BONUS - More Favorites from '46 - Stars on Suspense (Old Time Radio)

Summary4 min read

Episode Summary: BONUS - More Favorites from '46

Stars on Suspense presents a captivating collection of classic suspense radio plays from 1946, featuring legendary Hollywood actors in riveting tales of mystery, intrigue, and unexpected twists. This bonus episode, released on July 8, 2025, showcases some of the most enthralling stories from the golden age of radio drama.

1. "Out of Control"

[00:09]
Starring Mr. Brian Dunleavy as Walter Crane and Marcia Fillmore.

Plot Overview:
Walter Crane, a former insurance investigator, arrives in Gatlinburg with his loyal German shepherd, Snooki. He confronts Marcia Fillmore, insinuating that her husband's potential gubernatorial run is jeopardized by secrets surrounding the late Eddie Hassan's mysterious automobile crash. As tensions escalate, Walter's probing reveals inconsistencies in Marcia's account, suggesting deeper involvement and ulterior motives. The narrative weaves a complex web of blackmail, suspicion, and deceit, keeping listeners on edge.

Notable Quote:
Walter Crane at [02:13]:

"Eddie Hasson killed in auto Crash. Colorful Reno Figure Plunges from Mountain Road. Car out of control. Say Police."

Key Points:

Introduction of Walter Crane's character and his connection to Marcia Fillmore.
Revelation of Eddie Hassan's death and its implications.
Psychological tension between Walter and Marcia as secrets begin to surface.
Clues suggesting that the car crash may not have been accidental.

2. "Post Mortem"

[05:08]
Starring Agnes Moorhead as Josie Archer.

Plot Overview:
Josie Archer grapples with confessing her role in her husband Harry Mead's demise. Initially appearing as the victim of a tragic accident, deeper investigation by Walter Crane uncovers evidence of foul play. Josie's meticulously crafted alibi begins to crumble under scrutiny, revealing her as the manipulative force behind the orchestrated accident. The story delves into themes of guilt, manipulation, and the facade of normalcy masking dark intentions.

Notable Quote:
Josie Archer at [45:44]:

"I swung the flatiron by its handle squarely at the back of his head. He didn't die right away, but he was unconscious and... I did it."

Key Points:

Josie's seemingly innocent demeanor hides her true intentions.
The use of an ice pick as a method of murder adds a chilling element to the plot.
The unraveling of Josie's alibi showcases the intricate nature of her deceit.
Final confrontation leads to the exposure of Josie's guilt.

3. "Hunting Trip"

[56:11]
Starring Vincent Price as Eric and Lloyd Nolan as Stan.

Plot Overview:
Stan and Eric embark on a hunting trip that swiftly devolves into a battle of wits and survival. Eric, harboring a deep-seated vendetta, orchestrates a series of events to eliminate Stan through various methods—strangulation, pistol shots, drowning, and poison. The tension mounts as Stan realizes Eric's true intentions, leading to a climactic showdown where survival instincts are pitted against calculated malice.

Notable Quote:
Eric at [105:09]:

"Four Ways to Commit Murder. By strangulation, by pistol bullet, by drowning, By Po."

Key Points:

The dynamic between the two characters evolves from camaraderie to confrontation.
Eric's meticulous planning highlights his obsession and strategic mindset.
The suspense builds through near-misses and psychological manipulation.
The conclusion emphasizes themes of trust, betrayal, and the instinctual will to survive.

4. "The Thing in the Window"

[117:17]
Starring Joseph Cotton as Martin Ames and Karen Landis as Vivian Landis.

Plot Overview:
Martin Ames concocts an elaborate scheme to frighten his neighbor, Vivian Landis, by simulating the presence of a ghost in her apartment window. Utilizing his background in acting, Martin manipulates shadows and perceptions to create believable supernatural occurrences. As Vivian becomes increasingly unnerved, the façade begins to falter, leading to a revelation of Martin's true motives and the consequences of his deceitful actions.

Notable Quote:
Martin Ames at [132:02]:

"The supernatural. A ghost. What nonsense, Mr. Ames."

Key Points:

Martin's expertise in acting and manipulation serves as the foundation for his scheme.
Vivian's skepticism gradually gives way to fear as the "ghost's" presence becomes more convincing.
The interplay between illusion and reality drives the suspense forward.
The aftermath explores the psychological impact of deceit and the thin line between perception and truth.

Conclusion:
This bonus episode of Stars on Suspense transports listeners back to the thrilling world of 1940s radio dramas, where masterful storytelling and compelling performances converge to create unforgettable tales of suspense. Each play offers a unique exploration of human psychology, moral dilemmas, and the dark corners of ambition and desire. For fans of classic suspense, this episode is a treasure trove of intricate plots and timeless intrigue.

Notable Overall Quote:
Walter Crane at [22:10]:

"That's your method, Marcia. First, the victim is drugged with an overdose of sleeping medicine... Only this time, it's not going to work."

This comprehensive summary highlights the key narratives and dramatic twists of each play featured in the episode, providing both context and insight for new and returning listeners alike.

