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)
FYI the Mystery In The Air version starring Vincent Price is available at the iTunes store for free from a podcast called Old Time Radio Suspense by Humphrey/Camardella Productions.
Posted by: LowSlash | December 05, 2009 at 04:40 PM