
This week on Relic Radio Thrillers, Suspense brings us its story from May 31, 1955, titled, Beirut By Sunrise. Listen to more from Suspense https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/e55e1c7a-e213-4a20-8701-21862bdf1f8a/Thriller891.mp3 Download Thriller891 | Subscribe | Spotify | Support Relic Radio Thrillers Relic Radio Thrillers is made possible by your support. If you’d like to help this show keep coming every week, visit donate.relicradio.com for more information. Thank [...]
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Narrator
Relicradio.com presents stories of mystery and intrigue, espionage and suspense. Hear tales of ticking time bombs, mysterious crime scenes and cloak and dagger action. This is Relic Radio Thrillers. Welcome back to Relic Radio Thrillers. New episodes every Friday, every@ Relicradio.com. our story comes from Suspense this week, a series that debuted over CBS stations in June of 1942. It aired until September of 1962, produced 946 original stories. The story we'll hear today is from May 31, 1955. It's titled Beirut by Sunrise.
Announcer
And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. Tonight, the story of a schoolteacher who finds the unexpected on a Mediterranean cruise. We call it Beirut by Sunrise. So now, starring Miss Mary Jane Croft, here is tonight's suspense play, beirut by Sunrise.
Mildred Gideon
Darling sister, as I told you last, this Mediterranean cruise just hasn't been what I expected. We've sailed from Beirut, but I'm still shaking after yesterday. Honestly, I was positive I'd never see this good old ship again. It's hard to believe my trip to the near east began as disappointingly as it did. That first stop at Port Said was dreadful. Not that I thought there'd be perfumed nights, but I was hoping I'd feel a little of the. The mystery of it all. When we left for Beirut, the only stimulating thing was the new dinner companion at our table, a Mr. Haroun. At least he looked interesting compared to that awfully dull Frank Grady I'd been forced to sit alone with until now.
Frank Grady
Frank Grady. Mr. Haroun. Mr. Grady, this is Ms. Gideon. Mildred Gideon.
Mr. Haroun
How do you do, Ms. Gideon? Charmed. You are both Americans?
Mildred Gideon
Yeah.
Frank Grady
Yeah, we're Americans. I am from Hacron, Ohio. Ms. Gideon's from North Dakota. Teaches school, third grade.
Mr. Haroun
Oh, charming.
Mildred Gideon
Harun.
Mr. Haroun
That name's a Persian.
Mildred Gideon
Oh, yes, of course.
Frank Grady
They say Beirut's really something to see.
Mr. Haroun
Beirut. One should see it at sunrise for the first time. A thrilling sight.
Frank Grady
Oh, swell. We hit there in the night. How about a sunrise date, teacher?
Mildred Gideon
Well, I really hadn't planned on it. I.
Frank Grady
Well, it's okay by me. Can't say I didn't offer. Well, by route, here we come.
Mildred Gideon
Beirut, here we come. Honestly, he just made me wince. Companions are half the fun. But really, you couldn't commune with anything. With Frank Grady around, I was darned if I'd share Beirut by sunrise with him. It was around 5 when I awoke. I felt a little thrilled when I realized the engines had stopped and we were there. I It was dawn when I reached the deck. I was alone. It was marvelously still, like everything holding its breath. Then just a crack of sunlight, and spires of minarets began to appear. Then domes. The whole sweeping outline of the city rising out of the night. Just pure Omar Khayyam. I floated with it, completely carried away by the sight in that magic quiet. Ah, then, wouldn't you know, something had to spoil it. Down on the dock below, some man had come stumbling out of one of those shadows. Honestly, just reeling. It was still pretty dark, but I could see he was a sailor, an American sailor coming toward the ship. He looked up. I saw his face was filled with pain, and he swayed and fell, tried to drag himself. I don't know why I did it, but there just wasn't anyone else around any place. And I was positive he needed help. What happened to you? Can I help?
Beirut Police Officer
Dead sailor.
Mildred Gideon
What? Message. Listen. Yeah.
Mr. Haroun
Sultan's turret, 15 step.
