Ronald Colman portrays a wealthy London bookshop owner named Christopher Swann. He is surprised and very annoyed when a man enters his shop one day, and says that he, too, has the very same name. The visitor starts predicting the future of Colman’s character, saying he will marry a red-headed woman. He thinks it’s just a coincidence when he meets, falls in love, and marries her, just as predicted. It does not take long for him to regret making that prediction come true. She nags him about the smallest of his decisions, even belittling him in front of customers.
The next prediction by the “other Mr. Swann” is more dire: he is told “he will be hanged by the neck until dead” on November 9th. On that day, the shop owner wakes up, and is confident no such thing will happen. Later in the day he learns that the “other Mr. Swann” had a partner who had plans to make sure the prediction came true! In the end, you learn where the title comes from. It’s not really a noose, but it is a deadly coincidence and not a deadly plan.
The story was by William Fifield, who adapted the script Where There’s a Will a few broadcasts prior. Information about his interesting career is at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Fifield The script was adapted by Herb Meadow.
There are two recordings of this broadcast, with the network recording as the better of the two. The network discs had some damage, and some disc noise is evident. The overall sound of the drama is very, very good. The other recording is a low-quality Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS), presumably from the 1980s.
The D.H. Lawrence book mentioned was published in 1925 and is St Mawr https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mawr
Hans Conried is back on Suspense after a 13-month absence. He is so marvelous to hear. Knowing his beloved part as the uncle on TV's Danny Thomas Show, should this have been called "Tonoose of Coincidence"? (Sorry, could not resist).
An overdone scuffle is part of the process to the conclusion of the story -- amusing to listen to -- must have been interesting to watch how they did it without cracking up at the microphones.
Murder in Black and White with Clifton Webb was scheduled for this broadcast date. The script was moved to the next week with Webb replaced by Edmund Gwenn. Noose of Coincidence was broadcast a week earlier than originally planned.
LISTEN
TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or
mp3
https://archive.org/details/TSP490407
THE CAST
RONALD COLMAN (Christopher Swann), Ben Wright (Constable Smithers), Bea Benaderet (Margaret), Hans Conried (Christopher Swan #2, aka Kit), unknown (Anne Stevens), Paul Frees (Signature Voice)
COMMERCIAL: Bill Johnstone (Hap), Sylvia Simms (Operator), Harlow Wilcox (Announcer)
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