp3

(Image of Joan Fontaine from Wikipedia)

Suspense - A Rest for Emily

"A Rest for Emily" is a peculiar Suspense tale about a farmer who goes mad from having to listen to his wife complain.

Orrin Reed and his wife, Emily, have lived on their farm for thirty years, but they have not prospered. Their life has been hard, and Emily has become an unhappy shrew. One night, Emily's "bitter words" are too much for Orrin. When she tells him to go get the coffee, he comes back from the kitchen with a rifle instead.

Orrin decides to return Emily to the land by burying her in the barn. Later that night, he receives a strange phone call telling him, "You'll never get away with it."

"A Rest for Emily" was written by Berel Firestone. Bill Smith and Abby Lewis played Orrin and Emily. Also appearing were Ralph Bell, Lee Graham, and Larry Robinson. This episode aired on September 4, 1960. (The sound quality of this recording is not the best.)

. Download Suspense_1960.09.04_ARestforEmily.mp3   

(Image from Morguefile.com)

Suspense - Too Hot to Live

Suspense's "Too Hot to Live" is the story of a stranger in a small prairie town who tries to run from a murder.

As the episode opens, we meet Jefferson, a former soldier turned drifter. After he is ousted from the freight train on which he has been hitching a ride, he walks down a sun-baked road towards the closest town, Marcus Junction. On the way, his worn-out shoes fall apart.

The first person he meets in Marcus Junction is Benjamin, the sheriff. He directs Jefferson to a place where he can have his shoes repaired and then offers to buy him a coffee in the diner next door. Jefferson leaves his shoes and socks at the repair shop and goes over to the diner.

Jefferson only came in for the coffee, but Rachel, the waitress, offers more. She invites him upstairs to her apartment for the afternoon. He accepts, and after a few too many strong drinks, he wakes to find Rachel murdered. Now he must outrun the law--in his bare feet.

"Too Hot to Live" was written by Sam Rolfe and starred Richard Widmark. This episode aired on October 26, 1950.

.  Download Suspense_1950.10.26_TooHotToLive.mp3

Suspense presented this story again with Sam Edwards in the role of Jefferson on June 29,1954.

. Download Suspense_1954.06.29_TooHotToLive.mp3

Suspense presented this story a third time with Van Heflin the role of Jefferson on April 12, 1959. This version is a little shorter, but just as good. The background music in this episode is effective.

. Download Suspense_1959.04.12_TooHotToLive.mp3

(Image of Richard Widmark from Flixster.com)

Suspense - A Man in the House

" A Man in the House" is one of many Suspense episodes that revolve around a relative, who is both an invalid and a terrible burden. In this story, a daughter has sacrificed her own happiness to care for her elderly mother. The Suspense episode, "The Copper Tea Strainer," portrays a similar mother-daughter situation but with a different outcome.

"A Man in the House" is hard to beat when it comes to depressing opening scenes. Violin music swells as Emily Barrett explains how she came to be a mousy, spinster librarian at a young age. It all began when her father's unexpected death turned her mother into a difficult, bitter woman. Later, her mother became chronically ill and bound to a wheelchair.

The neighbors think that what Emily and her mother need is a man in the house. As it turns out, that is what they get. One day, an intruder breaks into their home, kills their dog, and announces that he will be their guest for an unspecified amount of time. The intruder knows that no one will come to the house because no one can stand Emily's mother. He tells Emily to do what he says, or her mother will get hurt -- yet he disapproves of how Emily has sacrificed her youth for her mother.

"Man in the House" was written by Leslie Edgely and starred Joan Lorring as Emily. At the time, she was promoting the film The Corn is Green (1945), for which she would receive an Academy Award nomination. Joseph Kearns played the intruder. This episode aired on August 2, 1945.

. Download Suspense_1945.08.02_Man_In_The_House.mp3

This episode was also presented on the television show Suspense in 1949, with different results. For more information visit Suspense Television.

(Image of Alan Baxter and Kim Hunter from "Man in the House" (1949) from the television show Suspense.)

