Transcript

Benjamin (Ben) Wellington (0:00)

Would you hand me that please?

Joseph Cotton (Holly Martins) (0:01)

Thank you.

Benjamin (Ben) Wellington (0:04)

Now, let's see. Survey Survive.

Joseph Cotton (Holly Martins) (0:08)

Susanna.

Benjamin (Ben) Wellington (0:09)

Suspect. Ah, here we are. Suspense. Meaning held in doubt, expressing doubt. The state of being uncertain, undecided or insecure. State of anxious expectation or waiting for information such as to keep one in suspense. Therefore delay acquainting him with what he

Daemon Van Weston (0:31)

is eager to know.

Benjamin (Ben) Wellington (0:33)

Suspense.

Host/Narrator (0:52)

Hello and welcome to Stars on Suspense with more Hollywood legends in radio's outstanding theater of Thrills. All this month I'm sharing some of my favorite movies and we're continuing this week with the Third Man, Carol Reed's classic film noir about a man who comes to post war Vienna for his best friend's funeral and who discovers secrets that put his life and the life of the woman he loves in danger. I'm not going to say any more because if you've never seen the Third man, there are twists and surprises aplenty. All of it plays out to a memorable zithers score composed by Anton Karras, and it features a great cast. Joseph Cotton is the American pulp novel writer who arrives in Vienna determined to solve the mystery of his best friend's death. Trevor Howard is the British military policeman who both helps and hinders his efforts. Alita Valli as his late friend's girlfriend, a woman who soon catches Cotton's eye. And of course, Orson Welles in what's arguably his best big screen performance. I first saw this movie in my 10th grade English class after we read Graham Greene's novella that served as the treatment for the screenplay. It's a beautiful movie. The cinematography is gorgeous, the score is haunting and the performances are brilliant. If you've never seen it or if you haven't seen it in a while, I cannot recommend it enough. You can rent or buy the Third man digitally through your preferred retailers. As of this recording, you can stream it via Prime Video and you can get it on Blu Ray and 4K, but the latter is available as an exclusive order only from the Lionsgate Limited website. Today we'll hear Messrs. Wells and Cotton, two frequent co stars in episodes of Suspense. Wells stars as a mercurial actor, a real stretch in the dark tower from May 4, 1944. And Cotten plays a man on the run in Fly by night from September 28, 1950. Then Joseph Cotton recreates his film role on the Lux Radio Theater Theater, an episode from April 9, 1951. Ted de Courcia steps into Orson Welles shoes for this production, but we'll still hear Orson Welles as Harry Lime, not in a recreation of the film but in his own radio series, a show produced in England and syndicated in the States, it's the Lives of Harry Lime. And we'll hear the episode Clay Pigeon. We'll head to Vienna, but first it's Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton in suspense. We'll kick things off with the Dark Tower right after these messages.

Summary

Stars on Suspense (Old Time Radio)

Episode 448 – Stars of "The Third Man"

Date: April 16, 2026
Host: Mean Streets Podcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of Stars on Suspense celebrates the legendary Hollywood stars of The Third Man, spotlighting their performances in classic old time radio thrillers. The host introduces a suite of broadcasts featuring Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles, including:

Two iconic Suspense episodes: “The Dark Tower” (Orson Welles) and “Fly By Night” (Joseph Cotten)
A Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of The Third Man (with Joseph Cotten reprising his film role)
A bonus: Orson Welles stars as Harry Lime in “Clay Pigeon” from his British radio series, The Lives of Harry Lime.

The host shares personal reflections on The Third Man film, praising its atmosphere, cast, and musical score, and sets up the radio adaptations as thrilling extensions of the film’s noir themes.

Key Segments & Discussions

[00:52] Introduction & Reflections on The Third Man

Main Points:
- Overview of the episode’s theme: Celebrating the stars of The Third Man in classic radio “Suspense.”
- Quick synopsis of The Third Man film—its postwar Vienna setting, noir mysteries, and legendary performances.
- Special praise for Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles, both as film and radio stars.
Quote:

"It’s a beautiful movie. The cinematography is gorgeous, the score is haunting, and the performances are brilliant. If you haven’t seen it in a while, I cannot recommend it enough." (Host, 01:30)
Context: The host’s personal connection to The Third Man and enthusiasm for its transition to radio.