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Transcript737 lines

[00:10]
Walter Crane
The hushed voice. The prowling step in the dead of night. The crime that is almost committed. The stir of nerves at the ticking of the clock. The rescue that might be too late. Or the murderer who might get away. Mystery and intrigue and dangerous adventure. We invite you to enjoy stories that keep you in suspense. Suspense. Mr. Brian Dunleavy as star of out of Control, a suspense play produced, edited and directed by William Spear. I arrived in Gatlinburg around 10 in the morning. I checked in at a hotel called the Mountain Inn. Went downstairs to breakfast. My dog Snooki went with me, as she always does. I gave my order to the waiter, and as I sat there, I looked the place over. It was a good sized room by the echo in it. There was a log fire crackling in a fireplace on the far side of the room. And the large view window on my right glass has a special kind of echo. There was only one person in the room when I entered. It was a woman, apparently a wealthy and rather vain woman, judging from her perfume. She was sitting at a table diagonally across from me. I looked in her direction, so to speak. I heard a man's footsteps approaching across the room and smelled fresh polish on riding boots. As he went past me, he paused before her table. Well, if it is Mrs. Dennis Fillmore. Hello, Marcia.
[02:14]
Marcia Fillmore
Walter Crane.
[02:15]
Walter Crane
You surprised to see me?
[02:17]
Marcia Fillmore
What do you want?
[02:18]
Walter Crane
I hear your husband is thinking of running for governor.
[02:22]
Marcia Fillmore
So what?
[02:23]
Walter Crane
Well, Marcia, I've got a newspaper clipping here. I thought it might interest him. It's about your pal, the late Eddie Hasson.
[02:31]
Marcia Fillmore
What about Eddie?
[02:33]
Walter Crane
I'll read you the headline. Eddie Hassan killed in auto Crash. Colorful Reno Figure Plunges from Mountain Road. Car out of control. Say Police.
[02:44]
Marcia Fillmore
Dennis, never.
[02:45]
Walter Crane
I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I never mean to. But as some people can read what's on the marquee of a movie theater 10 blocks away, the most intimate conduct and conversation comes to me from across the room as if spoken into a microphone. This is a dubious pleasure for me at most times. But as Marcia Fillmore and Walter Crane continued, my interest became more than casual. He was reading again from the newspaper clipping here at the bottom of the article. Marcia Hanley, hostess at the Blue Parrot Hasson's gambling club, is beneficiary of an insurance policy. Ms. Hanley was the late Mr. Hassan's companion and was to have been married to him upon his divorce decree becoming final. Well, I was just wondering if your brand new politically minded house would be interested in the fact that you were Known locally as a gangster's companion.
[03:38]
Marcia Fillmore
You always were a louse, Walter, but I never thought you'd stoop to blackmail.
[03:42]
Walter Crane
Look, I lost a good job because of you, Marcia. When an insurance investigator gets fired because his employers think he's too susceptible to beautiful dames, he never gets back in the racket. I've got to look elsewhere for a source of income. And it so happens there are some things about Eddie Hassan's accident that might interest my former employees.
[04:04]
Marcia Fillmore
Eddie's car got out of control, and that's all there is to it.
[04:08]
Walter Crane
Look, you seem to forget, baby, I investigated that case for Pacific Aldris before they paid off. And I didn't tell all the things I knew or all the things I thought because, well, you were making life very interesting for me in those days. Well, Marcia.
[04:26]
Marcia Fillmore
You're wasting your time, Walter.
[04:28]
Walter Crane
Am I?
[04:29]
Marcia Fillmore
Get out. And take your clipping with you.
[04:34]
Walter Crane
Well, you can't blame a man for trying. Oh, waiter. Oh, yes, sir? Bring me a glass of water, will you? Ice water. Was something wrong, ma'? Am?
[04:45]
Marcia Fillmore
No, nothing's wrong.
[04:47]
Walter Crane
Get the water. Yes, sir. Right away.
[04:50]
Marcia Fillmore
Why did you do that? What? Nothing. Skip it.
[04:54]
Walter Crane
Oh, the ice water. I'm thirsty, that's all.
[04:57]
Marcia Fillmore
You're sure that's all?
[04:58]
Walter Crane
What else would I want with ice water?
[05:01]
Marcia Fillmore
Forget it. Look, Walter, I'll sell Dennis on the idea of investing some money in a company of yours.
[05:08]
Walter Crane
Well, now, that's more like it. When's he coming up here?
[05:11]
Marcia Fillmore
Tomorrow. But you mustn't see him till I've had a chance to talk to him. Get out of town right away. Tonight.
[05:16]
Walter Crane
Well, where will I go?
[05:18]
Marcia Fillmore
I have a fishing lodge up in the mountains. I'll give you the key to the place. You go up there and stay till I've sold Dennis on the idea. When the time's ripe, I'll come and get you.
[05:26]
Walter Crane
I'll cut you in on the deal if you sell them good enough.
[05:29]
Marcia Fillmore
Women do things sometimes, Walter, that they don't want to be paid for.
[05:34]
Walter Crane
Lonesome women. Maybe. Maybe. Marcia, you're still the most beautiful woman that ever led a man up a garden path.
[05:45]
Marcia Fillmore
Add strength to that, Walter.
[05:47]
Walter Crane
In ice water.
[05:49]
Marcia Fillmore
In ice water.
[05:59]
Walter Crane
The man who had come to blackmail Marcia Fillmore remained to whisper sweet nothings in her ear. It didn't make sense at first, but then I remembered. I. I had been told that she was a very beautiful woman. Beautiful to look at, that is. There are times when I am profoundly grateful that I have no eyes to deceive me. It must have Been shortly after midnight that I heard it. I awoke with a start and sat up in bed. Although I have been blind for many years, I still reach out automatically for the light switch when I am awakened in the night. When the light went on, the sound stopped. I turned it off and waited. Quiet, schnookie, quiet. It started again. It seemed to be below my window, somewhere down by the garage. Hotel garage. Through the years, I have finally trained myself to identify almost any action by sound. But this one stumped me at first. It continued for perhaps 10 seconds longer, and then it stopped for good and a car door slammed. I made a careful mental note of the car's motor as it started up. It was a Packard, and one of the spark plugs was missing. Fire. But it got underway fast and was soon out of even my earshot. Of one thing I was certain. It turned off the main road onto gravel. There was only one such turn off within earshot of the hotel. The private road to the Fillmores fishing lodge. Evidently, Mr. Walter Crane was going to have a visitor up there sooner than he had expected. As I dropped off to sleep, the memory of that sound came back to me. There was something strange and altogether sinister about it. It was still ringing in my head when I dropped off to sleep. I was awakened early by an insistent rapping on the door of my room. Quiet, Stucky. Just a moment. I fumbled about, found my robe and put it on.
[08:39]
Marcia Fillmore
Captain McLean?
[08:40]
Walter Crane
I'm Duncan McLean.
[08:42]
Marcia Fillmore
May I come in for a moment?
[08:43]
Walter Crane
Of course.
[08:45]
Marcia Fillmore
I do hope you'll forgive me for bursting in here like this, but I saw you in the dining room yesterday morning and when I heard who you were. I hope you won't be angry with me.
[08:54]
Walter Crane
Why, not at all. Past my getting up time anyway. It must have been the mountain air that made me oversleep. Won't you sit down?
[09:01]
Marcia Fillmore
Thank you.
[09:01]
Walter Crane
Cigarette?
[09:02]
Marcia Fillmore
Yes, thanks.
[09:04]
Walter Crane
Here, I've got it.
[09:07]
Marcia Fillmore
You know, you're really amazing. One would never suspect that you're blind.
[09:14]
Walter Crane
Well, Mrs. Fillmore, we blind people can compensate to a certain extent by developing other senses more acutely.
[09:20]
Marcia Fillmore
You know my name.
[09:21]
Walter Crane
I took the liberty of asking the head waiter last night who the lady was with the intoxicating perfume, just as.
[09:28]
Marcia Fillmore
I asked who the man was with the police dog.
[09:31]
Walter Crane
Oh, no. Snooki here is not a police dog. She's just an amiable old German shepherd. I have a police dog, though. Dreist. I only take him along when I'm on especially dangerous assignments.
[09:42]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, I gather you're not on one now.
[09:46]
Walter Crane
Shall we get to the point, Mrs. Fillmore. Oh.
[09:49]
Marcia Fillmore
Well. Well, there's a man staying here in this hotel, or rather he was. His name is Walter Crane. He's a blackmailer. Yes, well, there's no need going into it, but he's got hold of something about my past. If it were published, it would ruin my husband's career.
[10:08]
Walter Crane
There's only one thing to do with a blackmailer, Mrs. Fillmore. Turn him over to the police.
[10:13]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, no, you don't understand. The police here is Sheriff Blackmer. He and my husband are political enemies. I'm afraid it would be too good an opportunity for him to pass up.
[10:23]
Walter Crane
Yes, I see your point.
[10:25]
Marcia Fillmore
My. My first instinct was to get Walter Crane away from here. I told him to go up to our fishing lodge. I even gave him the key. I. I even pretended to renew an old interest which he once fancied I had in him personally.
[10:38]
Walter Crane
Always a mistake.
[10:39]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, but you don't know the worst of it. My husband came in from Knoxville early this morning and without even waking me, went straight on up to the fishing lodge. He left a note asking me to join him up there. My husband is a violent and unreasonable man when he's angry, Captain McLean. If he finds Walter Crane staying there in the lodge, he's likely to think that.
[10:58]
Walter Crane
Just what are you afraid of, Mrs. Fillmore?
[11:02]
Marcia Fillmore
I'm afraid my husband. Heaven forgive me for such a thought. I'm afraid my husband will murder him. There, now I've said it.
[11:13]
Walter Crane
Yes, now you've said it. Excuse me. Yes? Oh, Mrs. Fillmore. Yes, she's right here. It's for you, Mrs. Fillmore.
[11:22]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, no, don't. Don't go. I'm afraid. Hello? Yes, Sheriff Blackmer.
[11:31]
Walter Crane
Oh, how dare you. Dreadful.
[11:34]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, I know we didn't know him. I. I did speak to him for a moment yesterday evening, but I. Course, I'd be glad to help you in any way I can. I'll be in my cottage.
[11:47]
Walter Crane
What is it?
[11:49]
Marcia Fillmore
I found him.
[11:50]
Walter Crane
His.
[11:50]
Marcia Fillmore
His car plunged over the embankment. He was killed instantly when some people in the cottage down below saw it happen.
[11:59]
Walter Crane
When?
[11:59]
Marcia Fillmore
Just five minutes ago.
[12:09]
Walter Crane
On the way over to her cottage. I stopped at the hotel desk and sent a wire to the Seeing Eye Kennel in New Jersey. Send Dreist Air Express immediately. Drist is my police dog. The dog I use only on very dangerous missions. Sheriff Blackmer was a big, professionally cheerful man, but I could tell from his voice that he was plenty worried. Glad to have you in on this, Captain McLean. We don't have many cases of this kind in these parts. I'll be glad to do what I can, Sheriff Blackmer. Oh, so this is one of them There CNI critters. Don't look no different from any other pooch to me. Nice poochie. I thought those C and I dogs were trained to be gentle. I trained this one myself for special jobs. What kind of job? Don't bother to explain. I think I know the answer to that one. Well, now, let's get down to business. Mrs. Fillmore.
[13:14]
Marcia Fillmore
Yes? I suppose you want some information about that road up to the fishing lodges. It's quite steep and hard to negotiate if you don't know it.
[13:21]
Walter Crane
I know the road Very well, Mrs. Fillmore.
[13:23]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, then, what are you.
[13:24]
Walter Crane
You said you didn't know this man. Walter Crane.
[13:28]
Marcia Fillmore
Sheriff, I was very foolish when I spoke to you on the phone. As a matter of fact, he. He's a very old friend of mine. Or was. I think you'll understand when I tell you my husband was very jealous.
[13:40]
Walter Crane
Jealous enough to have killed him.
[13:43]
Marcia Fillmore
Killed him? I thought he died in an. In an auto crash.
[13:46]
Walter Crane
He was murdered and thrown into the car just before it crashed. He died with an ice pick through his heart. Whatever she knew, she wasn't telling. That part of it came to her as a complete surprise. I know that now, and I knew it at the time. Whatever Marcia Fillmore had known about Walter Crane's death, she was innocent of stabbing him through the heart with that ice pick. As for the rest of it, her alibi was perfect. I was her alibi this time. She was in my room when it happened, 20 miles from the scene of the crime. But someone had driven up to that lodge before Dennis Fillmore. Someone who had made elaborate preparations for that little drive. As I walked over to the hotel garage, the memory of that sound came back to me. The sound that I was convinced held the key to the mystery of Walter Crane and Eddie Hassan's as well. I found a mechanic working on a car. Morning, sir. Hi. You looking for your car? No, I. I don't drive. Oh. Mrs. Fillmore asked me to stop by. Is her car ready yet? Yeah, sure. It was only one of the spark plugs. This the car? Yeah. Station wagon. Packard, isn't it? Ah, you got a good sense of touch, mister. Thank you. Say, that's nice upholstery. Real leather, isn't it? Yep. Hmm. Hey, that's peculiar. What is? The floor is wet and cold. Or maybe they went fishing this morning. They carry a chunk of ice sometimes when they go trout fishing. Ice of Course, that's what it was. Ice.
[15:37]
Marcia Fillmore
Captain McLean, you must believe me. I know that my husband didn't do this terrible thing.
[15:42]
Walter Crane
Then why did you come to me this morning and tell me you were afraid your husband would murder Crane?
[15:46]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, don't you understand why I needed help? I knew you only work on murder cases, so I tried to get you interested by making that story up.
[15:55]
Walter Crane
I think I can save your husband, Marcia. But only if you tell me the absolute truth.
[16:00]
Marcia Fillmore
I will. I swear I will.
[16:02]
Walter Crane
Did you go up there to that cabin last night to see Walter Crane?
[16:06]
Marcia Fillmore
No.
[16:06]
Walter Crane
Lie number one. You drove up there around 12:30.
[16:11]
Marcia Fillmore
How did you know?
[16:12]
Walter Crane
I heard a car drive out about that time. It was a Packard with one dead spark plug. This morning, your Packard was in the garage getting a spark plug replaced.
[16:21]
Marcia Fillmore
You don't know I went up there.
[16:23]
Walter Crane
I heard you turn off on a gravel road about halfway up the mountain. Your road is the only one up that way.
[16:30]
Marcia Fillmore
All right, all right, I did go up there. But I wasn't there. When. When it happened.
[16:37]
Walter Crane
Marcia, have you ever seen this bottle before?
[16:40]
Marcia Fillmore
Certainly. It had Verilyn in it. Sleeping medicine. It's. It's a prescription of my husband's.
[16:46]
Walter Crane
Have you any idea how it got in Crane's car?
[16:50]
Marcia Fillmore
I gave it to him. He said he couldn't sleep.
[16:52]
Walter Crane
How did you give it to him?
[16:55]
Marcia Fillmore
In the bottle, of course. Are you intimating that I drugged him?
[16:59]
Walter Crane
I'm only trying to find out what Crane did the last few hours of his life. If he took an overdose of sleeping medicine, it might account for the accident. He might have got up this morning, still woozy from the effects of the drug, got in his car, released the emergency brake and blacked out for a split second, as sometimes happens in the reaction to an overdose of sleeping medicine. Lost control of the car and crashed over the embankment. It might have been as easy as that.
[17:25]
Marcia Fillmore
But that wouldn't account for the ice pick through his heart.
[17:28]
Walter Crane
No, not unless you took a chunk of ice up there last night, didn't you?
[17:36]
Marcia Fillmore
I don't know how you knew. Well, yes, he. He needed some, especially if he was going to do some trout fishing. And. And Walter was very fond of ice water.
[17:47]
Walter Crane
Yes, I know. He ordered some last night at dinner.
[17:50]
Marcia Fillmore
Is there anything you don't see with those sightless eyes of yours?
[17:55]
Walter Crane
I still don't see the murderer of Walter Crane.
[18:00]
Marcia Fillmore
I thought for a moment there, you. You suspected me.
[18:04]
Walter Crane
I'm perfectly capable of it. You had the motor, you had the ice pick, but you weren't there. When it happened.
[18:10]
Marcia Fillmore
No. They can't prove that Dennis was, can they?
[18:14]
Walter Crane
Well, he's a pretty likely candidate, isn't he, Marcia?
[18:17]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, I'm so worried about him. They have a posse out for him. Where will he go, I wonder?
[18:22]
Walter Crane
I wonder. I knew where he'd go, and so did she. And they both knew that matters would have to come to a head that night. I didn't tell Sheriff Blackmer everything, but he agreed to drive me up there. About 20 minutes after the sheriff left, a man came into the lodge from the storeroom where I was hidden. I could hear perfectly. He didn't turn on any lights, but went out to the kitchen and started some coffee. It could only have been Dennis Fillmore who paced up and down in that darkened room. Then I heard the door open and a woman's footsteps coming in.
[19:00]
Marcia Fillmore
Dennis.
[19:00]
Walter Crane
Marcia. Dennis, you shouldn't have come here. What are you trying to do, lead them to me?
[19:04]
Marcia Fillmore
I didn't tell the sheriff about you, Dennis. I swear I didn't.
[19:06]
Walter Crane
Tell him What?
[19:07]
Marcia Fillmore
Dennis, I know you killed Crane.
[19:10]
Walter Crane
So you know I'm a murderer. Then what are you doing here?
[19:13]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, Dennis, I love you so much. I hated that man. I'm glad you killed him.
[19:18]
Walter Crane
What was Crane to you?
[19:19]
Marcia Fillmore
I was going to tell you, darling. I. I used to know him. He. He's a blackmailer. It was perfectly innocent before I met you. But with your career and I. I didn't want you to get mixed up in it. That's why I told you to hide.
[19:31]
Walter Crane
Oh, I'm sorry. Martha, don't cry, please.
[19:33]
Marcia Fillmore
I love you.
[19:34]
Walter Crane
Dad. I made some coffee. Would you like some of it?
[19:37]
Marcia Fillmore
Yes. You sit. You sit still, darling. I'll get it. Dennis, what are we going to do? Have you thought about it?
[19:50]
Walter Crane
I'm. I'm thinking as hard as I can.
[19:53]
Marcia Fillmore
Marcia, you. You can't confess to this terrible thing. Dennis. I just won't let you.
[19:58]
Walter Crane
I don't think the insurance company would pay if I were electrocuted, would they?
[20:02]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, Dennis, don't say such things. Here. Here, drink your coffee.
[20:11]
Walter Crane
Tastes rotten. But it's hot. What's the matter with you?
[20:15]
Marcia Fillmore
I. I just feel faint. I can't seem to get my glasses. It's stuffy in here.
[20:20]
Walter Crane
Must be the wood smoker. I had trouble starting the fire. Come along outside. The air will buck you up.
[20:25]