Suspense - Shooting Star

Suspense's "Shooting Star" is the story of a Hollywood actress and her peculiar revenge on a studio producer. The star of this episode is Virginia Christine, an actress familiar to most as friendly Mrs. Olsen from Folger's Coffee commercials of the 1960's and 70's.

Gay Lansing is an actress/dancer who has been working for J.D. Zimmer's studio for many years. She has been in one cheap movie musical after another, but she hopes that the studio will give her a serious role in their latest production.

Soon, however, Gay's agent informs her that not only will she not get a part in the new movie, but that J.D. Zimmer has dropped her contract. When Gay finds out that J.D. has gone down to his house in the desert for the weekend, she decides to pay him a visit. Gay wants to convince him, with her gun, to change his mind.

"Shooting Star" was written by Ruth Borne and produced/directed by Norman MacDonnell. Virginia Christine, in her only appearance on Suspense, played Gay Lansing. (She does break into a Scandinavian accent for a few minutes towards the end of this episode.) Joseph Kearns played J.D. Zimmer. Also appearing were John Dehner, Sam Edwards, and John Large. This episode aired on November 25, 1954.

. Download Suspense_1954.11.25_ShootingStar.mp3

Click below to watch Mrs. Olsen in action. Virginia Christine portrayed Mrs. Olsen in television commercials for 21 years.

Video from the Internet Archive.

Suspense - Goodnight Mrs. Russell

Suspense's "Goodnight Mrs. Russell" stars Bette Davis in a story about a woman who becomes the victim of a crazed short-order cook. It is an episode that will make you think twice about eating alone at night in an empty restaurant.

Bette Davis plays Mrs. Russell, an office worker who often spends her lunch hours with her co-workers at the cafe near their office. Henry, the young cook behind the counter, seems uncomfortable around the younger women, but likes Mrs. Russell. Although he never smiles, and stops to listen to sounds that only he can hear, she likes him, too.

One night, after working late, she drops in at the cafe for dinner. She becomes uneasy about being alone with Henry and leaves without finishing her food. Afraid that she has hurt Henry's feelings, she returns to have dinner again several weeks later.

Henry doesn't accept her show of interest in his food as a compliment. He knows, from the voices in his head, that she is really one of the many enemies out to get him.

"Goodnight Mrs. Russell" was written by Ben S. Hunter and it was Bette Davis' only appearance on Suspense. At the time, she was promoting the movie Beyond the Forest. Elliott Reid played Henry. This episode aired on October 20, 1949.

. Download suspense_1949.10.20_GoodNightMrs Russell.MP3

Suspense presented this radioplay again on August 3, 1954. Virginia Gregg played Mrs. Russell and Victor Perrin played Henry.

.  Download Suspense_1954.08.03_GoodnightMrsRussell.mp3

(Image of Bette Davis from Wikimedia Commons)

Suspense - The Guilty Always Run

Suspense goes to the beach, but not to frolic, in a story called "The Guilty Always Run." In his only appearance on Suspense, Tyrone Powers plays a man suspected of murdering a surfer girl.

As the episode opens, Janie and Jeff are at home in their rented summer house when they receive several strange calls from a young woman. The girl on the other end of the line is gasping for help, but the calls make no sense. Janie suspects that the calls are from Karen, a girl that Jeff had been seen with. Jeff swears to her there is nothing going on between the two of them, but Janie doubts him.

The next day, Jeff does find Karen -- floating in the surf. Jeff becomes the main suspect in Karen's murder until his best friend, Lou, steps in with an alibi.

"The Guilty Always Run" was written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. William Conrad played Lou and Cathy Lewis played Janie. Also appearing were Jack Kruschen, Frank Nelson, and Charlotte Lawrence. At the time he appeared on Suspense, Tyrone Powers was promoting the film, King of the Khyber Rifles. This episode aired on March 22, 1954.

. Download Suspense_1954.03.22_TheGuiltyAlwaysRun.mp3

(Image of Tyrone Power in 1953 by Carl Van Vechten. Wikimedia Commons)

Suspense - Three Blind Mice

Suspense's "Three Blind Mice" stars Van Heflin in a radio noir about a publishing firm and its three partners. One is dead, the other is on Death Row, and the third has taken over the firm from the other two.

