Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 31: Eddie Bracken!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Today's Suspense episode is "Nightmare" (March 13, 1948) starring Eddie Bracken! Eddie Bracken was briefly a big comedy film star in the 40s and also starred in radio's the Eddie Bracken Show (1945-1947). This episode is from the era when Suspense was a full-hour program! This was also the third and final appearance Bracken made on Suspense (I blogged about both of them before: "The Visitor" and "Elwood").

Vince Hardy has a terrible nightmare one night where he's in a room surrounded by mirrors and kills a man with a knife. When he wakes up, he begins to suspect it wasn't a dream. Before long, he stumbles across the murder scene!

You might recognize this story; it was written by Cornell Woolrich (as "And So to Death") and was made into the 1947 film Fear in the Night with DeForest Kelley (his film debut). But beyond that, the story visits familiar tropes found in many of Woolrich's stories, such as a central character who can't trust their own memory (you'll possibly be reminded of another Woolrich story on Suspense: "The Singing Walls").

Thank you for following my Halloween 2025 posts celebrating comedians heard on Suspense! I hope to feature a series of similar posts next Halloween!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 30: Ginger Rogers!

Today's Suspense episode is "Vamp 'Til Dead" (January 11, 1951) starring Ginger Rogers! Ginger Rogers is best-remembered for being Fred Astaire's most beloved dancing partner, but she had a healthy solo career with dozens of great comedy films and an Academy Award for the dramatic film Kitty Foyle (1940). If you only know her for her musical/dance films, check her out in films like Bachelor Mother (1939) or Tales of Manhattan (1942).

Amy Watkins (Ginger) is secretary to a writer whose wife passed away under mysterious circumstances. It turns out Amy is the sister of the dead woman and she's there to expose the killer! "Vamp 'Til Dead" was presented on Suspense again on September 29, 1957 but without Ginger.

Tomorrow: Eddie Bracken!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 29: Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Hilliard!

Today's Suspense episode is "Too Little to Live On" (December 26, 1947) starring the husband/wife duo of Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Hilliard! This was the first of 3 Suspense episodes that starred Ozzie and Harriet. Ozzie and Harriet had been a bandleader and singer who made plenty of radio appearances together (most notably on the Red Skelton Show) then parlayed their success as bit players into headlining the Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on radio (1944-1954), film (1952) and TV (1952-1966).

The O'Connors are sick of their invalid Uncle Ed, who constantly taunts them about writing them out of his will, knowing they're only caring for him in the hopes of inheriting his money. One day he goes too far and they decide to speed up matters.

"Too Little to Live On" had previously appeared on Suspense on February 7, 1946 but without Ozzie and Harriet. Obviously, it wasn't written for them, so that makes their success in these roles so much the better; later Suspense programs would cast them as their sitcom selves (seriously, in one of them-- "Mr. Diogenes"-- they were literally Ozzie and Harriet) but this episode proved they had a bit of dramatic range too.

Tomorrow: Ginger Rogers!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 28: Gene Kelly!

Today's Suspense episode is "Thieves Fall Out" (November 16, 1943) starring musical comedy film star Gene Kelly! This was the first of 4 Suspense episode starring Gene Kelly (I blogged about one of them before: "To Find Help").

Kelly portrays Art Kramer, "a gentleman of most uncertain scruples"; that is, a black marketeer. Art wants to advance in his criminal organization but he's got some gambling debts to take care of. He decides to eliminate his boss McPhail and his debtor George, but his scheme hits a little snag.

This is one of the earliest Suspense episodes I've featured this month (it was before the show had a sponsor).

Tomorrow: Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Hilliard!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 27: Eve Arden!

Today's Suspense episode is "The Well-Dressed Corpse" (January 18, 1951) starring Eve Arden! Arden had a lengthy film career in mostly comedy roles but was also a side player in plenty of radio comedies; she finally hit her most famous role as Constance Brooks in Our Miss Brooks on radio (1948-1957), TV (1952-1956) and film (1956).

Eve Arden plays Ruth Franklin, a woman who was named one of the "best dressed" women in the country; she strikes up a relationship with one of the "best dressed" men but he's not interested in marrying her. Incensed, Ruth turns to murder.