Mildred Gideon
Tell it to look. Then I saw it. A knife buried in his back. He just died. I turned and ran. Oh. Oh, I'm terribly sorry.
Beirut Police Officer
Oh, you are America. What are you running from, Mamzelle?
Mildred Gideon
Down the street back there on the dock. Oh, Are you a police? Yes.
Beirut Police Officer
Mamzelle, Beirut police. I presume you are from the passenger ship.
Mildred Gideon
Yes, that's right. On the dock, there's a dead man, A sailor. There's a knife in his back.
Beirut Police Officer
Yes, of course. Now, what is it you wish me to do?
Mildred Gideon
Do? He's just lying there. Dead.
Beirut Police Officer
Isn't it a little early for dead bodies, Mansella Baron? You're sure he's not just drunk?
Mildred Gideon
Drunk? I told you, there's a knife in his back. Well, you could take a look, you know, you can almost see it from here.
Beirut Police Officer
Please, I don't mean to doubt you, but.
Mildred Gideon
Look, I'm only telling you what I saw. I didn't imagine this. It just happened. The poor, poor man's dead.
Beirut Police Officer
American tourist. All right, mamzel. I shall accompany you to the dead body.
Mildred Gideon
Now, you see, I was standing right up there on the deck.
Beirut Police Officer
Yes, I see. Now, where exactly?
Mildred Gideon
Just at the edge of those packing cases. I don't want to look. Oh, please, I. I couldn't bear to look.
Beirut Police Officer
There's nothing here.
Mildred Gideon
What? This is. This is the exact place.
Beirut Police Officer
Yeah, sure.
Mildred Gideon
I swear. They must have moved him.
Announcer
They?
Mildred Gideon
Well, someone.
Beirut Police Officer
Mamzel, when a man is drunk.
Mildred Gideon
He wasn't drunk, believe me. There was a knife in his back.
Beirut Police Officer
Then there should be blood. There is no blood.
Mildred Gideon
Look, I saw it. Possibly the shadow I Swear I saw it.
Beirut Police Officer
He was dead with a body. There is little we can do. You agree?
Mildred Gideon
Yes, but I. You don't believe I saw anything, do you?
Mr. Haroun
Something?
Beirut Police Officer
Yes. Beirut is a modern city, but it still has charm. Sometimes a visitor is overwhelmed.
Mildred Gideon
Well, I don't understand it. I'm not wearing my glasses, but. Well, it was so real.
Beirut Police Officer
The report will be filled. Now, if I may escort you back to the ship.
Mildred Gideon
All right. I don't understand it, but all right. I felt absolutely ridiculous. The policeman couldn't help thinking I was only a giddy, excited tourist. Saying any more just make it worse. I looked back at the place. It was broad daylight now and everything did look different. Well, there wasn't anything to do except try and push it out of my mind if I was going to enjoy Beirut at all. When I got to my cabin, I put some cold water on my face and went up for breakfast.
Frank Grady
Hey, you're late this morning, teacher. Oversleep, did you?
Mildred Gideon
No, no, I was just buying some film for my camera at the ship store. Good morning, Mr. Harun.
Mr. Haroun
Good morning.
Frank Grady
Well, by route, here we are. Hey, to see the sunrise, teacher? Thanks for the suggestion, Mr. Haroon. It was really something.
Mildred Gideon
Did you see the sunrise, Mr. Grady?
Frank Grady
Well, sure. From a porthole.
Mildred Gideon
Not from the deck?
Frank Grady
No, I just got out of bed, took a look, went back to sleep. Oh, it looks like a pretty good town. Little on the gaudy side. You're signed up for the tour, aren't you?
Mildred Gideon
I haven't yet.
Frank Grady
Well, you better hurry.
Mildred Gideon
Are you going on the tour, Mr. Haru?
Mr. Haroun
I am familiar with Beirut.
Mildred Gideon
Oh, well then you must know those little out of the way places that tourists ordinarily don't see some.
Mr. Haroun
The street of the Seven Nightingales.
Mildred Gideon
Oh, I'm just dying to see something like that. Well, you know, tours are so commercial.
Frank Grady
You want to see some of that hoochie coochie stuff.
