1955-03-01 The Screaming Woman

Thirteen-year-old Sherry Jackson stars in the second broadcast of this Ray Bradbury story. The script was originally presented in 1948 and the story was adapted for the series by Silvia Richards.

A murderous husband disposes of his wife’s body prematurely. A young neighborhood girl hears her screams under ground at a nearby dumping ground. No one else seems to hear her. She is dismissed and told it’s just her imagination. She persists to search for the woman to save her. Her simple investigation works… but now she’s in danger, herself.

Jackson was a very busy actor but might be best known among nostalgia fans for her role in the first season of Star Trek where she played an android named “Andrea” in the notable episode What Are Little Girls Made Of? Her very long career began in childhood, and she was especially known for her role as the older daughter in the Danny Thomas TV series, Make Room for Daddy. The are many more details about her life and career at her Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherry_Jackson

The original broadcast of 1948-11-25 starred twelve-year-old Margaret O’Brien. Details about the broadcast can be found at these resources:

• https://suspenseproject.blogspot.com/2023/12/1948-11-25-screaming-woman.html

• https://archive.org/details/TSP481125 has the recordings that can be downloaded or streamed.

The program was pre-recorded on Friday, February 25, 1955. Rehearsals began at Noon, and final recording was done from 4:30pm to 5:00pm. Final music, announcing, and narration were recorded on Tuesday, March 1, 1955 starting at 3:15pm and concluded in time for the 5:00pm PST broadcast.

Two recordings of this episode have survived, and both are in excellent sound. The network recording is the slightly better of the two. The Armed Forces Radio Service recording (AFRS#522) is new to circulation and there is some slight sibilance in the recording (also known as “essing”).

LISTEN TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or mp3

https://archive.org/details/TSP550301

THE CAST

Sherry Jackson (Margaret Leary), Paula Winslowe (Mama), John Dehner (Dad), Richard Beals (Dippy Smith), Howard McNear (Kelly), Joe Cranston (Police Officer), Herb Butterfield (Charles Nesbitt), Eve McVeagh (Anna Kelly / Helen Nesbitt the screaming woman), Larry Thor (Narrator)

###

1955-02-22 Waiting

This production of an Antony Ellis script stars three of 1950s radio’s best actresses: Vivi Janiss, Helen Kleeb, and Charlotte Lawrence. Fans of the Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar serials know their voices quite well from their frequent appearances there, as well as Gunsmoke.

A man, Norman Landon, is awaiting execution and perhaps a call from the governor to save him from his punishment. Three women are alone, waiting, for that word, or for the execution to be made. As a listener, we are a fly on the wall, as we listen to his wife, Aline (Charlotte Lawrence), her mother, Mrs. Martinson (Helen Kleeb) and his sister, Harriet (Vivi Janiss), review what led everyone to this situation. The emotional discussion between them reveals many aspects of their relationships to him and each other.

Norman was an adulterer, and he was convicted of killing his girlfriend. There were reports that someone was seen leaving that scene, and that person may have been the real murderer. They are hoping that the governor stops the execution, but they learn that Norman confesses to the crime (this is the cliffhanger before the mid-show break). Is he lying? There is still the sighting by a witness who saw a woman running from the apartment where the crime occurred.

If there is a problem with the story, it is with the production as it can be confusing who is actually speaking between Aline and Harriet. An occasional mention of the name would be helpful. (The Hummert soaps and evening shows did this to the point of being comical and stilted; that much is not needed here).

With the purpose of understanding what happens because of that issue, this is a spoiler alert:

Aline is the one who killed the girlfriend. Norman had great guilt about his adultery, and knows his wife did it. His decision to confess and plead guilty to the murder was out of deep remorse and to spare his wife of the penalty of what she did. Aline’s mother knew that she did it all along, and didn't want to talk about it to protect her daughter’s life. From a structural standpoint, the role of the sister, other than to share in the looming tragedy, is to have effective dialogue that brings important details out in the storyline.

The bottom line: the story is full of lies. There a many: Norman’s once secret affair, Aline’s cover-up of her heinous act, Norman’s false confession, the mother’s refusal to say what she believed happened, and likely more.

