Lloyd Bridges stars in the second broadcast of a Richard-George Pedicini script about a health club instructor, named Zack, who falls in love with the wife of a mobster. They decide that the only way to free her from the marriage is to murder the husband and make it appear to be an accident. A worker at the gym makes a mistake in running the steam room, and that error inspires Zack with an idea. He devises a seemingly fool-proof method to accomplish the nefarious task. Everything seems to be going on track, but then the wife has some urgent news that forces a change in plans.
The title is interesting. “Rub down” is a service offered in many health clubs. “Rub out” is the killing of someone, but it is often in the context of criminals or mobsters doing so to a rival. The “rub down” may be the attraction Zack has for the mobster’s wife. The “rub out” is the elimination of the mobster. Finally, “down and out” is also a part of the title, which may describe what the wife is feeling about her marriage. But it also can mean what happens when Zack ultimately fails and is punished for his act.
The first broadcast network recording is not known to have survived. It was broadcast on 1951-05-24 and starred Jeff Chandler. The title was Fresh Air, Sunshine and Murder. It is hoped that an Armed Forces Radio Service transcription may be found in the future.
The program was recorded on Wednesday, June 25, 1958. Rehearsal began at 3:00pm and recording began at 5:30pm. That session included in-studio edits and ended at 7:00pm. Additional production editing ended at 9:00pm.
Of the four ad spots, only GMC Trucks was signed by the time of recording. The other three would be allocated before broadcast.
The only surviving complete recording is from the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS#987). There are two recordings. One is a complete program in low quality sound. Recently, an AFRS transcription disc was found, but it was damaged at the edge, making the first two minutes (approximately) of the recording unplayable. The drama portion was not affected. The playable portion of the disc was in excellent condition. A composite complete recording was created using an opening from another AFRS disc, the Robson monologue from a previous low quality recording that was sound processed to minimize defects, the Vin Scully reading about medals that was used on a prior program, and then the clean portion of the damaged disc. The only noticeable difference in sound quality is the Robson monologue, which is in listenable quality. The composite recording is the preferred version for listening. It is hoped that an intact disc may be found to replace the composite recording in the future.
Three recordings are available: 1) the low-quality complete AFRS recording, 2) the clean portion of the damaged AFRS disc, and 3) the composite recording.
LISTEN
TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or
mp3
https://archive.org/details/TSP580706
THE CAST
LLOYD BRIDGES (Zack Weston), Bill Conrad (Big Willy / Henry), Tracey Roberts (Joyce), Jack Kruschen (Frankie / Henry / Lieutenant), Eddie Marr (Oblo / Bennie), George Walsh (Narrator)
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