The episode opens inside the office of Lockwood, Bentley and Walsh Publishing. Mr. Arthur Lockwood knows that his partners are out to get him, and it appears that everyone in the company knows as well. By all appearances, he is on the way down.

Mr. Lockwood refuses to accept that. He wants his corporation back from his partners. He also wants Helen Conover, the head of the firm's promotion department, but she is involved with his partner, Mr. Walsh.

None of this worries Mr. Lockwood. He seems confident that there will be a day when he is back on top. When Mr. Lockwood finds one of his partners dead at the office, it appears that his problems may be resolved sooner than he thought.

"Three Blind Mice" was written by Kenneth Pettis and Robert L. Richards. Van Heflin starred as Arthur Lockwood. Also appearing were Cathy Lewis, William Johnstone, and Wally Maher. This episode aired on January 30, 1947.

.  Download Suspense_1947.01.30_ThreeBlindMice.mp3

(Image from Wikimedia Commons)

Suspense - The Shelter

Suspense's "The Shelter" is the story of two people waiting at a shelter for a midnight bus, while somewhere in the night, an escaped lunatic is on the loose.

As the episode opens, a young girl is dropped off at a lonely bus stop late at night. She has just heard an alert on the car radio about a mental patient who has escaped from the county hospital, but she feels certain that she will be safe inside of the bus shelter.

To her suprise, she discovers that she is not the only one waiting there. Inside of the darkened shelter is a man who insists on coversing with her. Despite her attempts to extricate herself from his chattering, she can't get away. Is the strange man in the dark shelter the escaped mental patient? She isn't sure, but if she leaves the safety of the bus stop, she might meet up with the lunatic out on the empty highway.

"The Shelter" was written for Suspense by Don Yerrill and starred Joyce McClusky and Vic Perrin. Also appearing were: Herb Ellis, Helen Kleeb, Dick Ryan, and Frank Gerstle. This episode aired on October 28, 1954.

.  Download Suspense_1954.10.28_TheShelter.mp3

(Image from Stock.xchng)

Suspense - End of the Road

Suspense's "End of the Road" stars Glenn Ford in a radio noir about a car salesman who gets involved with a troubled woman.

Ford plays Speed Evans, a man for whom women have been an "expensive" habit. He wants to turn over a new leaf, but when he meets a captivating woman in his showroom, he quickly finds himself back to his old ways. Her name is Sylvia, and she is there with her wealthy husband, Mr. Ganlon, to buy a new car. Speed takes her on a flirtatious test drive and convinces Syvlia that she must have the car--and the salesman.

Sylvia and Speed have an affair, but she is unable to leave her older husband or her mysterious past behind. Speed drives Sylvia back to her hometown in Arizona to find the truth, but their trip leads them into danger.

"End of the Road" was written by Irving Moore and Robert L. Richards. At the time Glenn Ford appeared in this episode, he was promoting the 1947 noir film Framed. "End of the Road" was the first of Ford's two appearances on Suspense. Cathy Lewis played Sylvia Ganlon. Also featured were Hans Conried, Joseph Kearns, William Johnstone, and Wally Maher. This episode aired on February 6, 1947.

.  Download Suspense_1947.02.06_EndOfTheRoad.mp3

(Image from Stock.xchng)

Suspense - The Lady in the Red Hat

"The Lady in the Red Hat" is the story of a killer-on-the-loose who goes by the names "The Thirteenth Apostle" and "The Avenger."

The story begins when Mitch, a newspaper columnist, is told by his editor to stop writing articles about the psychology behind the crimes of the "The Avenger." The police think that the articles are a nuisance. Mitch, however, thinks that his theories are sound and, he isn't surprised when the killer contacts him.

A mysterious note requests a meeting at a community chapel at midnight, but Mitch isn't the only one who receives the invitation. Jeannie, the newspaper reporter who has been following the case, and the policeman in charge of the investigation are also contacted.