Mildred Gideon
Why, teacher, that's not what I mean, Mr. Grady, if you were at all sensitive, you'd. You understand, don't you, Mr. Harun?
Mr. Haroun
A touch of Omar Khayyam.
Mildred Gideon
Oh, that's it. That's it exactly. To be a part of it. To see and feel antiquity with someone who.
Mr. Haroun
I could show you.
Mildred Gideon
Ms. Gideon, you must think I'm rather.
Mr. Haroun
Forward, but unfortunately I have business.
Mildred Gideon
Oh. Oh, I see.
Mr. Haroun
The tour is really excellent. It will not disappoint you. I have taken it myself.
Frank Grady
Sure, there's still time to sign up. We'll have big time, just like Port Said.
Mildred Gideon
Well, I guess I'd better go get my things.
Frank Grady
Atta girl. I'll go put your name down.
Mildred Gideon
See you this evening, Mr. Haroon.
Mr. Haroun
You will have a nice time, I am sure.
Mildred Gideon
Yes. Well, goodbye.
Frank Grady
Meet you at the gang plank, teacher. Now hurry up.
Mr. Haroun
The bazaar of the Hussat El Din. 300 years old. Now you'll have a half hour to absorb the interesting native handiwork and make purchases.
Frank Grady
There's some joint. Just like a Hollywood set, eh, teacher?
Mildred Gideon
My name is Mildred Gideon, Mr. Grady.
Frank Grady
Oh, sure. Hey, get a load of those shoes. They're selling now. Wouldn't you get the raz if you clumped around home in those?
Mildred Gideon
It's the style here.
Frank Grady
Sure, I realize that, but wouldn't you get the raz? I think I'll buy a pair. Hey, sahib.
Mr. Haroun
The Marketplace of Rashmir. 500 years old from our slave market. You will have a half hour to observe the interesting native handiwork and make.
Mildred Gideon
Slave market?
Frank Grady
This dump doesn't look like the one in the movies.
Mildred Gideon
Really, Mr. Grady. Do you have to compare everything with home? Use your imagination. Let it. Let it come to you. The camel's coming in carrying new slaves for sale. The slave dealers cracking whips. Can't you see it?
Frank Grady
Say, that's pretty good. Did you read it somewhere?
Mildred Gideon
Oh, forget it. Just forget it. I gave up after that. Frank Grady was going to be Frank Grady, and that's all there was to it. I tried to slip away, be alone for a minute, but he was just like a leech.
Frank Grady
Uh, teacher, better stick with me. You don't want to get lost, do ya?
Mildred Gideon
I was just about ready to call it quits. Go back to the ship, Find a good book to read when the next.
Mr. Haroun
Point of interest is Al Kasir, the Sultan's turret.
Mildred Gideon
The Sultan's turret. That seemed familiar. I was certain I'd heard that name before. Then it suddenly hit me. The sailor. The dead sailor, he'd said. Message. Sultan's turret, 15th step. Oh, I could have kicked myself for not remembering. For that policeman, it was a big stone tower, broken down in places. But it was solid and real proof that I hadn't imagined that poor man. My heart was simply pounding. I couldn't wait to get inside.
Mr. Haroun
By the Sultan amid Kassir. Now the upper half has been condemned as unsafe.
Mildred Gideon
It was dark inside, just little lights near the showcases. I looked around for the steps. In one of the corners, I saw them curving upward. They were roped off. I edged away from the others, praying Frank Grady wouldn't see me. I slipped under the rope, started up 1 2, 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12, 13, 14, 15. It was very dark. Only a glimmer of light. I waited. Felt as if there was someone else there in the shadows. Then a tiny white something caught my eye. A piece of paper. I picked it up. I looked at it. I was writing. It said, ship six. That's all.
Mr. Haroun
Well, Ms. Gideon. Mr. Harun, I have been waiting for you.
Announcer
You are listening to Beirut by Sunrise. Tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, suspense. You can't shortchange today's students in their classrooms and hope that tomorrow's leaders will be up to the international competition. Give a thought to how well today's schools can train tomorrow's leaders. Join your local groups fighting for better schools. And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage, Miss Mary Jane Croft, starring in tonight's production of Beirut by Sunrise, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
Mr. Haroun
I am sorry, Ms. Gideon. I really did not mean to frighten you.