“The Dark Tower” (Suspense, May 4, 1944)

[10:28–35:18] Orson Welles Stars as Damon Wellington

Plot Summary:
- The Wellington theatrical family is haunted by a murder mystery tied to Jessica Wellington’s breakdown and sinister manipulations from her deceased-but-not-dead husband, Stanley Vance.
- Themes of mental control, stage rivalry, and family secrets unravel through melodramatic, witty dialogue.
Key Moments & Quotes:
- Damon Wellington’s wit:
  
  "What would you have me subsist entirely on? Food and reach the gargantuan proportions of an Orson Welles? That ought to needle the boy wonder." (Damon, 12:00)
- Confrontation about Jessica’s Trauma:
  
  "Damon, don’t you realize there’s been a murder?... Jessica can’t remember." (Ben Wellington, 13:08)
- Revelation:
  
  "So you see, Ben, there is your murderer: Mr. Max Hartsfield. And I hope you’re duly grateful to him. An elusive fellow, Hartsfield. The police have been trying to find him for two weeks. They never will." (Damon, 33:00)
- Signature Welles humor and theatricality pervade.
Memorable Scene/Campy Banter:

"You called me a ham!" "You are a ham." "Ham, ham!" "Minx, minx!" (16:45)

“Fly By Night” (Suspense, September 28, 1950)

[37:47–64:40] Joseph Cotten as Wrongfully Accused Mickey Manning

Plot Summary:
- Mickey Manning is coerced into confessing to a murder after 72 sleepless hours, only to realize he’s been framed for his wife’s inheritance.
- As he untangles the plot, he discovers betrayal at the core of his own family.
Key Moments & Quotes:
- Interrogation and Confession:
  
  "I didn’t kill Garvin...all they had to do was keep me without sleep for 72 hours. After that, a man will do anything just to be allowed to shut his eyes. So I signed a confession because I just wanted to sleep." (Manning/Cotten, 42:53)
- Twist Revelation:
  
  "Charlie hadn’t said a word about it...Charlie was the one who had framed me." (Manning, 58:52)
- Final Confrontation:
  
  "Had two people killed for that money, just to get rid of me. Why didn’t you just kill me and leave the others alone?" (Manning, 62:22)
- Femme Fatale Turn:
  
  "So I framed you, Driscoll. And I framed you. Driscoll killed Garvin, killed Minutti, now Driscoll." (Mary Manning, 61:41)
- Host remarks on Cotten’s talent for vulnerable, tightly-wound protagonists.

“The Third Man” (Lux Radio Theatre, April 9, 1951)

[67:34–122:28] Lux Radio Theatre—Feature Presentation

Cast:
- Joseph Cotten as Holly Martins
- Evelyn Keyes as Anna Schmidt
- Ted de Courcia as Harry Lime (in place of Orson Welles)
Plot Summary:
- A faithful adaptation of The Third Man film: American writer Holly Martins arrives in a divided Vienna to discover his friend Harry Lime’s mysterious death and the shadows of black market crime. He encounters Anna, seeds of betrayal, and the iconic “third man” mystery.
Key Moments & Quotes:
- Vienna's Suspenseful Setting:
  
  "Into this atmosphere of cunning and subterfuge comes an American, only to take up the trail of the unknown murderer of his friend." (William Keeley, 68:07)
- Holly Martins’ self-deprecation:
  
  "Don't get any ideas about money. I'm broke. Harry even sent me the plane ticket." (Cotten, 70:19)
- The Infamous Ferris Wheel Scene:
  
  "Would you really feel any pity if one of those dots stopped moving forever? If I offered you £20,000 for every dot that stopped—would you really,

wavePod

Episode 448 - Stars of "The Third Man"