Stars on Suspense (Old Time Radio)

Host: Mean Streets Podcasts
Episode: 431 – Stars of “It Happened on Fifth Avenue”
Airdate: December 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Stars on Suspense celebrates Hollywood legends Victor Moore, Don DeFore, Charles Ruggles, and Gail Storm, stars of the underappreciated holiday film It Happened on Fifth Avenue, by presenting classic radio performances featuring Ruggles and DeFore. Listeners delight in two suspenseful tales from “Suspense” radio—including a gothic poison murder with Charles Ruggles and a Lucille Fletcher ghost story starring DeFore—followed by a full cast Lux Radio Theater adaptation of It Happened on Fifth Avenue. The episode combines nostalgia, thrills, and the festive warmth of golden age Hollywood.

Key Discussion Points & Episode Structure

1. Introduction & “It Happened on Fifth Avenue” (00:52–03:51)

• Host’s Introduction:
  • Recalls It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947) as “a holiday movie that I think tends to get overlooked among the classics,” describing its plot—a comedic tale of a clever vagrant (Victor Moore) making himself at home in a millionaire’s New York mansion for the holidays, and the unexpected arrival of the family.
  • Context about the film and its cast (Victor Moore, Don DeFore, Charles Ruggles, Gail Storm).
  • Outlines the episode:
    • Charles Ruggles in “Suspicion” (Suspense, Feb 10, 1944)
    • Don DeFore and Mildred Natwick in “The Furnished Floor” (Suspense, Sep 13, 1945)
    • Lux Radio Theater presentation of “It Happened on Fifth Avenue” (May 19, 1947)

“Today, we'll hear suspense episodes starring two of the film's Charles Ruggles and Don Defore...Then we'll hear Don DeFore, who co stars with Mildred Natwick in the Furnished Floor...Finally, we'll hear the two actors recreate their film roles...” — Host (02:20)

• Memorable Moment:
  The host’s friendly, personal advocacy for the film sets a welcoming holiday tone.

2. Feature #1: “Suspicion” starring Charles Ruggles (11:05–36:10)

Plot Summary

• Premise:
  Mr. Hubert Mummery (Ruggles), recently married and living contentedly with his new wife, Ethel, becomes increasingly paranoid that his household’s new cook, Sutton, is the infamous “Mrs. Andrews”—a reported poisoner on the lam.
• Key Elements:
  • Mummery’s growing unease about Sutton’s mysterious references.
  • Sickly symptoms after eating; Ethel also falls ill.
  • Mummery’s mounting evidence: references not checked, news clippings about Andrews missing, weed killer (arsenic) tampered with.
  • The terrifying realization that Sutton may be poisoning them.
  • Climax: Mummery races to save his wife—only to discover at the end that Ethel herself is the killer—posing as an innocent wife, she is, in fact, Mrs. Andrews.
  • Twist Ending: The “wife” is arrested for murder.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Suspense:
  “Ah, here we are. Suspense. Meaning held in doubt, expressing doubt. The state of being uncertain, undecided or insecure.” — (00:10)
• On the increasing dread:
  “It began very simply, out of a few chance remarks. The terror took shape and grew until it was a black mountain of fear and suspicion.” — Narrator (11:40)
• On the danger at home:
  “Thomas, every line about the Andrews case has been clipped out. Every line.” — Mummery (23:54)
• Twist revelation:
  “Ethel…Well, not Ethel really, sir. Catalan would be more like him.” — (35:31)

Timestamps for Key Scenes

• Suspicion takes form: (11:40–13:25)
• Mummery’s suspicion of Sutton grows: (14:39–15:41)
• Ethel is ill, Mummery investigates: (17:13–18:09)
• Clipping & arsenic discoveries: (23:53–24:43)
• Climax – Ethel’s true identity: (35:25–36:10)

Tone & Language

• Maintains classic British wit and escalating psychological tension, balanced with Charles Ruggles’s characteristic light comic delivery.