Marcia Fillmore
All right. Yes. There. That is better.
[20:32]
Walter Crane
Would you like to take a drive somewhere?
[20:34]
Marcia Fillmore
No, Dennis. Let's just sit in the car for a while.
[20:44]
Walter Crane
They sat there in the car perhaps 10 minutes before the Car door slammed shut. And then I heard it. The sound that had been ringing in my ears since that first night. But now I was hearing the real thing for a second time. As calmly as the neighborhood iceman chipping out a 50 pound chunk for a housewife. The murderer was making preparations for a third experiment in a method of almost perfect crime. Hello, Marcia.
[21:24]
Marcia Fillmore
You. How did you get here?
[21:27]
Walter Crane
I'm afraid I was eavesdropping.
[21:30]
Marcia Fillmore
Then you heard what Dennis said.
[21:31]
Walter Crane
Yes, I did, Marsha.
[21:33]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, Captain McClane, would you. Could you forget what Dennis said? Crane was a blackmailer. What does it matter who killed.
[21:39]
Walter Crane
Don't come any closer, Marcia. This dog isn't Snooki. This is Dreist, the dog I told you about. Remember?
[21:47]
Marcia Fillmore
The one you take on dangerous missions. You're frightening me, Captain.
[21:51]
Walter Crane
You've terrified me for two whole days. Marcia, you're the most perfect killer I've ever met.
[21:56]
Marcia Fillmore
You said yourself I couldn't have stood Walter Crane.
[21:59]
Walter Crane
Eddie Hasson wasn't stabbed.
[22:01]
Marcia Fillmore
You're bluffing. You can't prove a thing.
[22:04]
Walter Crane
No. That's the beauty of your method. The ice melts away before the accident happens.
[22:10]
Marcia Fillmore
Ice?
[22:10]
Walter Crane
That's your method, Marcia. First, the victim is drugged with an overdose of sleeping medicine. Then lured into the car and kept there till he falls asleep. The rest is simple. Put ice wedges under the front wheels and release the emergency brake. When the wedges melt away, the car rolls over the embankment with the sleeping man in it. You're miles away from the scene and the evidence has vanished. Literally melted away. Only this time, it's not going to work.
[22:37]
Marcia Fillmore
What are you going to do?
[22:38]
Walter Crane
Phone Sheriff Blackmer. I want him to get here before that ice melts.
[22:41]
Marcia Fillmore
Captain Blaine.
[22:42]
Walter Crane
Stay where you are, Marcia. It would be a shame to have Dreist mutilate your beauty. Your beauty is your most powerful weapon, you know. I only hope it won't free you and turn you loose to start killing again.
[22:54]
Marcia Fillmore
You. What do you know about a woman? You.
[22:57]
Walter Crane
You.
[22:57]
Marcia Fillmore
Flying.
[22:57]
Walter Crane
Marcia. Stay back. I warn you, this dog is a killer.
[23:00]
Marcia Fillmore
I'll kill you and that mongrel Whitburn. I've hated you from the moment I first saw you. What kind of a man is it that looks at a woman with those cold, dead eyes? You'd be better off dead. I'm doing you a favor.
[23:24]
Walter Crane
She's dead, all right. I'm sorry. The dog. I guess I'll have to have him put away. It won't be necessary, Captain. She did that for you. Jabbed the ice pick square between his eyes. Oh, poor fella. What I can't figure out, how did she manage to stab Crane and still keep her alibi? She didn't stab Crane. Then who did? Nobody. Then how? It was a freak accident. The ice pick was on the seat of the car when it crashed. I knew that when you told me the angle at which it entered the body. That's why I kept insisting that Marcia hadn't stabbed him. That and the fact that the stabbing was so obviously news to her. She really thought her husband had done it. After she left Crane asleep in the car. So much so that she even accused him of doing it. By the way, is he all right? Oh, sure. Just a little dopey from the sleeping pills. I guess he's really broken up about her. He really loved her, the SAP. I can't blame her, though. She really was a beautiful woman. When she looked at you with those big blue eyes of hers, you could believe anything she wanted you to believe. So they told me. Yes, sheriff. Sometimes I'm very glad I have no eyes to deceive me. This is the Armed Forces Radio Service. SA Roma Wines R O M A made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. Roma Wines present Suspense Tonight, Roma Wines bring you the MGM star, Ms. Agnes Moorhead. In postmortem, a suspense play produced, edited and directed for Roma Wines by William Speer. Suspense Radio's outstanding theater of thrills is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. That's R O M A Roma Wines. Those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live, to your happiness and entertaining guests, to your enjoyment of everyday meals. Yes, right now a glassful would be very pleasant as Roma Wines bring you Agnes Moorhead in a remarkable tale of suspense. Up with the Buttercups. Come on, get up. Get up. Here comes the sun. Good morning, darling.
[26:21]
Marcia Fillmore
Stephen, you goose.
[26:23]
Walter Crane
Ah, your coffee, madame.
[26:24]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, my stars and crown. I wish you wouldn't insist on my having coffee in bed, Steven. It makes me feel like a loose character. Just like the old days when I was in the theater.
[26:32]
Walter Crane
Coffee in bed, then a long soak in the tub under the sun lamp. That's old Doc Archer's prescription for those aches and pains of yours.
[26:38]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, you have any aches and pa.
[26:40]
Walter Crane
There, that proves it. You can't afford to stop the treatment now. Besides, you look beautiful with a suntan.
[26:45]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, if that's the case, have some coffee with me.
[26:48]
Walter Crane
Oh, I'm sorry. It's 9 o'. Clock.
[26:50]
Marcia Fillmore
Train doesn't leave till 9:22.
[26:51]
Walter Crane
Ah, but the early bird gets the seat, my precious. Just start the water running and set up the lamp.
[26:56]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, you needn't go to all that bother.
[26:58]
Walter Crane
How do you like your water this morning? Warm? Lukewarm? Hot. Warm. I'm setting the lamp for 10 minutes. Mind you don't take too much.
[27:07]
Marcia Fillmore
All right, dear, all right, all right.
[27:10]
Walter Crane
Now, if you get in the bath, just as you hear me, close the front door, you'll get just the right amount of sunshine.
[27:14]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, really, Stephen.
[27:15]
Walter Crane
Now, where's my goodbye, Kit?
[27:17]
Marcia Fillmore
Stephen, I. Goodbye, Steven.
[27:20]
Walter Crane
Goodbye. Up with the buttercups. Come on, get up. Get up. Here comes.
[27:32]
Marcia Fillmore
Up my bed. Up my back. Yes? Is that you, Steven? Steven, have you forgotten something again? Stephen, will you. After me. Oh, can you hear me now? Steven?
[28:09]
Walter Crane
I. I forgot my wallet. I put it in my bathrobe pocket on the inside of the door.
[28:13]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, I'll hand it out to you. No, no, no.
[28:15]
Walter Crane
You stay where you are. I'll just reach around and get it.
[28:18]
Marcia Fillmore
Stephen, don't open that door. The laugh, Steven. Oh, now see what you've done.
[28:25]
Walter Crane
Gosh, I hope it didn't break. Things are expensive. You didn't have it turned off.
[28:30]
Marcia Fillmore
I turned it off so you could hear me. That timer on, it makes so much noise.
[28:33]
Walter Crane
Well, no harm done, I guess. Well, I've got everything now. Sorry to disturb you, darling.
[28:38]
Marcia Fillmore
You better hurry. You will miss that train.
[28:40]
Walter Crane
Bye. Bye, darling. Be good.
[28:42]
Marcia Fillmore
Come on, get out of here.
[28:43]
Walter Crane
Okay. But.
[29:01]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, now what? All right, all right, I'm coming. Oh, well, you don't have to burn up the battery. Get my robe.
[29:18]
Walter Crane
Oh, Mrs. Mead.
[29:20]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, I don't want any today. What? What was it you called me?
[29:24]
Walter Crane
Are you Mrs. Josephine Mead?
[29:26]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, I was. My name is Archer now. I've remarried. What was it?
[29:29]
Walter Crane
This is the place, fellas. Hold everything, we're coming.
[29:32]
Marcia Fillmore
Who are those men?
[29:34]
Walter Crane
Who?
[29:34]
Marcia Fillmore
You. Oh, does she know yet?
[29:36]
Walter Crane
Hold that. Williams and me. All right, fine. Now let's try another one. Inside. Maybe in the kitchen.
[29:40]
Marcia Fillmore
Yes.
[29:41]
Walter Crane
What were you doing? Fixing breakfast for your husband? I'll put the camera away. Can't you see she doesn't know yet? He. You don't know yet? Haven't you been listening to the radio, Mrs. Mead?
[29:47]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, no, a tube's burned out. Why? She really don't know yet. Well, for heaven's sake, will you tell me what it is?
[29:52]
Walter Crane
You going to ask us in?
[29:53]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, I shouldn't.
[29:54]
Walter Crane
Why, that's very. Put the camera over there. Well, I'm now your husband, ma'. Am.
[30:01]
Marcia Fillmore
Where? He just left the House. Had something happened to him? No, no.
[30:04]
Walter Crane
We got news for you, Mrs. Mead.
[30:06]
Marcia Fillmore
I wish you'd stop calling me Mrs. Mead. My name is Archer. Now, I extend that to this man here.
[30:11]
Walter Crane
Westcott's my name. Paul Westcott. I'm from the Evening Bulletin.
[30:14]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, you're a newspaper man, Sergeant Brown. I haven't been interviewed by the press since I opened in Bright Eyes in New Haven 20 years ago.
[30:21]
Walter Crane
You were an actress?
[30:22]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, I gave up my career after I married Mr. Mead. I often thought I might go back to the theater, but things didn't work out that well.
[30:30]
Walter Crane
That's very interesting, Mrs. Archer, but about the news we were going to tell you.
[30:33]
Marcia Fillmore
Don't tell her. Make a guess.
[30:34]
Walter Crane
Please let me answer. Guess.
[30:36]
Marcia Fillmore
No, and I wish you'd tell her.
[30:37]
Walter Crane
I'll give you a hint. It's the day the Darby has run off.
[30:41]
Marcia Fillmore
Darby?
[30:41]
Walter Crane
Can't you guess why we're here? Your horses come in first.
[30:45]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, you must have the wrong party. I. I don't own any horse.
[30:48]
Walter Crane
Oh, Lord. Oh, no, no. Don't you understand? The news just came over the ticker from London. You're one of the three Americans to hold a ticket on Ravenol and the sweepstakes.
[30:56]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, there must be some mistake.
[30:57]
Walter Crane
Don't you understand? You've won $150,000.
[31:00]
Marcia Fillmore
150? Oh, my thousand crowns.
[31:03]
Walter Crane
What's the matter? Don't that make you happy? Boy, what a caption. Housewife win sweepstakes. Must be mistake, she said.
[31:09]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, no, no, there really must be some mistakes somewhere. It must be somebody else by the same name. You see, I haven't any ticket on. I haven't any ticket at all.
[31:19]
Walter Crane
Sure, you must have. Where'd they get your name and address from? Otherwise, they don't just make you off out of thin air. What are you trying to do, kid?
[31:25]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, now, wait a minute. Wait a minute. You say the winning ticket is in the name of Mead?
[31:30]
Walter Crane
Yes. Mrs. Josephine Mead. You said that was your name.
[31:32]
Marcia Fillmore
What a. Then it must have been my late husband who bought the ticket. You see, the house ends in my name. And I stayed on here after I lost Harry and after my marriage to Mr. Archer.
[31:43]
Walter Crane
Oh, yeah? Then that's right. Mead bought the sweepstakes ticket in your name. Anyway, you're the winner.
[31:46]
Marcia Fillmore
But I don't even have the ticket.
[31:48]
Walter Crane
You don't have? You mean it's lost?
[31:50]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, I never even knew he bought one till now. He never said a word to me about it. He.
[31:55]
Walter Crane
Gee, you better look around good and see if you can Find it? Yeah, you can't collect the money without it. Have you any of your late husband's effects around the house, Mrs. Archer?
[32:02]
Marcia Fillmore
No, they've all been defeated. But I went through everything very carefully. If there had been anything there, even sewn into the lining in one of his suits, I'd have thought.
[32:11]
Walter Crane
Mrs. Archer, if your late husband never told you about it, he must have been intending to surprise you in case it won anything. So he would have put it somewhere where you wouldn't be likely to find it, wouldn't he?
[32:19]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, he would. In any case, I didn't approve of his gambling.
[32:21]
Walter Crane
All right, Ms. Archer, now think hard. Wasn't there a suit he didn't wear very much? One you might not have sent out since the ticket was bought put away in Marshall? Older, maybe.
[32:30]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, there was his dark blue.
[32:32]
Walter Crane
Ah, dark blue.
[32:33]
Marcia Fillmore
He'd only worn that once or twice. I never looked. There, you see, I sent all his other clothes to the Russian war relief, but the dark blue was in such good condition, it is practically new, Mr. Weston.
[32:44]
Walter Crane
Oh, that's where that ticket is. I'll bet any amount it's in that dark blue suit. Let's have a look right now.
[32:47]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, I'm afraid that's not possible.
[32:50]
Walter Crane
Oh, really, Mrs. Because.
[32:53]
Marcia Fillmore
Because that's the suit Mr. Mead was buried.
[33:01]
Walter Crane
For suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you as star Agnes Moorhead in post mortem a radio play by Robert Tallman from the story by Cornell Woolrich. Roma Wines presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense between the acts of suspense. This is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines. Evenings at home can be dull as dishwashing or friendly as a fireside depending upon the ingenuity of the lady of the house. Now here's a simple suggestion many smart American homemakers follow to brighten stay at home nights as a high spot in a quiet evening of restful reading or listening to favorite radio shows. Serve Roma California Sherry. A Roma Sherry helps an evening along. Adds a welcome note of warmth to friendly companionship. Yes, there's something about glowing golden amber Roma Sherry with the rich mellow nut like taste that everyone enjoys. Roma Sherry, the favorite of millions as first call for dinner is a delightful entertainment. Wine too, so delicious with cheese and crackers or any simple snack. And Roma brings you a glorious sherry that is unvaryingly fine. Bottled at the famous Roma Winery in California to assure you sealed in goodness. Always give your family a pleasant surprise with fine Roma Sherry tomorrow. Delicious, easy to serve, so inexpensive. Insist on Roma R O M A Roma Wines. Remember, more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. And now, Roma wines. Bring back to our Hollywood soundstage. Agnes Moorhead as Josie Archer. With Joseph Kerns as Steven in postmortem, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
[35:04]
Marcia Fillmore
So you see, Stephen, that's the only place it can be. It's. It's there in the. In the casket. With him.
[35:10]
Walter Crane
What makes you so certain of that?
[35:12]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, the one and only time he wore that suit before his death was one Saturday afternoon when he went out for a stroll and. And stopped in at a pool room. What more likely place than that for him to have bought a sweepstakes ticket?
[35:24]
Walter Crane
Well, if it's buried with him, we might as well kiss it goodbye.
[35:27]
Marcia Fillmore
But $150,000 to him?
[35:29]
Walter Crane
You haven't any right to disturb a grave just on a hunch like that. Harry might have lost the ticket.
[35:34]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, I tell you, I knew Harry Mead. He'd no more lose a thing like that than. Well, he just wouldn't, that's all.
[35:41]
Walter Crane
If it's there, it'll just have to stay there.
[35:43]
Marcia Fillmore
Hi, Steven. All we have to do is get a cord over.
[35:45]
Walter Crane
I tell you, I won't stand for it. It's. It's sacrilege. Oh, if we've got to disturb the dead, we'll just have to let the money go.
[35:52]
Marcia Fillmore
But it wouldn't be like desecrating a grave. Harry would have wanted us to have that money.
[35:57]
Walter Crane
After all, you as your husband, I forbid you to disturb that man's remains.
[36:02]
Marcia Fillmore
Stephen, really.
[36:03]
Walter Crane
I forget that there ever was such a sweepstakes ticket. Is that understood?
[36:07]
Marcia Fillmore
All right, Stephen, whatever you say.
[36:10]
Walter Crane
And if that snooping newspaper man comes back here, you're not to let him in this house.
[36:13]
Marcia Fillmore
Yes, Stephen.
[36:14]
Walter Crane
Is that a promise now?
[36:16]
Marcia Fillmore
Yes, Stephen, it's a promise.
[36:19]
Walter Crane
Well, I've got to go now. I'll miss my train. We'll talk about it some more tonight when I get home.
[36:24]
Marcia Fillmore
All right, dear.
[36:25]
Walter Crane
Oh, don't forget to take your sun lamp treatment.
[36:27]
Marcia Fillmore
No, I won't. Bye now.
[36:30]
Walter Crane
Goodbye, dear.
[36:37]
Marcia Fillmore
Hello. Oh, Mr. Westcott. Oh, no, no, I have not reconsidered. I definitely have not reconsidered. Stephen and I have talked it over and he's deeply shocked, and so am I. I must confess, at the very suggestion of disinterring poor Harry, you'll simply have to go elsewhere for your front page scoop. Because I am absolutely adamant on this point and no amount of persuasion will make me change. I shouldn't be doing this. I know it. I shouldn't Be doing this. I shouldn't be doing this. I know it. I know it.
[37:18]
Walter Crane
All right, you wait here. Mrs. Archer.
[37:19]
Marcia Fillmore
I shouldn't be doing this. I know I shouldn't.
[37:21]
Walter Crane
Now, don't take it like that, Mrs. Archer. We have a court order. All properly signed and perfectly legal.
[37:26]
Marcia Fillmore
I shouldn't have let you talk me into this. I'm just weak, that's all. I'm just weak. Yes, Stephen is sure to suspect something.
[37:32]
Walter Crane
That 150 grand ought to go a long way toward making him forgive you.
[37:36]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, will. Will it take long?
[37:38]
Walter Crane
No. The workman is supposed to have it all ready. All it has to be done now is. Well, it won't take long. Would you rather wait in the caretaker's house?
[37:47]
Marcia Fillmore
No, no, no. I'll come along with you.
[37:50]
Walter Crane
All right. Oh, there. Huh? Oh. Oh, you. Mr. Westgate? Yep. Well, there it is, Mr. Westcott. We hoisted it up, but we didn't open it yet. All right, here's the authorization. Pry the lid off of there. Make it snappy, will you? All right. Hey, you take that hand over there, Jack. Okay.
[38:25]
Marcia Fillmore
What's the matter? Is it stuck or what?
[38:28]
Walter Crane
Take it easy, lady, will it? It's coming. There you are, mister. It's all yours. All right. Hold this light for me, will you? Keep it off the face.
[38:42]
Marcia Fillmore
What's he doing now?
[38:43]
Walter Crane
Frisking the corpse. And don't ask me why.
[38:46]
Marcia Fillmore
Dear me. Oh, dear.
[38:48]
Walter Crane
