Escape - A Shipment of Mute Fate

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

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

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

Download Escape.1949.03.13_A_Shipment_of_Mute_Fate.mp3

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

Download Suspense.1957.01.06.ShipmentOfMuteFate.mp3

(Photo of Lachesis Muta from Wikimedia Commons)

Comments

[Harry]

were is evening primrose

[Richard McLeod]

Of the 4 versions on Escape Radio Show of "A Shipment of Mute Fate", the one with Jack Webb is my favorite, although I haven't heard them all. It would be hard to top the performance given by Jack Webb and the cast on that version, also including the woman who sneaks the pregnant cat on board ship against the rules of the Ship's Captain.

The story is one to remember, especially for cat lover's. It shows the devotion of a regular domestic cat and her love and devotion for her litter of kittens. Such devotion is undying, and a mother cat will protect her kittens to the bitter end, and in this case against a Bushmaster snake, and saves the life of Jack Webb in the process. It is a tear jerker, but a good and real tear jerker.

The description at the end of the little kittens coming out from under a stove after the mother cat has protected them (and Jack Webb) from the Bushmaster snake, will long last in one's memory.

If only human beings had the same love and devotion for their young, life today would be much different. A little domestic cat in this story shows the love that will not end and does indeed embed itself in the nature of a cat or probably many other animals. Maybe one day such love, care and devotion can extend to the human race, but it is doubtful.

I can well understand why this particular show is one of the most popular of all the many very good shows produced on the Escape radio show for many years during the Golden Age of Radio...the Theater of the mind..

[Christine Miller]

Hi Richard,

Thanks for reminding me how much I love this episode.

My 17 year old cat just died in January, so it is hard to read through your comment without wanting to cry!

Best,
Christine

[Philippa]

Your recent comment on this episode, Christine, drew my attention, so I listened. I liked the episode, though I am fussy about animal sound effects and consider those in the John Lund version to be somewhat lacking.

I am sorry for the loss of your cat. I'm a cat- (and dog-)lover, myself, and I sympathize with you.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of this episode was learning about the bushmaster snake. It's the first I heard of it. The story states that the bushmaster is the world's deadliest snake. I read that this title belongs to the black mamba. Then again, the Malayan pit viper was once given that title, also. All I can say is that I hope I never find out which snake is the worst.

[M.R.]

Good story here! I had no idea there was a snake called mute fate. It's appropriate, too. If it weren't for the recent comments I would never have noticed this story. Thanks!

[Atoz]

A surprisingly good episode. The stories climax sounds silly on paper but it's performed so well that the audience buys it.

Of the multiple versions, I think I prefer the March 13, 1949 episode. I like the fact that the narrator sounds like he his nerves are completely frayed.