John Collier’s short story, with a strange Latin title that means “of the dead,” starts off like it’s a clone of Back for Christmas. It’s not. This is a town doctor serial killer, played by Charles Laughton, who eliminates his wife and then anyone who might reveal him to the authorities or who had an affair with her. The story “feels strange” in that it’s the plain talk of common people of a small British town that carries the story, and they’re trying to be helpful to the situation until they realize what’s going on. It is suggested that he leave town and go somewhere else because they know he covers his method so well under the guise of medical condition or some other cause. He refuses to leave because he likes the town, but he really likes exercising his intimidation over his neighbors and he can eliminate them as well.
The story is different, possibly tedious at times, but then something happens to re-stoke the interest. It requires close listening to catch it all, and it’s worth the effort. The story is adapted for Suspense by pulpwriter Ken Crossen.
The Ottawa ON Citizen of 1949-03-03 reported (likely based on CBS publicity), that producer Tony Leader had a twenty foot long platform constructed for this episode to give the actors a more sensitive feeling for the scenes that portrayed stair climbing and descent and calling down to Laughton's character. Leader said that “the actors do a better job when I let them move around and make some of their own sound effects naturally instead of turning them all over to the sound experts.” Listen to the episode and decide if it made a difference in such scenes. Walking over floor boards seems more realistic.
There are two surviving recordings of this episode. The network recording is much better than the Armed Forces Radio Service one (likely #271, but that is not verified).
One of the victims is described as a “commercial traveler.” This means “traveling salesman.”
The title is part of a familiar Latin phrase de mortuis nil nisi bonum that is known better in its English form. Its literal meaning is “of the dead say nothing but good,” but in everyday language it is “don't speak ill of the dead.” Words like “mortuary” have the Latin word as is root.
Darryl Shelton’s book about Suspense notes that Ronald Colman was originally cast to play the lead. No documentation was offered in the book and no online research resources could be found to verify the prospect of a Colman appearance. Laughton can sound sinister and nefarious when he needs to, while Colman can play evil roles but without a subtle undercurrent that Laughton does.
The Suspense TV show aired De Mortuis on June 12, 1951 with Walter Slezak and Olive Deering, directed by Robert Stevens. Unfortunately, no video is available. Stevens also directed it for the 1956-10-14 Alfred Hitchcock Presents. That broadcast is available from many streaming sources.
In the Suspense broadcast of the prior week, Back Seat Driver, the tease for De Mortuis was mispronounced. It was likely in the script with the “i” and the “u” transposed. The title was announced as “De Mortius.”
LISTEN
TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or
mp3
https://archive.org/details/TSP490210
THE CAST
CHARLES LAUGHTON (Dr. Rankin), Ben Wright (Gregory), Alec Harford (George / Deputy), Sylvia Simms (Irene / Mrs. Green), Franklin Parker (Harry Manning / Constable Saunders), Dave Light (Dog), Paul Frees (Signature Voice)
COMMERCIAL: Bill Johnstone (Hap), Sylvia Simms (Operator), Harlow Wilcox (Announcer)
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