This episode is from the 1944 Cornell Woolrich novel, (under pseudonym William Irish), and was adapted by Irving Ravetch. This script is close to the original novel, while the 1946 movie deviated greatly from it. The broadcast stars Helen Walker and John Beal in their only Suspense appearances.
Beal’s character has stolen money from a client, but his conscience gets the better of him and he wants to return it. When he goes back to his client’s home to do so, he finds his client has been murdered. He has to have evidence of his innocence of the killing before the police are likely to be called and on the scene in the morning. Helping him is a “taxi dancer” he met that evening, coincidentally from his home town. While they reminisced about their town and their people, they decided they would leave town on the morning bus. It was at that time he decided he needed to return the money. But now, their deadline is not for the morning bus, but to have the evidence that proves innocence, and identifies the killer, to the satisfaction of the police. Was the victim was being blackmailed by a red-haired woman. And what about the bounced check that was in the victim’s safe? Will they make the bus back home in time?
It’s a good story and a fine presentation. Like others in the hour format, the continuing sense of tension in the story of the half hour shows is lacking. Stick with it; it is a worthwhile listen, with Walker and Beal performing well.
This is the last of the hour-long Suspense presentations. Coincidentally, William Spier’s relationship with ABC and The Clock also ended at this time. Spier would not return to Suspense until the Fall 1949 season. The Auto-Lite era with Anton M. Leader would begin less that two months from this episode. With Leader as the producer for Suspense, Spier found an opportunity to produce Philip Morris Playhouse. His PMP productions were often like Suspense productions, using much of the same support and acting talent. The Auto-Lite era will have much of the excitement of the Roma years, and then confront the changes in home media usage with the growing popularity of television, and include a TV version of Suspense.
This is Helen Walker’s only appearance on Suspense. Her film career began in the early 1940s. Information about her career can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Walker
This is also John Beal’s only appearance on the series. His film career started in the early 1930s with his final film appearance in 1993. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Beal_(actor)
LISTEN
TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or
mp3
https://archive.org/details/TSP480515
THE CAST
HELEN WALKER (Ruth “Bricky” Coleman), JOHN BEAL (Quinn Williams), Rye Billsbury (Arthur Holmes / Jerry), Lillian Buyeff (Barbara / Joan Basell), Buddy Gray (Joe the cab driver), Bill Johnstone (Signature Voice / Officer Larson / Pop / Griff), Edith Tachna (Operator / Hatcheck girl)
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