Escape and Suspense!

Suspense - One Way Ride to Nowhere

In "One Way Ride to Nowhere,"  Alan Ladd stars as a private detective who investigates a murder at a seaside amusement park.

As the episode opens, Tom Dwyer and his friend, Benny, buy tickets for the Ocean City roller coaster. Benny doesn't enjoy these kinds of things, but he goes along to humor his friend.

After the ride is over, Benny refuses to go around a second time. Then, he notices that one of the other passengers has passed out.

Upon closer examination, they realize that the passenger hasn't just keeled over. He is dead!

But, the dead guy didn't purchase a ticket and he didn't get into the roller coaster car before the ride started.

So, how and why did he end up in the roller coaster car?

"One Way Ride to Nowhere" was written by Robert L. Richards and produced/directed by William Spier. Alan Ladd starred. Also appearing were Joseph Kearns, Hans Conried, Harry Lang, Pat McGeehan,  John McIntire, and Lou Merrill. This episode aired on January 6, 1944.

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 (Image of Alan Ladd)

Suspense - Life Ends at Midnight

In "Life Ends at Midnight,"  Dane Clark stars as a son who decides to murder his mother's lodger for the insurance money.

As the episode opens, Walter arrives unexpectedly at the home of his devoted mother. She is happy to see him, but puzzled as to why he has come. It doesn't take long for the real reason for his visit to become apparent.

He needs money...again. If Walter doesn't get it, he will end up in prison.

His mother explains that she gave up all her savings to help him the last time he was in trouble. Now, she has nothing.

Walter doesn't like that answer, but then he realizes that she does have something valuable...a lodger with no family named Mr. Chalmers...

"Life Ends at Midnight" was written by Robert Tallman and produced/directed by William Spier. Dane Clark and Fay Bainter starred. Also appearing were Hans Conried, William Johnstone, and Ralph Morgan. This episode aired on February 17, 1944.

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Suspense presented this episode a second time, with a downer of an introduction by Robert Montgomery, on May 8, 1948. Fay Bainter starred with Tony Barrett and Norman Field.  Anton M. Leader produced and directed.

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Suspense presented this story a third time on October 18, 1955. Paula Winslowe and Stacy Harris starred. Also appearing were Victor Rodman, Jim Nusser, Bob Easton, and Dick Ryan. Antony Ellis produced and directed.

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(Image of Fay Bainter from Wikipedia)