Suspense - The White Rose Murders

In the "White Rose Murders," Maureen O'Hara stars as society girl who attempts to catch a killer.

"The White Rose Murders" was adapted from the Cornell Woolrich story "The Death Rose" (Baffling Detective Mysteries March 1943). The story revolves around Ginny Trowbridge, a well-to-do debutante and her boyfriend, Terry, a homicide detective. He has been assigned to the case of the "White Rose Murderer," a case that the New York City police department is desperate to solve. If Terry doesn't solve the case, his job may be on the line. Ginny decides that the best way to help him is to secretly try to lure the murderer into a trap herself.

No writer is credited for Suspense's radio adaptation, but Francis M. Nevins, Jr., in his 1988 biography of Woolrich states that: "If the radio play was not written by Woolrich--and, as with "Last Night" no other writer is credited--then its author's ability to capture the Woolrich mood and feel is nothing short of miraculous. Not only is "The White Rose Murders" better constructed than the magazine tale, but with its noir implication that the world is full of lonely and twisted men who are ready, willing and able to kill women, it's much more disturbing."* 

"The White Rose Murders" was produced by William Spier and directed by Ted Bliss. This episode aired on July 6, 1943.

. Download Suspense_1943.07.06_White Rose Murders.mp3

* Quote take from Cornell Woolrich: First You Dream, Then You Die (pg. 493). Mysterious Press.

(Image from Stock.xchng)

Comments

[Ron]

Maureen O'Hara was not in the White Rose Murders. You have her confused with someone else.

[cmillinsf]

Listen to the episode, there is no mistake that Maureen O'Hara is the guest star.

[Grigs]

I love Maureen O'Hara. When I watch her on TV, I wish I'd been born 50 years earlier. This is Maureen O'Hara.

I love Maureen O'Hara and she's great here. She's so young and fresh at this point in her career. The episode has great atmosphere, mainly created by the narrator. There was what looked like a huge hole in the plot, but the ending cleared it up.

I was having a bad night last night, but leave it to two great ladies, Miss O'Hara and our wonderful webmistress to bring some much needed distraction.

Did I mention that I love Maureen O'Hara?

[cmillinsf]

Grigs, thanks so much. I'm glad that Maureen O'Hara and I were able to lift your spirits! - Christine