Mildred Gideon
Don't come near me.
Mr. Haroun
All right.
Mildred Gideon
What are you doing up here?
Mr. Haroun
I do like forbidden places. I knew the tour would arrive here about this time. Fortunately, I finished my business early, so I came to meet you. Is that so frightening?
Mildred Gideon
No, I guess not.
Mr. Haroun
I thought you might like me to show you what I know of the city. You are all right now?
Mildred Gideon
Oh, yes, I'm all right, Mr. Haroun. Was there anyone else up here just a minute ago?
Mr. Haroun
No. You and I are the only curious ones.
Mildred Gideon
Oh, no. There had to be someone. I've got proof.
Mr. Haroun
Proof.
Frank Grady
Hey, teacher.
Mildred Gideon
Mildred, where are you? Hey.
Mr. Haroun
We're leaving, Mr. Grady. Well, shall we go down?
Mildred Gideon
No, please. Let's wait till they go. I've had just about enough of Mr. Grady.
Mr. Haroun
They will think you are lost.
Mildred Gideon
Oh, let them. I've got to talk to you, Mr. Haroun. Somebody. I've just got to.
Mr. Haroun
I know of a charming place. We will talk there.
Mildred Gideon
We waited for the tour to leave. Then I took hold of Mr. Haroun's arm and we started down those awful stairs. Seemed like hours to go through the darkness. And I shuddered all the way to the bottom. Then we were out in the sunlight and I felt like breathing again. We walked. Gave me a chance to pull myself together. Finally, we stopped in front of a little place didn't look like anything from the outside. And Mr. Haroun opened the door and we went in.
Mr. Haroun
What do you think of it?
Mildred Gideon
Oh, it's just charming, this garden. It's the Arabian Nights. It must be very old.
Mr. Haroun
They Say, Omar Khayyam once visited here.
Mildred Gideon
Oh, well, you can tell. Come, fill the cup and in the fire of spring your winter garment of repentance fling.
Mr. Haroun
The bird of time has but a little way to flutter and the bird is on the wing.
Mildred Gideon
You know the Rubaiyat?
Mr. Haroun
Some of it I remember.
Mildred Gideon
Oh, I'm dreaming again. Just couldn't be real.
Mr. Haroun
Oh, it is real, all right. Ms. Gideon. Back at the Sultan's turret.
Mildred Gideon
What?
Mr. Haroun
You said you wanted to tell me something.
Mildred Gideon
Oh, yes, that. Well, well, it's been so strange all day. First I see beauty, then death. Then it was gone. And suddenly terror again. And now this beauty. All without warning. I want to remember this place without anything to spoil it. Please take me somewhere else.
Mr. Haroun
Aren't you carrying this romantic theme a little too far?
Mildred Gideon
What? What do you mean?
Mr. Haroun
I mean. All right. I will take you someplace a little less overwhelming.
Mildred Gideon
Look, it's almost sunset. Funny, I didn't realize it was so late.
Mr. Haroun
Just this place. And we will go back to the ship.
Mildred Gideon
Go up these stairs, if you please. Oh, the view. There's the harbor. There's our ship. We'll make it back in time, won't we?
Mr. Haroun
In here, Ms. Gideon.
Mildred Gideon
Oh, it's a nice room, but I. Oh, the view from this window. It's lovely. Is that what we came to see?
Mr. Haroun
Not exactly, Mr. Haroun.
Mildred Gideon
I don't know whether I'll be sad or glad to leave Beirut. But this Time with you, Ms. Gideon. Yes?
Mr. Haroun
Time is growing short. We must discontinue.
Mildred Gideon
I know it's growing short, Mr. Harun. Short the time. But long my memory for that garden and the moments there.
Mr. Haroun
I am not sure whether you are extremely clever or extremely foolish.
Mildred Gideon
Foolish? Oh, no, Mr. Harun, please. Not foolish. I thought you realized what I truly feel.
