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!