Keep the light off his face, will you? Sensitive type. Okay, I got what I came for. Please get that light off his face. Okay, mister. Okay. All right. If you're all finished, we'll tuck him in again. Wait a minute. Put the light back on him. On his face now. On his face. Hey, what's the big idea?
[39:07]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, Harry.
[39:11]
Walter Crane
Okay, you can toss that lightly. Listen, you guys, leave this just as it is. Stick right here until you hear from me. How come?
[39:20]
Marcia Fillmore
What's the matter, Mr. Westgartt?
[39:22]
Walter Crane
I'm not sure yet, but I just got a hunch the DA is going to want an autopsy on this body.
[39:26]
Marcia Fillmore
Nice stars and crowns.
[39:35]
Walter Crane
Up with the buttercups Here comes the sun. Come in. Hey, what's this? Up and dressed already?
[39:45]
Marcia Fillmore
I bought some things in town yesterday afternoon. The delivery man usually comes around 10 o', clock, so I thought I'd put off my sun lamp and bath until then.
[39:54]
Walter Crane
She will take your treatment then. Promise me.
[39:56]
Marcia Fillmore
All right, darling, but really, you worry too much about me.
[40:00]
Walter Crane
You must have come in awfully late last night. Did you see the show through?
[40:03]
Marcia Fillmore
Twice, Stephen, I. I didn't go to A picture last night. I did what you told me not to.
[40:10]
Walter Crane
What are you talking about?
[40:11]
Marcia Fillmore
Here it is, Stephen. $150,000. You fool. You stupid little fool. Stephen, let go of my show. You're hurting me.
[40:19]
Walter Crane
Who was with you? Who shot beside you?
[40:21]
Marcia Fillmore
Nobody sees them. I got the permit and took it out there and showed it to the men at the grounds. And he got a couple of workmen.
[40:27]
Walter Crane
Yes, go on, go on.
[40:28]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, one of them got it out of the vest pocket and then they put the lid on again and lowered it and covered it up.
[40:38]
Walter Crane
Sure. Everything was put back again just the way it was?
[40:40]
Marcia Fillmore
Why, yes, Stephen, of course.
[40:42]
Walter Crane
Well, I'd hate to think he wasn't put back properly.
[40:48]
Marcia Fillmore
Then you aren't angry with me?
[40:49]
Walter Crane
Oh, I guess I acted pretty silly about it. I. I thought. I don't know what I thought.
[40:57]
Marcia Fillmore
Stephen. Stephen, you didn't suspect me of having anything to do with. With Harry dying so suddenly?
[41:05]
Walter Crane
Oh, of course not. What an idea. Look, you better give me that ticket for safekeeping. I'll put it in the safe down at the office till you're ready to turn it in.
[41:13]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, that's a wonderful idea, Stephen. It makes me nervous having it. $150,000, Stephen. Just to think of it.
[41:20]
Walter Crane
Yes. Harry's been pretty good to us, hasn't he?
[41:24]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, don't say things like that, Stephen.
[41:27]
Walter Crane
Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, good lord, it's nearly 10 o'. Clock. I've missed my train.
[41:31]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, if you hurry, you can catch at 10:15. Yes.
[41:33]
Walter Crane
You won't forget your lamp?
[41:34]
Marcia Fillmore
I'll start at the 10:15 sharp, I promise.
[41:37]
Walter Crane
Sorry to be such a Dutch uncle, darling, but I do worry about you.
[41:41]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, you're wonderful to me, Stephen.
[41:42]
Walter Crane
Goodbye, darling.
[41:43]
Marcia Fillmore
Goodbye, Stephen. See? Be careful, darling. Come in quickly. He just this minute left the house.
[41:58]
Walter Crane
Suppose he took the ticket with him?
[42:00]
Marcia Fillmore
How did you know?
[42:01]
Walter Crane
I know a lot of things. For instance, the DA's ordered that autopsy on the body of your late husband.
[42:06]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, my stars and crown.
[42:08]
Walter Crane
I think they'll find out he was murdered. No.
[42:12]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, no.
[42:13]
Walter Crane
Your present husband, Stephen Archer, is an insurance agent, isn't he?
[42:16]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, yes, but I.
[42:17]
Walter Crane
And he insured your late husband heavily in your favor just before his death.
[42:20]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, well, that. That doesn't prove anything.
[42:24]
Walter Crane
Well, maybe not. He's pretty good to you, isn't he? Takes you to Florida every winter, stuff like that.
[42:31]
Marcia Fillmore
I should say not. How did you get such an idea?
[42:34]
Walter Crane
That coat of tan you've got.
[42:36]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, that? Oh, that's from the sun lamp I had A slight cold a while back. And now Stephen insisted I use the sun lamp for 10 minutes every morning while I'm in the bath.
[42:44]
Walter Crane
While you're in the bath?
[42:45]
Marcia Fillmore
Bessie says it's more beneficial that way. It's a terrible nuisance. Of course, the bathroom's quite small and the lab is always toppling over and falling on top of me.
[42:53]
Walter Crane
How's that?
[42:53]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, I always wait till Steven has left the house in the morning to take my bath. And then he almost always forgets something at the last minute and comes dashing back and blundering into the bathroom and over he goes.
[43:02]
Walter Crane
What. What sort of things does he forget?
[43:05]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, and one day it's a clean handkerchief and the neck. Some papers or other things that he needs.
[43:10]
Walter Crane
Or does he keep all those things in the bathroom?
[43:13]
Marcia Fillmore
No, no, but he can never find where they are. So he comes barging into the bathroom to ask me and then over goes the lamp.
[43:19]
Walter Crane
You don't say. I suppose you're insured pretty heavily in his favor now.
[43:24]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, naturally, being in the business.
[43:28]
Walter Crane
Yes, naturally.
[43:29]
Marcia Fillmore
Mr. Westcott, you don't.
[43:31]
Walter Crane
I don't think anything yet.
[43:33]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, dear. Whatever shall I do?
[43:36]
Walter Crane
I tell you what. There's a way to find out if you'll cooperate with me. With your acting experience, this ought to be easy for you. Now, this is what I'd like.
[43:58]
Marcia Fillmore
Steven, this is Mr. Westcott. He's with the Bulletin.
[44:01]
Walter Crane
Oh, yes. What can we do for you, Mr. Westcott? I stopped in the district attorney's office on my way here, Mr. Archer. They've just completed an autopsy on the body of Harry Mead. Josh.
[44:10]
Marcia Fillmore
It wasn't my idea, Stephen. Believe me, it wasn't.
[44:12]
Walter Crane
I understand. Of course, I'm not with the police. I'm in this for a news story or anything else that might come my way. I see. I might be able to help you people if you'll tell me the truth. Yes. What was the result of the autopsy? The report isn't made out yet, but I think they'll find he died of a blow over the head.
[44:29]
Marcia Fillmore
Sit down, Mr. Westcott. I. I might as well tell you everything.
[44:32]
Walter Crane
Josie, you don't have to tell this man anything.
[44:34]
Marcia Fillmore
You can let me do this in my own way. You see, Mr. Westcott, it was all my doing. Stephen was in no way to blame for what happened. He used to come over in the evenings to see Harry, not me. But the more I saw him, the stronger the feeling grew on my part. Harry was heavily insured in my favor of cosy. He never took me serious he always scolded my love for the theatre. And I. I couldn't help thinking how opportune it would be if. If anything took him away from me. Do I make myself clear, Mr. Westcott?
[45:08]
Walter Crane
Go on.
[45:09]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, the night Harry died, he had gone out in. In the back of the house, you see, to get some air. I was doing the dishes, and it came over me all of a sudden what I had to do. And so I. I dried my hands and went upstairs and got out an old flatiron I no longer use, and I came downstairs with it hidden under my apron and went out to where Harry was. Well, I stood there talking with him for a moment and I waited till he turned his back to me and then I. I did it.
[45:43]
Walter Crane
You did what?
[45:45]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, I. I swung the flatiron by its handle squarely at the back of his head. He didn't die right away, but he was unconscious and. And I could see it was all over. He had a weak heart, you know. And. Well, afterwards, I took the iron over in the vacant lot and buried it. And the rest happened as I told you. Stephen came around and we carried him into the house.
[46:09]
Walter Crane
You mean you didn't notice the wound? Didn't it bleed?
[46:13]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, it did a little, but I washed it off. And then I took some pinkish face enamel I had left over from the days when I was an actress, and I plastered that over the wound and even powdered it so it'd be less noticeable. I made a good job of it, because, after all, I do know something about those things, you know, make up. So that's why the doctor never noticed it when he examined Harry's body.
[46:40]
Walter Crane
Josie, I. I can't believe it. Forgive me, Mr. Westcott, but this is a terrible, terrible shock to me.
[46:47]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, now you know everything, I suppose. You may as well drive me to police headquarters.
[46:52]
Walter Crane
Why should I?
[46:53]
Marcia Fillmore
You mean you aren't going to turn me in?
[46:55]
Walter Crane
That dent in his head could have been made by the men who exhumed the body. You and I are the only witnesses to that, Mrs. Archer. Yeah, but look here. Can't they tell? In most cases. In this case, the body happens to be in a remarkably fine state of preservation. Besides, if I do you a favor, maybe you'll cut me in for a little of that sweepstakes ticket. Anything. Anything you like. Good. I'll come back tomorrow and we'll talk it over. Good night. Good night, Mr. Westcott, and thanks. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts. Good night, Mrs. Archer.
[47:32]
Marcia Fillmore
Hi.
[47:36]
Walter Crane
Well, my dear Stephen, I've Got to do a little thinking, Josie. This. This changes things considerably.
[47:43]
Marcia Fillmore
It won't make any difference between us, will it, Stephen? I did it for us, so we could be together.
[47:48]
Walter Crane
But you of all people, and going out there and then looking at his body.
[47:51]
Marcia Fillmore
But he was so well preserved, Stephen. He just looked as if he was sleeping. Is that peculiar?
[47:57]
Walter Crane
What is, Will?
[47:59]
Marcia Fillmore
That he was looking so well. After all, it's been some time. It's just like in the Emerald Snuffbox.
[48:05]
Walter Crane
What?
[48:06]
Marcia Fillmore
The emerald snuff box. You remember. I played it for 33 weeks at the Court Theatre opposite Henry Dixie. That was how they knew that it was poison. Because of the way the body looked after all that time.
[48:16]
Walter Crane
Poison? Well, those bungling police doctors will never find it out. We can shut up that fool of a reporter with a sweepstakes ticket. That was a windfall, anyway. We'll never miss it.
[48:26]
Marcia Fillmore
But, Stephen, we can't count on things turning out the way we want them to. I made that confession just to give us a little time. We could take a plane in the morning and be in South America in a few hours.
[48:35]
Walter Crane
Oh, no, that'd be very foolish. No, my dear. Our best strategy is just to go on as we always have. I'll take the train into the office, you'll take your bath and sun lamp, and we'll be the same loving couple we always have been. Josie?
[49:00]
Marcia Fillmore
I'm up here, Stephen. In the bath.
[49:02]
Walter Crane
Emmy, if you got any idea what my iron pills are, I went off without them.
[49:05]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, they're on the sideboard in the dining room. You know perfectly well.
[49:08]
Walter Crane
What's that?
[49:08]
Marcia Fillmore
I said they're on the sideboard.
[49:10]
Walter Crane
I can't hear you, dear. Mind if I open the door just a bit?
[49:12]
Marcia Fillmore
No, Stephen, the sun lamps right in front of the door. When do I move it?
[49:15]
Walter Crane
That you say?
[49:16]
Marcia Fillmore
I said don't open the door. The lamp. Steven. Oh, Stephen.
[49:20]
Walter Crane
No. Josie. Josie. Josie. Well, that's that. Now, who the devil. All right, I'm coming. Mr. Archer? Yes? My name is Madison Bureau of Detectives. Oh, yes, Inspector. Come in. This is most opportune. You're coming? Just this time. I was just about to telephone the police. Oh, the most terrible thing has happened. My poor wife. Your wife? She was in the bath taking her sun lamp treatment. Like a blundering fool, I opened the door and the lamp fell over into the tub. I ran downstairs to cut off the house current, but before I got back, she must. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You ran all the way downstairs to cut off the house current? Why didn't you just pull out the plug? I was panicky. I got confused. There was a dreadful glare of light. Sparks flying all over the place. I was hacked. Where's she now? Oh, she's. She's still in there. I was trying to get up my nerve to go in when the doorbell rang. I couldn't bear to see you like that, Inspector. Electrocuted. It's too horrible. Well, we'll go up there and have a look. Probably too late, though. Yes, Inspector, I'm afraid it is too late. But as you say, we must do all we can. Well, Ms. Darcher, this certainly happened at an opportune time. As you say. Yes. A warrant has just been sworn out for your wife's arrest for the murder of her first husband, Harry Meade. This reporter here from the Bulletin said he got a confession out of her. Hello.
[51:03]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh.
[51:04]
Walter Crane
Oh, poor Josie. Poor, poor Josie. Oh, perhaps it's just as well it happened this way.
[51:10]
Marcia Fillmore
Is it, Stephen? Is it just as well, Josie?
[51:14]
Walter Crane
Well, Mrs. Archer, congratulations. You carried it off with flying colors. What do you mean, carried it off?
[51:18]
Marcia Fillmore
My stars and crowns, Stephen. I wasn't even in the tub. I just stood behind the door and screamed when the lamp went out.
[51:25]
Walter Crane
Josie, you ought to be ashamed of yourself, giving me a fright like that.
[51:28]
Marcia Fillmore
It's no good your pretending any longer, Kevin. Mr. Westcott was absolutely right. You're nothing but a common murderer.
[51:36]
Walter Crane
Josie, surely you don't believe that I.
[51:39]
Marcia Fillmore
That is what my confession was for, you goose, to trap you. They know all about how you killed poor Harry. Well, you got the poison and everything, don't you, insect?
[51:49]
Walter Crane
That's right, Mrs. Archer.
[51:50]
Marcia Fillmore
Why, you're worse than Sheldon Lewis was in the Iron Claw. You would stoop to anything. Ah, Saracen crown. When I think what might have happened if Harry hadn't had on his new blue serge when he bought that soupstake ticket. Well, Officer, do your duty, Josie.
[52:06]
Walter Crane
Dumb little Josie. Well, I guess this about ties it. Come on, Archer, let's go. Up on your feet.
[52:12]
Marcia Fillmore
Yes. Even up with the buttercup.
[52:27]
Walter Crane
Suspense Presented by Roma Wines R O M A Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. Before we hear again from Agnes Moorhead, the star of Post Mortem tonight's suspense play. This is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines. Here's a trick in taste magic that will help you win family praises even for meals made of leftovers. To bring out the full flavor of any meal, to add color and zest to the table, serve red Roma, California Burgundy. A glass full of robust, full bodied Roma Burgundy lends Warmed over pot roast. A new lease on taste gives twice served meatloaf that tempting first meal flavor. Yes, there's greater dining pleasure in simple meals served with the rich satisfying goodness of Roma Burgundy. For superb Roma Burgundy makes plain foods taste great. Makes great foods even better. And delicious Roma Burgundy can grace your table often. For Roma costs just pennies a glass. Get Roma Burgundy tomorrow. Give zest and character to your next meal. Insist on Roma. R O M a Roma Wines made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.
[53:42]
Marcia Fillmore
This is Agnes Moorhead. It is always like coming home again to do suspicions. You know, Vincent Price came out to Metrogola Mayor the other day to see a private showing of the Green Years with me. And afterwards he told me all about next Thursday's suspense show on which he's going to be the star. Be sure and listen in because it sounds wonderful.
[54:01]
Walter Crane
Next Thursday, same time, Roma Wines will bring you Vincent Price as star of suspense radio's outstanding theater of Thrills produced produced by William Speer for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System. Now, Roma Wines R O M A made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. Roma Wines present suspense. Tonight, Roma Wines bring you an all star cast of Hollywood radio players headed by Wally Mayer in dead earnest. A suspense play produced, edited and directed for Roma Wines by William Speer. Suspense Radio's outstanding theater of thrills is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. That's R O M a Roma Wines, those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live. To your happiness in entertaining guests, to your enjoyment of everyday meals. Yes, right now, a glass full would be very pleasant as Roma Wines bring you a remarkable tale of suspense. Accident reports submitted to police Inspector Blandon from Lt. Steve Healy Place, 15th street and Fourth Avenue. Time, 2:45pm March 11. Remarks. Ernest Bowers, age 34, was crossing intersection. A signal light changed from green to red. A car driven by Theodore Toby made a legal right turn from 15th street into 4th Avenue.
[56:12]
Marcia Fillmore
All right, come on now.
[56:13]
Walter Crane
Come on now. Let me through here. All right, stand back. Let's have a look. Because they heard that officer. I didn't see him. Honestly, I didn't. I have the. Right away. He's passed out. Hey, one of you people call an ambulance? I'll go. Yeah. All right. You okay? Move back. Move back. He's bleeding. Here, I'll prop up his head. Yeah, yeah. Use his jacket. Here, I'll hold him. Golly, he's limp. Feels like he just like he's dead. Yes, Ernest Bowers felt like he was dead. Ernest Bowers suffered from catalepsy, a strange disease. He carried at all times a note in his inside jacket pocket stating that he was a cataleptic and that in the event of seeming death, his wife should be immediately notified or his doctor in the event his wife is unavailable. The letter also requested that no autopsy or embalming should be performed on his body for 72 hours. Although in his particular case, the duration of the attack were usually four hours or less. Ernest Bowers also wore a sterling silver bracelet with an inscription reading, do not embalm me. I am not dead. Catalepsy is a disease of the nerves and mind. The physical condition of the cataleptic when he's under a spell closely resemble death in all aspects, including the primary stages of rigor mortis. Officer Abbott was on the scene of the accident. He administered first aid to the injured man before making out his report. There. That ought to stop the bleeding. Looks like just a cut on his forehead when he hit the ground. Nothing much. Well, he can't be hurt bad, officer. I didn't hit him hard. Yeah, that's right. It looked like just a little bump. That's all right. All right, clear back. Clear back. Let's have a little air in here. I'd have to take down some information. All right. What's your name? Theodore. Toby. Here. Here's my license.