Mr. Haroun
This place is not romantic, Ms. Gideon. You can stop it now.
Mildred Gideon
Stop it.
Mr. Haroun
You have caused me a great deal of trouble and I am finished playing games. Mr. Harun, what happened on the stairs of the sultan's turret? You are going to tell me, Ms. Gideon. What time is the meeting?
Mildred Gideon
Meeting masquerade is over.
Mr. Haroun
Do not force me. You know.
Mildred Gideon
I don't know what you're talking about.
Mr. Haroun
Death and terror. Ms. Gideon. Come here. You recognize this?
Mildred Gideon
The sailor. The dead sailor. You murderer. You murderer.
Mr. Haroun
Scott.
Mildred Gideon
Scott. I ran. Just ran. The vision of the dead man on the floor of the room, still in my eyes. And Mr. Haroun was coming after me. He was gonna kill me. I knew he was gonna kill me. I didn't know where I was or how to get back to the ship. And it got darker and darker. The streets twisted and turned in front of me. Shadow after shadow growing bigger and bigger. I had to get to the ship, but I didn't know how. Oh, my leg. Dirty ugly man appeared beside me. I backed away from him. He slithered after me. And then I put my back against a wall. Walls all around. There wasn't any way out. I could feel a scream gathering in my throat. I saw a door just out of reach. I edged toward was a big room, dim and evil smelling. There were people, but they didn't pay any attention to me. They were watching a dancing girl weaving through a greasy yellow light. I saw another door and slid along the wall toward it. And he was there, following me away from him. Keep up. Away.
Frank Grady
Mildred.
Mildred Gideon
Mildred. Frank. Mildred.
Frank Grady
Hey, teacher.
Mildred Gideon
Here. Here.
Frank Grady
Over this way.
Mr. Haroun
That's it.
Mildred Gideon
There.
Mr. Haroun
Hey.
Mildred Gideon
I'm never so glad to see anybody.
Frank Grady
Well, what happened to you? I've been looking all over. You know, the ship's almost ready to leave.
Mildred Gideon
He was gonna kill me.
Frank Grady
Who was going to kill you?
Mildred Gideon
That horrible, terrible Mr. Arun. Let's get to the ship, please.
Frank Grady
No, no, wait a minute. I. I gotta know what time that drop is. Drop the message you got at the Sultan's turret. I know you got her. You wouldn't have ditched me.
Mildred Gideon
What?
Frank Grady
The film documents. On the film teacher. A little white slip of paper tells place and time. And you've got it. Now, you forget your act and I'll forget mine.
Mildred Gideon
Sailor. He said tell it to.
Frank Grady
To me. To Frank Grady. He was my contact. You got in the way.
Mildred Gideon
No, no.
Frank Grady
Come on now. Give me that paper.
Announcer
Look, teacher.
Frank Grady
Give me that paper. I'll kill you. I mean it, Grady.
Mildred Gideon
What.
Mr. Haroun
Ms. Gideon, is.
Mildred Gideon
What? Mr. Harun. Don't touch me.
Mr. Haroun
No, it is all right. Everything is all right, I assure you.
Mildred Gideon
All right. Where am I?
Beirut Police Officer
Pilot's launch, Ms. Gideon. I'm escorting you back to the ship.
Announcer
Once more, policeman.
Beirut Police Officer
We are sorry you had to go through as much as you did.
Mr. Haroun
It was imperative to find out which one was the spy. Mr. Gideon Grady or you.
Mildred Gideon
Spy.
Mr. Haroun
Dealers in state documents collected and sold to the highest bidder. We knew someone would meet the sailor.
Mildred Gideon
Oh, I see now then you didn't.
Beirut Police Officer
He was stabbed in a street brawl before he could reach the ship.
Mr. Haroun
Unfortunately, you complicated things also for us as well as Mr. Grady. I am sorry I had to treat you roughly at the house on the.
Mildred Gideon
Hill because you thought I. And I thought you. Oh, Mr. Harum, I'm so glad I was wrong. About you. I don't mind anything now I am.
Mr. Haroun
Staying here in B. I wish you a pleasant trip and bon voyage.
