Escape's "How Love Came to Professor Guildea" is based on the short story of the same name by Robert S. Hichens. Although the radio-play is well adapted from the original work, this episode does have its moments of being silly instead of suspenseful. The original short story, which was published in 1900, is available online as a Gaslight e-text and is worth reading.
Professor Guildea is an important man of science. He lives in a comfortable London home with servants that he barely acknowledges and a pet parrot leftover from one of his experiments. Professor Guildea detests affection and mocks love. Yet, he does have one friend, Father Murchison, a man who could not be more different than Professor Guildea. Father Murchison is filled with love for mankind and empathy for others.
One night, Professor Guildea calls Father Murchison to his house because he is convinced that there is an entity inhabiting his home. He cannot see the entity, but he feels its presence. The invisible intruder holds a great affection for Professor Guildea, but the affection repulses him. Father Murchison believes his friend is going mad, but then Professor Guildea shows him that the parrot sees and mimics the invisible entity.
"How Love Came to Professor Guildea" was adapted for radio by Les Crutchfield. Luis Van Rooten played Professor Guildea and Parley Baer played Father Murchison. Paul Frees played the parrot. This episode aired on February 22, 1948.
. Download escape_1948.02.02_Professor Guildea.mp3
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This story, along with "The Selfish Giant" by Oscar Wilde always gives me the chills. No two stories could possibly be more unlike, yet they produce the same affect.
"How Love Came to Professor Guildea" is creepy in the extreme, but the "Lady or the Tiger" ending leaves many questions unanswered.
Posted by: Mitch Persons | May 26, 2010 at 09:21 PM