That night, the three of them go together and wait in the empty, darkened church for "The Avenger" to come.

"The Lady in the Red Hat" was written by Clot Daily and adapted for Suspense by Antony Ellis. Van Heflin starred as Mitch. Also appearing were Joan Banks, Joseph Kearns, and Lou Merrill. This episode aired on November 30, 1950.

.  Download Suspense_1950.11.30_LadyintheRedHat.MP3

This story was presented a second time on August 30, 1955. (The script is the same, but the sound quality of the later recording in better.) Victor Perrin starred as Mitch. Also appearing were Larry Thor, Jack Carroll, Virginia Gregg, Barney Phillips, and Jenny Stevens.

.  Download Suspense_1955.08.30_LadyintheRedHat.mp3

(Image from Stock.xchng)

Suspense - Three Lethal Words

Suspense's "Three Lethal Words" stars Joan Crawford as a woman who goes mad after being jilted by her younger husband.

Crawford plays Jane Winters, a screenwriter in Hollywood. As the story opens, she has just arrived in the office of Phillip Lewis, the head of a studio story department. She has come to pitch him an idea for a screenplay.

As she explains her idea for a movie about a screenwriter named Sally, who takes revenge on her younger husband, the boundaries between Jane's fictional character and her own life become blurred.

Joan Crawford's performance in this episode is captivating. Her ability to speak every single word of her dialogue with clarity and conviction is impressive. This was the second of Joan Crawford's two appearances on Suspense. At the time, she was promoting the film Goodbye, My Fancy.

"Three Lethal Words" was adapted for radio by Academy award nominated screenwriter Walter Brown Newman from a story by Charles Vion. Joseph Kearns played Phillip and Hy Averback played Chris. Also appearing were: Bea Benadaret, Lillian Buyeff, Ted de Corsia, Don Diamond and Sylvia Simms. This episode aired on March 22, 1951.

.  Download Suspense_1951.03.22_ThreeLethalWords.mp3

(Image of Joan Crawford from Wikimedia Commons)

Suspense - The Bridge

"The Bridge" is a campy Suspense drama about a husband, a wife, and a hussy.

The story begins at a Saturday night party in the suburban community of Westchester. The introduction is narrated by Liz, an unhappy party-goer. She is upset because her husband, Max, is noticeably smitten with a younger woman named Edith. Liz is certain that Max is fooling around behind her back.

When she encounters them together, Liz confronts her husband about his relationship with Edith. Max denies everything, of course, and even insists that they give Edith a ride home.

Liz duly tolerates the indignity of riding home in the same car with Edith, but then, the unexpected happens. As they are driving in the rain, their car spins off the road near a bridge. The three of them wind up trapped inside of the car while it hangs precariously off the side of a cliff. Faced with the danger of falling into the river, their true personalities are revealed.

"The Bridge" was written by Alan Botzer and William N. Robson. Cathy Lewis starred as Liz. Also appearing were Virginia Gregg, Jerry Hausner, and Bill Quinn. This episode aired on August 17, 1958.

.  Download Suspense_1958.08.17_TheBridge.mp3

(Image from Morguefile.com)

Suspense - The Old Man

In "The Old Man," Suspense takes us to Times Square in New York City for the annual New Year's Eve celebration. The new year, 1962, is still six hours away, but the crowds are already out on the streets, ready to celebrate the passage of the old year to the new. We hear the sounds of the city as a CBS radio news reporter describes the scene around him.

Next, we are transported to the New Year's celebration in the heavenly realms of the Office of Time. "The Director" and his secretary are discussing the plans for that night's farewell ceremony for the old year. She thinks it is a shame that the Old Man has to be shoved out of the organization in favor of an infant, but "The Director" tells her that "when a man's job is done, he must step aside."

Old Man 1961 doesn't agree with his boss and refuses to retire. He wants to stay on the job and make a better name for himself.

"The Old Man" was written by Bob Corcoran. Leon Janney starred as the Old Man and "The Director" was played by Reynold Osborne. Also appearing were: Ralph Camargo, Ivor Francis, Larry Haines , Rita Lloyd, Guy Repp, and Lawson Zerbe. This episode aired on December 31, 1961.