[58:00]
Marcia Fillmore
Hey.
[58:00]
Walter Crane
Hey, you kids. What those kids do? They picked up something off the street. I saw. There's the ambulance. Oh, here it comes. Yeah. I hope he's all right. It doesn't look like he's breathing. By gosh, he ain't all right. I told you to get back. Come on, now. He's back. All of you. I'm glad you got here, Doctor. He's out cold. Hello, officer. Let's have a look here. Yeah, I'll see he is. All right, let's get him away. He's dead. Well, anyway, it didn't happen in the ambulance. Okay, we'll take him away. Keep. Keep him back with your officer. All right, Keep back. All right, clear out. The show's over. Come on. It's the second one today. Yeah. Well, let's go. Come on. Whose coat was that he was laying on? I don't know. Did you pick it up? No. Hey, officer? Yeah? Where's the coat? Yeah. Oh, my golly, it's gone. Okay, never mind. Let's go. Pain. Ernest Bowers had lost the identification of his condition. The letter was in the inside pocket of his jacket. The Silver chain he wore on his left wrist had snapped and fallen to the pavement. Two youngsters picked up the chain. Robert Minelli, aged nine and a half, and Tommy Stoner, eight.
[59:22]
Marcia Fillmore
Hey. Hey. That cop yelled at us. Did you hear him? Yeah. Maybe we should give it back. Nah. What for? So he can keep it. Screw on the back of your father's shop, Bob. Sure is a nice chain. Peter's writing on us. Maybe it's the guy's name. Was he hurt bad? Nah, just a little bump. What's it say? Just a second. We'll be out of the alley. Yeah, Pop's got. Well, let me see it. Well, wait a second, will you? It says do not embo. Do not something me. I am not dead. It's spooey. What do we do with it? Sell it, dopey. That's stealing, Bob. It ain't stealing. We found it, didn't we? When we try to sell it, they'll ask us where we got it. What do we tell them? Nothing. Use your head. You know we'll do what? We use Pop's welding torch. We'll melt it down. He told us not to use it. Pop ain't here, is he?
[60:16]
Walter Crane
No.
[60:17]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, come on. There it is. Yeah. Here, put it on that brick. Okay. Yeah. Be careful. I don't know too much about this.
[60:30]
Walter Crane
What are you kids are doing there, huh?
[60:34]
Marcia Fillmore
Hello, sir. Nothing, Mr. Manell. We ain't doing nothing.
[60:37]
Walter Crane
Nothing, huh? I thought I told you kids not to go near that to torch.
[60:41]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, we want to melt this down.
[60:43]
Walter Crane
Give me that. Now, what's this all about?
[60:46]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, we found this chain, Papa, and we want to melt it down and sell it.
[60:50]
Walter Crane
Oh, who. Whose is it?
[60:52]
Marcia Fillmore
We don't know, do we, Tommy?
[60:53]
Walter Crane
No.
[60:54]
Marcia Fillmore
No, we don't.
[60:55]
Walter Crane
Where do you get.
[60:56]
Marcia Fillmore
We found it.
[60:56]
Walter Crane
Come on, let's. Let me have it.
[60:58]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, there's nothing wrong, Papa. We just found it. See? It's ours.
[61:02]
Walter Crane
Let me see. Say something. Do not embalm me. I'm not dead. Marcy. What's a dad?
[61:13]
Marcia Fillmore
It's screwy.
[61:15]
Walter Crane
Where do you find it?
[61:16]
Marcia Fillmore
In the street? Honest, Papa. Ask Tommy.
[61:18]
Walter Crane
All right, all right. Go on and get out of here, please.
[61:20]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, how about melting it down, Pop? We can sell it and buy some baseball.
[61:24]
Walter Crane
All right, I'll keep it back.
[61:30]
Marcia Fillmore
Look at tummy. See it? Yeah. Starting to melt. See how he does it?
[61:34]
Walter Crane
Keep away. I told you.
[61:36]
Marcia Fillmore
It's all melted.
[61:44]
Walter Crane
They sold the melted chain to a dealer for a dollar thirty. One thirty. But the coat. The coat was the principal thing in the Coat. In the inside pocket was the letter. The information about Bauer's condition was in the letter. The instructions that would save his life. The coat was picked up from the street by Honest Jerry Murdock. Now, there's a big sign near the corner of 15th Street. It says, honest Jerry Murdock Swap Shop. He brought the coat into a store, rummaged around on his shelves until he found some cleaner, then started to clean the blood stain. I'm looking for a sport jacket. Just a minute. And now. What kind? Conservative. Yeah. Will you come over here, please? Sure. Yeah. Something on that order. Well, pick out what you want there. How much do you want to spend? About five bucks. These cost more. How much? From eight to 12 over here. We got some cheaper. These don't look so hot for 8 bucks. From 8 to 12 over here. I'll take a look. No, these don't appeal to me. Well, what size do you wear? 40. Well, here, we'll try this one on. Nice and conservative. Oh, kind of tight around the shoulders. Yeah, it looks cheesy, huh? Well, I guess you ain't going to. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. What's your hurry? I'm just putting a new one in stock over here with the counter there. That looks all right. What size is? I don't know. Here, try it on.
[63:20]
Marcia Fillmore
Okay.
[63:22]
Walter Crane
Yeah, this feels all right. Kind of stiff in front here, though. It's almost new, ain't it? You'll break it in. Feels like cardboard or something. You want it? $5. Okay. There might still be a couple of shots. Stains on it I ain't had time to take up. Use some cleaner on it or bring it to the tables. It'll be better than new. Yeah. Here's a five. Ernest Bowers was brought to the receiving room of the Vetter General hospital. The time. 4:10. If Bowers was going to awaken, it would probably be before 6. 45. Intern on Dr. Weldon made out his report. He wrote it down while standing near the telephone switchboard. Now, listen, honey, get this guy's wife on the phone. If he's got a wife here, here's his wallet.
[64:14]
Marcia Fillmore
Another dead one?
[64:15]
Walter Crane
Yep. Dead as a macro. I'm gonna stay that way, too.
[64:18]
Marcia Fillmore
His home phone is here.
[64:19]
Walter Crane
I'll give it a whirl.
[64:31]
Marcia Fillmore
Yes, this is Vedder General Hospital. Is there anybody by the name of Bowers at home? That's Bowers. B O Jo. She's going to see. How did it happen?
[64:41]
Walter Crane
Accident. Automobile hit him. Funny.
[64:44]
Marcia Fillmore
What's funny?
[64:46]
Walter Crane
Superficial cut on forehead. Apparently heart failure. I'M going to request an autopsy. I'd like to find out whether the heart disease was chronic or not. Hello?
[64:55]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, here she is again.
[64:56]
Walter Crane
Nope, Nobody home.
[64:58]
Marcia Fillmore
Is Mr. Bowers married?
[64:59]
Walter Crane
His wife says he is.
[65:01]
Marcia Fillmore
Where can I reach her? There's been an accident.
[65:03]
Walter Crane
I don't know.
[65:03]
Marcia Fillmore
She's out. Will you tell her to call the Vetter General Hospital? Yes. What happened? Mr. Bowers is dead.
[65:12]
Walter Crane
Can't reach her, huh? Nope. See, I'd sure like to do that autopsy. Maybe later, after. He's going to the morgue. Get me the orderly.
[65:21]
Marcia Fillmore
Okay. Yeah. Use that one over there. Here.
[65:22]
Walter Crane
Okay.
[65:24]
Marcia Fillmore
Hello?
[65:25]
Walter Crane
Hello, Payne? Yeah. And this. Dr. Weldon, there's a delivery for you to go to the morgue. I know. Yeah. Oh, I ain't had nothing to eat since. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Since lunch. Go on now. It's down in receiving room B. The papers are down there too. Why can't it wait a few minutes? It's got to go now. They'll want to start the embalming so they can go home. How about sending one of the other boys? I don't care. Just as long as it gets there. It was then, 4:22 in the afternoon. Dr. Theodore J. Weldon left honey at the switchboard and walked upstairs to the intern quarters and settled down to reading the sports page of the afternoon paper. At that moment, if anyone had been in Receiving room B, a better general hospital where the body of Ernest Bowers lay on the patient carriage, they could have seen a fly crawl slowly across the face of the dead man. They would have seen his nose twitch for suspense. Roma Wines are bringing you an all star cast of Hollywood radio players headed by Wally Mayer in dead earnest, a radio play by Celie Glester and Merwin Gerard. Roma Wine's presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theater of thrills suspends between the acts of suspense. This is Ken Niles for Roma Wines. Yesterday I read an article listing 20 Ways to Beat this dog day heat. Among them were taking noon naps, soaking wrists in ice water and taking salt tablets. But none sounded half so pleasant as my favorite cooler offer. Roma Wine and Soda Ice. Yes, Roma wine and soda is one of Hollywood's favorite ways to keep cool. And no wonder for Roma Wine and Soda is so light, so ripe, so easy to serve, and believe me, so cool to come home to. Just half fill tall glasses with Roma, California, Sauterne or Burgundy or any other Roma wine type of your choice. Then simply add ice and sparkling water. In seconds, you're enjoying America's smartest Coolest summer refresher. And remember, because Roma is selected for you from the world's greatest wine reserves. Refreshers made with Roma are better tasting naturally. So for cool contentment all summer long at low cost, serve and enjoy Roma Wine and Soda. That's R O M a Roma Wine. Largest selling wine in all history. And now, Roma Wines. Bring back to our Hollywood soundstage Wally Mayer, who as Police Lieutenant Healy heads an all star cast of Hollywood radio players in dead earnest. A tale well calculated to keep you in suspend. Henry Prince had purchased the coat in which the letter was that could save the life of Ernest Bowers. When Henry Prince left the second hand clothes store, he stopped to have a chat with some friends, made some purchases at the grocery store and started home. The time? A few minutes after five. He lived about two blocks from the scene of the accident. His wife was waiting for him. Well, how do you like it?
[69:11]
Marcia Fillmore
For five bucks it looks all right. What's that? A spot.
[69:16]
Walter Crane
Where?
[69:17]
Marcia Fillmore
Now take it off for a second. Yeah, sure. Wonder what it is.
[69:22]
Walter Crane
Oh, he said there were a couple of spots. Cleaner will take them out.
[69:24]
Marcia Fillmore
Yeah, it looks like it might be. What? What's this in the pocket?
[69:28]
Walter Crane
I don't know.
[69:28]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, honestly. To whom it may concern. Please open and read.
[69:33]
Walter Crane
Oh, that's what Mr. Fox did.
[69:37]
Marcia Fillmore
This note is carried on my person wherever I go. It is to advise responsible parties that I am a cataleptic, that if it appears as though I am dead, I am not and that my body is not to be molested for a period of 72 hours, neither by autopsy nor by embalming. Although the maximum period of my attacks usually do not exceed four hours. Please telephone my wife, Mrs. Margaret Bowers Fulton 11231. This is a boarding house address, 8411-strong West 25th Street. If she is not there, please try X, Mr. 43422. This is the number of Dr. Benton. It is of vital importance. It may mean my life. Thank you, Ernest. Hours.
[70:28]
Walter Crane
That's a funny one.
[70:29]
Marcia Fillmore
Where'd you get the coat? Henry?
[70:31]
Walter Crane
Get on. It's Jerry Murdoch.
[70:32]
Marcia Fillmore
I wonder what we can do.
[70:33]
Walter Crane
I think it's probably forgotten already. Somebody sold the coat to him. Got to take the letter out.
[70:37]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, it doesn't sound like something a guy forgets.
[70:38]
Walter Crane
The devil.
[70:39]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, it might be important. Look at that, Henry. Those spots look like blood now.
[70:44]
Walter Crane
Too dark.
[70:45]
Marcia Fillmore
That's the color blood turns. I'm going to telephone that number.
[70:48]
Walter Crane
Go ahead, but I think you're wasting your time.
[70:50]
Marcia Fillmore
All right, all right.
[70:56]
Walter Crane
I didn't want to mess around.
[70:57]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, hello. I. I'd like to talk to Mrs. Mrs. Bowers.
[71:07]
Walter Crane
She ain't in.
[71:08]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, how do you know? You didn't even.
[71:09]
Walter Crane
You went out.
[71:10]
Marcia Fillmore
And you ain't the first after her. Who else wanted to get in touch with her?
[71:13]
Walter Crane
Somebody.
[71:13]
Marcia Fillmore
I don't know who. Oh, well, thank you.
[71:16]
Walter Crane
You see, you're wasting your time.
[71:18]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, I'm gonna try that. That Dr. Benton.
[71:26]
Walter Crane
Look, I'm hungry.
[71:28]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh. Oh, busy.
[71:31]
Walter Crane
How about some dinner?
[71:32]
Marcia Fillmore
It's cooking. It's cooking. You know, I just can't get it out of my head. That guy, whoever he is, lying there, people thinking him dead when he ain't maybe doing things to him. What's embalming?
[71:42]
Walter Crane
Well, you do that at the Mortgage. Preparing his body for burial. I think they take all the blood out his veins.
[71:46]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, that would kill him if he wasn't already dead.
[71:48]
Walter Crane
Well, couldn't kill him no deader.
[71:49]
Marcia Fillmore
Henry, I'm going to find out about that coat. Where's this place? You bought it.
[71:52]
Walter Crane
Honest. Now, wait a minute, Francis. Look, I put in a good day's work. I'm tired. Listen, I don't want to run around the city looking for something I don't even know about.
[71:59]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, I'll go myself.
[72:00]
Walter Crane
How about me at home here while you go out? I want to eat. I'm hungry.
[72:03]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, dinner won't be ready for another 15 minutes anyway. Where is the place?
[72:06]
Walter Crane
Oh, all right, I'll go with you.
[72:18]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, why don't they answer? What?
[72:22]
Walter Crane
Well, he ain't back yet.
[72:23]
Marcia Fillmore
What's the sign say? 10 minutes.
[72:25]
Walter Crane
Yeah, but those guys put up signs like that. If they're going away for an hour.
[72:27]
Marcia Fillmore
We can wait just a few more minutes. Henry.
[72:29]
Walter Crane
Oh, come on, Francis. Hello?
[72:32]
Marcia Fillmore
Is. Is. Is Mrs. Bowers in?
[72:34]
Walter Crane
No.
[72:35]
Marcia Fillmore
Mr. Bowers. No, he's dead. Oh, he is? That's what they tell me. Look, you're bothering me, lady. I got a meal set on the table. I can't be answering a million questions. Yeah. Listen, all I want to know is when Mr. Bowers died.
[72:47]
Walter Crane
How do I know? Ask Mrs. Bowers. She'll be home soon.
[72:49]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, yeah, thanks. Well, Mr. Bowers is dead. I found that out.
[72:55]
Walter Crane
I'll see. I told you.
[72:56]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, what about the letter then? What if he ain't dead? What if they only think he's dead?
[72:59]
Walter Crane
What do you want to do, wait here all night?
[73:01]
Marcia Fillmore
No, I'm going to go down to that place where you bought the coat.
[73:03]
Walter Crane
You're going traips around the whole city.
[73:05]
Marcia Fillmore
If I have To.
[73:06]
Walter Crane
Well, without me then.
[73:07]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, all right, all right. Do as you please.
[73:09]
Walter Crane
I'll be home. I'm hungry. If you think more of a crazy letter than you do a feeding your own husband and that's all.
[73:13]
Marcia Fillmore
What do you mean, that's all?
[73:15]
Walter Crane
Just what I said, that's all.
[73:16]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, Henry, the trouble with you is you just don't have no imagination.
[73:19]
Walter Crane
No, I just don't have no imagination. I'm just a home loving guy, that's all. I don't go sticking my nose where it don't belong.
[73:24]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, go on home then. I'll find out about it. Busy, busy, busy. How can a doctor's line be always busy? Say, pardon me.
[73:47]
Walter Crane
Sure, sure. What do you have?
[73:49]
Marcia Fillmore
I. I just want to find out about the man next door. Do you know when he'll come back? Who?
[73:53]
Walter Crane
Honest Jerry? No. Ain't he there?
[73:55]
Marcia Fillmore
No. There's a sign on his door says he'll be back in 10 minutes. I've been waiting for him for more than a half hour.
[74:00]
Walter Crane
Maybe he went home.
[74:01]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, yeah? Do you know where he lives?
[74:03]
Walter Crane
Search me, lady.
[74:05]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, he will come back.
[74:06]
Walter Crane
Well, he's usually there when we close up here. That's about seven o'. Clock.
[74:10]
Marcia Fillmore
Yeah. Well, thank you. Oh, officer.
[74:16]
Walter Crane
Yes, ma'? Am?
[74:17]
Marcia Fillmore
Officer, do you know where the fellow who owns that. That swap shop lives?
[74:21]
Walter Crane
Oh, ma', am, I don't.
[74:21]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, well, I. I want to get in touch with him. There's a sign in his door.
[74:25]
Walter Crane
Don't you ask him, Ma'. Am. There he is now. Just going in.
[74:28]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, gee, thank you. Mr. Mr. Murdoch. Mr. Murdoch.
[74:33]
Walter Crane
Yeah.
[74:33]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, hey, Mr. Murdoch. I'm glad you came back.
[74:36]
Walter Crane
I just having a bite. Tea? Yeah, come on in.
[74:39]
Marcia Fillmore
Thanks.
[74:40]
Walter Crane
What can I do for you?
[74:42]
Marcia Fillmore
You sold my husband a jacket, a sport jacket this afternoon.
[74:45]
Walter Crane
Did I? What kind?
[74:46]
Marcia Fillmore
It was a light blue one. It had a few stains on it.
[74:49]
Walter Crane
Oh, I'm sorry. I can't take anything back once it's gone.
[74:52]
Marcia Fillmore
No, no, I. I don't want to give it back. I. Where'd you get it, Mr. Murdoch?
[74:55]
Walter Crane
I don't even know which one you're talking about. I sell a lot of stuff.
[74:58]
Marcia Fillmore
It must have been just a few hours ago. Blue. Blue with. With thin red boxes.
[75:03]
Walter Crane
Oh. What about it?
[75:04]
Marcia Fillmore
Where'd you get it?
[75:05]
Walter Crane
What do you want to know for?
[75:07]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, because there was a letter in it. An important letter.
[75:10]
Walter Crane
I don't know. How can I remember where I got it?
[75:12]
Marcia Fillmore
Long ago. Was it long ago?
[75:14]
Walter Crane
I don't see where it's any of your business. Where I got it.
[75:17]
Marcia Fillmore
It may be important. I've been trying to reach the numbers. The doctor's number's always busy, and his. His wife isn't home yet.
[75:22]
Walter Crane
I don't know what you're talking about. Please, I'm busy. I got lots to do.
[75:26]
Marcia Fillmore
Yeah, but you gotta tell me. Just listen. Look, tell me one thing. Did you have the jacket in here a long time?
[75:31]
Walter Crane
Well.
[75:32]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, please, it's very important.
[75:35]
Walter Crane
Well, no, no. I just got this afternoon.