Arden's a very good dramatic lead - she could've done film noir if she'd wanted to! "The Well-Dressed Corpse" also appeared on Suspense on October 13, 1957, but without Arden.

Tomorrow: Gene Kelly!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 26: Danny Kaye!

Today's Suspense episode is "The Too-Perfect Alibi" (January 13, 1949) starring Danny Kaye! This was the first of two appearances on Suspense by Kaye. Kaye had briefly been a radio comedy star in the Danny Kaye Show (1945-1946) but did better in comedy films.

Danny Kaye plays Sam Rogers, "a prince of guy," whose best friend is getting married to the woman Sam loves; he resolves to murder his friend and arrange an alibi, as he's certain to be suspected. As the title suggests, his scheme works a little too well!

When you hear how downright goofy Danny Kaye was in his radio series - or his records, or nearly all of his films - you might be surprised to find he had some dramatic skills too and was capable of restraining himself; the plot could have been done on the Mysterious Traveler without any changes, but Kaye's performance elevates it.

Tomorrow: Eve Arden!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 25: Phil Silvers!

Today's Suspense episode is "The Swift Rise of Eddie Albright" (April 3, 1947) starring Phil Silvers! At the time, Silvers was slowly making his name as a comedy relief player in various films (such as the 1945 movie A Thousand and One Nights where he played Aladdin's best friend, a man who claimed he was born 1200 years too soon and used 1940s slang); TV would later make Silvers a big name.

Eddie Albright (Silvers) is a hotel elevator operator who likes to embellish his role to impress women. When he takes an elevator ride with some mobsters he has some legitimate news to share-- but with a reputation for "crying wolf" who will listen?

I think Silvers is perfect as an elevator operator, less so as a protagonist in a tense crime drama - he's a bit too easygoing to think he's ever in any real danger.

Tomorrow: Danny Kaye!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 24: Rosalind Russell!

Today's Suspense episode is "Consideration" (February 2, 1950) starring Rosalind Russell! Rosalind Russell performed in comedic and dramatic film roles but she's unquestionably best-remembered for Howard Hawks' comedy His Girl Friday (1940).

Ellen Forrester (Russell) has been using up their savings, upsetting her husband, who has been embezzling money. When he takes out a new insurance policy for them both, Ellen slowly grows convinced he's planning to murder her.

This was among the earliest episodes of Suspense I heard and I've always thought it was a very strong drama with an ending I didn't see coming.

Tomorrow: Phil Silvers!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 23: Red Skelton!

Today's Suspense episode is "The Search for Isabel" (November 3, 1949) starring Red Skelton! Skelton was a comedy star in films and in his own radio show (1941-1953). He was renowned for his ad-libs.

Dick Brown (Skelton) has a series of dreams about a woman named Isabel, a name Dick keeps hearing people ask for over the phone. Dick decides to find Isabel for himself to see if she matches his fantasies but discovers to find her, he has to through the mob.

I've never been too warm to Red Skelton's style of comedy but I think he's okay in this story; it's definitely a very light-hearted Suspense though, nowhere near as intense as other episodes I've featured this month.

Tomorrow: Rosalind Russell!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 22: Ed Gardner!

Today's Suspense episode is "The Palmer Method" (April 20, 1944) starring Ed Gardner! It seems appropriate that Gardner would appear on Suspense considering that of all the pilot shows featured in the first year of Forecast, only Suspense and Gardner's show Duffy's Tavern were picked up as series. Gardner played Archie the bartender on Duffy's Tavern through radio (1941-1951), film (1945) and TV (1954) and was better-known as "Archie" than as himself.

Gardner plays Joe Palmer, a forger who heads into the Spanish Civil War. He takes on the identity of another man but, as is so often the case in such stories, didn't know as much about his new identity as he should have.

Gardner's Palmer is very much the same type of person as Archie, if Archie went in for murder. The part suits Gardner, naturally.

Tomorrow: Red Skelton!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 21: Jack Carson!

Today's Suspense episode is "The One Millionth Joe" (June 22, 1950) starring Jack Carson! This was the 2nd of 5 Suspense episodes starring Carson. Carson's career was full of bit parts in comedy films, including Arsenic and Old Lace (1944). He also starred in his own CBS radio comedy show, the Jack Carson Show (1943-1950).