.  Download Suspense_1961.12.31_OldMan.mp3

(Image from MorgueFile.com)

Suspense - The Too Perfect Alibi

Suspense's "The Too Perfect Alibi" stars Danny Kaye as man with an obsession for his friend's fiance.

Danny Kaye plays Sam, the sweetest friend a couple could ever have. Jack and Catherine think he is wonderful, but honestly, Jack thinks Sam is too wonderful. Sam gives them a house for a wedding present, he gives Catherine a high-paying job, and he always picks up the tab when they do things together. All of this annoys Jack because it makes him look cheap.

Sam doesn't care what Jack thinks. He is consumed with a fairy tale perception of love, and he is determined to get Catherine for himself. The first part of Sam's plan to win Catherine involves getting rid of Jack, but the first part of his plan goes too well. As a result, the second part doesn't work out the way it was supposed to.

"The Too Perfect Alibi" was written by Martin Stern and produced/directed by Anton M. Leader. This was the first of two appearances that Danny Kaye made on Suspense. Also appearing were Hy Averback, Wally Maher, John McIntire, and Paul Frees. This episode aired on January 13, 1949.

.  Download Suspense_1949.01.13_TheTooPerfectAlibi.mp3

(Image from Morguefile.com)

Suspense - Beyond Good and Evil

Suspense's "Beyond Good and Evil" gives us Joseph Cotten in the story of an escaped prisoner, who murders a minister and assumes his identity.

The episode begins with church bells and a young reverend named Dr. Howard Pierce. He is visiting the home of his parish's previous minister, Dr. McKillip, who was paralyzed by a stroke. Dr. McKillip is unable to speak or to move, and Dr. Pierce has been making regular visits since the stroke occurred three months earlier.

Soon we realize that Dr. Pierce isn't what he pretends to be. His real name is Philip Gentry and he murdered Dr. Pierce after escaping from the state penitentiary. Dr. McKillip is the only person in town who knows the truth, but he is unable to communicate that information to anyone. Meanwhile, Philip Gentry torments the helpless man by flaunting his sins in front of him. On this night, Philip Gentry has come to say goodbye. He plans to leave town, but before he does, he has a few wicked things he wants to tell Dr. McKillip. 

"Beyond Good and Evil" was written by Academy-award winning screenwriter Ben Hecht and adapted for Suspense by Douglas Whitney. Joseph Cotten played the Reverend Pierce. Also appearing were Cathy Lewis, Joseph Kearns, Herbert Butterfield, Wally Maher, and Jane Morgan. This episode aired on October 11, 1945.

. Download Suspense_1945.10.11_BeyondGoodandEvil.mp3

This radioplay was presented again with Vincent Price in the role of the Reverend Pierce on July 17, 1947. Unfortunately, no recording of that episode is known to exist at this time.

(Image from Morguefile.com)

Suspense - Yuletide Miracle

Suspense's "Yuletide Miracle" is a tale about a Christmas ghost named Sir Benjamin and a parolee named Chris.

As the story opens, Chris attempts to dodge his parole officer by hiding in a mission hall for the poor. Inside the lonely shelter, he meets a young man named Tommy, who is ill and knows that he will be unable to get home for Christmas. He asks Chris to deliver the presents to his mother and sister, and then he dies.

Chris doesn't take the request too seriously until Sir Benjamin materializes. He explains to Chris that he has a responsibility to follow through on the young man's last wish.

"Yuletide Miracle" was written for Suspense by John Roberts and starred Santos Ortega and Larry Haines. Also appearing were Joe DiSantis, Bill Lipton, Rosemary Rice, and Katherine Rott.

This episode aired on December 17, 1961.

.  Download Suspense_1961.12.17_YuletideMiracle.mp3

(Image from Morguefile.com)

Suspense - Return Trip

Suspense's "Return Trip" is a vivid tale of three nervous passengers on a bus trip down a mountain road in a blizzard. The bus has just left an isolated mental asylum in the mountains and has to travel fifty miles to return to civilization. Why are the passengers so nervous?  Shortly after leaving the asylum, the bus was stopped by policemen looking for an escaped inmate. The police warned the bus driver not to go down the road, but the passengers wanted to keep going.

