In "Philomel Cottage," a woman marries quickly and then discovers that her idyllic life is not what she believed.
This episode was based on the short story of the same name by Agatha Christie, which was first published in the United Kingdom in her book The Listerdale Mystery (1934). Since then, "Philomel Cottage" has been adapted for the stage, film, radio, and television.
As the episode opens, newlyweds Gerald and Alix Martin are in the garden of their rustic new home. They met a month ago, married after one week, and have spent the last three weeks in their lovely and remote country cottage.
Before she had met Gerald, she intended to marry her long-time friend, Dick Windyford. However, when she inherited a little money, Dick's pride kept him from proposing. When Gerald came along and swept Alix off her feet, Dick warned her that she was making a mistake.
Now, Alix is begining to understand that perhaps she married her husband too quickly. Perhaps...he hasn't been entirely honest with her.
Her curiousity is peaked when she finds her husband's pocket diary and discovers that Gerald has something in particular planned for them later that day...
Suspense first presented their adaptation on July 29, 1942, but that episode is considered lost. No known recordings of that broadcast are known to exist.
The story was presented a second time on October 7, 1943. "Philomel Cottage" was adapted for radio by screenwriter Harold Medford and produced/directed by William Spier. Orson Welles and Geraldine Fitzgerald starred. Joseph Kearns was the narrator.
. Download Suspense_1943-10-07_Philomel_Cottage_
Suspense presented this story a third time on December 26, 1946. Elliot Lewis and Lilli Palmer starred.
. Download Suspense_1946-12-26_Philomel_Cottage_
(Image of the first edition of The Listerdale Mystery from Wikipedia)
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