Al Jazant (Carson) is a public relations man who awards the 1,00,000th passenger at an airport an assortment of goods; the winner doesn't seem very interested in the prizes until he hears it includes a plane ticket out of the country. Al becomes interested in the unusual behaviour of the prize winner and starts to think he's running from the law.

This was originally a story told on the Philip Morris Playhouse, another series produced by William Spier. I find Jack Carson had a pretty broad performance style, even in drama, but the brash, big-mouthed publicity agent he plays here suited him.

Tomorrow: Ed Gardner!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 20: Mickey Rooney!

Today's Suspense episode is "The Lie" (April 28, 1949) starring Mickey Rooney! This was the first of 3 appearances on Suspense by Mickey Rooney. Rooney (much like Jackie Kelk and Jackie Cooper) was a child star trying to move past his squeaky-clean image; on the one hand, it never really worked out for him (Rooney was just too darn beloved for his Andy Hardy movies); on the other hand, the man always had work.

Rooney portrays a young good-for-nothing who's just been kicked out of college. Returning home, he finds his despised stepmother is dead and assumes his father killed her. He frames himself for the crime to spare his father-- but he might have been hasty in his assumptions!

The story is adapted from Cornell Woolrich's "Alibi of the Lying Son" from 1937. Rooney was very good in this episode, managing at portraying a character who on the one hand, is a privileged jerk and on the other, is a loving son.

Tomorrow: Jack Carson!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 19: William Bendix!

Today's Suspense episode is "The Gift of Jumbo Brannigan" (March 1, 1951) starring William Bendix! This was Bendix's fourth and final appearance on Suspense. Bendix's film career featured films of all types, but he was best-known for starring in the radio series the Life of Riley (1944-1951), which also became a feature film in 1949 and TV series from 1949-1958 (the first year starred Jackie Gleason in Bendix's role as Chester Riley). Although Bendix appeared in gritty films like the Glass Key (1942) and the Blue Dahlia (1946), he remained beloved for portraying the dim-witted yet well-meaning Chester Riley, possibly the originator of the "bumbling dad" trope in situation comedy.

While Bendix's other Suspense roles had a bit of comedy, this one is more in keeping with Bendix's film noir oeuvre. Bendix portrays the titular Jumbo Brannigan, who's just gotten out of prison and wants to reform -- but his criminal career has been idolized by his son, who's decided he's going to plan his father's future crimes!

Tomorrow: Mickey Rooney!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 18: Jackie Cooper!

Today's Suspense episode is "The Clock and the Rope" (May 9, 1946) starring Jackie Cooper! Cooper was famous as a child star, earning an Academy Award for Best Actor nomination for the 1931 film Skippy. Like most child stars, he struggled at proving himself as an adult performer; ergo, why not appear on Suspense to demonstrate his range?

In the story, Cooper portrays a man who was wrongfully accused of murder; as the tale unfolds, it's not clear whether you're hearing the story of how a man avoided execution... or a dead man telling you how he was executed.

Cooper came back to Suspense on December 5, 1947 to reprise "The Clock and the Rope." I think he's good in this story - he's comes across as guileless.

Tomorrow: William Bendix!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 17: Charles Ruggles!

Today's Suspense episode is "Suspicion" (February 10, 1944) starring Charles Ruggles! Ruggles had a film career that was a mix of dramas and comedies but he's best-remembered for portraying the big game hunter in Howard Hawks' Bringing Up Baby (1938); he also appeared in a lot of radio comedy shows, including the Texaco Star Theatre. Ruggles' first appearance on Suspense was also the program's first episode, "The Burning Court" (June 17, 1942); "Suspicion" was his 2nd appearance.

Mr. Mummery (Ruggles) is a newlywed who can't help but notice the stories of a poisoner going around - and wonders how well he trusts his new cook.

"Suspicion" was written by Dorothy L. Sayers, one of England's top mystery writers. Suspense presented it previously on August 12, 1942 and again on April 3, 1948 (but without Ruggles). For that matter, it also appeared on the Suspense television show and you might have seen it adapted on TV's Alfred Hitchcock Presents! Ruggles plays his part with a bit of humour but it suits Sayers' tale.

Tomorrow: Jackie Cooper!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 16: Donald O'Connor!