It’s a good script, with good dialogue, and just needs small changes to be sure we don’t miss out on who is speaking and how they fit. Perhaps the spoiler can help increase the listening fulfillment of this very sad story.

Researcher and international voice actor Keith Scott notes that this was the first Suspense program recorded on 15-inch reel of Ampex recording tape for its archival copy rather than a set of transcription discs. From this point on, the entire production used recording tape. Most of the shows were still broadcast live, however. When William N. Robson took over the series at the end of October 1956, he made a big deal about tape production. In reality, recording tape was used in show production from the early 1950s, but the archival copies would be on discs. Robson was just promoting Suspense as being more “modern.” The Suspense live orchestral music would continue through March 1957, and not use pre-recorded music in production until after that time.

There are three recordings related to this episode. The network recording is the best. There is a low quality aircheck from WMT of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The call letters came from a local newspaper, the Waterloo Morning Tribune. The station started in Cedar Rapids under different call letters, was moved to Waterloo where it received its still-used call letters, but retained them when it was sold and moved back to Cedar Rapids in the 1930s. Airchecks give us a sense of how stations sounded at the time, and make us appreciate the superior sound that are captured from studio transcription discs. There is also a part 2 recording of an Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS#521) disc. Part 1 has not been found at the time of this writing.

LISTEN TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or mp3

https://archive.org/details/TSP550222

THE CAST

Vivi Janiss (Harriet, Norman’s sister), Charlotte Lawrence (Aline, Norman’s wife), Helen Kleeb (Mrs. Martinson, Aline’s mother), Tom Hanley (Telegram boy), Larry Thor (Radio voice / Narrator)

###

1955-02-17 The Man with the Steel Teeth

John Dehner wrote this script and starred in this production about an American reporter who escapes the incarceration and beatings of the Russian KGB who considered him a spy. He is picked up by the police after a cultural event, and charged with numerous crimes, including spying. They torture him but he never confesses. One morning he wakes up in his cell, but the door is open. He takes the opportunity to escape but always wonders if it was a set-up. He later learns that one of his captors wants to escape with him to the West.

The script was originally used in the 1953-03-15 broadcast of Escape. That broadcast starred Harry Bartell. This 1955 broadcast is one of the rare occasions on Suspense where the author and the star are the same person. Antony Ellis had written some scripts but never starred in any.

Dehner’s idea about using “steel teeth” in the storyline may have come from late 1940s news reports about Communist political figure Antonín Zápotocký and future leader of Czechoslovakia. He had such teeth. There were also occasional news reports in the early 1950s that mentioned steel teeth had become “popular” in Russia.

Lubyanka was a real place. The buildings were seized after the 1917 revolution and became the headquarters for the secret police, later known as the KGB. The prison was a two-story building next to the main one. In 1940, many of the prisoners were part of Stalin’s “Great Purge” before they were moved to Siberia and the Gulags. There are museums in the buildings now, but they are supposedly not open to the public but for private tours.

This broadcast is important for its technological history. Classic radio researcher and international entertainer Keith Scott notes that this was the last program recorded on transcription discs that would become part of the CBS archives. Future programs would be recorded on tape. Unfortunately many of those tapes would be erased and re-used. Some transcriptions were made, but by others like ad agencies and performers using an outside recording service. CBS would make tapes for the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) which would be edited and distributed on 16” discs requiring two parts to its stations. They would later release them as microgroove 16” discs with a complete program on one side. AFRTS would later switch to 12” pressings.

If it was not for the AFRTS discs and home recordists there would be many gaps in the surviving Suspense series recordings. After November 1951, there are only two missing Suspense recordings. They are a repeat performance of A Case Of Nerves from 1956-04-24 and the only performance of Massacre at Little Big Horn from 1956-08-01. AFRTS recordings have proven to be the best sounding recordings for much of the 1957 and 1958 seasons, replacing many home recordings over the years.

LISTEN TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or mp3

https://archive.org/details/TSP550217

THE CAST

John Dehner (Arthur Lutrell), Maria Palmer (Maria), Edgar Barrier (MVD / Soldier), Jack Kruschen (Max Golovin), Robert Boon (Bronislaw), Larry Thor (Narrator)

###

1955-02-10 Diagnosis of Death

John Dunkel was known mainly for his western scripts for Gunsmoke and Have Gun – Will Travel. This is one of his two original Suspense scripts, and likely his best. A man accidentally overhears a terminal diagnosis of a patient, and he believes that report was meant for him. That bad news drives him to near suicide as the doctor and his wife desperately try to find him and prevent him from taking his life.

