The Thirty-Second Of December by Suspense

Summary

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Strange Tales: "The Thirty-Second of December" by Suspense

Podcast: Strange Tales (Old Time Radio)
Episode Date: July 19, 2026
Source Story Airdate: December 28, 1958
Main Cast: Frank Lovejoy as Joe Adcock
Summary By: RelicRadio.com

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Episode Overview

This episode of Strange Tales presents a classic from the Suspense radio series: "The Thirty-Second of December." The narrative follows Joe Adcock, a desperate man on New Year’s Eve, cornered by debts and running out of time—only to stumble upon a mysterious watch that seems to control time itself. The story weaves themes of desperation, moral compromise, and the futility of escaping the consequences of one's actions. It's a dark, existential parable set against the ticking clock of a year that might never end.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Introduction – The Nature of Time and New Year’s (01:38–02:46)

• William N. Robeson (Producer & Narrator): Opens with a reflection on humanity's obsession with controlling time, especially the symbolic desire for a fresh start at New Year's.

  "Time is a downhill ride in a car with no brakes. You can't stop it, even if your life depends on it." (02:46, Joe Adcock)

2. Joe Adcock’s Predicament (02:46–04:40)

• Joe's Dire Straits:
  • Joe is deeply in debt due to gambling habits and feels the pressure of an impending deadline—midnight, New Year's Eve.
  • Tense interplay between Joe and his wife, Molly, over their finances.
• Notable Exchange:

  Molly: "You told me the same thing just before you pawned your watch and the cufflinks I gave you." (03:45)

3. The Pawn Shop & The Antique Watch (04:40–07:28)

• Mystical Timepiece:
  • At the pawn shop, Joe’s attention is seized by an old watch, "curiously ornate, obviously very old," said to "control many kinds of time."

  Pawn Broker: "The fellow who pawned it claimed it could make time pass as slowly or as rapidly as he desired. But only a trick. Time is different for each of us, is it not?" (06:00)

• A Sinister Phone Call:
  • Joe receives a mysterious call at the shop; foreshadowing a twist.

4. The Threat & Desperation Mounts (07:28–10:36)

• Criminal Threat:
  • Joe is accosted by a thug, reminding him of the consequences if he doesn't pay his debts by midnight.

  Thug: "If you don't show up with the dough, there ain't gonna be no new year for you." (08:34)

• Failed Attempts to Get Money Back:
  • Joe frantically tries to return the watch, but the pawn broker insists the deal is done ("a deal is a deal"), offering only $5 in return for a watch Joe bought for $150 (09:30).
  • Attempts to borrow cash from friends and the bank all fail.

5. Discovery of the Watch’s Power (11:21–13:03)

• Manipulating Time:
  • Joe winds the watch and discovers he can alter the date and time, with reality shifting to match (suddenly finding it snowing when it was previously sunny—12:30).
  • Memorable Moment: Joe inadvertently recreates the mysterious phone call he’d received earlier, realizing he was the caller, looping himself in time.

  Joe: "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. I could hardly believe it myself." (13:03)

6. Exploiting the Power – The “Perfect Crime” (13:29–15:27)

• Moral Decline:
  • With newfound power, Joe reveals his gambling and theft to Molly, intends to rob the bank by resetting the day to when it’s closed ("as easy as taking pennies from a blind man").
  • Executes the crime, rewinds to December 31, and believes he’s gotten away with it.

  Joe: "There’s always more where this comes from... The perfect crime." (15:11, 15:25)

7. Personal Consequences & Collapse (15:50–16:54)

• Molly's Disillusionment:
  • Upon learning of Joe's actions, Molly finally leaves him.

  Molly: "Oh, a little time. That's the story of your life, isn't it, Joe? Just give me a little time. Well, all right. I'll give you all the time you want. All the rest of your life. I'm through with you, Joe." (16:42)

8. Trapped in Time – The 32nd of December (16:59–17:57)

• Existential Horror:
  • As midnight passes, Joe realizes he’s stranded in a day that shouldn't exist: the 32nd of December.

