Suspense - Overdrawn

In "Overdrawn," a bored bank employee steals a briefcase full of money and runs away to San Francisco.  Suspense presented a number of episodes about wayward bank employees, but what makes "Overdrawn" interesting is that it was adapted for radio by Blake Edwards.

As the episode opens, Mr. Farley explains that he has been a bank teller for seventeen years because he has patience. Lots of patience. He also has a "perfect crime" scenario worked out in his head, but in order for it to play out, the bank would have to be held up by gunmen. So, he waits.

Finally, one day, while Mr. Farley is training a new employee, the bank is held up by gunmen! During the confusion, Mr. Farley then flings the contents of his bank drawer into his briefcase. No one appears to have noticed, and Mr. Farley leaves for the day with a briefcase full of cash and the exultation of having committed a flawless crime. But, did he?

"Overdrawn" was written for Suspense by Robert Platt (?) and adapted by Blake Edwards. Elliott Lewis produced/directed and Dick Powell starred. Also appearing were Dick Crenna, Mary Jane Croft, Norman Field, Edwin Max, Joseph Kearns, and Benny Rubin.  This episode aired on May 31, 1951.

.  Download Suspense_1951.05.31_Overdrawn

(Image from Wikimedia Commons)

Comments

[Mike N.]

Dick Powell starred in "Richard Diamond, Private Detective" which was created by Blake Edwards (and he wrote and/or produced many of the episodes) so it makes sense they worked together on this episode of Suspense. I actually liked this one more than I thought I would. As you mentioned, the forlorn bank employee seems to be a popular theme of the time, but this one has some interesting twists. Richard Diamond is a fun, lighthearted detective show to listen to if you aren't familiar with it.

[Christine M.]

Hi Mike, Thanks for letting me know about Richard Diamond. I listened to this episode again because I hadn't heard it since I posted this back in 2009. Today, I work not too far from where the hotel in this story was supposedly located. So, it is kind of a hoot. Sometimes in these radio stories they just make everything up, but in this case there are recognizable San Francisco locations and details.