Last week's episode, "Drive-In," warned of the dangers of getting into a car with a stranger. This week's episode, "Somebody Help Me," warns of the dangers of getting "picked-up." Based on a true story, this cautionary tale is still a good one. Which true story this is based on, they don't say.
"Somebody Help Me" was written for Suspense by Morton Fine and David Friedkin, who later collaborated on many television projects. Movie actor Cornel Wilde (pictured) starred as Eddy Franklin, and Suspense regular Cathy Lewis starred as Eileen.
Eddy is an unctious, chatterbox with a temper who uses his Southern gentleman's charm to pick up Eileen. The audience knows that Eileen is in trouble as soon as she gets into his car but she doesn't. This is a simple crime drama that makes its point easily. Keep in mind while listening to Wilde's performance that he was born in Hungary and spoke five languages: Hungarian, French, German, English, Italian, and Russian.
This episode was broadcast on March 29, 1954.
For some strange reason, Cornell Wilde sounded to me like a televangelist in this story! I half expected him to start preaching to Eileen!
Posted by: Stacy | March 29, 2009 at 04:45 PM
He is convincing, isn't he? Cornell Wilde is so creepy in this episode.
Posted by: cmillinsf | April 04, 2009 at 09:54 AM
I heard this yesterdady for the first time. Cornell Wilde sounds completely different in this episode than I have ever heard/seen him. I would have never guessed that it was him.
An incredible job of acting.
Posted by: Jimbo | July 19, 2011 at 08:22 AM