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)
Wow, this was incredible. That ending will stick with me for a long time. I need to look up some more stuff starring Georgia Ellis. I thought she gave one of the best Escape performances ever in this one.
Posted by: Grigs | March 25, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Ahhh, Gunsmoke! I knew that I'd heard that wonderful, smoky voice somewhere recently. Georgia Ellis was Miss Kitty. LOL....I kinda feel silly since I've listened to a bunch of Gunsmoke over the years.
I really am impressed with her work on this episode. It's right up there with anything Price or Conrad did on this series.
Posted by: Grigs | March 25, 2008 at 10:10 PM
I agree. It is a memorable episode and Georgia Ellis' performance was one Escape's best. - Christine
Posted by: cmillinsf | March 26, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Great episode. A very clever concept, and a dynamite performance from Georgia Ellis.
The Suspense version is also excellent.
Posted by: Atoz | May 05, 2018 at 07:12 PM
I happened to hear this again on AM 1070 Antioch today and I realized that it's a spiritual successor to The Yellow Wallpaper in some ways. Great episode!
Posted by: Christine | May 24, 2018 at 11:25 AM