  Joe: "There isn't any 32nd of December... It’s stuck. It won't budge... I can't stay in the 32nd forever." (17:40–17:57)

• Revelation:
  • Opening the watch case reveals it's empty:

  Joe: "There’s nothing inside. It’s the 32nd of December and it will always be the 32nd of December." (17:57)

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Notable Quotes & Moments (Timestamps)

• "Time is a downhill ride in a car with no brakes."
  – Joe Adcock (02:46)
• "To a man sitting on a hot stove, one second lasts forever. But to a man making love, forever is only a second."
  – Pawn Broker (06:21)
• "If you don't show up with the dough, there ain't gonna be no new year for you."
  – Thug (08:34)
• "I could hardly believe it myself. But there was no question about it. The watch did control time."
  – Joe Adcock (13:03)
• "All I have to do is get out of here without letting them see the money."
  – Joe Adcock, believing in a perfect crime (15:27)
• "That's the story of your life, isn't it, Joe? Just give me a little time... I'm through with you, Joe."
  – Molly (16:42)
• "There’s nothing inside. It’s the 32nd of December and it will always be the 32nd of December."
  – Joe Adcock (17:57)

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Structural Flow with Timestamps

• [01:38–02:46] – Introduction & Theme: Relating time and New Year reflections
• [02:46–04:46] – Joe’s predicament, family strife, desperation
• [04:46–07:28] – Pawn shop scene, introduction of the mystical watch
• [07:28–10:36] – Threats from criminal association, failed escape from trouble
• [11:21–13:03] – Joe discovers and experiments with time manipulation
• [13:29–15:27] – Use of time manipulation to rob the bank; heights of hubris
• [15:50–16:54] – Breakdown of marriage; Molly finally leaves Joe
• [16:59–17:57] – Joe’s existential punishment: an endless, empty day—the 32nd of December

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Final Thoughts

"The Thirty-Second of December" is a dark, atmospheric morality tale: Joe, in his desperation to escape accountability and buy more time, finds himself eternally trapped outside of time—while everything and everyone he loves slips away. The episode delivers a uniquely philosophical blend of suspense and the supernatural, wrapped in classic radio drama style, with outstanding narration and haunting dialogue.

This episode serves as a poignant reminder: time is not something you can cheat, borrow, or control—and doing so might cost you everything.

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Transcript

[Joe Adcock]

Brain.

[Relic Radio Announcer]

Relicradio.com presents Tales of the strange and bizarre, the weird and the wicked. Stories not necessarily of the supernatural, but of the unnatural. Join us now for Strange Tales, featuring radio drama at its most mysterious and unusual. Welcome back to Strange Tales. Thanks for joining me this Sunday for another weird story from the golden age of radio. We're going to hear from Suspense this week. Series that aired for 20 years, 1942 to 1960, produced over 900 original stories. One we'll hear today from December 28, 1958. It's titled 32nd December.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Suspense. And the producer of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, the master of mystery and adventure, William N. Robeson. Pampering with time has been an ambition of man since he first realized how inexorably he is. Time's slave at this time of the year, although we have even less time on our hands, time is much in our minds. We make a magic ritual of New Year's Eve when we suppose we can flush away all our past impurities and begin afresh at that magic hour of midnight on the 31st of December. But suppose we couldn't. Suppose the 31st of December were not the end?

[Joe Adcock]

Listen. Listen.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Then, as Mr. Frank Lovejoy stars in the 32nd of December. And now the 32nd of December, starring Mr. Frank Lovejoy. A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.

[Joe Adcock]

New Year's Eve. As far as I was concerned, when I got up the morning of December 31st, it could stay 1958 forever. The only trouble is, time doesn't work that way. Time is a downhill ride in a car with no brakes. You can't stop it, even if your life depends on it. And mine did.

[Molly]

Joe, your breakfast is getting cold.

[Joe Adcock]

I'm coming, I'm coming. All I have time for is a cup of coffee anyway. What is this? Milk? Don't we ever have anything but milk to put in the coffee?

[Molly]

You know we can't afford cream these days. We can hardly afford to eat.

[Joe Adcock]

Molly, you'll be wearing mink yet. Just give me a little more time.

[Molly]

Yeah, you've been saying that ever since you got married.

[Joe Adcock]

Well, sooner or later, Molly, I'm going to make it. By the way, honey, let me have you a ring.

[Molly]

Why?

[Joe Adcock]

Well, you said the diamond's loose. I'll drop it at the jewelers on

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

my way to the office.

[Molly]

Oh, we can't afford to get it

[Joe Adcock]

fixed now, Molly, that's an expensive ring. We can't afford not to take care of it.

[Molly]

Joe, have you been gambling again?

[Joe Adcock]

Aw, Now, Molly, I told you I'm all through with that.

