Suspense's "They Call Me Patrice" was adapted from the novellette by Cornell Woolrich eight months after it was first published in Today's Woman magazine (April 1946). Woolrich later reworked this same story into his classic novel, I Married a Dead Man, which was published in 1948 under his pen name, William Irish.
William Spiers adapted the original novellette for Suspense and made two important changes: the main character, Helen/Patrice is not pregnant, and the happy ending was changed to one that isn't.
As the episode opens, Helen Georgesson is on a train back to San Francisco after divorcing her no-good husband in New York. She meets Patrice and Hugh Hazzard, and she is attracted to their bubbly newlywed happiness.
Helen accompanies Patrice to the ladies room, and while they are chatting about Patrice's fears of meeting her new inlaws---the train suddenly goes off the rails and crashes!
Later, Helen awakens in a hospital room, only to realize that she has been mistakenly identified as Patrice Hazzard. In desperation for a new and better life, she doesn't tell them the truth.
Will Helen find peace in her new life? Or, will someone from her past discover her secret...
"They Call Me Patrice" was adapted for Suspense, produced and directed by William Spier. Susan Peters starred. (This radio appearance occurred during the time in her career when she was wheelchair-bound.) Also appearing were William Johnstone, Wally Maher, and Jeannette Nolan. This episode aired on December 12, 1946.
. Download Suspense_1946-12-12_They Call Me Patrice
I Married a Dead Man was the basis of the 1950 film No Man of Her Own starring Barbara Stanwyck, as well as the later remakes J'ai epouse un ombre (1983) and Mrs. Winterbourne (1996).
On September 21, 1951, an excellent version of No Man of Her Own was presented on radio by The Screen Director's Playhouse. Barbara Stanwyck and Lyle Bettger star in this hour long episode. Richard Alan Simmons adapted for radio.
. Download SDP_51-09-21_ep121-No_Man_Of_Her_Own
Below is a clip from No Man of Her Own, which is not available on DVD, but is currently available through streaming Netflix.
I LOVED both these episodes, especially the one with Barbara Stanwyck, one of my favorites. Such a joy to hear this as I didn't even know it existed. Thanks!
Posted by: James Maritnez | August 16, 2011 at 03:57 PM