[75:38]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, but where did you get it?
[75:40]
Walter Crane
You said one question. You asked it, I answered it. That's all. There was blood on it that I can't help now. Let me. Oh, no.
[75:48]
Marcia Fillmore
Listen, Mr. Murdoch, you gotta tell me, please.
[75:50]
Walter Crane
I don't have to tell anybody anything.
[75:52]
Marcia Fillmore
Mr. Murdoch, I may be all wrong. I'm probably just crazy doing this. But listen, if that man's alive and they do anything to him, I'll just never get over it. I'll just never be able to live with myself.
[76:01]
Walter Crane
What are you talking. Talking about?
[76:02]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, listen, listen. There was a letter in the inside pocket of that jacket. You see. It said that Ernest Bowers was a cataleptic.
[76:10]
Walter Crane
What's that? You mean he goes into.
[76:11]
Marcia Fillmore
No, no, no, no. A cataleptic is somebody who looks like he's. He's dead at times. And he isn't. He. He goes into a spell, and it looks as though he's dead. You see? And sometimes they take dead bodies to the morgue. They embom them, and that means they take all the blood out of their veins. Now, now, this fellow Bowers is a cataleptic. I don't know whether he's dead, alive or even if he's. He's even worrying about this letter. But I gotta find out.
[76:34]
Walter Crane
Well, there was.
[76:35]
Marcia Fillmore
What? What?
[76:36]
Walter Crane
An accident before.
[76:37]
Marcia Fillmore
Where? Who. Who was in it?
[76:39]
Walter Crane
I don't know. Believe me, lady, I didn't know anything about all this. You think this guy he was taking away in an ambulance was a catalepsy?
[76:48]
Marcia Fillmore
That coat, was it his?
[76:50]
Walter Crane
Yeah, lady, but it was left there in the street. They drove away and left.
[76:53]
Marcia Fillmore
Who?
[76:53]
Walter Crane
The ambulance.
[76:54]
Marcia Fillmore
What ambulance?
[76:55]
Walter Crane
Oh, I don't know. It was on the corner. The cop was there. He told somebody to call an ambulance that came and took the man away.
[77:02]
Marcia Fillmore
Is that the cop? Is that the cop out there now?
[77:04]
Walter Crane
Yeah, but. Look, you gotta protect me. I ain't done anything wrong. I don't know anything about.
[77:08]
Marcia Fillmore
Officer. Officer. Officer.
[77:17]
Walter Crane
Ernest Bowers lay on a slab in the mall. If he were alive, probabilities were that he would regain consciousness. Before 6:45. The two embalmers on duty at the time had decided to get a bite to eat when the phone rang. We're going out to eat. Yeah, I know. Another one just came in. We got it here. Well, what's a rush? No, no, we just want to grab a cup of coffee and then we'll get right on it. Well, is it our fault if it comes in just when we want to have a. What? We can go home after. Oh, well, that puts a different complexion. Okay. Yeah. Hey, what time is it, Tony? It's 6:30. Doc says if we embalm this one now, we can go home. Well, let's start in then. I'm hungry. Okay, I start the motor. Hey, young guy, ain't he? Yeah, I was speaking to the wife about that yesterday. Or get the injection injector out, Tony. And she was saying more and more people die, older and older. Hey, here. Looks like we can open through the neck. Yeah. Hey, give me a piece of that gauze. I said, the way she should be around this place a while, we get them all ages. Hey, you want me to do it? Oh, that's all right. You get the injector ready. Hey, look at him. You know, you never think that such a little thing like his heart stops beating could make him dead and not alive. Hold this steady now, will you? Yeah. Okay, you ready? Just a second. Yeah. All right, here we go. Oh, what's the matter? My glasses, they're clouding up. Well, take them off. Oh, no, it's all right. I'll just clean them. What'd the wife say to that? What? Oh, about all ages.
[78:53]
Marcia Fillmore
Yeah?
[78:54]
Walter Crane
Yeah. Oh, she didn't have anything to say. Only that most of the guys we deal with probably come to a violent end. Well, there's something in that. Okay, I got my glasses clean. All right, now let's h. What's the matter? They're steamed up again. Funny, every time I bend over near. I wonder what a. It must be my imagination. What? I could have sworn this guy was breathing on my glasses. Oh, is he? No. How could he? Well, come on and let's go. It's quarter to seven already. Yeah. Hold it, hold it. I'll get the phone. Oh, let's get this started first. Okay, now we'll just help. Why?
[79:35]
Marcia Fillmore
Why?
[79:36]
Walter Crane
What's the matter with you? I. I thought I saw the guy's hand twitch. Oh, don't be silly. Oh, boy. Oh, it gave me a scare. Hey, let's wait a second. I'll get the phone. Oh, no, it'll probably be another job. We'll never get out of here. Let it ring. That might be my wife. Oh, well, if people are gonna hang up before you can pick up the phone. All right, come on now. Let's get this thing over with. All right. Okay, now give me the knife again. That's it. Now I'll make a nice, neat little inse. Tony. Yeah? Look, I'm bent over like this. I ain't gonna move. My glasses are full of steam again. Oh, Lord. Is. Is he alive? Hey, look at me. I'm shaking all over. Look at him, Al. Look at his lips. Listen. I.
[80:39]
Marcia Fillmore
Shut that thing.
[81:08]
Walter Crane
Apparently, the life of Ernest Bowers was worth a dollar for a silver bracelet and $5 for a blood stained jacket. To honest Jerry Murdoch. Their petty thefts brought a man to the brink of death. As. As for the busy telephone in Dr. Benton's office, it wasn't busy at all. The good doctor had unwittingly replaced the receiver on the stand incorrectly. There's just one more episode which perhaps doesn't belong in an accident report, but which I would like to include. After regaining full consciousness, Ernest Bowers put in a telephone call from the Morgue. Hello?
[81:55]
Marcia Fillmore
Hello, Mrs. Brawley?
[81:57]
Walter Crane
Is Mrs. Bowers in? I don't know.
[81:58]
Marcia Fillmore
I didn't see her come in. Josie, see if Mrs. Bowers is home. Who is it?
[82:04]
Walter Crane
This is Mr. Bowers.
[82:06]
Marcia Fillmore
Who? Mr. Bowers. They told me he was dead. The hospital called us.
[82:12]
Walter Crane
I know, Mrs. Brawley, but they made a mistake.
[82:14]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, well, here she is. Hello? Hello? Ernest, where are you?
[82:18]
Walter Crane
Well, darling, it's quite a long story. You see.
[82:21]
Marcia Fillmore
Never mind. You just get right home, you hear? Dinner's getting ice cold.
[82:39]
Walter Crane
Suspense Presented by Roma Wines R O M A Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. This is Ken Niles for Roma Wines. Perhaps you've noticed how summer's open doors in backyard living promote new neighborliness. How often these warm days casual, over the fence invitations mark the start of pleasant, friendly evenings. More and more, the keynote of such friendly hospitality is Roma Wine Lemonade, a tall, cold refresher that's an invitation to settle back and enjoy life. Guests enjoy the tangy, thirst quenching refreshment of Roma Wine Lemonade. Hosts acclaim. Roma Wine Lemonade, because it costs so little, is so easy to prepare. You simply squeeze half lemons into tall glasses, add ice and pour 3/4 full with Roma, California Burgundy or any other Roma wine type you prefer. Then fill with water, sweeten to taste, and you have refreshers that make thirst a pleasure. And remember, Roma Wines are selected from the world's greatest wine reserves. That's why refreshers made with Roma are better. Tastier tasting every time. So insist on Roma. R O M a Roma Wines enjoyed by more Americans than any other wine. Next Thursday, same time, Roma Wines will bring you Mr. Henry Danielle as star of Suspense Radio's Outstanding Theater of Thrill. Produced by William Spear for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System. And now, Roma Wines. R O M a made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. Roma Wines presents Suspense. Tonight, Roma Wines bring you Mr. Vincent Price and Mr. Lloyd Nolan as stars of Hunting Trips, a suspense play produced, edited and directed for Roma Wines by William Speer. Suspense Radio's outstanding Theater of Thrills is presented for your enjoyment by Rock Roma Wines. That's R O M a Roma Wines, those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live. To your happiness in entertaining guests. To your enjoyment of everyday meals. Yes, right now a glassful would be very pleasant as Roma Wines bring you Lloyd Noland and Vincent Price in a remarkable tale of suspense. It began with just a little hunting trip for the two of us. Eric and me. I hadn't seen Eric for several months. Not since before Karen died, in fact. When I bumped into him at the club, he suggested that we run up to his cabin in the mountains for a few days. Grab a bit of fresh air and relaxation. See if we couldn't bag ourselves a moose or a deer. And yet, almost at the outset, I had an uncanny feeling about that trip. I suppose, actually it was the night and the setting. It was the blackest night I'd ever seen. We'd left all humankind behind us. There was no moon. There was only blackness. The kind that seemed to be all enveloping. As though there was nothing outside our car but blackness. No road, no forest, no mountains. I'll not admit I was nervous. I was boring my feet into the floorboard of the cars. Though somehow that would help. What are you laughing at? You, Stan. You don't look as though you're having a very good time. Well, I'm not, frankly. Shouldn't you be driving a little bit slower? Why? Why? Good heavens, Eric. If you make just one little slip at the wheel, we're done for, that's all. I doubt if that ever is. Even find us down in those canyons. Nonsense. I know every crook and turn in this road. Oh, yeah? I don't think you're much of an outdoors man. Well, maybe not. I Love this kind of country in the daytime. But I'll confess I'm not so keen on it at night. I don't like what I can't see. Funny, I'm just the opposite. There's. Well, there's a challenge in the darkness that stimulates my senses. It's exhilarating. It stirs my imagination. I suppose it would, but I'm not equipped to grapple with the mysteries of the universe. Stan, you're much too modest. You always were. You've gotten out of life pretty much what you wanted, haven't you? Well, yes, I suppose so. Then don't always be belittling yourself. It's an effective technique, Stan. But I'm on to you. You're as clever as the next fellow in your own. I sat back and tried to relax. Things weren't quite as Eric had pictured them. I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, as they say. Eric had come up the hard way. I was average and soft. He was brilliant and hard. We'd known each other a long time, going to school together, being in love with the same girl, Karen. When I married her, he was my best man. And yet I didn't pretend to understand him. He was still pretty much of a stranger to me. I glanced over his way. He actually seemed to be enjoying himself. It crossed my mind that he was rather enjoying seeing me in a bit of a lather, too. Well, it's not far now. Just around the next bend. Well, thank the Lord. Well, am I amusing you again? No, I was just thinking what a perfect spot this would be for a murder. A murder? Honestly, Eric, I believe that's all you think about. It is almost. When I buy a newspaper, I read about murder. The way you study the stock quotations. Murder is fascinating to me. I spend most of my time figuring out ways and means to commit murder. Now you're trying to sound like a metal case. Who knows? Perhaps I am. I have a mind. Well, here we are, old man. You see, I've delivered you safe and sound, all in one piece. Eric's cabin was perched high on a rocky crag jutting out from the side of a mountain with one more flush against a sheer drop. In front, there was a steep path leading down to a lake. I could hear the lapping of the waves. Eric fixed us something to eat, then went outside. Pretty soon he came back in armful of logs. His face was red and healthy. I don't think you like my place, Stan. Oh, yes, I do. Honestly. I'm just tired, I guess. Well, we'll turn in directly. Oh, thanks. Cigarette? Yes, thanks. I believe I will. I like it here. All the privacy in the world. Mm. Say, Eric. Yes? Why do you read about murder? Why do you read about stocks and bonds? Well, because they interest me. It's my business. My business doesn't interest me. I read about murder because I'm interested in people. Murder is emotional. And when people are being emotional, you get to see more of them. Why are you so interested in people? Oh, I think I'm more curious than interested. Well, all right. Why so curious? It amuses me. I find out about people, I write down what I find out, and I write my impressions of how those people will react to a series of circumstances. It's a good way to get rid of one's inhibition. Sort of a frightening hobby. I think stamp collecting is frightening. You're too darn clever, Eric. Why too clever? Well, I mean, you see through people. What's wrong with that? Unless, of course, they have something they want to hide. Oh, I suppose it's all right if your friends don't mind. Do you mind? No. Heavens, no. Why should I? That's right. Why should you? Well, how about hitting the hay? We have to be up early. We'll only get a few hours sleep as it is. That suits me. You sleep in my studies, Stan. The bed's in there. Is a bit more comfortable. I'll bunk out here on the couch. I had undressed and gotten into bed and was reaching over to put out the light on Eric's desk when my eyes fell on a stack of typewritten sheets. I wondered if they were the notes Eric had been speaking about. The strange mumbo jumbo he'd written there, phrases he liked, single sentences describing people he'd met. There were a few clippings pasted on sheets of white paper. Clippings describing murders by strangulation, by pistol, by drowning, by poison. A full sheet was devoted to Karen. I hadn't realized how much he'd cared for. His analysis was very kind, almost maudlin. He spoke of his shock at hearing of a suicide. He tried to reason it to find causes. Small memo pad caught my eye, however, and on the last page I saw my name carefully printed. I read it eagerly, read Eric's arguments for not hating me because I had married Karen. I read Eric's cold analysis of my character. Not exactly flattering, but it was pretty accurate. And at the bottom of the page, newly written by the looks of it, and in Eric's own careful hand, I read Four Ways to Commit Murder. By strangulation, by pistol bullet, by drowning, By Po. For suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you Vincent Price and Lloyd Nolan in Hunting Trip by Paul Bernard and Lee Horton. Roma Wines presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. Between the acts of suspense, this is Ken Niles for Grand Estate Wines. Last night, a friend who entertains frequently told me how much he likes Grand Estate wines. Those wines of outstanding excellence presented by Roma, America's greatest vinder. Here's what he said recently, Ken. I served Grand Estate wine to some very particular guests. People who really know wine. Their sincere praise for that wonderful fragrance and taste was certainly flattering to me as a host. Grand Estate wines are outstanding. Yes. To bring you this limited bottling of Grand Estate wines, Roma selected only the choicest juice laden grapes from California's finest vineyards. Then, at Roma's famed wineries, unmatched in winemaking resources, Grand Estate wines are patiently, skillfully guided to perfection. Necessary time and the age old skill of Roma master vintners endow each Grand Estate wine with brilliant clarity, full fragrance and mellow taste. So whatever the occasion, you're sure to please all tastes with Grand Estate California wines. Medium sherry, Ruby port and golden Muscatel for delightful entertaining. Grand Estate Burgundy and Sauterne for gracious dining. Remember the name Grand Estate Wines by Roma, the crowning achievement of vintner skill. And now, Roma Wines bring back to our Hollywood sound stage. Lloyd Nolan as Stan and Vincent Price as Eric in hunting trip. A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense, I suppose. I slept that night, but it seemed as though I had only just dozed off. When I heard the door open quietly. I opened one eye cautiously. It was still gray in the room, so I know I hadn't slept long. I was about to open both eyes to save Eric the trouble of waking me when I thought, he hasn't come to wake me. My mind threw two words at me by strangulation. Before I had the chance to move, I felt his hands carefully on my throat. Dalton. Why, Stan, what's the matter? I thought for a minute that. Yes, I guess I must have been dreaming. Nightmare. You grabbed hold of my hands like you thought I was going to strangle you. Oh, did I? What's the matter? Have you got a guilty conscience? Yeah. Yeah, I guess I have it. What did you want? Eric? Time to get up. Oh, already? Yeah, that's right. I've got good news too. I just spotted a likely looking buck right across the lake when I went down for water. Oh, good, good. Well, I'll get breakfast going as soon as you're ready. Yeah. Be right with you. There's no rush. Take your time. Nice have you here. Well, maybe it was the way that he'd said that, as though he really meant it. For a minute, I was convinced that I'd let my imagination run away with me. As for putting his hand on my throat, that was an accident. He'd been groping for my shoulder. Then the next minute, I was asking myself, was it an accident, though? Suppose I'd really been asleep. Suppose I hadn't grabbed his hands. I still didn't know what to think. Well, I dressed and we sat down to breakfast. Pass me your cup, will you, Stan? I'll. I'll give you some coffee. There you are. Thanks. Sugar Coming up. No. No sugar for me, thanks. Well, Stan, when are you gonna confess? What do you mean, confess? Or shall I drag it out of you? What are you driving at? Oh, come now. You're not going to play the adolescent schoolboy with me. I swear I. I don't. I'm referring to the lovely young woman you've been seen dining with and taking to the theater. Oh, you mean Marcia. Is that her name? Yes. Well, go on. Where did you meet her? How? When? Is she wealthy? Is she as beautiful as they say she is? Come on. Let's have the sort of details. No, Eric, you're. You're barking up the wrong trait. Am I? Oh, I'll admit I. Taking her out occasionally, but nothing like that. Marcia. Do I know her? No, I don't believe you do. Isn't her last name Jenkins? Yes, of course I know her. That is, I met her. Well, don't you remember? You introduced me to her yourself. Oh. Oh, did I? Yes. Don't you remember? I ran into you at Silver's. You were buying perfume, and she was helping you select it for Karen. Remember? Oh. Oh, yes. Yes, now that you recall it. More coffee? Yeah. No sugar. Well, when we got to the lake, we bailed out the boat, loaded it and pushed it out into the fog. It was still half light when we reached the other side. So we sat in the boat and lighted cigarettes, waited for the sun to come up. We'd been sitting there just smoking, not saying anything, when he suddenly turned to me and said. You say that she'd been ill? Oh, Karen. Yes. Yes, she'd been ill for some time, Eric. So she killed herself? Yes. There was an inquest, of course. Yes, of course. Why do you ask? Look at that sun. Did you ever see such col. 4 Ways to Commit murder. I'd almost forgotten about Eric's hands on my throat. Now the incident jumped vividly back to my mind. Because now I knew that Eric had a reason. He looked away after he asked me about the inquest. He didn't answer me when I asked him why he wanted to know. Somewhere in that strange, dark corner of his mind, he was still. Still obsessed by love for Karen. Even though she was dead and gone. He thought that she'd still be alive and happy if she hadn't married me. My legs were weak when he motioned me out of the boat. A deer blew somewhere near us. We stopped. Hey, did you hear that? Yeah. Listen. It's moving west. Yeah. Stan, you work west, just about half a mile or so ahead of us. You'll come to a clearing. Take your stand there. Right. I'll strike north and west and then work toward the clearing. Good hunting. This is it. Then I thought, he'll hide somewhere along the way to the clearing and shoot me in the back. Now that I knew what to expect, I felt somewhat relieved. At least I'd be ready for him. Nothing happened until I'd nearly reached the clearing. And then I got the feeling that someone was walking with me, timing his steps with mine. I stopped and listened. I don't know how long I stood there, my rifle gripped in my hands. But suddenly, instinctively, I wheeled around. Shot whistled over my head. Then I saw a buck running across the clearing. He'd shot at me and missed. Well, two can play at that game. I thought. The next shot would be mine. I wouldn't miss. I dropped on my knees, watching the brush for him. Then all of a sudden, I saw him running toward me, right out in the open. I started to raise my rifle, but I couldn't. I couldn't kill a man that way in cold blood. Stan.