3. Feature #2: “The Furnished Floor” starring Don DeFore & Mildred Natwick (38:32–68:10)

Plot Summary

• Premise:
  Mr. Jennings (DeFore), a widower, returns to his former flat, determined to recreate every detail of his past life with his late wife, Mabel. His kindly landlady, Mrs. Hawkins (Natwick), grows increasingly uneasy as Jennings recreates his home—even to the canary and her clothes in the wardrobe—for his “new wife.” But the “new wife” never appears, nor is she seen or heard by anyone except Jennings.
• Key Elements:
  • Jennings’s morbid obsession—restoring the apartment, explaining to Mrs. Hawkins that his wife is unwell and must not be disturbed.
  • Ominous absence of evidence: dead canary, strange noises, and locked doors.
  • Increasing suspicion and supernatural atmosphere.
  • Climax: Mrs. Hawkins is finally summoned to meet Mrs. Jennings—only to realize that she is about to encounter a ghost. The episode ends with chilling ambiguity as melancholy and terror mingle.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Loss and Obsession:
  “Everything just as it was...I hope you’ve left it just the same, Mrs. Hawkins.” — Jennings (41:26)
• Supernatural tension:
  “Because she—she can’t... What’s the matter with her that she can’t? Is she so ugly or so beautiful or so crazy? Who—who is she, anyway?” — Mrs. Hawkins (59:56)
• Ghostly finale:
  “She wants you to come up...the first night she’s been able to. You remember the old song she used to sing of an evening? ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot...’” — Jennings (65:01)

Timestamps for Key Scenes

• Jennings’ return, unsettling obsession: (39:48–42:53)
• Mrs. Hawkins’ suspicions: (46:19–49:25)
• Death of canary, mounting horror: (52:16–54:31)
• Ghostly meeting, haunting song: (61:59–67:47)

Tone & Language

• Rich in haunting suggestion and psychological unease, with Natwick’s voice grounding reality as DeFore portrays increasingly desperate grief.

4. Feature #3: Lux Radio Theater – “It Happened on Fifth Avenue” (69:36–117:20)

Plot Summary

• Premise:
  During a New York winter, genial drifter Aloysius T. McKeever (Moore) annually “adopts” the boarded-up mansion of a millionaire, Michael J. O’Connor (Ruggles). When a recently evicted ex-GI, Jim Bullock (DeFore), joins him, followed by O’Connor’s runaway daughter Trudy (Storm) under an alias, an impromptu household of “guests” forms. O’Connor himself returns in disguise, gets swept into their lives, and—through comedic hi-jinks and romantic confusion—the experience transforms all, especially the hard-hearted millionaire.
• Key Elements:
  • McKeever’s code of “borrowed hospitality.”
  • Trudy’s secret identity and burgeoning romance with Jim.
  • O’Connor’s humbling, undercover education among the “guests.”
  • Social commentary on postwar housing shortages, veterans’ struggles, and the meaning of family.
  • Climax: Romantic entanglements resolved; O’Connor’s heart softened; the “guests” achieve their dreams.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• McKeever’s philosophy:
  “If you’re in trouble and have no place to go, you can be my guest for the night.” — McKeever (72:25)
• Comedic mistaken identity:
  “If you’re going to be a bum, you’ll have to look like one.” — Trudy to her father (86:19)
• O’Connor, wrestling with humility:
  “Neither you nor any other man is going to make me do manual labor and that’s final... There’s a shovel in the garage, Mike.” — Jim & McKeever (104:31)
• Moral of the story:
  “For to be without friends is a very serious form of poverty.” — McKeever (115:19)

Timestamps for Key Scenes

• O’Connor family set-up, McKeever’s entry: (70:52–73:36)
• Trudy’s runaway arrival: (74:57–77:07)
• Family reunion under disguised circumstances: (84:34–86:19)
• O’Connor’s “manual labor” and transformation: (104:31–106:42)
• Resolution and holiday heartwarming: (115:19–117:15)

Tone & Language

• Tender, comic, and sparkling with postwar American optimism and sincerity. Fast-paced banter, situational humor, and sentimental warmth.

5. Wrapping Up and Host’s Farewell (119:12–120:50)

• The host thanks listeners, plugs upcoming episodes (including The Bishop’s Wife holiday features with Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven).
• Invites feedback and support, and encourages exploring the “Mean Streets” podcast for radio detective fans.
• Emphasizes unity—as exemplified by the stories featured—via a brief message against division and prejudice.

“Through our behavior, we encourage the respect of our children and make them better neighbors to all races and religions…” — Closing Message (121:11)

Memorable Episodes & Standout Performances

• Charles Ruggles stuns in a rare dramatic performance as the anxious, ultimately tragic Mr. Mummery in “Suspicion.”
• Don DeFore conveys haunting grief and desperation in Lucille Fletcher's “The Furnished Floor.”
• The entire cast sparkles in the It Happened on Fifth Avenue adaptation, blending comic and heartfelt moments—the film's themes arguably more resonant today than ever.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a warm-hearted journey through suspense, nostalgia, and holiday joy—acted with wit and humanity by Hollywood’s best. Each selection serves as both a time capsule and a reminder of radio’s enduring storytelling magic. It’s a gift to vintage radio fans and newcomers alike.

For fans new and old:
You’ll laugh, you’ll shiver, and you just might reach for your handkerchief before the end.