Martha Scott stars as a worried mother whose son has a severe life-threatening fever. She can’t get any help because there’s a widespread flu epidemic, so she has to face the problems alone.
The script, by radio veterans Gwen and John Bagni is edgy for them. It is one of their better and most surprising scripts. Some may feel the dialogue occasionally borders on soap opera style. It’s a worthwhile listen.
The mother’s mind wanders and she envisions a vile, violent and unhappy life for her son and all those who encounter him. She wonders if everyone would be better off if she let him succumb to his illness.
It’s written in a way that you think her wandering mind are actual story events. You realize, at the end, that none of the events she imagined actually happened. She is back at bedside with her infant son, and she commits to guide him to a life that cultivates goodness, even though there is a risk that her terrible dreams may still come true.
The original script had the title as “The Crisis.” It is a good script and performance, and provides some periods of uneasiness with the storyline. It is not a top episode of the series, but it is challenging and superior to most other radio dramas.
LISTEN
TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or
mp3
https://archive.org/details/TSP480819
THE CAST
MARTHA SCOTT (Mary Norquist), Frank Lovejoy (Paul Norquist), Wally Maher (Doctor / Policeman), Ken Christy (Fred Johnson), Georgia Ellis (Elaine), Bobby Ellis (Kurt as boy), John Newland (Kurt as young man), Ann Morrison? (Baby cries), Paul Frees (Signature Voice) unknown (Guard)
COMMERCIAL: Bill Johnstone (Hap), Ann Morrison (Mary), Sam Edwards (Billy), Sylvia Simms (Operator), Frank Martin (Announcer)
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