[101:14]
Marcia Fillmore
Dan.
[101:15]
Walter Crane
Did I hit you? Confound you. Now, hold on a minute, old son. Let's not lose our heads. I'm. Oh, I'm terribly sorry, of course. But I had no idea you were to take Stan in the clearing, so I naturally assumed you were there. I don't know what I can say. Well, maybe it was my fault. I don't know. Anyway, let's figure. But I, I, I. I said let's skip it. I stuck close to Eric after that. I gave no more opportunity for a shooting accident. It was dusk when we had it headed back toward the cabin. We didn't get our buck. Not that I cared, and I'm sure Eric didn't. He was at the different game. Then I saw A boat on the beach by drowning. Here we were, alone. I couldn't refuse to get in the boat with him. There was no other way of getting back to the cabin. I could feel the perspiration trickling down my ribs. I stumbled in the underbrush. Easy. Easy now. It's too bad we didn't bag that fella. All right, that buck. Better luck tomorrow, maybe. Yeah. Better luck tomorrow. You seem preoccupied, Stan. Do I? Yes. I have the ghastly feeling that I'm failing you as a host. I don't think you're having a very good time. I. I think this is a marvelous country, Eric. You've exercised phenomenal restraint, old son. What do you mean? About expressing your admiration for it. I'd never have suspected that you liked it so much. That remark called for some sort of an answer. But I wasn't equal to it. Fortunately, I was spared the necessity. We reached the lake and the boat. Then we tossed our guns into it. Eric. Daddy. Push out for sure. Hop in, Stan. Easy does it, now. Hang on to the oars, will you, while I climb in? All set? All set. Splendid. Here, now. You better let me row. I know this lake. There's some treacherous spots in it. What do you mean? Oh, some nasty boulders sticking up. Some of them that aren't easy to square spot. Come too close to the surface for comfort. I see. If we were to hit one of them, we'd turn over in a hurry. You don't swim, do you, Stan? You know, done. Well, I don't. Oh, that's a shame. It's a mistake not to learn to swim, don't you think? What happened after that was a nightmare. He rode. I sat there paralyzed. I couldn't move, I couldn't think. I knew. I knew I should do something. But what? I stared at the water till I was blind, looking for rocks. Eric's face was a blur. He just smiled, rode, rode and talked. His voice sounded hollow and unreal. You're shaking, Stan. Is something wrong? This lake's plenty deep. Lots of fish in it too. Maybe we can do a little fishing. He stopped suddenly. He'd seen something in the water. He turned around, pulled hard on the oars. We'd reached the spot. He knew it. And then go.
[105:06]
Marcia Fillmore
Eric.
[105:09]
Walter Crane
Eric. With a lumber gun.
[105:11]
Marcia Fillmore
Eric.
[105:17]
Walter Crane
When I came up, Eric was there in the water near me. He didn't speak. He just grinned. And then I saw his face above mine. Grinned, grinning. Saw him raise his face, strike me. And that's the last to remember. When I came to, I was Lying on the beach. And Eric was standing over me, smiling. Well, hello. How are you feeling? Right. Okay, I guess. You're a tough customer to rescue, old son. You put up quite a fight. I'm. I'm sorry. I thought that maybe. Don't try to talk now. You've had a pretty bad time. Take it easy. Well, it was all clear to me then. Eric had saved my life. It had been accidental. The shot, the boat turning over. He didn't want to kill me. A man doesn't save you from drowning when he wants you dead. But it all been my imagination. A nightmare. The relief that flowed through my body was almost too much for me. It would. There aren't words to express how I felt. A little later. Later, Eric helped me up to my cabin. And I stretched out on the couch. Eric went to the kitchen to fix hot coffee and soup. He brought the coffee and first pulled up a coffee table close to me. And poured us each out a cupful. There you are. Get some of that into you and you'll feel different. Oh, thanks. I'll be back in a second. Soup coming right up. Hey, Stan. Do you like to cook? Huh? I said, do you like to cook? You know I do. I. Well, I like to try different concoctions. Oh, not me. I'd starve to death if I had to cook for myself. Oh, man. This coffee hit the spot. Ah, I can use a little of that, too. It sure does warm the innards, doesn't it? I got a little chilled. Nothing like a cup of coffee, I always say. That's what I always say, too, Stan. Why didn't I say something funny? Am I amusing you again? Immensely. In fact, Stan, I think that's probably the funniest thing you ever said. How did you like it, Stan? Four Ways to Commit Murder? You read it, of course. Course. Well, yes, I could tell you had. Just as I intended you to. Were you frightened all day today? I don't understand. You didn't know, did you? That I came to your engagement party to ask Karen to be my wife? I wasn't aware that you were throwing a party or that she had accepted you. Good Lord. Perhaps you don't remember what I told you that night. You thought I was joking. But I meant every word I said. That I'd make you pay if you failed Karen. If you made her unhappy within all these years, you would. Then you did bring me up here to murder you. You're so right, Stan. But you pulled me out of the lake. You saved my life. You are a dull Witted clown, aren't you, Stan? Don't you know me better than that? Did you think I'd kill you in the manner of a homicidal moron? Oh, no. But you did take a shot at me. Oh, yes. That was the second way. The first way was by waking you up by the throat this morning. The boat tipping over was the third way. And now I suppose we've reached the fourth way. Your brilliance positively staggers me. You can't get away with it, Eric. Oh, yes, I can. I have. You see how intently I'm watching you? I'm waiting to see you fall. You're going to die, Stan. Just as Karen. What do you mean? In the coffee stand. That's right. Your coffee's poisoned. Just as you poisoned her coffee. Only yours is a slow poison. Poetic justice, don't you think?
[109:31]
Marcia Fillmore
You.
[109:32]
Walter Crane
You poisoned my coffee? Yes, I. I wore down your guard. I. I planned it so that by now you would trust me. You would have faith in me. You poisoned my coffee. What? What did you. I didn't drink my coffee, Eric. I changed cups with you. There was sugar in my cup, Eric. I don't take sugar in my cup here. So I change cups with you. I didn't mean to do it, Eric. But.
[110:08]
Marcia Fillmore
I don't like sugar in my.
[110:23]
Walter Crane
So, you see, I. I didn't kill Eric, really. He killed himself accidentally, but. But I wish he had killed me. He had a good reason to. Because somehow he knew about Karen. About how I killed Karen by putting poison in her coffee that morning. And I watched her die the same way that I watched Eric die. I'm tired now. I don't want to talk anymore. You do whatever you want with me. Suspense Presented by Roma Wines R O M A Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. And now our two distinguished stars, Lloyd Nolan and Vincent Price, are returning for a curtain call with William Speer, our producer, director of suspense. Mr. Spear, is carrying two large gift baskets of grand estate California wines. Lloyd and Vincent. And Vincent and Lloyd. Just to keep the billing straight, we want you each to have a basket of these grand estate wines with our compliments for a thrilling performance. Thank you, Bill. Hey, this is quite a selection. Certainly is. My thanks, too, Bill. Well, there must be a grand estate wine for every occasion here. I guess there is, isn't there, Ken? Well, there is indeed, Bill. Even my favorite grand estate Medium sherry. A truly versatile wine. Grand Estate Medium Sherry is delicious as an apparatus before dinner. Delightful for afternoon or evening parties, too. And of course, like all grand estate wines, By Roma Medium Sherry possesses the best brilliant clarity, full fragrance and mellow taste that distinguish truly great wines. That sounds wonderful. Well, yes, Mr. Nolan. And you can be sure that any grand estate wine you serve. Represents the ultimate in wine goodness. The crowning achievement of vintner skill. That's why grand estate wines presented by Roma, the greatest name in wine. Are the choice of discriminating wine users everywhere. Well put, Ken. Vincent, what's new and startling over on the 20th Century Fox lot? Well, they're pretty excited about Daryl Zanuck's film version of Maugham's the Razor's Edge. Which has just finished up shooting. And I guess the picture that they like best among the current releases is Claudia and David. You're on loan out just now away from the home lot, aren't you, Vincent? That's right, Bill. And Lloyd is, too. Yes. Yes, sir. I will be in a couple of weeks. Right now, I'm just loafing. Grabbed a little fishing. Took a hunting trip up north. You wouldn't want to go on a hunting trip with me, would you, Lloyd? No, thanks. I had plenty of that. Tonight on Suspense. Bill, who's on the show? Next Thursday, it's Dane Clark in a suspense play about a gunsel, a professional murderer who doesn't know he has any emotions. Until he finds himself falling in love with the wife of a man he's killed. Sounds wonderful. We'll be listening, eh, Lloyd? Oh, yes, sure thing. Swell. Well, then, if you two will relieve me of these baskets of grand estate wines. Before my arms give way and there's a loud crash. Thanks again, Bill. Good night. Good night. Next Thursday, same time, listen to Dane Clark on Suspense. Presented by Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California. Yes, Roma wines taste better. Because only Roma selects from the world's greatest wine reserves for your pleasure. And now, Roma Wines. R O M a Roma Wines present Suspense. Tonight, Roma wines bring you. Mr. Joseph Cotton in the Thing in the Window, A suspense play produced, edited and directed for Roma Wines by William Speer. Suspense radio's outstanding theater of thrills. Is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. That's R O M a Roma Wine, those better tasting California wines enjoyed by more Americans than any other wine. For friendly entertaining, for delightful dining, tonight in our suspense theater, we bring you the premiere of the newest suspense play. Written by Lucille Fletcher, the author of such distinguished radio dramas as Sorry, Wrong Number and Others. But before we ring up the curtain on tonight's play and on the performance of our star, Joseph Cotton, let me make a suggestion. Why battle last minute Christmas crowds downtown. When the perfect gift is as close as your nearest wine merchant, give magnificent grand estate wines favored by discriminating wine users everywhere. From a single assorted case of grand estate wines, you can make several distinctive gifts and provide grand estate wines for your own holiday dining and entertaining too. To give or serve, America offers no finer wines than Grand Estate. For grand estate wines presented by Roma, America's greatest vintner, are limited bottlings born of choicest grapes, then slowly guided to rich taste luxury by ancient Roma skill and America's finest winemaking resources. This Christmas, for good giving, for good living, offer all five grand estate California wines. When entertaining, serve medium sherry, Ruby port or gold and muscatel for gracious dining, Burgundy or Sauterne, say your merry Christmas smartly with grand estate wines, the crowning achievement of vintner skill. Yes, right now a glassful would be very pleasant. As Roma Wines bring you Mr. Joseph Cotton as Martin Ames in the thing in the window, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. Mary.
[117:17]
Marcia Fillmore
Yes, Mr. Ray?
[117:18]
Walter Crane
Send that vacuum cleaner off and come over here. I want to show you something. Yes, right here out this window. Now look across the street. No, directly across the opposite apartment. See that window about three windows in from the left with a kind of blue draperies?
[117:33]
Marcia Fillmore
Uh huh.
[117:34]
Walter Crane
There's someone sitting there in a chair. He hasn't moved all night. I think he must be dead.
[117:39]
Marcia Fillmore
Dead? Lord have mercy, Mr. Ames.
[117:41]
Walter Crane
Take a good look at him and tell me what you think, Mary.
[117:43]
Marcia Fillmore
Okay, but I don't favor looking at a copse, Mr. Ames. It's unlucky. Now which window did you say? Third one over. I wish I had me glasses.
[117:53]
Walter Crane
Who's there? Right there where my finger's pointing.
[117:56]
Marcia Fillmore
I'm afraid I don't see it yet, Mr. Ames.
[117:58]
Walter Crane
Oh, look. The winner with the blue draperies. He's wearing a sort of a gray suit. The arm. Can't you see the arm hanging down over the side of the chair?
[118:07]
Marcia Fillmore
No, sir. But you've got good eyes, Mr. Ames. If you see it, I'm not arguing with you. What are you going to do about it?
[118:15]
Walter Crane
I don't know. I just began to notice it last night. I guess I first have to be sure the man is really dead.
[118:20]
Marcia Fillmore
That's right, Mr. Ames. You don't want to get yourself into any trouble. Maybe he's only sleeping. Or maybe he's incapacitated. Maybe the poor souls has tricked invalid, huh?
[118:31]
Walter Crane
Maybe. Yes? Hello, I'm Martin Ames. Are you the superintendent of this apartment house? That's what it Says on the door. I've come to inquire about one of your tenants. What is it you want to know? I live across the street and. Well, I'll be frank with you, sir. I've been looking out of my window across to this building now for two and a half days and there seems to be someone dead in one of the windows. Eh, which window? It's the 10th floor. I've counted up from the street and it's 10 stories up. There's a window with blue draperies about three windows in from the left. Facing toward me, that is. And there's a man sitting there slumped down in a chair. Ah, just a minute. I'll get out my chart. 10th floor up from the street, huh? Well, it's really the ninth floor. The lobby counts one. We got two apartments along the front of the house. It's in the front? Yeah, that's right. Now, three windows in from the left, that'd be 9B, a four room. No, that couldn't be right. 9B is two ladies. You say this is a man? Yes. The face isn't clearly visible, the head slumped forward, but he's wearing a gray suit and he's sitting in a high wing back chair. I don't poison. Maybe he doesn't belong in the house. Maybe he was visiting somebody. As I say, this is all conjecture. Of course, he may not be dead, but I've watched him a good deal. I'm home a lot in the daytime. My profession, the stage doesn't take up too much of my time and one looks mighty suspicious. Okay, I'll check on it. Mind if I stick around? Oh, no, no. Sit down. I'll give 9B a ring. First on the house phone.
[120:18]
Marcia Fillmore
Hello?
[120:19]
Walter Crane
Oh, Ms. Landis.
[120:20]
Marcia Fillmore
Yes, this is Ms. Landis. Who is this?
[120:23]
Walter Crane
Oh, this is Mr. Anson, the super. Everything all right up there, Ms. Landis?
[120:28]
Marcia Fillmore
Everything all right? Why, yes, yes, of course.
[120:32]
Walter Crane
Okay, Ms. Landis. Thanks very much.
[120:35]
Marcia Fillmore
Thank you.
[120:37]
Walter Crane
Well, that's that. No Soap on 9B. 9A is in the country. Well, anyway, if I got the window straight like you said, it ought to be 9B. The two single ladies. Yeah, only it couldn't be them. They're real old maids. They've been living in the house for years. Real old fashioned type, you know. Say, if they knew you thought there was a man in that apartment, oh, the two of them would just about jump out of their skins. Oh, well, I. I don't know what to say. If you're sure it must be that apartment. Oh, yeah, yeah, that's a place, all right, but you probably just made a little mistake. You know how your eyes can play tricks on you. After all, it is a pretty wide street. I don't think I made any mistake. Anson speaking. Oh, hello, Mr. Anson. This is Mr. Ames again. It's not there. But, Mr. Anson, I checked up on the two apartments this morning. 9A is back from the country. Everybody's okay, and 9B is out walking the dog. No dead bodies in the whole place. But I can see it. It's still there. Okay, just where? Will you just tell me where? In the same window. The one you said was 9B. Have you gone inside 9B? No, no. But I asked them if anybody was sick or dead, and they said no. You asked them? Well, why don't you search that apartment? What do you mean? Break in while they're out? No, search it while they're there. Ring the bell, walk in and do it. Yeah. Not without a search warrant from the police. These apartments, you know, don't belong to me. I just take care of the building for the company. Then let's call the police. Oh, not me, mister. I didn't see no dead body up there. Then I will. After all, somebody's got to do something. I still maintain, Officer, these two sisters are as refined ladies as you could find anywhere. High class, nice, churchgoing ladies. They used to teach school up here at PS33. Yeah, that don't mean a thing. As it happens, there's a play on Broadway right now in which two nice old old ladies commit murder after murder. They got a dog in there. Now, will you tell me one dog that would stay for almost a week in a flat with a dead person? I'm not telling you anything all I know. This gentleman, Mr. Ames here, reported a stiff over here. And if he says there is one, there is until it's proved different. Right, Mr. Ames? Well, I keep seeing the thing day in and day out. I'm not working at the moment. And being home so much. None of the other neighbors have complained. Dead bodies ain't exactly. It's right this way, please. I hope they're home. If they ain't home. You got a pass key, haven't you? Well, yeah. We're not supposed to use it, though, unless for an emergency. This is an emergency. That dog bite? Sometimes.
[123:12]
Marcia Fillmore
Come on, buster. Yes, who is it?
[123:16]
Walter Crane
I'm awfully sorry, Ms. Landis, but there's been some kind of mix up. These two gentlemen want to look over your apartment.
[123:23]
Marcia Fillmore
But why? It's not for rent.
[123:25]
Walter Crane
Well, I know it's just. Well, they. They want to search around and check up. Come on, come on. Cut out the palaver. Hey, look, lady, A dead body's been reported sitting in one of your windows.
[123:34]
Marcia Fillmore
What?