If they had stayed, they might have been snowbound at the asylum for days, but now they run the risk of meeting the escaped lunatic on the road.

"Return Trip" was written for Suspense by Maurice Zimm and was produced/directed by William Spier. Elliott Reid, in one of his six appearances on Suspense, starred as the bus driver. Also featured were Cathy Lewis, Wally Maher, and Raymond E. Lawrence. This episode aired on June 27, 1946.

.  Download Suspense_1946.06.27_Return_Trip.mp3

(Image from Stock.xchng)

Suspense - A Present for Benny

Suspense's "A Present for Benny" is yet another story about a time-bomb that goes missing, but it is also an endearing Christmas story about making friends with your enemies.

This is a tale of two neighborhood gangsters who want each other out of the way. As the story opens, Ricky McQueen reads aloud from a letter of holiday greetings that he has received from Machine-Gun Benny.  In it, Benny explains that he and his boys plan to bump Ricky off the next time they see him. Ricky, in response, decides to send Benny a Christmas present -- the kind that goes "BOOM!"

While this is going on, Ricky's wife is steadily campaiging for the Christmas present she wants the most, an ermine coat. When Ricky does buy her the coat, he asks the salesman at the department store for an extra box. His plan is to put the bomb in the extra box and have the store deliver it the next day. So now, he has two presents wrapped in identical boxes. One box contains the gift for his wife, and one contains the present for Benny. Do the two boxes get mixed up? Of course they do.

"A Present for Benny" was written, produced and directed by Antony Ellis.  Jack Kruschen starred as Ricky. Also appearing were Eve McVeagh, Stacy Harris, Joseph Kearns, Junius Matthews, and Benny Rubin. This episode aired on December 13, 1955.

.  Download Suspense_1955.12.13_APresentforBenny.mp3

(Image from Stock.xchng)

Suspense - Pink Camellias

"Pink Camellias" begins with weepy violin music, and the woeful story of a woman named Martha. Orphaned at a young age, she has spent her life in servitude to her invalid aunt, Abby. Martha's joyless life has turned her into a drab spinster, but she has become accustomed to it.

Into this situation, appears Neil, the nephew of Aunt Abby's second husband. Things brighten up for Martha, and she immediately falls in love with this handsome stranger. Martha knows that Neil is only after her aunt's money, but she doesn't mind.

As it turns out, Neil does take a liking to Martha, but in an insincere sort of way. Together, the two of them decide that the fastest route to a happy future means clearing their path of the crabby aunt upstairs. We know that Aunt Abby is in trouble, but does she? It seems that all she cares about is complaining and eating cream cakes.

"Pink Camellias" was written by Charmine McGurk and starred film and television actress Marsha Hunt as Martha. Verna Felton played Aunt Abby and Wendell Holmes played Neil. This episode aired on December 27, 1945.

.  Download Suspense.1945.12.27_PinkCamillias.mp3

(Image of Marsha Hunt in Cry Havoc (1943) from Wikimedia Commons)

Suspense - Christmas for Carol

Suspense's "Christmas for Carol" is a Christmas tear-jerker, but a smart one. This is an episode about listening to your conscience and acting upon your better instincts.

Paul is a bank teller with a pregnant wife who needs a home-nurse. He doesn't have enough money to hire one, but he is determined to find a way. His childhood friend, Eddie, offers him a job, but Paul refuses. Eddie is a bookie who is always in trouble with the law. Paul doesn't want a life of crime, but he would consider doing one clean and quick job to get the money he needs.

That opportunity comes when one of Paul's customers at the bank, Mr. Forbes, withdraws all of his funds. Mr. Forbes is going to surprise his wife on Christmas with the news that he is retiring and that they are moving to the country. Foolishly, he is keeping the money hidden inside of his house, and Paul knows where Mr. Forbes lives. Paul asks Eddie to put him in touch with Rocky, a local hoodlum with an excellent track record for not getting caught. He wants Rocky to join him on what he thinks will be an easy and foolproof burglary.

