Suspense: Radio's Premier Anthology of Thrills and Chills

Enjoys some shows

Sorry Wrong Number (Suspense) - 18th November 1948

The Thing in the Window (Suspense) - 27th January 1949

Ghost Hunt (Suspense) - 23rd June 1949

Suspense was one of the most iconic and influential radio drama series of the Golden Age of Radio. Airing on the CBS Radio Network from 1942 to 1962, the program captivated audiences with its gripping tales of suspense, mystery, and the macabre. Billed as "radio's outstanding theater of thrills," Suspense set the standard for suspenseful storytelling on the airwaves, featuring adaptations of classic works as well as original scripts that kept listeners on the edge of their seats.

Series Overview and Creation

Suspense had its origins in a 1940 audition program for the CBS summer series Forecast, which featured an adaptation of Marie Belloc Lowndes' novel The Lodger. Directed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock, this pilot episode showcased the program's ability to craft a tense, atmospheric thriller for the radio medium. Hitchcock's involvement lent the series immediate credibility, as he was already renowned for his mastery of suspense in films like The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes.

The success of the audition program led to the launch of Suspense as a regular series on June 17, 1942. In its early years, the program was hosted by the mysterious "Man in Black" (voiced by actors like Joseph Kearns and Ted Osborne) and featured scripts by prominent mystery writers like John Dickson Carr. One of the series' earliest and most acclaimed episodes was Lucille Fletcher's "Sorry, Wrong Number," which starred Agnes Moorehead as a bedridden woman who overhears a murder plot on a crossed telephone line. First broadcast on May 25, 1943, "Sorry, Wrong Number" was so popular that it was restaged seven times over the course of the series, each time with Moorehead reprising her chilling performance.

Notable Episodes and Storylines

In addition to "Sorry, Wrong Number," Suspense boasted a wealth of other memorable episodes that have endured as classics of the genre. Lucille Fletcher's "The Hitch-Hiker," first heard on the program in 1942 with Orson Welles in the lead role, was later adapted for television by Rod Serling on The Twilight Zone. The series also delved into science fiction and the supernatural on occasion, with adaptations of Curt Siodmak's Donovan's Brain and H.P. Lovecraft's "The Dunwich Horror" standing out as particularly chilling examples.

Under the guidance of producers like William Spier, Norman Macdonnell, and Elliott Lewis, Suspense reached new heights of sophistication in the early 1950s. The writing became tighter, the casting more impressive (featuring stars like Humphrey Bogart, Judy Garland, and Cary Grant), and the production values enhanced. Episodes like "Death on My Hands," which starred Phil Harris and Alice Faye as a bandleader and vocalist grappling with the accidental death of a fan, showcased the program's ability to blend suspense with dark humor and character-driven drama.

Cast and Crew

Suspense boasted an impressive roster of talent both in front of and behind the microphone. In addition to the aforementioned Hitchcock and Welles, the series featured performances by a who's who of Hollywood stars, including Joseph Cotten, Henry Fonda, Marlene Dietrich, and Lena Horne. Radio actors like Elliott Lewis, who took over as producer and director in the early 1950s, also made significant contributions to the show's success.

The writing staff was equally impressive, with names like Lucille Fletcher, John Dickson Carr, and Curt Siodmak lending their skills to crafting the program's taut, suspenseful scripts. Directors like William N. Robson, Anton M. Leader, and Charles Vanda brought a cinematic flair to the radio medium, utilizing innovative sound effects and atmospheric music (often composed by Bernard Herrmann) to heighten the sense of tension and dread.

Impact and Reception

Suspense was widely acclaimed during its run, earning a Special Citation of Honor Peabody Award in 1946 for its contributions to the medium. The series was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2011, further cementing its status as one of the most influential and enduring programs of the Golden Age of Radio.

Beyond its critical acclaim, Suspense also had a significant impact on the broader landscape of radio drama and suspense fiction. The program's distinctive opening narration, which promised "tales well-calculated to keep you in...Suspense," became a cultural touchstone, inspiring parodies and homages in other media. The series' influence can be seen in the work of writers like Rod Serling, who adapted "The Hitch-Hiker" for The Twilight Zone, as well as in the development of later radio anthology series like CBS Radio Mystery Theater.

Legacy and Influence

Even as television began to eclipse radio in the 1950s, Suspense managed to maintain its popularity and relevance. The program expanded its repertoire to include more science fiction and supernatural content, adapting works by authors like H.P. Lovecraft and Robert Arthur. By the end of its run, Suspense was remaking scripts from the long-canceled series The Mysterious Traveler, demonstrating the program's ability to evolve and adapt to changing audience tastes.

The final broadcasts of Suspense and Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar on September 30, 1962, are often cited as the end of the Golden Age of Radio. However, the legacy of Suspense lives on. The program has been revived for modern audiences, with a new series produced for Sirius XM Radio in 2012 that features original scripts as well as adaptations of classic works. Suspense continues to be celebrated and studied by fans and scholars of old-time radio, its enduring influence a testament to the power of the medium to captivate and thrill.

In the annals of radio drama, Suspense stands tall as a true icon, a program that set the standard for suspenseful storytelling and left an indelible mark on the industry. Its gripping tales, talented cast and crew, and innovative production values have ensured that Suspense remains one of the most beloved and influential programs of the Golden Age of Radio.

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