We keep surpassing Patreon goals! This week, we are cerebrating with episodes featuring the beginning and end of Suspense! For the first part, we listen to the (sort-of) audition episode presented as part of the Forecast series in July of 1940. Alfred Hitchcock (sort of, not really) presented this adaptation of the short story and novel by Marie Belloc Lowndes, the same source material he adapted for his 1927 silent film, The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog. Based on the Jack the Ripper murders, this story depicts a mysterious zealot who who rents a room from a working class London couple. Could this stranger be the murderous figure known as the Avenger? Why did this episode receive so many complaints? Are we being stalked by Bromo-Seltzer? Listen for yourself and find out! Then vote and let us know what you think!
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I voted this a classic before listening because I thought it was the Peter Lorre version that was actually on Mystery In the Air. So, disregard that vote.
I wasn’t sure I could do it, but I undid the vote in case you want to choose a different option. I’m so excited I have the power to rig these votes!
I would say Hitchcock DID direct this program if only because we have other evidence of him being a… really, really, terrible adapter. Check out his pilot for Once Upon a Midnight where he attempts to adapt Malice Aforethought into a half-hour format and bungles it, leaving the story incomplete. It seems to be a recurring problem he had. Thankfully, when he moved into television, he evidently hired staff who helped him solve his pacing issues. Or perhaps he was simply never comfortable in an audio-only medium. (but as David pointed out, we have a pretty good adaptation of the… Read more »
I have every reason to believe what you say about Hitchcock’s weak adaptation skills. Regarding other versions of the story, the lodger in the 1932 film is a much better character and despite the overacting typical of the early film era, the ending is pretty good.
This episode can fade into the mists of time… 2 out of 4.
Also, have to disagree with Eric, the 39 Steps by Hitchcock is an awful adaption. I am curious what his opinion of Charade, which seems like a Hitchcock movie, but is not.