Mildred Gideon
Perplexed no more with human or divine.
Mr. Haroun
Than tomorrow's tangle to the winds. Resign.
Mildred Gideon
Thank you Mr. Hart. Thank you very much.
Announcer
Suspense in which Miss Mary Jane Croft starred in tonight's presentation of Beirut by Sunrise. Next week, the story of terror in the streets. We call it the Whole Town Sleeping. That's next week on Suspense. Suspense is produced and directed by Anthony Ellis. Tonight's script was written by Mr. Richard Chandley. The music was composed by Lucian Marowick and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. Featured in the cast were High Averback, Jack Prusian, Don diamond and Ben Wright. Thursday nights the Whistler brings Mystery on the CBS Radio Network.
Narrator
You can find more from Suspense, Relic Radio Thrillers and all of the other podcasts@ RelicRadio.com. you'll also find our Shoutcast stream there with even more old time radio lots to listen to, all made possible by your support. If you'd like to send some of that support, visit, donate or click on one of the links on the website. Thanks to those who have thanks for joining me this week. I'll be back tomorrow with the Horror and next Friday with our next episode of Relic Radio Thrillers.
Beirut by Sunrise: A Detailed Summary of Suspense’s Classic Episode
Relic Radio Thrillers, presented by RelicRadio.com, delves into the gripping old-time radio adventure “Beirut by Sunrise,” originally aired on May 31, 1955, as part of the renowned series Suspense. This episode masterfully intertwines mystery, espionage, and psychological thriller elements, delivering a narrative that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats.
The episode opens with Mildred Gideon, a third-grade teacher from North Dakota, embarking on a Mediterranean cruise departing from Beirut. Accompanied by her sister and enduring less-than-pleasant initial stops, Mildred finds herself reluctantly sharing a table with two men: the uninteresting Frank Grady from Hacron, Ohio, and the enigmatic Mr. Haroun.
Notable Quote:
Upon arrival in Beirut at dawn, Mildred is captivated by the city’s serene beauty. However, her awe is swiftly interrupted when she discovers a dead American sailor on the dock, a knife lodged in his back. Determined to report the incident, Mildred confronts a Beirut Police Officer, only to face skepticism and dismissal.
Key Events:
Notable Quotes:
Persisting in her quest for the truth, Mildred recalls the sailor’s cryptic message: “Sultan's turret, 15 step.” This clue leads her to investigate the Sultan’s Turret, a historical landmark in Beirut. Navigating through darkness and evading suspicious individuals, she uncovers a piece of paper inscribed with “ship six,” deepening the mystery.
Key Events:
Notable Quote:
As the tension peaks, Mr. Haroun confronts Mildred, revealing his true intentions. He discloses that he and Frank Grady are involved in illicit dealings, specifically trading state documents to the highest bidder. The dead sailor was an informant trying to relay critical information, and Mildred inadvertently became entangled in their schemes.
Key Events:
Notable Quotes:
In the aftermath, the Beirut Police Officer intervenes, clarifying the situation. The dead sailor had been fatally stabbed in a street brawl before reaching the ship, absolving Mildred of any espionage involvement. Mr. Haroun acknowledges the complications caused by his misjudgment and departs, leaving Mildred relieved yet perplexed by the ordeal.
Key Events:
Notable Quotes:
“Beirut by Sunrise” stands out as a quintessential Suspense episode, blending atmospheric storytelling with intricate plot twists. Through Mildred Gideon’s harrowing experience, listeners are immersed in a tale of mystery and danger, ultimately delivering a satisfying resolution that reaffirms the protagonist’s integrity and courage.
Overall Impressions: The episode masterfully maintains tension and intrigue, utilizing dynamic character interactions and a well-paced narrative. The inclusion of Persian cultural elements and the evocative description of Beirut enrich the storyline, making “Beirut by Sunrise” a memorable entry in the Suspense series.
For fans of classic radio dramas and those newly discovering old-time radio, “Beirut by Sunrise” offers a compelling narrative filled with suspense, making it a standout episode in the Relic Radio Thrillers collection.