Suspense Sundays (18)

"Now let's see... Suspect... Suspectant... Suspend... Ah here we are, Suspense.  The condition of mental uncertainty usually accompanied by apprehension or anxiety.  Fear of something that is about to occur, as 'Do not keep me any longer in SUSPENSE.'"

Suspense was a radio series from 1942 to 1962, claiming to be "radio's outstanding theater of thrills."  I have a fondness for "Old Time Radio" as we call it now, and Suspense is my favorite show.  It sets up weird, dark, scary, or intriguing stories with a plot twist in the end, and all in half an hour.  I love the old-fashion story-telling and I thought it would be fun to give a short review of an episode every Sunday.  

"The Kettler Method"

Air date: September 16, 1942

Starring Roger DeKoven and John Gibson

>>Episodes here<<

Dr. Kettler spent years perfecting a brain surgery technique. When he finally tried it on a patient, the patient died, and Dr. Kettler went mad. He’s locked up in a sanitarium but he is now convinced that his patient survived and his fellow doctors purposely kept that from him because they were jealous. So on a dark and stormy night, Dr. Kettler starts an insurrection and takes over.

Leslie and Claire Winton need to see Dr. Morrissey because of Claire’s terrible persistent headaches. Mr. Morrissey is unavailable but Dr. Kettler is willing to consult. He thinks those headaches are very worrisome. In fact he has a special technique that will cure it for sure...

Madness and isolation. Great set-up for a suspenseful story! The listener knows the Wintons are heading down a bad path, and it’s nail-biting until they figure it out. This is a great atmospherically creepy story, complete with an 8 foot tall “giant” who is Dr. Kettler’s “assistant”.