Suspense's "The Black Curtain" was based on the classic 1941 novel of the same name by Cornell Woolrich. Their version does not represent the book exactly as written, but whether or not the changes are acceptable...is up to the listener. Suspense presented this story three times, twice as a half hour program and once as an hour-long episode.
In the biography, Cornell Woolrich: First You Dream, then You Die, author Francis M Nevins, Jr. gives Suspense's adaptation high praise for capturing the essence of Woolrich's particular brand of bleakness and for improving upon the final scenes. As he states on page 494:
"Cary Grant gave a magnificent performance as Townsend and Lurene Tuttle was superb as Ruth in this play which was at once so different from its source novel and to true to its dark spirit that I'm almost convinced it was adapted by Woolrich himself..."
Suspense's version more closely remembles novel's 1942 film adaptation, Street of Chance, which starred Burgess Meredith and Claire Trevor.
As the episode opens, Frank Townsend awakens from an accident to discover that he is unable to remember the last three years of his life. His only clue is his hat, which is mongrammed with the initials "D.N." Soon, however, Frank realizes that he is being followed by someone who does know. Someone with a gun...
"The Black Curtain" was presented the first time on December 2, 1943. William Spier produced and directed. Cary Grant starred as Frank Townsend. Lurene Tuttle played Ruth. Also appearing were Bea Benaderet, Hans Conried, William Johnstone, Harry Lang, and Walter Tetley.
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The second presentation was on November 30, 1944. Cary Grant and Lurene Tuttle again played the roles of Frank and Ruth.
. Download Suspense_1944-11-30_The Black Curtain_
Suspense presented this story a third time in an hour long episode on January 3, 1948. William Spier again produced and directed. This time, Robert Montgomery played the role of Frank Townsend. Lurene Tuttle again played Ruth. Also appearing were Cathy Lewis, Jeannette Nolan, Sidney Miller, Conrad Binyon, Jack Kruschen, William Conrad, Jerry Hausner, Paul Frees, Ira Grosell (a.k.a Jeff Chandler (in the role of Franklin)) Junius Matthews, Harry Lang, and Joseph Kearns .
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Street of Chance is not currently available on DVD, but hopefully, it will be restored someday soon and released again.
Watch Street of Chance (1942) in Entertainment | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
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