At the time of this broadcast, the ability to detect terminal diseases early enough for effective treatment was in its infancy. Most people with terminal diseases would learn too late to have any life-saving treatments, if there were any available. This story may sound strange to modern ears, but many listeners were likely to have had experiences of such fear-inducing situations in their extended families, workplaces, and their social relationships. This was also a time when there was often a family decision with physician consent to not tell terminal patients how sick they actually were. It was an unnerving charade, saying that they were going to be fine, with patients innately knowing their situation, yet be afraid to admit to family members that they actually knew how sick they really were. Terminal illnesses could bankrupt families who did not have medical insurance, leaving survivors penniless if the sick person did not have life insurance. Therefore, many listeners would have understood the actions described in the story. Just a few decades later, numerous medical breakthroughs were made. There were significant developments in early detection methods via chemical analysis and imaging technologies. They would provide hope to a wide range of patients who would have been considered terminal in 1955.

The CBS publicity for the plotline was “The story of a man who thought the only way to escape death was to search for it.” It is the kind of description that can only be understood after listening, and even then, it’s not particularly good or effective.

 The plot device of a negative diagnosis intended for someone else was not a new idea. Classic radio enthusiast and researcher, and performer, Patte Rosebank notes:

The same plot device was used on the November 23, 1947 episode of The Phil Harris - Alice Faye Show. Phil overhears Alice taking to the vet on the phone about their sick dog, and presumes she's talking to the doctor about him. Though her lines are very obviously about the dog (and she's not at all as upset as anyone would really be, who's just been told their pet is dying), Phil is convinced his death is imminent, and (even worse) Alice doesn't care at all.

Researcher Karl Schadow notes “There is also a similar plot in the inaugural episode of Night Beat (January 6, 1950). The script was written by Russell Hughes. Jeanne Bates and Larry Dobkin were cast members of that episode.

A famous comedic treatment about mistaking a negative diagnosis intended for someone else was used on the television series The Honeymooners in the fifth episode of “the classic 39.” Ralph mistakenly believes a veterinarian’s report about a dog is actually about him. The story is A Matter of Life and Death and aired on October 29, 1955. That story was first performed on December 13, 1952 on The Jackie Gleason Show, and was expanded to be one of the “classic 39” series. Could that production, or others, have been the springboard idea that inspired Dunkel to create this much more serious story and write this script?

Dunkel used the plot element of a man with a false terminal diagnosis on the television version of Gunsmoke in the episode Trip West that aired on May 2, 1964.

LISTEN TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or mp3

https://archive.org/details/TSP550210

THE CAST

Jeanne Bates (Martha Davis), Lawrence Dobkin (Dr. Jim Kirk), Jerry Hausner (Nicol the Broker), Barney Phillips (Sergeant), Charles Lung (Druggist / Simon), Truda Marson (Anne / Police Radio), Richard Beals (Everett [the boy]), Helen Kleeb (Mother), Larry Thor (Narrator)

###

1955-02-03 A Killing in Abilene

Parley Baer stars in the Gil Doud and Antony Ellis story about a lone horseman tracking down his brother's murderer. Rather than revenge, he seeks to bring the killer before a court. In the conclusion, all the accusers realize that the killer was not who they originally believed. Justice is finally delivered.

The original 1950 production starred Alan Ladd. Background and recordings can be found at:

• https://suspenseproject.blogspot.com/2024/05/1950-12-14-killing-in-abilene.html

• https://archive.org/details/TSP501214, which is the site from which recordings can be streamed or downloaded.

Parley Baer gives a fine performance, in stark contrast to the simple and compliant Chester, this role is much more authoritative. This was one of the scripts that help form some of the key ideas about adult western drama that would coalesce to become Gunsmoke. Alan Ladd was an excellent radio performer, and many enthusiasts may prefer that original production to this one, and are not slighting Parley Baer by any means if they do so. There are few Ladd radio performances compared to the constant and steadfast presence of the much beloved Baer who made hundreds if not thousands of radio appearances.