Today's Suspense episode is "Smiley" (August 14, 1947) starring Donald O'Connor, a musical comedy film star! This was the first of 2 episodes of Suspense starring O'Connor.

"Smiley" (O'Connor) is a young man who's very proud of his hands until an altercation winds him in prison. After he gets out, his mind has clearly snapped but no one seems to notice all the warning signs.

O'Connor's perfectly usettling as Smiley. His young, high voice, makes his character's mental breakdown all the more disturbing.

Tomorrow: Charles Ruggles!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 15: Jackie Kelk!

Today's Suspense episode is "Shadow on the Wall" (September 22, 1957) starring Jackie Kelk! This was the first of 3 episodes of Suspense featuring Kelk. Although Kelk had a wide and unusual career (starting as a child actor) he's best-remembered for potraying Homer Brown, best buddy of Henry Aldrich on the Aldrich Family; Kelk played Homer on radio and TV from 1940-1951.

In this episode, Henry (Kelk) murders his brother but is thereafter haunted by a shadow - which is to say, he's haunted by his guilty conscience. It's a bit like Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart" and Kelk is up to the material.

Tomorrow: Donald O'Connor!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 14: Milton Berle!

Today's Suspense episode is "Rave Notice" (October 12, 1950) starring Milton Berle! Berle had been a radio star in his own show from 1947-1948, then became television's first break-out hit comedy star in 1948.

1951 was a great year for Berle, as NBC signed him to a 30-year contract, believing that his tremendous TV success meant he'd be good for decades, just as the likes of Jack Benny, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope had; it turned out TV audiences were more fickle and he was basically washed-up just 2 years later but Berle spent the rest of his life mugging for cameras whenever possible; he was mostly hated by his peers because he would steal material and upstage co-stars.

Given all that, how did Berle pan out as a dramatic actor? Pretty good; Berle portrays an actor who murders his director. To keep himself out of the gas chamber, he tries to use his talents as a method actor to convince the police he's insane.

"Rave Notice" was presented again on Suspense on October 21, 1954 and June 1, 1958 but without Berle (the latter performance has Vincent Price).

Tomorrow: Jackie Kelk!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 13: Michael O'Shea!

Today's Suspense episode is "The Twist" (September 11, 1947) starring Michael O'Shea! By the 1940s, O'Shea had been primarily working in feature films in comedic roles. This was O'Shea's 2nd appearance on Suspense.

Gus Green (O'Shea) is a taxi driver who happens to pick up a comedy writer one day. This chance encounter leads to a him being hired to write gags for the radio. When the writer wants to call it quits and gets married, Gus comes up with a "twist" of an idea-- murder the fiancee and they won't break up the act!

O'Shea's character has a very light, breezy sitcom-like demeanor, which makes the dramatic turn all the more effective; O'Shea's very good in this episode.

Tomorrow: Milton Berle!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 12: Richard Crenna!

Today's Suspense episode is "Night on Red Mountain" (September 15, 1957) starring Richard Crenna! Crenna might be best-remembered to general audiences for his role in the Rambo film franchise but as a young man, he had a prolific career using his squeaky voice to portray a number of teenaged characters, most notably Walter Denton on Our Miss Brooks (1948-1957). He appeared on Suspense 8 times but not always in a leading role.

Walt (Crenna) is a former gangster trying to get away from the mob-- but when they discover his new identity they threaten he either rejoin the old gang or become their enemy.

The story (by William N. Robson) was originally presented on Suspense as "Nobody Ever Quits" (March 8, 1955). Crenna reprised his role again on Suspense on a January 11, 1959 broadcast. Crenna's good in this role and you could see it as an early indicator that he'd end up doing okay for himself when his comedy career came to an end.

Tomorrow: Michael O'Shea!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 11: Ethel Merman!

Today's Suspense episode is "Never Follow a Banjo Act!" (February 1, 1954) starring singer/comedian Ethel Merman!

Rosie Jones is a vaudeville performer whose new singing partner is a bit mentally unbalanced.

This is a pretty good showcase for Ethel Merman as a singer but I find it underwhelming as an episode of Suspense; the insane killer feels tacked-on, rather than driving the narrative.

Tomorrow: Richard Crenna!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 10: Dennis Day!

