In "The Diary of Dr. Pritchard," Suspense presents a story about the "most infamous poisoner who ever lived."
The episode is based on the true story of Edward William Pritchard, a Glasgow doctor who poisoned his wife and mother-in-law in 1865. He was also thought to be responsible for the earlier death of a servant girl who died in a fire under suspect circumstances.
Pritchard was known to be a liar, a womanizer, and something of a quack. As a result, it didn't take long for his crimes to be suspected and for him to charged with murder. (He was already suspected of being involved with his fifteen year old servant girl.) When the bodies of his wife and mother-in-law were exhumed, both were found to have died of antimony poisoning. Pritchard was convicted and hanged that same year. He was the last person to be publicly executed in Glasgow, and it is said that over 100,000 people attended the execution.
"The Diary of Dr. Pritchard" was written by Antony Ellis and produced/directed by Elliott Lewis. Sir Cedric Hardwicke played Dr. Pritchard. Also appearing were Georgia Ellis, William Johnstone, Joseph Kearns, Alma Lawton, Norma Varden, Paula Winslowe, and Ben Wright. This episode aired on October 6, 1952.
. Download Suspense_1952.10.06_Diary of Dr Pritchard
(Image of Dr. Pritchard from ilab.org )
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