Frank Gerstle’s character was named “Bob” in early scripts but it was changed to “Ben” by the time of broadcast. No reason can be found.

LISTEN TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or mp3

https://archive.org/details/TSP550203

THE CAST

Parley Baer (Jack Mander), Paula Winslowe (Sarah Costen), Jack Kruschen (Needle), Frank Gerstle (Ben Chappie), James Nusser (Sheriff Jake Garvey), Vic Perrin (Lee Burrage), Joe DuVal (Bob / Jim Eakin), Will Wright (Old Timer), Larry Thor (Narrator)

###

1955-01-27 The Operation

A down-on-his luck man is the patient of a doctor, and uses that status as a ruse. He returns to the office after his earlier appointment, at closing time to pick up his medication. But that’s a ruse; he wants money. While he is there with the office nurse who is attempting to deal with the dangerous situation, two criminals burst into the office. One of them has been shot. His companion demands that the doctor operate immediately to remove the bullet. But the doctor’s not in the office… and the criminal sincerely believes the man attempting to rob the office is the doctor! The criminal threatens them, and the quick-thinking nurse says they will do the operation. In the process, she has to secure the cooperation of the robber who must pretend to be the doctor and be convincing about it. How she guides him to buy time for someone to come and rescue them from the situation makes for a compelling story.

The author is identified as “Charles Jacobs.” That name has befuddled many for a long time. The name is not found in resources that identify short story authors or novelists or movie and television writers or theatrical playwrights. It's too good a script and too complex a plot for the author to not have written anything else. If the author was a “one hit wonder,” there would likely be mention of someone adapting the story. The identity is finally known. The insight came from consulting the Wikipedia page for Antony Ellis where his birth name is revealed as "Antony Ellis Jacobs." A search of Ellis family documents resulted in finding the marriage license of Antony and Georgia Ellis. On the form is written the name of Antony Ellis’ father: Charles Jacobs. It is not known why Ellis chose this script or moment to use a pseudonym. As best can be determined, he only used pseudonyms twice more during his time as producer.

LISTEN TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or mp3

https://archive.org/details/TSP550127

THE CAST

Hy Averback (Carter), Mary Jane Croft (Mrs. Ruth Bell), Herb Ellis (Al), Sam Edwards (Danny), John Fell (2nd Officer), Bill Justine (Officer / Radio voice), John Stephenson (Dr. Bell), Larry Thor (Narrator)

###

1955-01-20 Study of a Murderer

This is the second broadcast of an exceptional Arthur Ross script, superbly cast with Charlotte Lawrence and William Conrad. He was in the original broadcast and “stole the show” there, but in this broadcast, Lawrence and Conrad are extraordinary together. This is not one of the episodes that you suggest to a first-time Suspense listener. It is challenging to the actors and listeners need time to absorb it all. This is not one of those episodes where you can listen in the background and catch all of its subtleties. Conrad’s acting range may be surprising since he is so often cast in strong roles on Gunsmoke and his TV series, or sinister roles on Escape, The Whistler, and other series. This episode is about the mental illness of a husband, and we hear his condition deteriorate with almost every minute, all through the script, and Conrad’s portrayal. We suffer along with his wife, who after only two years or marriage has to come to terms with his need for psychiatric care. The time of being happy newlyweds was incredibly and tragically brief.

Background about the story and the recordings of the first broadcast are available at these links:

• https://suspenseproject.blogspot.com/2024/06/1951-10-01-case-study-of-murderer.html

• https://archive.org/details/TSP511001 is where the recordings can be downloaded or streamed

The story had multiple titles. In the broadcast of 1951-10-01, the title was Case Study of a Murderer. The prior week of this broadcast, it was announced as “The Case History of a Murderer.” The script for this 1955 has the title “Study of a Murder.” It was changed once more prior to this broadcast.

LISTEN TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or mp3

https://archive.org/details/TSP550120

THE CAST

Charlotte Lawrence (Beth), William Conrad (Hank), Herb Butterfield (Doctor), Larry Thor (Radio Commentator / Narrator)

###