The two of them successfully break into the house, but Paul has a change of heart. He goes back to set things right, but the older couple is smarter than he realizes.

"Christmas for Carol" starred actor/singer Dennis Day as Paul. (At the end of the episode he sings "Noel.") Also appearing were Elliott Lewis, Ed Max, Sidney Miller, Joseph Kearns, and Jeannette Nolan. This episode aired on December 21, 1950.

.  Download Suspense_1950.12.21_ChristmasForCarol.mp3

(Image from Stock.xchng)

Suspense - Bells

"Bells" is the story of a young couple and their hope of finding the perfect place to live. The wife, Lucy, believes that through the help of her guardian angel she has been guided to an advertisement for a country cottage with an affordable monthly rent. Her husband, Henry, doesn't believe that she is psychic or that she has a guardian angel, but he desperately wants to get out of their lousy apartment. So, he agrees to follow up on the ad.

When they meet the rental agent, everything about the country cottage seems perfect. The rental agent seems a bit nervous when the subject of the previous renters comes up and mutters his way out of that discussion.

The night they move into the new house, there is a terrible storm. Their phone starts to ring over and over again, but the operator swears that she isn't sending any calls through to their phone. When they receive another call and the voice on the other end tells them to go, Henry rips the phone out the wall. Yet, the phone continues to ring. Next, the doorbell starts to ring. Perhaps the rent was so low because the cottage is haunted?

"Bells" was written by Jack Bundy and starred Rosemary Rice and Bill Lipton. This episode aired on August 6, 1961.

.  Download Suspense_1961.08.06_ Bells.mp3

(Image from Stock.xchng)

Suspense - The Last Trip

"The Last Trip" is a tense story about a woman named Myra Jason, her boyfriend, and her husband, Mr. Jason. Myra and her boyfriend want her husband out of their lives. So, they devise a way to get rid of him with a simple time bomb. Mr. Jason is about to leave on a business trip, and their plan is to put their little gift in his suitcase and blow up the whole plane. Myra manages, with some difficulty, to get the gift into his suitcase, and Mr. Jason leaves for the airport. Then, Myra and her boyfriend wait for the news. They wait and they wait. Soon, they realize they didn't anticipate all of the things that could go wrong with their plan.

This episode is a good old-fashioned suspense tale with a ticking time bomb at the center of the action, but it is also an episode with something to say about thoughtfulness.

"The Last Trip" was written by Ralph Bell and Eugene Francis, who also appeared in this episode along with Robert Dryden and Connie Lempke.

This episode aired on November 8, 1959.

. Download Suspense_1959.11.08_TheLastTrip.mp3

(Image from Stock.xchng)

Suspense - No Hiding Place

"No Hiding Place" has one of Suspense's more dramatic intros. Who is narrating? It appears to be the "voice of all humankind" giving us a sermon. What better way to begin an episode that has something to say about nuclear war, television, and the media?

The story opens with Sam Endover, his wife, Mary-Lou, and their two children. They are the first family in Happy Valley to have their own fallout shelter. Mary-Lou is annoyed by the shelter and by the media attention that has come upon them without warning. Their son, Sandy, thinks the shelter is "cool and a half." Their daughter Cindy thinks... well actually, Cindy isn't much of a thinker.

When one of the reporters doubts that the family would be able to survive down in the shelter for a long period, Sam tells him that he and his family will spend the whole weekend in the shelter to demonstrate just how easy it is.

By the end of the day they are all ready to give up on their demonstration. When they try to leave, however, they realize that a natural disaster has trapped them inside.

"No Hiding Place" was written for Suspense by William N. Robson. Court Benson and Grace Matthews starred as Sam and Mary-Lou.  Leon Janney played the mayor and Lee Vines played Charlie Lemon. This episode aired on October 1, 1961.