[Molly]

You told me the same thing just before you pawned your watch and the cufflinks I gave you on our first anniversary.

[Joe Adcock]

I'm not going to pawn your engagement ring now. Let me have it. I'll pick it up on my way home tonight.

[Molly]

Well, all right. But, Joe, remember, it's very precious, at least to me.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Sure, sure.

[Joe Adcock]

I've been gambling again. I was in the whole bath. The boys wanted to pay off by midnight, and this time they weren't going to take no for an answer. If I couldn't raise the dough on Molly's ring, I didn't know what I'd do. The pawn shop was like pawn shop? Dirty and gloomy, full of junk, with clocks ticking all over the place. One thing caught my eye as soon as I came in. In the front case, a watch. Curiously ornate, obviously very old. It sort of glowed in the case. I couldn't take my eyes off it.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

You like to look at the watch? Ah.

[Joe Adcock]

Ah, no, no. It's very interesting, but how much can I get on this ring?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

On this I can lend you $150.

[Joe Adcock]

150. The guy I wanted off claimed it was worth more than a thousand.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

150.

[Joe Adcock]

I can probably get 500 for it, easy.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Then you would be foolish to accept my offer.

[Joe Adcock]

That's the best you can do?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

150.

[Joe Adcock]

I'll take it.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

I will get the money.

[Joe Adcock]

While I waited, I felt my eyes drawn to the antique watch. I picked it up. It felt warm in my hand, almost as if it were alive. Its face was covered with all sorts of dials and figures. The date of the month, phase of the moon, even the signs of the zodiac. Some of the dials I couldn't read at all. They were inscribed with strange characters, like hieroglyphics or ancient Sanskrit. Suddenly, I felt I had to have that watch.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

120, 20, 40, 45. 150.

[Joe Adcock]

Can you tell me what all these dials mean?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

I can tell you only that this watch controls many kinds of time. The fellow who pawned it claimed it could make time pass as slowly or as rapidly as he desired.

[Joe Adcock]

That's a pretty good trick.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

But only a trick. Time is different for each of us, is it not?

[Joe Adcock]

What do you mean?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

To a man sitting on a hot stove, one second lasts forever. But to a man making love, forever is only a second.

[Joe Adcock]

Yeah, I see what you mean. How much are you asking for the watch?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

$150. Excuse me. Hello? Yes. One moment, please.

[Joe Adcock]

Is your Name?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Joe Adcock?

[Joe Adcock]

Yeah. Why?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Yes, Mr. Adcock is here. Who is it? Who is calling? Hello?

[Molly]

Hello?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

That is odd.

[Joe Adcock]

Nobody knew I was coming here. Who was it?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

He did not identify himself. He just said I would not believe him, then he hung up.

[Joe Adcock]

It's funny. Say, now, what about the guy who pawned this watch? Any chance of him wanting it back?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

No, Mr. Adcock. He will not return for it. He has no further use for the watch.

[Joe Adcock]

Okay. Well, then I'll take it. I don't know why, but I've got to have it. I had no business buying the watch. It was a crazy thing to do. I hadn't walked more than a few steps from the pawn shop when I learned just how crazy.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Hold it, Adcock.

[Joe Adcock]

Who are you? Just one of the boys. What do you want? A little talk private in the alley here. But I don't have in the alley. Oh, my arm. You got the Grand Ad Cock? I got until midnight to get it. Yeah, that's right. The boss just wants me to make sure you don't forget like last time. Oh, I. I won't forget. I promise.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

I'll be waiting for you at midnight right here by the pawn shop. Oh, and one more thing. So, what is it?

[Molly]

Yes,

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

that's just to make sure you don't forget.

[Joe Adcock]

If you don't show up with the

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

dough, there ain't gonna be no new year for you. You understand?

[Joe Adcock]

Yes, I understand.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Good. See you at midnight.

[Joe Adcock]

I had to get back the 150. Maybe I could make a fast killing of the track with it or something. I had to get it back.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Back so soon, Mr. Edgar?

[Joe Adcock]

Yes. Yes, I. I made a mistake.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

We all make mistakes. That is life.

[Joe Adcock]

Look, I've got to have that money back. Here's your watch.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

My watch? Mr. Adcock, this is your watch. You bought it.

[Joe Adcock]

But I don't want it. I want the money.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

A deal is a deal.

