We’ve collected quite a backlog of Suspense episodes recommended to us by our mysterious listeners, so it’s time for a Suspense-o-rama! We begin with “The Dark Tower,” an episode that features Orson Welles in a theatrical, perhaps self-parodying role. In the story (based on a play), a larger-than-life actor spins a tale about an alleged murder. In this case, the alleged killer cannot remember whether or not she committed the crime! Is this script an adaptation of a play or a story about an adaptation of a play? Is Welles’ performance parodying his own reputation or just living up to it? Was this episode a prequel to this commercial for the Dark Tower board game? Listen for yourself and find out! Then vote and let us know what you think!
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This was such fun! Welles’ performance reminds me quite a bit of a later radio show. one of my favorite comedies, The Magnificent Montague. In that show, a vain Shakespearean actor is reduced to playing in a treacly radio soap.
Montague is played by Monty Woolley, best known for his starring role in the film The Man Who Came to Dinner – which was written by George S. Kaufman and based on Alexander Woollcott.
The actor playing Stanley is Hans Conried, a prolific actor who appeared in many episodes of Suspense. For a while he appeared in so many that it seemed like he was one of the program’s stock players.
This was one of my all time fave episodes of the podcast. What fun! The identity of the murder surprised me, it was a delight hearing Orson Welles make fun of Orson Welles, all the rest of the cast was perfect, the villain was super-creepy, and I LOVED the wink at the audience at the end “everyone listening to these words gets it but you”
Totally wonderful!
Fun episode, definitely a classic. Loved how Welles hams it up, then the switches voices. Really great when he goes back into the voice while talking to the narrator.