Today's Suspense episode is "Like Man, Somebody Dig Me" (August 16, 1959) starring Dennis Day, best-known for his singing and comedic roles on the Jack Benny Program but was also the star of his own radio shows (A Day in the Life of Dennis Day, 1946-1951 and the Dennis Day Show, 1954-1955).

This was a very late entry in the 20-year run of Suspense; it had previously been performed on May 25, 1958 but without Dennis Day. Day portrays a man called "the Tennis Shoe," a beatnik who goes hitchhiking then finds himself suspected of murder.

This is kind of like "Death on My Hands" (Day 2) in speedrun mode, complete with a lynch mob. In the prior show, Phil Harris was a jazz musician hated by small townsfolk; this time, Dennis Day is a beatnik.

Dennis' beatnik voice is actually kind of fun, it conceals the youthful voice he's better known for. However, I don't think this is the best version of the script-- the original version comes off stronger, especially at the dramatic moment when the Tennis Shoe exclaims, "won't someone dig me?" Day doesn't sell that line.

Tomorrow: Ethel Merman!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 9: Elliott Lewis!

Today's Suspense episode is "Joker Wild" (December 8, 1952) starring Elliott Lewis! Although he'd made plenty of dramatic appearances (many on Suspense), Lewis was also adept at comedy, performing on shows like the Jack Benny Program and being a top-billed star on the Phil Harris/Alice Faye Show. At the time, he was also the producer-director of Suspense.

The story was written by the team of Morton Fine and David Friedkin, two of Lewis' favourite radio scribes (they wrote for Lewis on Broadway Is My Beat, Crime Classics, the Line-Up, On Stage and Pursuit). Lewis' then-wife Cathy Lewis has the top female role in this episode.

Harry (Elliott) is a comedian who's tired of making people laugh; he wants to make them sad by committing murder (this is not me giving away a twist - that's the opening scene!).

I kind of hate this episode because it feels so mean-spirited. Later in life Lewis said he didn't care for his work as a comedian and I wonder if this episode (written by two of his favourite writers) was an attempt at lashing out. I find it a very miserable, sour program-- but it's worth hearing once, so you should definitely check it out:

Tomorrow: Dennis Day!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 8: Keenan Wynn!

Today's Suspense episode is "I Had an Alibi" (January 4, 1945) starring Keenan Wynn! This was the third of six appearances Keenan made on Suspense over the years (I blogged about one of them before: "The Walls Came Tumbling Down"). Keenan Wynn wasn't strictly a comedic performer, but being the son of comedian Ed Wynn, he came by his comedy bona fides legitimately.

Joseph Eichner (Wynn) is a reporter who sees a great scheme to make easy money by marrying a wealthy woman with a heart condition, then waiting for her to die. When nature doesn't seem to cooperate, Eichner decides to push matters forward.

This is a pretty good Suspense episode that unfortunately telegraphs the twist ending a bit too obviously. It's also a twist ending that hinges on an impossibly circumstancial set of events. But I think Wynn carries this story so well that I overlook its shortcomings.

Tomorrow: Elliott Lewis!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 7: Jack Benny!

Today's Suspense episode is "A Good and Faithful Servant" (June 2, 1952) featuring radio comedy star Jack Benny! This was the second of four appearances Benny made on Suspense.

Harold Fenton (Benny) is a meek, long-time sales clerk who claims to have been locked in the store vault while $50,000 was stolen. Actually, Fenton stole the money himself and has a near-perfect plan to keep it-- but one of his co-workers suspects the truth.

Benny's other Suspense appearances all have some element of comedy; I chose to feature this one because it offered Benny an entirely dramatic turn; he was actually good at drama when he was given a chance, but he had such a well-known comic persona that he seldom received opportunities to demonstrate.

Tomorrow: Keenan Wynn!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 6: Ralph Edwards!

Today's Suspense episode is "Ghost Hunt" (June 23, 1949) starring radio comedy host Ralph Edwards, best-known for the radio game show Truth or Consequences (1940-1957)! It's based on a supernatural tale written by Herbert Russell Wakefield. About time we had some spooks this October!

In this episode, Smiley Smith takes a tour of a supposedly haunted house, speaking into a radio microphone as he takes in his impressions of his surroundings. But this haunted house is for real.