[Joe Adcock]

But you don't understand.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

It is you who do not understand, Mr. Adcock. To sell the watch, you must find a buyer. I am not buying.

[Joe Adcock]

Look, you got to help me. Well, will you take the watch and pawn?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Of course. That is my business.

[Joe Adcock]

How much can I get for it?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

$5.

[Joe Adcock]

$5? Just a few minutes ago, I paid 150 for it.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

It is unfortunate that I do not value it so highly now. Five dollars.

[Joe Adcock]

No, thanks. Five dollars wouldn't help me. I had to have money. Big money. My only chance now is to try to borrow it.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

I know you've had an account here for years, Mr. Adcock. And of course, we like to do what we can for our regular custom. Unless you have some collateral.

[Joe Adcock]

Well, what kind of collateral?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Stocks, bonds, real estate.

[Joe Adcock]

If I had that kind of stuff, I wouldn't need the loan. 500.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Joe, you're crazy.

[Joe Adcock]

Hey, bartender, another video. All right, all right, Harry, make it a C note. Anything.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Yeah, well, what about the C note

[Joe Adcock]

you borrowed last August? Oh, I'll pay you back, honest. Yeah, I heard that. Last August. Oh, Harry, how long have you known me? 10 years, I guess. All right, 10 years. Doesn't that count for anything?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

For a C note?

[Joe Adcock]

It don't. Oh, but Harry.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Not a dime.

[Joe Adcock]

Not a lousy dime. Only one thing left to do.

[Molly]

Central Flower Shop.

[Joe Adcock]

Molly, I want you to come home right now.

[Molly]

Joe, aren't you at work?

[Joe Adcock]

No, I'm home.

[Molly]

What's the matter?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Are you sick?

[Joe Adcock]

I'm all right. Just come home and hurry.

[Molly]

Joe, what's wrong?

[Joe Adcock]

We've got to get out of town fast. It took only a few minutes to throw everything Molly and I owned in the suitcases. I kept looking at the watch, wondering when Molly was going to show up.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Signal the correct time will be 2:30.

[Joe Adcock]

2:30. What's keeping her? Well, at least the watch is on time. I wonder when I ought to wind it. Might as well do it right now. If I can figure out which one of these knobs to use. Try this one.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

What the devil.

[Joe Adcock]

Where did the sun go? Was shining a minute ago. Now it's snowing. Oh, blasted. I did get the wrong knob. I moved it back to the 28, so now I've got.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Hey, wait a minute.

[Joe Adcock]

The 28th was Sunday, the day we had the big snowstorm. Could the watch of. Ah, it's impossible. I set it Back to the 31st and I. Now the sun is shining. Did the watch change the day or am I losing my mind? Maybe I could set it again, test it. Let me see. I. I was in that pawn shop just before 1 o'.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Clock.

[Joe Adcock]

I set the hour hand back to 12:45.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

There.

[Joe Adcock]

Now we'll see.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Hel.

[Joe Adcock]

Is this the 3rd Avenue pawn shop?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Yes.

[Joe Adcock]

Is. Is Joe Adcock there?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

One moment, please. Is your name Joe Adcock?

[Joe Adcock]

Yes.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Mr. Adcock is here. Who is calling?

[Joe Adcock]

You wouldn't believe me if I told you. I could hardly believe it myself. But there was no question about it. The watch did control time. Once I grasped that fact, I began to realize its implications. For the first time in my life, I could have all the time I needed. All the time I wanted.

[Molly]

Joe. Joe. Oh, Joe. What's wrong?

[Joe Adcock]

Not a thing, Molly. Not a thing.

[Molly]

But you said we had to leave town.

[Joe Adcock]

Oh, did I? Well, that's all over now.

[Molly]

Joe. What are you talking about? I'll probably lose my job.

[Joe Adcock]

Now, don't get excited. I. Well, I might as well tell you the whole story. I lied to you about the gambling. Molly. I'm $1,000 in debt. I've got to pay off by midnight.

[Molly]

But you pawned my ring, didn't you?

[Joe Adcock]

But don't worry, I'll get it back.

[Molly]

You lied to me.

[Joe Adcock]

I said I'll get it.

[Molly]

You have no right to pawn it. It's mine. I want my ring back.

[Joe Adcock]

All right, I'll get it.

[Molly]

Now. Right now.

[Joe Adcock]

I haven't got time now. I've got to get back to the bank before it closes.

