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!