Transcript
Narrator/Announcer (0:09)
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.
Podcast Host (0:54)
Hello and welcome to Stars on Suspense, where today we continue our journey through the years of radio's outstanding Theater of Thrills with my favorite episodes from 1950. Now, 1950 saw a big change behind the scenes for the program. Norman McDonnell was the producer and director for the first half of the year year. But when Suspense started its new season in August, Elliot Lewis had the reins. Lewis was a man of many talents. He was an actor starring in shows like the Casebook of Gregory Hood and Voyage of the Scarlet Queen, and he memorably played sidekick to Phil Harris on the Phil Harris Alice Fay Show. But he was also an accomplished writer and director. He'd written several episodes of Suspense and and he was the director of the outstanding police drama Broadway Is My Beat. His run as the director of Suspense, a stretch that lasted until 1954, is my favorite of the series, a time when the show could still draw big stars to the microphone, but where Eliot Lewis experimented with what the medium could do in terms of sound and music. We'll hear about some more of his innovations in the years ahead, but for now, Here are my five favorite episodes from 1950, the Year in Suspense. First up is Dana Andrews in the Crowd, an adaptation of the short story by Ray Bradbury that originally aired on CBS on September 21, 1950. Now, if you've read Bradbury's story, you'll soon realize that this adaptation is one in name only, instead of Bradbury's tale of a throng of eerie observers who seem to pop up wherever there's an accident. The Suspense show is a manhunt, with Andrew's cop chasing a killer who murders in broad daylight with the hope of attracting a crowd of gawkers and onlookers. It's a very different but very good story with a script by Morton Fine and David Friedkin, arguably two of radio's best writers who were also frequent collaborators of Elliot Lewis. The pair wrote for Broadway Is My Beat, Suspense and the terrific historical anthology crime classics. It's their script, the vivid, lyrical narration and the colorful characters that make this a favorite. Then we have Milton Berle, another case of a comedian going serious on suspense. Mr. Television himself stars in Rave Notice from October 12, 1950. Burl plays an actor who Suffered too long the harsh criticisms of a director, and he finally responds with a shotgun blast. In custody, Burl plans to use method acting to convince the police and doctors that he's insane. And as a result, will be sent to an institution instead of death row. It features a great performance from Burl, who puts some of his hammier tendencies as a performer to good work. Up third, for My Money, is one of the scariest stories suspense ever produced. Cary Grant and Kathy Lewis, one of radio's best actresses and then wife of producer director Elliott, star in On a country Road from November 16, 1950. A couple is driving home when they hear a disturbing news report about an escaped killer armed with a meat cleaver roaming the woods. Then their car runs out of gas on the back road they intended to use as a shortcut. I won't say any more than that. Our fourth show stars Ray Milland in a classic meat and potatoes suspense show, an example of the type of story the program did better than almost anyone else in radio. It's after the movies from December 7, 1950. Miland and his wife, also played by the great Kathy Lewis, are enjoying a night out. He's serving on a jury, and he's been sequestered, so the couple is taking advantage of his temporary freedom. But when they stop at an ice cream parlor frequented by several jurors, they discover a note that suggests One of the 12 may be taking bribes to swing the verdict. And when the gang behind the bribe discovers Millann knows they kidnap his wife to ensure his silence. This one is a great performance from William Conrad as the sympathetic cop who comes to Milan's aid. And the twist is one you probably won't see coming. And finally, we'll saddle up and head west with Alan Ladd in a killing in Abilene from December 14, 1950. Suspense had steered clear of westerns before this point. Those stories were usually done over on Escape on the CBS Style. But under Elliot Lewis tenure, suspense took more trips back to the lawless days of the frontier. In this story, Ladd plays a man chasing his brother's killer, only to discover the man accused of another murder and facing a lynch mob. In a strange twist, Ladd has to protect the man who murdered his brother so he can make sure the killer gets a fair trial back home. So now sit back and join me as we travel to 1950 and my favorite episodes of suspense.