[123:35]
Walter Crane
Yeah, yeah. This guy lives across the street and he's been seeing it over here for a week. Come on, now, open up.
[123:41]
Marcia Fillmore
A dead body? But that's impossible. My sister and I live here all alone.
[123:46]
Walter Crane
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know all about it.
[123:47]
Marcia Fillmore
Excuse me a minute. I'll call my sister.
[123:52]
Walter Crane
Oh, come on. Hey, look, lady, I'm not standing out here all day. Come on, give me the Paskayanson. It won't do no good. They got a chain on the door from the inside. Open up in the name of the law.
[124:07]
Marcia Fillmore
How do you do? I am Vivian Landis. May I ask what this is all about, please?
[124:11]
Walter Crane
Certainly, lady. I got a search warrant here made out by this gentleman to search your place. Says you got a dead body in there.
[124:17]
Marcia Fillmore
A dead body? Why, that's perfectly ridiculous.
[124:19]
Walter Crane
Yeah, isn't it? But it's been reported and. Kindly take that door off the chain and let us through.
[124:24]
Marcia Fillmore
Of course. First, may I ask, how did this Peeping Tom see into our apartment? I thought, Mr. Anson, that we were quite private.
[124:32]
Walter Crane
Well, you see, he lives across the street on the same level. I just happen to be.
[124:36]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, well, then we shall have to keep our shades down in the future. Although, one would think a grown man would have something better to do. Do come right in, gentlemen. Make yourselves right at home.
[124:48]
Walter Crane
Thanks.
[124:49]
Marcia Fillmore
Is he coming in here, too, Mr. Busybody?
[124:51]
Walter Crane
No, he doesn't have to if you don't want him.
[124:53]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, I most definitely don't.
[124:55]
Walter Crane
Okay, Mr. Ames, you better stay outside.
[124:57]
Marcia Fillmore
Officer, I. Oh, he does want to poke around in our private rooms, is that it? Maybe he had some ulterior motive in worming his way in. Maybe he's come to to get the lay of the land so he can break in someday to rob us.
[125:09]
Walter Crane
Okay, okay. He's not. Not coming in. Now. Let's take a look at your window. Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm sorry. Okay. Hey, hey. Yes, officer. Now, what's the big idea? You didn't find it? No. That's very strange. Yeah, the only thing strange about it's your eyesight. You want to get your glasses checked? It wasn't anything in 9B. I don't understand it. How could I have seen it so distinctly? And it's not there. Perhaps it isn't in the window now. Perhaps they hid it while we were waiting outside the door. Hid It. Now, where do you hide a dead body in a four room flat? I looked in all the clothes closets, under the sofas, in the chest. They got it out at the back into the service elevator single handed. With all the garbage cans and laundry going up and down. Perhaps they had accomplices. Brat. Oh, you probably think, oh, it's so terrible to keep seeing it and seeing it and feeling it slowly decaying. They are in secret. Why, the thing could be there for weeks, it's so high above the street. Perhaps it'll never be found. But perhaps it's already being destroyed. Well, then, if it's gone, what do you got to worry about? You don't have to sit and look at it no more. No, I hope it is. I tell you, it's really getting me down. I haven't slept for nights. Keeping vigil. I'm. I'm in a nervous state. I haven't been this nervous in years. Yeah, I can see that. Look, why don't you try forgetting her for a while, huh? Try not to look over into that window or go away for a change. You've done what you could, Mr. Ames. If there is a stiff over there, well, that's my business, ain't it? And if there isn't. You mean you think I'm. I may be. I'm not saying nothing, Mr. Raines. But if I was you, I'd try catching up on my night's sleep.
[127:16]
Marcia Fillmore
Hello?
[127:17]
Walter Crane
Ms. Landis, I, I'm sorry to disturb you at this time of night, but I really, I'm desperate. I, I haven't anywhere else to turn.
[127:24]
Marcia Fillmore
What? Who is this?
[127:26]
Walter Crane
This is Mr. Ames. Martin Ames, your neighbor. The one across the street. I was in your apartment yesterday morning with the police. Or rather, I was almost in your apartment. Your sister wouldn't let me in. Oh, now, please don't think me a pest, Ms. Landis. I, I don't mean to annoy you. It was only because I was. I was so desperate that, That I initiated that search.
[127:43]
Marcia Fillmore
It's quite all right. Goodbye.
[127:45]
Walter Crane
No, no, no, please don't hang up. Because it's worse now than it ever was. Ms. Landis, I. I've been sitting here opposite your apartment, staring into your windows, and I, I, I'm only asking you to help me, Ms. Landis. Help me just a little.
[127:59]
Marcia Fillmore
Help you?
[128:00]
Walter Crane
It's still there, Ms. Landis.
[128:02]
Marcia Fillmore
What is still there?
[128:04]
Walter Crane
The dead body in your window.
[128:06]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, but there isn't. How dare you? When the police.
[128:11]
Walter Crane
I know, I know, I know now. It hasn't Anything to do with you. But would you do me just one favor, Ms. Landis? Would you go into your living room and just check once more?
[128:20]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, I won't. I'll do nothing of the kind. You're out of your mind.
[128:25]
Walter Crane
Perhaps I am, Ms. Landis. That's what I'm trying to find out. Then perhaps your sister Vivian would help me.
[128:32]
Marcia Fillmore
She's not at home.
[128:33]
Walter Crane
Oh, Lord.
[128:35]
Marcia Fillmore
And anyway, I don't see how you can see in. I pulled the shades down in there yesterday morning.
[128:41]
Walter Crane
I know. They're all down still.
[128:44]
Marcia Fillmore
Well, then how can you see?
[128:46]
Walter Crane
I can't. At least not the actual body. It's just the silhouette. I'm not maligning you or your system Island. It's. If there's someone dead in there, it's not you who are doing it. But think of me. If you could just be here and look over there and see the shadow of those quiet fingers, that shoulder, that head.
[129:07]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, please, stop it. Stop it. It's not here. It is.
[129:11]
Walter Crane
Tell me just one thing, Ms. Landis. There is a chair by that window, though, isn't there?
[129:17]
Marcia Fillmore
Yes, there's a chair.
[129:20]
Walter Crane
A high backed wing chair. And have you anything on it? Anything piled up? I mean, like curtains or cushions or dressmaker's dummy?
[129:28]
Marcia Fillmore
Of course not.
[129:29]
Walter Crane
Or do you have a plant in the window in front of it? Some kind of an odd table? Anything? Anything that would cast the ship shatter like a man's head slumped forward or an arm hanging limp?
[129:38]
Marcia Fillmore
No, there is nothing. Nothing but the chair.
[129:43]
Walter Crane
Then would you do me just one more favor, Ms. Landis? Please. Please, as an experiment, would you just go into the living room and move that chair from the window, please?
[129:52]
Marcia Fillmore
I. If I do it, will you stop pestering us?
[129:57]
Walter Crane
Yes.
[129:58]
Marcia Fillmore
Will you let us alone forever?
[130:00]
Walter Crane
Yes. Yes, if it works.
[130:02]
Marcia Fillmore
If it works. What do you mean? What do you mean?
[130:06]
Walter Crane
I can't tell Ms. Landis until you move the chair.
[130:08]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, all right. Hello? Yes, I moved it away from the window. It's at the other end of the room, and there's nothing in it. It's empty.
[130:29]
Walter Crane
Oh, I see. Well, thanks very much, Ms. Landis. I. I know what I have to do now.
[130:37]
Marcia Fillmore
You mean.
[130:38]
Walter Crane
Yes, Ms. Landis. It's Ms. Landis.
[131:01]
Marcia Fillmore
Where is it? I want to see it at once.
[131:04]
Walter Crane
Oh, yes, Ms. Landis. Come in. I hope you'll excuse my appearance. I've just passed another sleepless night.
[131:10]
Marcia Fillmore
So has my sister. And so have I. What do you mean by all this business, Mr. Ames? You have frightened my poor sister nearly to Death. Seeing things that aren't there when you. You know that they're not.
[131:20]
Walter Crane
I know they're not. Oh. Oh, I wish there were. I wish to heaven I'd never looked out that window. I wish those walls were solid stone. And your walls.
[131:31]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, you are a sick man, Mr. Ames.
[131:35]
Walter Crane
Oh, am I? I wish I were. But I'm. I'm perfectly sane. And well, I went to a psychiatrist yesterday, and guess what he told me? That there's nothing wrong with me. Nothing.
[131:45]
Marcia Fillmore
I can't believe that.
[131:47]
Walter Crane
I suppose it's a form of madness to persist and persist in seeing this hideous image. But not me, Ms. Landis. No. I finally come to an entirely different conclusion.
[132:00]
Marcia Fillmore
And what is that?
[132:01]
Walter Crane
The supernatural.
[132:03]
Marcia Fillmore
The supernatural? A ghost. What nonsense, Mr. A.
[132:07]
Walter Crane
Yes, I suppose this is nonsense to you. You've been a schoolteacher. You believe in logic, common sense, the things that give a pretense of solidity. But it's frail little life of ours. But I'm an artist. I've always had a feeling for the thing beyond the intangible, the shadowy. We are children, Ms. Landis. Children playing along the edge of the ocean. We laugh and toy with the waves and mock fright. But sometime. Sometime one of us slips down into the darkness. Sometimes the depths rise and we glimpse the yawning fangs of the eternal.
[132:47]
Marcia Fillmore
You put things rather oddly, Mr. Ames. Just exactly what you mean.
[132:51]
Walter Crane
Simply this. I checked on that building with the real estate agents yesterday afternoon after I left my psychiatrist. And there was a murder in our apartment. Well, the report didn't say. You know how they try to hush those things up. But it was a man, a young man. The lover of one of the tenants. A Miss Sweetser.
[133:11]
Marcia Fillmore
Sweetser? Why, that's the name of the people who lived there before us. But they were an elderly couple, Mr. And Mrs. Sweetser. I never saw any Miss Sweetser.
[133:21]
Walter Crane
She died. She was the daughter. She killed her son afterwards by jumping out one of the windows.
[133:27]
Marcia Fillmore
Oh, perfectly awful.
[133:30]
Walter Crane
Rather a ghastly coincidence, isn't it?
[133:33]
Marcia Fillmore
Was it out our window?
[133:36]
Walter Crane
Who knows? She must have been a very neurotic person, though, this Ms. Sweets. Half crazed, almost with love or jealousy. I checked on the details in an old newspaper. She cut his throat, nearly decapitated him. It said that when they lifted his body out of the chair later, his head almost rolled.
[133:57]
Marcia Fillmore
Excuse me, Mr. Ames. I'd rather not hear. I. I still can't believe if. If there is something. If there could possibly be something. Why haven't we seen it too? Why should you?
[134:07]
Walter Crane
Haven't you seen it, Ms. Landis?
[134:10]
Marcia Fillmore
No.
[134:10]
Walter Crane
Are you sure? Never. Perhaps in the middle of the night, getting up and passing that room, Seeing that chair outlined against the window. Just. Just in passing. Perhaps you've never had a glimpse.
[134:22]
Marcia Fillmore
No, no, I. I really must be going.
[134:25]
Walter Crane
No, no, no. Please stay and look at it. I want you to see it out of my window.
[134:29]
Marcia Fillmore
My. My sister Elaine, she's very nervous. I can't leave her so long alone.
[134:34]
Walter Crane
Then how will I know how? Ms. Landis, I thought you came here especially. It'll only take a minute. It's right in here, in the bedroom. I just have to let up the Venetians lie. Oh, this landed. Don't go land it. Hello? Oh, hello, Sergeant. This is Ames. Martin Ames. I just called to let you know I think you're right about that good night's sleep. Yes, I'm going away tomorrow for a long rest. Shutting up my apartment. Yes, I'm all tied up in knots. I don't know what to think. Oh, they did? Yes. I saw the moving van in front of the house, but I didn't know it was those sisters. Couldn't take it, eh? Well, I can't take it much longer myself. Whoa, Marty. Bravo. Bravissimo, boy. Not so loud. Why all the mystery? Superintendent doesn't like it, I should think he wouldn't like you grabbing this beautiful apartment right from under his nose. He probably had a promise to a friend. But you've got it now, Ronald, just as I said. So I have, old boy, so I have. And it's beautiful. You know I'm crazy about it, Marty. You've outdone yourself. You've been more than generous. Think nothing of it, Ronald. I'm glad to do it for such a distinguished colleague. Well, it certainly was nice. And I wish I could do something in return, Marty. I really do. Perhaps that play I'm doing next season. You know, there's a part in it rather smart. Small part, but very necessary. Thanks just the same. But I'm doing pretty well just now, Ronald. I don't know how you found it, Martin. In his housing shortage, you know. Why, even the superintendent is nervous. For rent. When your call came to my manager, I left rehearsal. I wouldn't trust it to anyone but myself. The whole car is just standing there when I came over. And when I asked this gloomy character, Anson, he said he'd heard nothing about it. I insisted, of course. I told him who I was. Finally called, sure enough. It seems these two sisters who lived here just decided to move out. Really? I Hope you didn't mention my name, though. Advanced and no, I tipped you off. No, no, no, you asked me not to. Anyway, I think my own name is enough. Seriously, Marty, how did you know? Were they friends with you? Oh, no, no. It's rather a long story. Here, let's sit down, shall we? In the living room. No, no, no, no. You take the chair. I guess they must have left that when they moved out. Thank you. Well, to be frank, Ronald, I got this apartment by a ruse. A ruse? What kind of ruse? Put it in the ass to one. I. I frightened the last tenants away. I. I told him I saw a dead man sitting here. In this window. No, no, no, not really. How clever of you. Of course there was. Oh, no. You see, I live across the street. Directly across. In that apartment there with the striped curtains. Oh. One night, just sitting there late, got an amusing thought. There was a kind of shadow across this chair, the one that you're sitting in. Reminded me a little bit of a corpse. And it came to me that it might be fun to create a great part, a character, A corpse that wasn't there. I don't follow you. Some actors need a play, Ronald, to create a role. Others, the great ones, work out their own dramas. I proceeded to invent a part for myself. I was the eyewitness, the innocent bystander across the street who saw a corpse in here. And I kept seeing it and kept seeing it. And finally, by the power of suggestion, it became real enough to frighten them away. Very clever, wasn't it? Rather drastic. I'd always hoped we'd be neighbors, Ronald. As a matter of fact, the whole idea for this thing came to me that day in October when you turned me down for that part outside of Sardis. Remember? You said you were looking at your place then. Did I? Oh, yes. It was then I thought how nice it would be to see you right across the street sitting in this window. I simply had to bring it about. No, no, no, no, no, Ronald, don't get up yet. I'm not rude, really. I'm afraid the gang at the theater, you know, they don't even know that I'm here. They'll wait. People always wait for you, don't they, Ronald? I could call them for you, of course, but the phone's been disconnected. Well, I'm afraid that I'm. Which way's the door, old boy? Now, really, Marty, it's been very tight. What is the matter? Don't you like the apartment, Ronald? Aren't you going to take it after all my work. Oh, yes, Yes, I like it very much. The door's locked. Yes, Ronald. I'm afraid you'll have to find your way out alone. Yeah, that'll keep you quiet. Silence always became you better than all that ratting and glimness and charm, Ronald. And now I've got the part for you. A part to end all parts. You play it entirely in. There isn't much action, not a line to say. You're just sitting, Ronald. Just sit in this chair by the window. Yeah. It'll be the greatest performance of your career. You like to hog all the fattest roles for yourself, didn't you? Well, this is a part that's been talked about up and down the street for weeks. You'll play the part of a ghost. A corpse that never once was a hallucination in my brain. And who'll be your audience? I will. I. The insignificant outmoded ham who wouldn't wasn't fit to appear in your precious place. But good enough to put you here, Ronald. Who's the better actor now, Ronald? Goodbye, Ronald. See you across the street. Suspense presented by Roma Wines R O M A Roma, America's favorite wine. And now, this is Ken Niles with a curtain call for the star of tonight's play. That perennial suspense favorite, Joseph Cotton. Joe, tonight marks your seventh appearance on suspense in less than three years. Making you our all time champion guest. No Cotton shortage on suspense again. And no shortage of suspension when Cotton's on hand either. In appreciation of those seven stellar performances, here's a Christmas present for you. Joe, please accept this gift basket of grand estate wines from your host, Roma, America's greatest vendor. Thank you, Karen. And you're an outstanding host this Christmas when you serve these magnificent grand estate wines. For grand estate wines reflect the host's desire to offer only the finest grand estate wines delight the most discriminating guests. Whatever the occasion. I'll remember that, Ken. And don't forget, grand estate wines make ideal gifts. Friendly, thoughtful gifts in perfect taste. Yes, for gift or guest, America offers no finer wines than distinguished grand estate wines for the holidays. Keep on hand all five Grand Estate California wines. When entertaining, serve medium sherry, Ruby port or golden muscatel. For gracious dining, Burgundy or Sauterne. Each limited bottling of grand estate wine, carefully selected by Roma. Is a wine outstanding in rare taste places. So this Christmas, give or serve, the finest grand estate wines. The crowning achievement of vintner skin. Well put, Ken. But I must know one more thing. What about next Thursday show? Well, it's a double threat show. With the honors going to two distinguished ladies. It's called Philomel Cocking. The author is England's number one feminine mistress of the art of suspense, Agatha Christie. And our star will be the most provocative European leading lady. To visit our shores in many a moon. Ms. Lily Palmer. Well, I've never missed a suspension show yet. And certainly next week sounds even more intriguing than usual. Night. Good night, Joe. We're all looking forward to seeing you. And David O. Selznick's production, Duel in the Sun. Next Thursday, same time, you will hear Ms. Lily Palmer as star of suspense. Produced and directed by William Spear. For the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California. Stay tuned for the thrilling adventures of the FBI in peace and war. Following immediately over most of these stations. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System. Suspense. Ladies and gentlemen, the chief hope of our enemies is to divide the United States along racial and religious lines. And thereby conquer us. Let's not spread prejudice. A divided America is a weak America. Through our behavior, we encourage the respect of our children. And make them better neighbors to all races and religions. Remind them that being good neighbors. Has helped make our country great. And kept her free. Thank you.