.  Download Suspense_1961.10.01_NoHidingPlace.mp3

(Image from Stock.xchng)

Suspense - The Sisters

"The Sisters" begins with the purchase of a coffin for someone who has not yet died. Lydia Haskell explains that she has had a premonition of her own death and wants to plan her own funeral arrangements. The mortician and the police don't believe her story and think she is suicidal. It appears, however, that Lydia may have someone else in mind for that coffin. Her sister, Ellie, is a madwoman who lives in the attic of Lydia's house. One of them is going to die, but which one?

"The Sisters" was written for Suspense by screenwriter George Wells and was presented three times. The script is more or less the same in each version, but the performances vary with the actresses in the lead roles. The first time this story aired, Ida Lupino starred as the cold and calculating Lydia Haskell and Agnes Moorehead put in a gentle performance as Ellie. This episode was produced/directed by William Spier and aired on February 3, 1944.

.  Download Suspense_1944.02.03_TheSisters.mp3

The second time Suspense presented this story, Rosalind Russell and Lurene Tuttle starred. In this version, the sister fight scenes are the best and we get a better sense of how disturbed Lydia is.  This episode was produced/directed by Anton Leader and aired on December 9, 1948.

Download Suspense_1948.12.09_TheSisters.mp3

The third time this story was presented Francis Farmer and Cathy Lewis starred. This version is shorter and less intense . It was produced/directed by William N. Robson and aired on March 30, 1958.

Download Suspense_1958.03.30_The Sisters.MP3

(Image of Rosalind Russell and Lurene Tuttle performing "The Sisters" from Library of Congress/American Memory)

Suspense - Melody in Dreams

"Melody in Dreams" was Suspense's idea of an anti-drug cautionary tale.

The episode begins with an overwrought father, named Mr. Graf, who has made a citizen's arrest of his 16-year old daughter, Joanie. He found marijuana in her room, and not just a little. The police arrive and question Mr. Graf and Joanie. The narcotics division has been trying to find the source of the drugs that are permeating the local high schools and they hope that Joanie's arrest will lead them toward that source. It isn't just marijuana that is being sold to the local kids, but opium and heroin as well.

At first, Joanie plays the tough little minx when interrogated, but then she realizes the pain she has caused her father, and starts to 'fess up. She now seems adorable and innocent.

Joanie tells the police about her boyfriend, Nicky Malone. He's the no-goodnick who has been supplying her with the stuff. She remains innocent and adorable through the rest of the episode, which is a let-down.

"Melody in Dreams" was written by Richard George Pendicini. It is more of a police drama than a show about the dangers of drugs, but overall, it is an interesting time-capsule from 1952. The background music throughout this episode is nicely done. John Lund and Joseph Kearns starred as the detectives. Junius Matthews played Mr. Graf. Also appearing were Sam Edwards, Howard McNear, Shepard Menken, and Anne Whitfield.

This episode aired on December 29, 1952.

.  Download Suspense_1952.12.29.MelodyInDreams.mp3

(Image from Wikimedia Commons)

Suspense - Dame Fortune

Suspense's "Dame Fortune" is set in Southern California and when the story opens, we are brought into the fashionable home of Jean and Frank Nicholson. They are throwing an elegant soiree to celebrate their fifth anniversary and Jean, played by guest star Susan Hayward, sings a little bit of Cole Porter's, "I've Got You Under My Skin." After that it turns into a tale of blackmail and murder.

During the party, Jean receives a phone call from an old "friend" named Charles Prescott. He has just been released from prison and wants her help. It seems that he went to prison for a murder they both committed and he feels that she owes him. When they meet to discuss his demands, Charles tells her that he wants to murder her husband so that Jean can inherit the estate. His blackmail threat ensures that she will then share the inheritance with him. Jean agrees, but then tells her husband what has happened. They hire a private investigator named Mr. Sparks to follow Charles.

Susan Hayward not only had a fantastic voice for radio, but she knew how to make a radio script come alive. At the time she appeared in this episode she was promoting her upcoming film, Smash Up: The Story of a Woman, for which she would receive an Academy Award nomination.

"Dame Fortune" was adapted for Suspense by Robert L. Richards from a story by