[Molly]

Get my ring. You promise?

[Joe Adcock]

Will you quit nagging me about your blasted ring? Let me get back to have enough money to buy you a dozen rings.

[Molly]

Joe, what are you going to do?

[Joe Adcock]

I'm going to rob the bank. What else? I had the watch figured out, right. Robbing the bank would be as easy as taking pennies from a blind man. It was two minutes to three when

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

I walked into the bank and headed for the vault. Oh, hello, Mr. Adcock. Back again, I see.

[Joe Adcock]

Yeah, yeah. I've got to get into my safety deposit box.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Certainly. Go right ahead. Good.

[Joe Adcock]

Nobody else in here now. I just turned the watch back to Sunday the 28th.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

It worked.

[Joe Adcock]

I'm locked in the ball and it's Sunday. Now, let's see where they keep the ready cash. There it is. Stacks of it in all mine. Well, that's plenty for now.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Enough to pay the mob and more.

[Joe Adcock]

There's always more where this comes from. Now, reset the watch to December 31st.

[Molly]

Perfect.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

The perfect crime.

[Joe Adcock]

All I have to do is get out of here without letting them see the money.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Mr. Ascot.

[Joe Adcock]

Yes?

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

A happy and prosperous New Year to you, sir.

[Joe Adcock]

Oh, thanks. Thanks a lot. Molly. Hey, Molly. Molly at work. We're rich.

[Molly]

Have you been drinking?

[Joe Adcock]

No, not a drop. Here, look at this. Go on, take them up. They're real.

[Molly]

Shoo. These are thousand dollar bills. Where did you get them?

[Joe Adcock]

I robbed the bank.

[Molly]

Oh, come on, Joe.

[Joe Adcock]

I always told you I'd make it big someday. Well, today is the day. Now you go out and buy yourself a dress. We're gonna celebrate New Year. Even style.

[Molly]

Happy New Year, Joe. Happy New Year.

[Joe Adcock]

Yeah, yeah. Come on, let's get out of this crowd.

[Molly]

It's almost midnight. I thought we were going to celebrate. You were Going to take me to a nightclub?

[Joe Adcock]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, but first I. I gotta meet a guy at midnight.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Come on.

[Joe Adcock]

Ooh, a guy I gotta pay off that gambling guy.

[Molly]

Where are you meeting me?

[Joe Adcock]

It's just a block away in front of the pawn shop.

[Molly]

Pawn shop? My ring. Joe, you forgot my ring.

[Joe Adcock]

Oh, for Pete's sake. I'll get your lousy ring back. Just give me a little time.

[Molly]

Oh, a little time. That's the story of your life, isn't it, Joe? Just give me a little time. Well, all right. I'll give you all the time you want. All the rest of your life. I'm through with you, Joe. I just can't take it anymore.

[Joe Adcock]

Molly, don't leave me. Molly, come back.

[Molly]

Happy new year.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Well, what happened?

[Joe Adcock]

Molly just disappeared. The street is deserted. Molly. Hey, where is everybody? I wonder if this crazy watch had

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

anything to do with the 30 seconds.

[Joe Adcock]

It should have clicked over to January 1st. Oh, no wonder everybody disappeared. There isn't any 32nd of December. I'll just reset it.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

It's stuck. It won't budge.

[Joe Adcock]

Oh, it's got to move. It's just. Oh, no. It can't be broken. I can't stay in the 32nd of December forever.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

I've got to fix it.

[Joe Adcock]

I've got to get the back off. I've got to get it to works. I There. But there's Nothing inside. It's the 32nd of December and it will always be the 32nd of December.

[Narrator/William N. Robeson]

Suspense in which Frank Lovejoy starred in William n. Robeson's production of 32 December written by Morris lee green and William Walker. Supporting Frank Lovejoy on 32 December were Joan Banks, Barney Phillips, Sam Pierce and Norm Alden. Listen. Listen again next week when we return with another tale well calculated. To keep you in suspense. Tonight, drill with gunsmoke on the CBS radio network. Sam.

[Relic Radio Announcer]

Relicradio.com has more old time radio, more from suspense, strange tales and all of the relic radio podcasts and a shoutcast stream lots to listen to there. All made possible by your support. Donate that relic relicradio.com if you'd like to help out or click on a support link in the show. Notes. Thanks as always to those who have helped out. Thanks for joining me this week. Be back next Sunday with another episode of relic radio's strange tales.