James Poe’s story is about a singer in the twilight of her career who is asked to train a new crooner for stardom. The story gets much better treatment by Margaret Whiting than it did in Ethel Merman’s disastrous 1954 broadcast. It’s still not right. Somehow, even Bill Robson could not find a way to give a compelling James Poe story and turn it into a memorable and chilling top episode. This 1958 broadcast is much better than the first time around. This might be one of those episodes, had it been written back then, that would have fared better back in the Roma Wines era under William Spier with musical support of then-wife Kay Thompson.
That new crooner who needs mentoring killed his previous singing partner. The murder was covered up by the mob, making it look like an accident. He is mentally unstable, his problems escalating day by day until his new mentor becomes fearful for her life. Her manager doesn’t believe her… until the crooner cracks up on stage.
The Merman broadcast included songs that were appropriate of her style and her era, which were the best part of her performance. There were notable jazz artists providing the music for the broadcast. Background about the story and her cringe-worthy radio acting can be found at
https://suspenseproject.blogspot.com/2024/10/1954-02-01-never-follow-banjo-act.html
https://archive.org/details/TSP540201 and is where the recordings can be found for download and streaming.
This new broadcast is quite different and more believable. Whiting has radio experience and talent, and the songs were ones she often had in her live performances. They were The Gypsy in My Soul from 1947, and Song of the Wanderer, recorded in 1958. The songs can be heard in full at YouTube at these links:
The Gypsy in My Soul https://youtu.be/5vQNtEUBvbw
Song of the Wanderer https://youtu.be/tjGdPaGAdbQ
The program was recorded on Wednesday, February 19, 1958. Rehearsal began at 2:00pm and finished at 5:00pm. Recording commenced at that time, and with in-studio edits was completed at 7:00pm. Additional production edits were done by staff in a different studio from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
For many years, heavily edited Armed Forces Radio airchecks in poor sound were the only way to hear this episode. Now, there is a complete Armed Forces Radio Service recording (AFRS#970) in enjoyable sound.
LISTEN
TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or
mp3
https://archive.org/details/TSP580302
THE CAST
Margaret Whiting (Rosie Jones), Eddie Marr (Benny / Croupier voice), Larry Dobkin (Ray Kramm), Shep Menken (Terry Dane), Jack Moyles (Earl White / Drunk), George Walsh (Narrator)
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