Edwards is perfect in his part, especially as the tension starts to ratchet up towards the end.

Tomorrow: Jack Benny!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 5: Sheldon Leonard!

Today's Suspense episode is "Feast of the Furies" (July 11, 1946) starring Sheldon Leonard, best-remembered as a supporting player on radio shows such as the Jack Benny Program (where he played the racetrack tout) and the Phil Harris/Alice Faye Show (where he played Grogan, the counterfeiter). Leonard plays opposite Elliott Reid.

In this grim episode, Casey (Leonard) has been hired to arrange the death of Sam (Reid). Sam tries to reason with Casey and explains the circumstances that led to him being targeted-- but Casey is single-minded.

Leonard's tough guy voice was usually employed for comedic efforts but it worked just as well here in this dramatic part - this is just a terrific episode of Suspense all around.

Tomorrow: Ralph Edwards!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 4: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz!

Today's Suspense episode is "Early to Death" (April 12, 1951) featuring the husband/wife duo of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. This was the second time they had appeared together on Suspense (Lucille also had a number of terrific Suspense episodes without Desi). Their television series I Love Lucy debuted just a few months after this broadcast!

This time out, Evie (Lucille Ball) steals a fortune with her confederate but then Rico (Desi Arnaz) shows up demanding he get a cut of their profits.

Lucille Ball was always great on Suspense; I don't think Desi Arnaz comes off as well in his role (he's a bit too happy-go-lucky) but this is still a fine episode.

Tomorrow: Sheldon Leonard!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 3: Henry Morgan!

Today's Suspense episode is "Dream Song" (November 6, 1947) featuring radio comedian Henry Morgan, known best as the star of the Henry Morgan Show (1946-1947)!

In "Dream Song," Morgan portrays an author who is trying to concentrate on writing a novel when he hears music, apparently from one of the neighbours in his apartment. Soon he learns that each time the music plays, someone dies!

I think Morgan comes off well in this program - his deadpan mode of comedy suggested he had a serious side and that comes out in this Suspense episode!

Tomorrow: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 2: Phil Harris and Alice Faye!

Today's Suspense episode is "Death on My Hands" (May 10, 1951) with the husband/wife radio comedy couple Phil Harris and Alice Faye, stars of their own series the Phil Harris/Alice Faye Show (1946-1954)!

In this episode, Harris plays a character very much like himself - a jazz musician named "Dixie." While stopped in a small town, Dixie's gun accidentally goes off and kills a teenage girl. With no police in town, Dixie intends to wait until they return so he can clear up the situation-- but then a lynch mob forms outside his hotel, intent on storming the building!

The script was written by John Michael Hayes, a long-time Suspense writer, but after Alfred Hitchcock listened to the program he hired Hayes to work on his film Rear Window; Hayes left radio behind for the movies, meaning this episode of Suspense was a little too good for the show! I think Phil and Alice came off very well in this program; it's definitely a rarity to hear Harris in dramatic role, especially a story with such a daunting situation.

Tomorrow: Henry Morgan!

Comedy Stars on Suspense, Day 1: Jim and Marian Jordan!

Often at Halloween, I like to spend each day of October looking at a single episode of a terrific old-time radio program that falls into the horror or suspense genre. And what series better fits that descriptor than Suspense, radio's outstanding theater of thrills?

But this year, I'm looking at 31 episodes of Suspense that feature a leading performance by an actor best known for their work in comedy. This was an innovation Suspense fell into very early on, to use their program as a showcase for comedic talents to flex their dramatic muscles and demonstrate more of their range than what their ususal radio/film roles provided. Did it always work? That's one of the questions I'll be asking!

Let's start with: "Backseat Driver" (February 3, 1949). featuring the husband/wife duo Jim and Marian Jordan, better known as Fibber McGee and Molly, a pair of radio comedians (their show ran from 1935-1959). The Jordans play a married couple coming back from the movies who find themselves held at gunpoint by an escaped criminal who forces them to transport him in their car.

The Jordans come off very well in this story. I think it helps that as Fibber McGee and Molly they were always very laid-back homefolk- they're very similar people in "Backseat Driver."

The script was performed two more times on Suspense (February 22, 1951 and July 19, 1955), but without the Jordans.

Tomorrow: Phil Harris and Alice Faye!